Apple AirPods 4: The Best Affordable Wireless Earbuds for iPhone Users

The Bottom Line

The Apple AirPods 4 are Apple’s most affordable true wireless earbuds, offering impressively rich and balanced sound despite their open-ear design. If you don’t need Active Noise Cancellation but want seamless iOS integration, smart features, and strong audio quality, the AirPods 4 are a compelling option at this price point. Price: $129

Pros & Cons

Pros Surprisingly deep bass and clear highs for an open-ear design Hands-free Siri with intuitive gesture controls Seamless integration with iOS devices Most affordable model in the AirPods lineup Cons Open-ear design can cause inconsistent fit between ears Wireless charging is not supported No user-adjustable EQ

Key Specifications

Feature Details Design Open-ear Active Noise Cancellation No Transparency Mode No Voice Assistant Hands-free Siri Controls Stem-based force sensors Water & Dust Resistance IP54 (earbuds and case) Charging USB-C only (no wireless charging)

Design and Familiar

The AirPods 4 retain Apple’s iconic white design with downward-facing stems. Compared to earlier generations, the earbuds feature a slightly more contoured and angled shape, improving comfort and stability. When positioned correctly, they feel lightweight and secure, although the open-ear design may lead to uneven fit for some users. The charging case is compact and pocket-friendly, with a USB-C port on the bottom. However, wireless charging is not supported, and no charging cable is included in the box.

Control and everyday use

The stem-mounted capacitive controls are responsive and intuitive, with subtle haptic feedback that makes interactions feel precise. Single press: Play/Pause or answer a call Double press: Skip forward or end a call Triple press: Skip backward Press and hold: Activate Siri Overall, the control system is reliable and well implemented.

Battery Life

Apple rates the AirPods 4 at around 5 hours of listening time, with the charging case extending total usage to approximately 30 hours. A quick 5-minute charge delivers close to 1 hour of playback, which is especially convenient for short listening sessions. Battery life is solid, though not class-leading.

Ios integration

One of the AirPods 4’s biggest strengths is their seamless iOS integration. No separate app is required—everything is managed directly through iOS Settings, including: Spatial Audio Personalized Volume Head Gestures Microphone selection Optimized Battery Charging The main omission is a manual EQ with customizable frequency bands.

Adaptive EQ & Personalized Volume

Adaptive EQ automatically adjusts sound output based on how the earbuds sit in your ears, helping maintain balanced audio. However, significant fit differences can still impact consistency. Personalized Volume intelligently adapts listening levels to your environment, raising or lowering volume gradually without sudden changes.

Siri and Head Gestures

Hands-free Siri works reliably and responds accurately to voice commands. With Head Gestures enabled, users can nod or shake their head to respond to Siri prompts—useful when speaking isn’t convenient.

Audio and Dolby Atmos

Spatial Audio delivers a virtual surround-sound effect with head tracking, allowing sound to shift as you move your head. While immersive, it doesn’t necessarily improve pure sound quality and may feel gimmicky to some users. Dolby Atmos content can enhance certain tracks, though results vary depending on the mix.

Audio Performance: Strong Bass for an Open Design

Audio performance is the standout feature of the AirPods 4. Despite the open-ear design, they deliver noticeable sub-bass without distortion. Bass is full yet controlled, vocals remain clear, and mids sound natural. High frequencies are crisp without harshness, and the open design creates a wider, more spacious soundstage—especially noticeable with live and orchestral recordings. Microphone quality is clear in quiet to moderately noisy environments, though very loud surroundings can reduce voice clarity.

Final Verdict

The AirPods 4 are among the best-sounding open-ear earbuds currently available. They strike an excellent balance between sound quality, comfort, and smart features at an accessible price. If you don’t need Active Noise Cancellation and value smooth iOS integration, the AirPods 4 are an excellent choice. Users who want ANC or wireless charging may prefer higher-end AirPods models.