AirPods 4 Vs. AirPods Pro 2: Which Earbuds With ANC Are Best?

If you’re an iPhone user and you’re looking for a pair of good-quality earbuds, chances are you’re considering a pair of AirPods. They pair seamlessly with an iPhone and they offer good audio quality and a long battery life—two of the most important features in earbuds. Two AirPods models offer active noise cancellation (ANC), too—the Apple AirPods 4 With ANC and the Apple AirPods Pro 2. If you’re seeking to tune out the world around you, trying to decide between the AirPods 4 versus the AirPods Pro 2 isn’t easy, as they are very similar.

I’m the consumer tech and electronics editor at Forbes Vetted, and also a huge self-professed audiophile (and classically trained musician), and I’ve tested both the Apple AirPods 4 and the Apple AirPods Pro 2. Here’s what you need to know when choosing between the AirPods 4 versus the AirPods Pro 2, from design to performance and more.

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Apple AirPods 4 Vs. Apple AirPods Pro 2: Design

One Has Silicone Ear Tips

When placing the Apple AirPods 4 and the Apple AirPods Pro 2 side by side, they look very similar. They both feature a sleek, slim white build that includes a vent, an acoustic outlet and a stem where you can control the earbuds. It’s a very signature Apple design that looks lovely.

But there are a few differences in the design that are also equally apparent. For one, the Apple AirPods 4 lack something that’s only on the AirPods Pro 2: silicone ear tips. In my Apple AirPods 4 review, I noted that I didn’t experience any issue with the fit—the AirPods 4 feel stable in my ears when worn, but I wouldn’t necessarily wear them on a treadmill. That said, it’s hard to put a price on the silicone ear tips, which give an extra secure fit. The AirPods Pro 2 offer multiple ear tips, including an extra small size, to help you land a comfortable, secure fit for your ear size. That’s hard to pass up.

There’s also the matter of the case size. The AirPods 4 case is smaller and can more easily fit into my pocket. In contrast, the AirPods Pro 2 case is slightly larger to accommodate the slightly larger design—or, in other words, those silicone ear tips and slightly bigger battery (and more on the latter in a minute).

After testing both, if you’re not worried about keeping them in your ears at the gym, the AirPods 4 are a great choice. However, if you need a more secure fit, opt for the AirPods Pro 2. No matter which set you choose, the sleek design looks great in your ears.

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AirPods 4 Vs. AirPods Pro 2: Audio

Similar—But The Pros Edge Out Its Sibling

I’ve listened to hours of music and watched plenty of TVs shows across multiple platforms on both pairs of AirPods. And if there’s one feature Apple nails consistently with both, it’s the audio quality, but it comes with a caveat. Neither pair of AirPods offers any sort of EQ adjustment; instead, you listen to a series of presets (found under the accessibility settings) to find your preferred listening “EQ.”

In building their audio framework this way, both AirPods have a consistent audio quality, so much so that they sound very similar as I listened across multiple genres. That said, when comparing audio quality, the AirPods Pros 2s edge out the AirPods 4. They simply nail bass frequencies better than the AirPods 4 do, and that’s important if you’re listening to bass-heavy genres and artists. It’s also partially why I named the AirPods Pro 2 as some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy right now. Still, that’s far from a knock against the AirPods 4. These more affordable earbuds still showcase a darn good audio quality. But if you’re an audiophile, the AirPods Pro 2 should be your preference here.

One Offers Hearing Health And Improved Noise Cancellation

Apple also introduced multiple hearing aid features into the Apple AirPods Pro 2. You can take a hearing test to determine how much (if any) hearing loss you have. If you have hearing loss, the AirPods can use what Apple calls “Hearing Aid” to act as a literal hearing aid. Keep in mind that it’s designed for “mild to moderate hearing loss,” according to Apple, so those with severe hearing loss may want to look elsewhere. Still, it’s an impressive feature that’s unique to the AirPods Pro 2.

