AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 2: What Should I Buy?

Apple on Monday unveiled the AirPods 4, a direct successor to its AirPods 3 from 2021. That said, with the introduction of a variant with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) support, the new AirPods 4 are also comparable to the AirPods Pro 2.

If you’re trying to choose between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Pro 2, here are some of the key differences in specs and features between the two to help you decide:

Price

AirPods 4: $179
AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation): $249
AirPods Pro 2: $329

Chipset

AirPods 4:

• Apple Silicon H2 chip

AirPods Pro 2:

• Apple Silicon H2 chip
• Ultra Wideband U1 chip (only in the USB-C MagSafe Charging Case)

Audio Technology

AirPods 4: 

• Custom high-excursion Apple driver
• Active Noise Cancellation with Conversation Awareness, Adaptive Audio, and Transparency mode (only available on the AirPods 4 with ANC)
• Custom high-dynamic-range amplifier

AirPods Pro 2:

• Custom high-excursion Apple driver
• Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation with Adaptive Audio and Transparency mode
• Custom high-dynamic-range amplifier
• Hearing Protection (coming fall 2024) with Conversation Boost and Background Sounds

Both options share identical microphone arrays and several audio features such as Voice Isolation, Personalized Volume, Adaptive EQ, Automatic Switching, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. While the AirPods Pro 2 will be getting a new Hearing Aid feature in the fall, it won’t be available in Canada at launch.

Sensors

AirPods 4:

• Optical in-ear sensor
• Motion-detecting accelerometer
• Speech-detecting accelerometer
• Force sensor for controls

AirPods Pro 2:

• Skin-detect sensor
• Motion-detecting accelerometer
• Speech-detecting accelerometer
• Touch control sensor

While both models share most gesture controls like pressing once to play or pause media or pressing twice to end an ongoing call, the AirPods Pro 2 also support swipe-up and swipe-down gestures to adjust volume.

Battery

AirPods 4:

• Up to 4 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, or up to 5 hours with noise control off
• Up to 20 hours (ANC enabled) or 30 hours (noise control disabled) of listening time with the case
• 5 minutes of charging in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time or around 45 minutes of talk time

AirPods Pro 2: 

• Up to 6 hours of listening time on a single charge, or up to 5.5 hours with Spatial Audio and Head Tracking enabled
• Up to or 30 hours of listening time with the case
• 5 minutes of charging in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time or around 1 hour of talk time

Durability

Both AirPods models are rated IP54 for dust, sweat, and water resistance.

Case

AirPods 4: Charging case (USB-C)

AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation): Wireless Charging Case (USB‑C) that works with Apple Watch charger and Qi‑certified chargers; includes speaker for Find My

AirPods Pro 2: MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C) that works with Apple Watch charger and Qi‑certified chargers; includes lanyard loop and speaker for Find My

The AirPods 4 are a generational upgrade over the AirPods 3, and the addition of an ANC-enabled option helps close the gap with the AirPods Pro 2. That said, they’re not quite at the point of being able to go head-to-head with the flagship AirPods Pro 2 and their superior ear seal, bigger battery, and (upcoming) hearing health features.

Moreover, the ANC-enabled AirPods 4 sits somewhat awkwardly between the base model and the AirPods Pro 2 in terms of price. If you’re more comfortable with the AirPods 4’s in-ear feel and price point, they certainly make for a worthy upgrade.

However, if you’re spending the extra $70 for ANC and a wireless charging case anyway, you may as well fork over an additional $80 — or less, if you can take advantage of a sale — for the AirPods Pro 2. You’ll get the AirPods Pro 2’s silicone ear tips, increased battery life, and an even better case for the additional cost.

You can pre-order AirPods 4 today on Apple.ca, with the next-generation wireless earbuds due to launch next week on September 20.