Apple AirPods 4th Gen Review

The Apple AirPods 4th Generation are better than ever, but they still struggle to compete with other top options on the market.

Sound Quality

Our audio experts spent countless hours wearing the AirPods 4, diving into a diverse playlist. Their sound quality marks a noticeable improvement over previous generations; more audible low-end frequencies give the audio a richer, more rounded feel.

The AirPods 4 are the first we've tested with present and fairly robust bass frequencies. While it won't satisfy true enthusiasts of bass-heavy genres like EDM and hip-hop, they have some depth, nicely rounding out the sound profile. The mid-tones are also fuller, with clean and realistic vocals and instruments, creating a balanced mix overall.

In “If You Wanna Stay a While” by Brian Dunne, the AirPod 4 captures the warmth and richness of Dunne's vocals, which are never obscured in the mix. There's plenty of separation between instruments. A break at 3:40 showcases each's unique timbre. The harmonica, bass, percussion, acoustic guitar, organ, and piano are all discernible while blending into a harmonious whole.

The harmonica sounds vibrant and brassy rather than piercing, while the guitar carries a warm, twangy lead. The bass provides a subtle foundation, adding depth without overpowering the bright mids. The overall sound profile is hearty and satisfying, reminiscent of a cozy, well-blended autumn stew.

The highs come through with precision and clarity, even amidst background noises, without becoming lost or muddled. While a touch more sparkle, particularly in high-pitched female vocals, could elevate the sound, the treble tones are still pleasing and accurate. They avoid the sharpness that can lead to listener fatigue. Tracks with bright instrumentation, like “You've Got To Have Freedom” by Pharoah Sanders, showcase the highs' natural, crisp quality from 0:01 to 0:39, even amidst the jazzy, dynamic horns.

We had to occasionally turn up the volume to hear the high notes, and they can lose impact at moderate volumes, sounding somewhat thin. So, while the highs are well-defined and naturally reproduced, there's still room for added brilliance to match the vibrancy of the mids.

The mid-range captures a nice blend of detail, depth, and richness, delivering a sound that feels well-rounded, natural, and colorful. They're beautifully showcased in a song like “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, where every tone in the complicated piece is distinct and well-defined. Vocals are accurate and forward in the mix, providing a pleasing fulcrum that balances both depth and nuance. While the low-mids could benefit from a bit more power, the overall quality of this range is excellent.

Tracks like “WAP” by Cardi B (featuring Megan Thee Stallion) showcase the improvement. The song's hefty synth beats make an impact in the intro and remain clear beneath the vocals. That's a huge step up from previous models, where those tones barely registered. While the bass is clear and accurate, it is relatively thin, lacking the warmth and richness found in higher-rated competitors.

In “The Motto” by Drake and Lil Wayne, the shift into a bolder, heavier rhythm at 0:19 doesn't hit, highlighting the lack of robust low-end frequencies. This is even more pronounced with the volume up. While they won't satisfy hardcore bass enthusiasts, they still represent a welcome improvement in low-end clarity and presence.

These earbuds get reasonably loud and retain much of their sound quality at higher levels, though the music feels thinner in the bass and treble ranges when you crank it.

To objectively assess sound quality, we used our Brüel & Kjaer Type 5128 Head Simulator paired with SoundCheck software to map frequency response. We compared these results to our preferred GearLab House Curve, or the ideal sound profile for earbuds.

Though the AirPods 4 don't match our house curve much better than previous versions, it is smoother, which can translate to better sound quality overall. And, while the bass frequencies are still well below levels, we prefer they sound more prominent in the mix. The elevated mids work well, and while the treble range could use a boost, they are still present and recognizable in the mix.

Soundstage

Soundstage describes the sense of space earbuds are able to conjure. The best earbuds excel at separating instruments in a more expansive space, allowing each instrument space to resonate independently. This depth and clarity create an immersive listening experience.

Compared to previous generations of AirPods, these give each instrument and voice enough space on the stage for their sound to stand on its own in the mix. Songs feel more alive as a result. This is particularly noticeable in tracks like “Tom Sawyer” by Rush. In the opening (from 0:01 to 0:35) the synth bass sets the scene for a sharp and precise drum beat to lay the rhythmic foundation for the song. It's easier to pinpoint each sound in space and time, making the music sound more structured and refined.

