Two AirPods models are expected at today’s iPhone 16 event, one of which will add active noise cancellation (ANC) to the “regular” AirPods for the first time. The $179 version has other upgrades too, but after a brief demo of an ANC setup on the AirPods 4, I think the noise-blocking tools will be the main selling point for most people.
Apple is using this version of the AirPods 4 to bridge the gap between the AirPods and AirPods Pro. As such, this model has some features that were previously exclusive to the company’s most expensive buds.
These include Siri interactions that allow you to accept or reject calls with a nod of your head, Adaptive Audio, voice isolation and more — all thanks to the H2 chip that powers the Pro model. All of these will be welcome improvements for those who prefer the open fit of the AirPods 4, but the ANC is the most impressive addition in my eyes.
I got a brief demo of the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation in the chaotic hands-on area of Apple Park. Honestly, it’s a perfect place to test ANC.
Once I put the AirPods 4 in my ears and listened to some music, I activated noise cancellation to quiet the room. And it almost did. I was surprised by how effective ANC is on these earbuds that don’t completely enclose your ears. Most open-type designs with ANC barely reduce ambient distractions, but do impact battery life.
Here, I could put myself in a room, and I only realized environmental noise when Transparency mode jolted me back to reality. Apple updated the design for the AirPods 4, calling them “the best-fitting AirPods ever.”
This refined shape, in addition to some software tricks and acoustic performance, helps boost passive noise isolation while keeping your ears open for that default audio mode. ANC is another place where Apple has been able to flex the H2 chip’s strengths, and the AirPods 4’s performance in this regard is a testament to the component’s capabilities.
I will note that Transparency mode on the AirPods 4 doesn’t feel as natural as it does on the AirPods Pro. This is mainly due to the fact that I didn’t feel like the earbuds were unable to hear as much of my voice as that more expensive model. In fact, I felt like it wasn’t able to hear at all. An Apple representative explained that this difference could be attributed to a number of factors, including the fact that my ears weren’t fully enclosed.
But it’s not just about cutting the cord. The best wireless headphones pack some serious tech, delivering superb sound quality that can rival their wired counterparts.
Many even have advanced features like active noise cancellation (ANC), so you can block out distractions and fully immerse yourself in your tunes, podcasts, or calls. Whether you’re looking for over-ear headphones that are lightweight and portable or with killer battery life, there’s a wireless option for everyone and every budget.