Also, remember that silicone ear tip on the Apple AirPods Pro 2? Both pairs offer ANC, but that silicone ear tip helps to further seal out noise. If you’re particularly sensitive to ambient noise, it can mean the difference between finding your zen and hearing some distracting din around you. If having the best ANC is a must-have, then opt for the AirPods Pro 2. But the AirPods 4 are still a great choice for a value option that also happens to have ANC.

It’s also worth noting that the controls for your audio are a little different on each. The AirPods Pro 2 use touch controls, while the AirPods 4 use a “force sensor,” a.k.a. a button. Both work just fine, but if you’re fully on Team Touch Controls, the AirPods Pro 2 are the better choice for you.

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AirPods 4 Vs. AirPods Pro 2: Battery

One Lasts A Little Longer

It should come as no surprise that the AirPods Pro 2 edge out the AirPods 4 when it comes to battery life. Both cases can last up to 30 hours if you use the charging case, which is nice for long-haul flights or if you forget to recharge them before stepping out for the day. It’s their listening time that separates the two: The AirPods 4 last five hours with ANC mode off, while the AirPods Pro 2 last six hours with ANC off. Keep in mind that the battery life reduces when ANC mode, Spatial Audio and Head Tracking are turned on, too.

That may not seem like a big difference, but something to keep in mind if you plan to travel, especially across country. Most transatlantic flights last around six hours, and international flights can take even longer. And, if you’re using them while you’re waiting to board your flight, that shaves off more battery life. If battery life is the most important to you, then the AirPods Pro 2 should be your choice. However, if you plan to casually use these around town or on a commute, the AirPods 4 are sufficient for those needs.

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AirPods 4 Versus AirPods Pro 2: Price

One Offers Excellent Value

Apple’s AirPods 4 cost $129 before a sale. The Apple AirPods Pro 2 cost significantly more and retail for $249 before a sale. Note that you can usually find both models on sale many times throughout the year, though.

If you’re seeking great value for the price, the Apple AirPods 4 should be your choice. However, that extra cost on the Apple AirPods Pro 2 comes with extra features that reflect the higher price tag. It’s up to you whether that extra $130 is worth your investment based on your needs and usage.

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AirPods 4 Vs. AirPods Pro 2: Verdict

Depends On Your Needs

If you’re trying to decide which pair of AirPods to use as your daily carry, you can’t go wrong with either: Both offer impressive audio quality, a solid battery life and a lovely design. Still, there are notable differences between them. For one, the AirPods 4 have ANC, but they don’t have the silicone ear tip. Still, for value seekers, I recommend opting for the AirPods 4 With ANC. They offer excellent ANC, especially for the price, and the design is good enough for most people’s needs.

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are better suited to those who want or need the extras, from the enhanced ANC, in part thanks to the silicone ear tips, to the Hearing Aid feature. While the case may be a little larger, it’s not a deal-breaker for the extra hour of battery life, either. For audiophiles who want the best audio quality in a pair of AirPods, especially those with minor hearing loss, just opt for the AirPods Pro 2.

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Why Trust Forbes Vetted

The Forbes Vetted team has published hundreds of tech and electronics guides that leverage our hands-on testing and research. We also have specialized audio stories for all of your listening needs like wireless headphones, wireless earbuds, outdoor speakers and more.

• Consumer tech and electronics editor Rebecca Isaacs has been involved in tech journalism for over six years. In her time testing the AirPods 4 versus the AirPods Pro 2, she focused on aspects of interest to everyone, from casual listeners to serious audiophiles who want to enjoy every single guitar strum across a truly balanced EQ.
• Isaacs has also tested most of the latest smart wearables currently on the market, from the Ray-Ban Meta Smart Glasses to the SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds and more. When she’s not testing audio equipment and wearables, she’s testing the best gaming TVs and TVs for bright rooms.
• This article was edited by Forbes Vetted commerce editor Christine Colby. She has more than five years of product testing and recommendations experience and recently spearheaded the intensive testing process of the best patio umbrellas.
• We regularly revisit our content to reevaluate product selections, add new testing insights and more. We updated this article in July 2025 to retest the Apple AirPods Pro 2 against the Apple AirPods 4, and considered features including audio quality, battery life, price and more.

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