They fall far short of delivering an immersive audio experience. This is partially because they don't seal your ear to surrounding sounds or actively cancel them. If anything is going on in the background, you'll be pulled out of your music.

Comfort and Fit

We had the GearLab team test the fit and comfort of the AirPod 4 in ears of all shapes and sizes. We wore them during activities to test stability. This generation of AirPods is more comfortable than earlier versions. The shorter arms and reduced bulk allow them to sit more securely in the ear.

None of our testers experienced any pressure points, which is impressive given that they lack soft or customizable tips. While they're certainly more comfortable than previous AirPods, many competitors offer a better fit.

Stability

These earbuds never feel secure in the ears, partially because they lack an ear tip. The smooth, hard plastic exterior makes them difficult to grip with your hands and makes it easier for them to slide out of your ears. The stems are shorter than older versions, but still tend to snag on clothing or hair.

Noise Cancellation

The AirPods 4th Gen don't include active noise cancellation (ANC), but we evaluated their ability to minimize external noise using our Bruel & Kjaer 5128-B head simulator and SoundCheck software.

Since they sit outside the ear canal and lack silicone or foam tips, they don't seal the ear canal. As a result, they cannot block as much noise from entering the eardrum and scored lower in our passive noise isolation test. A significant amount of background noise filters through across frequencies. Because of the open-ear design, these earbuds essentially have a built-in transparency mode, meaning you'll always be able to hear the sounds happening around you. This is an advantage for safety.

The chart above shows the results of SoundCheck's analysis. This generation of the Apple Airpods can passively block up to 20 decibels of volume in the treble frequency range. It's not much, but it helps take the edge off a chaotic environment.

Ease of Use

We tested the app for its user-friendliness and customization features. The user experience is slightly better than in previous models, but leaves room for improvement.

App Features

We appreciate the easy navigation of the Apple AirPods settings, but it lacks common customization features. You can verify a good fit (sort of), check battery levels, and activate its advanced features — Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio. But the fit check is useless because you can only reposition them.

The Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio also offer only modest enhancements to your sonic experience. Other earbuds with similar features deliver near-mindblowing shifts in the placement and movement of the music, making these subtle gains less impressive.

Android users face more limitations since the AirPods can't access Apple-exclusive features on non-Apple devices. The pods revert to basic Bluetooth earbuds. The AirPods no longer include a charging cable; they now charge via USB-C cords. This could be an issue if you only have the older Lightning cables.

Connectivity

We tracked pairing problems and user issues, like delays in video playback and feature availability. To add some rigor to our real-world tests, we analyze all 1-star Amazon reviews to see how often people reported connectivity issues. We calculated the percentage of complaints relative to total reviews.

Battery Life

To test the AirPods 4 battery, we set the volume to 75% and let them play. They outperformed Apple's 5-hour claim, with a runtime of 5 hours and 40 minutes.

This battery life is shorter than most competitors. The case holds 5 full recharges, and a quick 5-minute charge provides an extra hour of listening time. If you store the buds in their case, they should be ready to go.

Call Quality

We tested how well the microphone on the AirPods 4 can separate a male and female voice from background noise on a subway platform, in an office, and in a quiet room. We measured the performance using the Brüel & Kjaer 5128-B head simulator and SoundCheck software.

In a quiet room, both the man's and the woman's voices sounded somewhat grainy. They suffer from inconsistent volume across the call but are clear enough to understand.

The voices remain clear in the office, with some distortion, and the volume fluctuates slightly. The background noise is faint, but it doesn't overwhelm their speech.

Both voices come through clearly in the subway test and remain easy to understand. While the background noise is still audible, it stays distinct and doesn't interfere with the speech clarity. It's an impressive performance in the most challenging of circumstances.

Should You Buy the Apple AirPods 4th Gen?

The Apple AirPods 4th Gen are unimpressive buds that ranked low in our tests. They sound okay, but they don't do anything particularly well. And while they're more comfortable than their predecessors, they lack the stability of those with interchangeable ear tips. If you're dedicated to the Apple ecosystem and have a smaller budget, the 4th Gen offers pretty good sound quality, and some people prefer the airy feel. However, there are better options for nearly the same price or a little less.

What Other Earbuds Should You Consider?