Imagine a world where your neighbor's leaf blowers simply disappear. AirPods 4 with ANC can make it happen ... minus the pesky burglary charges.(Getty Images/Westend61)
When it comes to Apple products, it's safe to say I'm a fanboy — I even worked there for a bit in a previous life — but, like most of us, I'm not a fan of the prices, especially on recent releases. That's why I'm surprised to see that the brand-spankin'-new AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation are up for grabs at their Prime Day price.
Not everyone loves silicone ear tips — if you're in that club, these are a feature-filled alternative to Apple's lower-end AirPods, but with their traditional fit.
These earbuds, just released in September, usually come with a price tag of $180 — in line with other high-end earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort. Today they're $169, and while an $11 discount may not seem like a big deal, they're just a dollar more than their lowest price ever. Also significant: the fact that they're on sale less than two months after they debuted, which is rare for an Apple product.
If you want headphones that bridge the price and features gap between regular AirPods 4 without active noise cancellation ($119, down from $129) and AirPods Pro ($199, down from $245), these buds are for you.
Yahoo Senior Tech Writer Rick Broida describes the ANC as "surprisingly effective," saying it's "at least 80% as good as it is on the AirPods Pros." AirPods 4 with ANC also share the Pros' H2 chip, spatial audio, Personalized Volume, Conversation Awareness, Head Gestures and wireless charging case with speaker, to name just a few features.
Even if you already have previous-generation AirPods sans ANC, these earbuds are worthy of an upgrade. Noise cancellation can get rid of distractions and keep you more productive at work or school. It's even been shown to lower stress hormones and improve your overall mood. Yes, these headphones could make you a more pleasant person to be around — not bad for less than $200!
Apple only just released the AirPods 4 with ANC last month, but reviews have started trickling in, the vast majority of them unsurprisingly positive.
"The AirPods exceeded my expectations," said one happy customer, who noted that they dislike silicone-tipped earbuds and avoided the AirPods Pro because of that. "The fit is excellent, I had no issues with the previous models, but it seems to fit a bit better for me. They stay secure even during activities like running."
The AirPods "offer most of the features of the Pro line with the fit of the regular line," said another five-star reviewer. "If you like the fit of the regular line but always wanted the features of the Pro line — this is your AirPod! I was planning to wait to 'lose' my existing AirPods 3 or AirPods Pro before I jumped to this line, but I'm glad I didn't wait. These check every box."
"The software is magical," added a third fan. "I love how I can be listening and still hear other people in transparent mode. I also like how I can start talking and then the headphones quiet and then automatically resume when I've stopped talking."
Shoppers' biggest gripe: Without silicone tips and a full-ear seal, the ANC isn't as good as it is on some higher-end earbuds, including the AirPods Pro. "Noise cancelling is exceptional in comparison to other similar buds, but not earbuds with ear tips, such as the AirPods Pros, and also considering these have an open-air design," said a four-star reviewer. "I do wish they could've added the volume control as a bonus, but of course being Apple, they only reserve such features for their higher-end products."
In Yahoo's AirPods 4 with ANC review, Broida points out that Apple "has eliminated the physical Bluetooth-pairing button from the AirPods case. Now, to enter pairing mode, you double-tap the front of the case, with the lid open and with the AirPods still inside. That's not hard to do, obviously, but it's one more thing to remember."
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
If you have Amazon Prime, you'll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)