ElectronicsRanker
Menu

Review

Apple AirPods 4 Review

Apple AirPods 4 are wireless earbuds aimed primarily at iPhone users who want easy setup, compact portability, and balanced everyday audio. They score particularly well for usability, connectivity, and smart features, making them a practical choice for calls, music, and general daily listening. The main drawbacks are mixed fit for active use, some complaints about the controls, and less consistent battery and reliability feedback.
Expert reviewed
84
Overall score
Data-driven scoring Expert reviewed Updated analysis

Why we ranked it highly

Apple AirPods 4 are open-style wireless earbuds with Bluetooth 5.3, a USB-C charging case, Apple’s H2 chip, and features such as Personalized Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation, in-ear detection, Siri access, and Find My support. Based on the product details and review patterns, they are positioned mainly for iPhone users who want a low-friction listening experience rather than a highly customizable or fitness-focused pair of earbuds. Their scoring profile is strongest in setup, connectivity, usability, portability, and brand trust, which lines up with user feedback about instant pairing and simple daily use. Sound quality appears clear and balanced, while call quality also seems to be a meaningful strength. The main caveats are mixed fit security, moderate reliability and durability scores, and battery feedback that does not appear uniformly strong across buyers.
90-day review Expert reviewed User feedback Data scoring

Key specs

Technical Details

Product Dimensions
8.19 x 8.19 x 3.33 inches
Item Weight
4.2 ounces
Manufacturer
Apple
Item model number
MXP63LL/A
Batteries
3 Lithium Ion batteries required. (included)
Date First Available
September 9, 2024
Item Weight
0.26 Pounds
Units
1.0 Count
Number Of Items
1

Technical Details

Size and Weight
AirPods 4 (each)Height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm)Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm)Depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm)Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams)Charging Case (USB-C)Height: 1.82 inches (46.2 mm)Width: 1.97 inches (50.1 mm)Depth: 0.83 inch (21.2 mm)Weight: 1.14 ounces (32.3 grams)
Charging Case
Works with USB‑C connector
Battery
AirPods 4Up to 5 hours of listening time on a single chargeUp to 4.5 hours of talk time on a single chargeAirPods 4 with Charging Case (USB-C)Up to 30 hours of listening timeUp to 20 hours of talk time5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time or around 45 minutes of talk time
Audio Technology
Custom high-excursion Apple driverCustom high dynamic range amplifierVoice IsolationPersonalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head trackingAdaptive EQVent system for pressure equalization
Controls
Press once to play or pause mediaPress once to answer a call or mute or unmutePress twice to end a callPress twice to skip forwardPress three times to skip backPress and hold for SiriSay “Hey Siri” or just “Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directionsWith Siri Interactions, nod your head yes or gently shake your head no when Siri asks if you want to answer an incoming call, hear a text message, manage notifications, and more
Sensors
Dual beamforming microphonesInward-facing microphoneOptical in-ear sensorMotion-detecting accelerometerSpeech-detecting accelerometerForce sensor
Chip
H2 headphone chip
Dust Sweat and Water Resistant
Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54)
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.3 wireless technology
In the Box
AirPods 4Charging Case (USB-C)DocumentationUSB-C Charge Cable sold separately

Scores breakdown

82 /100

Performance

85 /100

Features

88 /100

Usability

74 /100

Design

82 /100

App experience

84 /100

Audio quality

92 /100

Connectivity

77 /100

Battery life

Strengths

  • Very easy setup with iPhone, supported by a high setup score of 94 and repeated review feedback about near-instant pairing.
  • Strong Bluetooth and everyday wireless performance, reflected in the 92 connectivity score and positive comments about stable connections.
  • Clear, balanced sound with support for Personalized Spatial Audio, helping it perform well for music, calls, and general media use.
  • Lightweight, compact design with excellent portability, backed by the 90 portability score and praise for comfort in daily wear.
  • Useful smart features including Siri voice access, in-ear detection, audio sharing, and Find My support.
  • USB-C charging case is smaller than the previous generation and supports quick top-ups, improving everyday convenience.

Limitations

  • Fit is inconsistent across users, with several reviews saying the earbuds can fall out during jogging or more active movement.
  • Control ergonomics appear divisive, with some users finding the shorter stem and squeeze controls harder to use than older AirPods.
  • This version is without active noise cancellation, which may limit appeal for buyers wanting stronger isolation.
  • Battery feedback is mixed despite the rated figures, and some customers say real-world endurance does not feel like the advertised total.
  • Reliability and durability scores are only moderate, with review summaries mentioning some reports of units stopping working.
  • Best experience is tied closely to Apple devices, so non-Apple users may not get the same setup and ecosystem advantages.

