As a digital nomad with five grandkids stateside, I usually keep in touch with family via FaceTime calls while visiting other countries. Apple’s newest AirPods have made sharing my adventures with loved ones a convenient experience.
I totally glossed over the AirPods 4 announcement at Apple’s Glowtime event earlier this fall because I was too focused on the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which I ordered and picked up in-store on launch day. Unsurprisingly, the store was packed that Friday; as I waited for service, I browsed the retail floor, which gave me a chance to see the new AirPods 4 up close and personal.
Apple’s AirPods 4 are the first in the series to have two versions: an entry-level model at $129 and a model with an active noise canceling feature for $179. The AirPods 4 case is lighter and smaller than previous models, and the ANC model’s case now has speakers, so you can use the Find My feature when you misplace it. The earbuds themselves sound and perform better, thanks to the Apple H2 chip, the same chip used in the AirPods Pro 2 model. The hardware has also been adjusted to fit a wider range of ears.
I already have the AirPods 3, Pro 1 and 2 and a set of Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 wireless headphones — yes, I’m a headphones nerd. But when I saw the AirPods 4 earbuds in-person and read up on the specs, I instantly knew I needed a pair. After taking them for a spin earlier this fall and calling my kids from Paris, London, Dublin and Amsterdam, I can confirm they get the job done.
Here are four reasons I upgraded.
A better fit for my ears
Like many AirPods users, each of my ears is different, and the way AirPods fit me isn’t always aligned. This bothered me enough that I switched to using the Bose 700s exclusively when traveling, which was not ideal due to their size. “Apple is hoping the new design is a better fit for a wider range of ears,” explained CNET’s David Carnoy. He said his ears are also slightly different, and “never got a great fit” from previous models.
The author’s current headphones stash, with the smaller AirPods 4 case in the top left corner of the AirPods cases shown.
After buying and using the AirPods 4 for over a month, I can tell you my gut instincts were right. They’re a great fit for my ears and don’t fall out, no matter how much I’m on the move. And they don’t have that vacuum-seal feeling you sometimes get from silicone-tipped models like the AirPods Pro 2.
An efficient and travel-friendly carrying case
The AirPods 4 case is smaller than previous AirPods cases, and that’s good for someone like me who has to maximize my use of space while traveling. I can fit the smaller case into my “transportation bag,” a smaller carry-on that I use on planes, trains and buses to access the gadgets I need.
The new AirPods 4 case is light, even with the addition of USB-C charging. Speakers on the bottom enable Apple’s Find My service. If I’ve lost my case in the rush to get out the door, I can now ping it from my iPhone or MacBook. (I’ve already had to use this feature a few times.) The case fits nicely in a jeans pocket, too.
Noise cancellation and better sound at a reduced price
The AirPods Pro are branded as “Pro” wireless earbuds, but I’ve never been a fan of them. I felt the noise cancellation was too intense for my ears and made my surroundings sound too quiet. I take calls with my AirPods for work and talk to family and friends as I travel, but I stopped using the AirPods Pro 2 because I didn’t like how the noise cancellation affected the sound.
The new AirPods 4 with ANC block out just the right amount of background noise without going so far that you’re cut off from your environment. I know that seems contradictory, but I operate better when I hear a bit of my background. The AirPods 4 with ANC don’t make me feel like I’m in a vacuum. The sound quality is better for my ears, and I can get the noise cancelation and sound benefits at $179 instead of paying $249 for the AirPods Pro 2 or $549 for the AirPods Max.
As mentioned, the new AirPods 4 have an H2 chip with support for Bluetooth 5.3, the same chip found in the AirPods Pro 2. This chip matters, because it’s what enables Apple’s Adaptive EQ feature and optimizes audio quality. The buds have been upgraded with new acoustic architecture and amp, and Apple also changed the angle of the drivers — they now point more into your ears, a move that’s supposed to help deliver better, fuller sound.
Work and travel-approved performance and battery life
The author and family visiting Dublin.
Sometimes I’m on a plane or train for hours and still need to work, so having a souped-up pair of wireless earbuds like the AirPods 4 is important. Soon after getting the AirPods 4, I called my grandchildren from Ireland. I was able to share the moment with my grandkids and be able to hear them without getting disconnected from my surroundings thanks to the AirPods 4’s improved performance and sound quality.
Although I already had other wireless headphones, the AirPods 4 have become my new daily pair. My family, friends and grandbabies have heard me loud and clear, even when I’m on public transportation. My lifestyle can be chaotic at times, but having the right tech and gadgets allows me to do what I have to while documenting new adventures along the way.