Ideal user profiles

  • iPhone users who want simple, fast setup and seamless everyday wireless earbuds.
  • Listeners who prefer balanced sound over very heavy bass.
  • People wanting lightweight earbuds for calls, podcasts, commuting, and general daily use.
  • Apple ecosystem users who value features like Siri, Find My, and device handoff convenience.

Use cases

  • Everyday music and podcast listening at home, work, or on the move.
  • Hands-free phone and video calls in typical day-to-day environments.
  • Watching films and shows with Spatial Audio features on compatible Apple devices.
  • Commuting with a compact charging case that is easy to carry.
  • Light workouts or walking where sweat and water resistance is useful.
  • Switching between Apple devices with minimal setup friction.

Fit and positioning

Who this works for

Category positioning

Within the wireless earbuds category, AirPods 4 sit as a mainstream premium-brand option focused on convenience, portability, and Apple ecosystem integration rather than maximum isolation or sports stability. At this price, they look more like an everyday-use model than a specialist audio or workout pair. The strongest signals here are ease of use, compact design, and seamless connectivity, while the weaker areas are fit security, battery consistency, and long-term dependability.

Best for

AirPods 4 are best for people who use an iPhone regularly and want earbuds that pair quickly, stay light in the ear, and handle music, calls, podcasts, and video without much effort. The high setup, connectivity, usability, and customer satisfaction scores support that recommendation. They also make sense for buyers who value Apple-specific conveniences such as Siri, Find My, and easy switching within the ecosystem.

Not best for

These earbuds are less suitable for buyers who need a very secure fit for running or high-movement training, since customer feedback on stability is mixed. They may also disappoint users who want active noise cancellation, stronger bass emphasis, or highly flexible control ergonomics. Non-Apple users should be careful too, because many of the headline convenience features are most relevant inside Apple’s ecosystem.

Performance analysis

How it performs in practice

Each scoring dimension is separated into a compact card so the strengths and tradeoffs are easier to compare without reading one long block.

Performance analysis

For their main job as everyday wireless earbuds, AirPods 4 perform well overall, with a performance score of 82 and audio quality score of 84. Reviews consistently describe the sound as clear and balanced, with good results for music, podcasts, and calls rather than an exaggerated bass-heavy presentation. Apple also includes Voice Isolation and Personalized Spatial Audio, which broaden the feature set for calls and media. The main performance compromise is that this model is not positioned as a noise-isolating option, and fit inconsistency may affect real-world listening stability for some users.

Feature analysis

The feature set is strong for this type of earbud, reflected in the 85 feature score and 86 smart features score. Notable additions include Personalized Spatial Audio, dynamic head tracking, Voice Isolation, Siri access, in-ear detection, audio sharing, Find My support, and USB-C charging. That is a competitive everyday package, especially for Apple users. The main omission is active noise cancellation in this specific version.

Usability analysis

Usability is a standout area, with a score of 88. Reviews repeatedly mention simple pairing, light weight, and an overall no-fuss experience, especially for iPhone owners. In daily use, automatic behaviors like in-ear playback detection and easy access to Siri add convenience. The main usability drawback is the control scheme: some users struggle with the shorter stem and squeeze controls, finding them harder to operate than older AirPods.

Design

The redesign brings a refined contour, shorter stem, and a smaller USB-C case, but the 74 design score shows the result is not universally successful. Some users praise the comfort and lighter feel, while others say the shorter stem makes controls harder to use and the earbuds less secure during movement. This means the physical design is appealing for portability and casual wear, but ergonomics are more divisive than the overall user scores might suggest.

How it compares

Compared with many wireless earbuds in the same broad category, AirPods 4 look strongest as a friction-free everyday model rather than as a feature-maximizing or fitness-specialist option. Their best competitive traits are compact size, very easy setup, stable connectivity, and integration with Apple services and devices. Sound quality appears good and balanced, but not tuned primarily for heavy bass fans. The main areas where they look less convincing are active-use fit, battery consistency, and long-term reliability confidence. In short, they compare well on convenience and ecosystem value, but less strongly on universal fit security and all-around robustness.

Ranking summary

Apple AirPods 4 rank well as an everyday wireless earbud thanks to their 84 overall score and especially strong results in setup, connectivity, usability, portability, smart features, and brand trust. In practice, that means they stand out most for iPhone users who want quick pairing, a compact case, and a simple daily listening experience. Their weaker scores in reliability, durability, battery life, and design ergonomics keep them from feeling like an across-the-board category leader. They are best understood as a convenience-first option with strong ecosystem advantages rather than a specialist choice for workouts, isolation, or maximum long-term confidence.

Buying advice

Consider AirPods 4 if you mainly use an iPhone and want earbuds for calls, commuting, podcasts, casual music listening, and general daily convenience. They make the most sense for buyers who value quick setup, a small case, and Apple features more than maximum isolation or deep sound customization. Think twice if you need earbuds for running, want active noise cancellation, or are sensitive to control ergonomics, since those are the main areas of concern. Before buying, it is also worth checking whether your use will be mostly inside the Apple ecosystem, because that is where these earbuds offer the clearest advantage.
84
Overall score

Final verdict

Apple AirPods 4 are a strong mainstream option in the wireless earbuds category, especially for iPhone users who prioritize convenience, portability, and easy everyday use. Their main strengths are excellent setup, very strong connectivity, useful Apple smart features, and clear balanced sound. The main limitation is that the physical fit and controls are not universally liked, with additional caution needed around battery consistency and longer-term reliability. If your priority is seamless Apple integration and low-friction listening, they are easy to recommend. If you need a secure sports fit or broader platform value, they are a more conditional choice.
Back to review

Key topics

Apple AirPods 4 review, Apple AirPods 4 wireless earbuds, AirPods 4 ranking, AirPods 4 comparison, best wireless earbuds for iPhone, Apple earbuds review, AirPods 4 battery life, AirPods 4 sound quality, AirPods 4 USB-C charging case, AirPods 4 Spatial Audio

Frequently asked questions

Is Apple AirPods 4 worth it?
For iPhone users who want simple setup, strong connectivity, and lightweight everyday earbuds, AirPods 4 look like a good value option at this price point. The overall score of 84 and customer rating of 4.6/5 support that. The main cautions are mixed fit, moderate reliability scoring, and the lack of active noise cancellation in this version.
Are Apple AirPods 4 good for iPhone users?
Yes, that appears to be the clearest use case. Reviews repeatedly praise instant pairing and smooth use with Apple devices, while the product details highlight quick setup, Siri support, audio sharing, and Find My integration. The setup score of 94 and connectivity score of 92 make this one of the product's strongest areas.
Do Apple AirPods 4 have good sound quality?
Sound quality appears solid rather than aggressively tuned. Reviews describe the sound as clear, balanced, and suitable for music, podcasts, and calls, and the audio quality score is 84. Personalized Spatial Audio is also included. Buyers wanting very bass-heavy tuning may find them less appealing than earbuds designed around a stronger low-end emphasis.
Are Apple AirPods 4 good for workouts?
They can work for light exercise, and they are rated IP54 for dust, sweat, and water resistance. However, fit feedback is mixed. Some users say they stay in place during normal activity, while others report that they fall out when jogging or training. They are safer for light movement than for high-impact exercise.
How easy are Apple AirPods 4 to set up?
Setup is one of the strongest points. Product details describe simple on-screen connection when placed near a compatible device, and multiple reviews say they paired instantly with iPhone. The setup score of 94 reflects that low-friction experience. Buyers outside the Apple ecosystem should not assume the same level of convenience.
Do Apple AirPods 4 have good battery life?
Battery life is adequate for daily use but not universally praised. Apple lists up to 5 hours per charge and up to 30 hours total with the case, with quick-charge support. Reviews are mixed, though, and the battery life score is 77. That suggests acceptable endurance, but not class-leading consistency in real-world use.
What are the main limitations of Apple AirPods 4?
The biggest limitations are mixed fit for active use, divisive control ergonomics, and middling reliability and durability scores. This model also does not include active noise cancellation. For some users, the short stem and squeeze controls are less intuitive than older AirPods designs, especially when adjusting them in the ear.
Are Apple AirPods 4 compatible with non-Apple devices?
They use Bluetooth 5.3, so basic wireless audio compatibility should extend beyond Apple hardware. However, the product information and review feedback focus heavily on iPhone and Apple ecosystem features. That means non-Apple users may get standard Bluetooth listening, but not necessarily the same setup flow or feature depth.

Related Guides & Rankings

Beats Solo3 Wireless Review: On-Ear Headphones... Beats Solo3 Wireless Review: On-Ear Headphones... Sony MDREX15AP Review: Budget Wired Earbuds Ranked Sony MDREX15AP Review: Budget Wired Earbuds Ranked TOZO NC3 Review: Budget ANC Wireless Earbuds Ra... TOZO NC3 Review: Budget ANC Wireless Earbuds Ra... Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Review: ANC Wireless Ear... Soundcore Liberty 4 NC Review: ANC Wireless Ear...