Comparison
AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods 4: Which Should You Buy?
AirPods Pro 2 have silicone ear tips, stronger noise cancellation, volume swipe, a MagSafe case, Hearing Protection and up to 6 hours per charge. AirPods 4 have an open fit with no ear tips and come in two versions, one with Active Noise Cancellation. They are lighter.
Buy the AirPods Pro 2 if you want the strongest noise cancellation of the three, a sealed fit with ear tips, volume swipe and Hearing Protection. Buy the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation if you dislike ear tips but still want noise cancellation, or the AirPods 4 if you just want light, simple earbuds for the lowest price.
You want the strongest noise cancellation
You like a sealed fit with ear tips
You want volume swipe and the longest battery per charge
You want Hearing Protection
You find ear tips uncomfortable
You want the lightest earbuds
If you want ANC in an open fit: choose AirPods 4 with ANC
You want simple, low-cost earbuds: choose AirPods 4
Skip both if: you want the newest Pro model. AirPods Pro 3 add more noise cancellation and heart rate sensing.
The short version
All three use Apple's H2 chip and have Personalized Spatial Audio, Voice Isolation, Adaptive EQ, Siri Interactions and a USB-C case. All three are rated IP54 for dust, sweat and water.
The biggest difference is fit. AirPods Pro 2 go into your ear with silicone tips that seal out sound. AirPods 4 sit in the ear with an open design and no tips. Some people find the open fit more comfortable. Others find it falls out more easily. Pick the fit you like first.
AirPods 4 come in two versions. The basic AirPods 4 have no noise cancellation. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation add ANC, Transparency, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, a wireless charging case and a speaker in the case for Find My.
What's different
See every spec side by side
| AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | AirPods 4 with ANC | AirPods 4 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Released | 2023 | 2024 | 2024 |
| Fit | In-ear, silicone tips (XS to L) | Open fit, no tips | Open fit, no tips |
| Chip | H2 | H2 | H2 |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes, up to 2x more than AirPods 4 with ANC | Yes | No |
| Transparency and Adaptive Audio | Yes | Yes | No |
| Hearing Protection (Hearing Test and Hearing Aid not offered in Canada) | Yes | No | No |
| Live Translation | Yes, with compatible iPhone | Yes, with compatible iPhone | No |
| Controls | Press and swipe for volume | Press | Press |
| Listening time, one charge | Up to 6 hours | Up to 4 hours (ANC on), 5 hours (off) | Up to 5 hours |
| Total with case | Up to 30 hours | Up to 20 hours (ANC on), 30 hours (off) | Up to 30 hours |
| Case charging | MagSafe, Apple Watch charger, Qi, USB-C | Apple Watch charger, Qi, USB-C | USB-C only |
| Speaker in case for Find My | Yes | Yes | No |
| Water and dust resistance | IP54 | IP54 | IP54 |
| Earbud weight (each) | 5.3 g | 4.3 g | 4.3 g |
| Case weight | 50.8 g | 34.7 g | 32.3 g |
| USB-C cable in box | Yes | No | No |
| Refurbished price | From $199.99 | From $149.99 | From $109.99 |
Fit and comfort
AirPods Pro 2 use silicone ear tips in four sizes.
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The tips seal your ear, which blocks outside sound. Some people find tips tiring after a few hours.
AirPods 4 have an open-fit design with no tips. They rest in the outer ear and weigh 4.3 g each, against 5.3 g for AirPods Pro 2. If tips have always bothered you, AirPods 4 are the comfortable choice. If regular AirPods fall out of your ears, AirPods Pro 2 will stay put better.
Noise cancellation
Apple says AirPods Pro 2 have up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
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The sealed fit helps a lot. On planes, buses and in noisy offices, AirPods Pro 2 block much more.
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation still take the edge off steady noise like engines and fans, and they have Transparency, Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. The basic AirPods 4 have none of these. They let outside sound in, which is useful if you want to stay aware of traffic.
Battery life
AirPods Pro 2 last up to 6 hours per charge and up to 30 hours with the case.
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AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation last up to 4 hours with ANC on, or 5 hours with it off. With the case, they reach up to 20 hours with ANC on, or 30 hours off. The basic AirPods 4 last up to 5 hours, and up to 30 hours with the case.
On all three, 5 minutes in the case gives about 1 hour of listening.
Controls and case
All three have press controls to play, pause, skip and answer calls.
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Only AirPods Pro 2 let you swipe up or down on the stem to change the volume. On AirPods 4, you use Siri or your phone.
The AirPods Pro 2 case charges with MagSafe, an Apple Watch charger, a Qi charger or USB-C. It has a speaker and a lanyard loop. The AirPods 4 with ANC case charges wirelessly too, but it is not listed as MagSafe. It also has a speaker for Find My. The basic AirPods 4 case charges with USB-C only.
Hearing health
AirPods Pro 2 support Apple's Hearing Protection feature with a compatible iPhone, which turns down loud sounds around you.
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Neither version of AirPods 4 supports it. Apple also makes Hearing Test and Hearing Aid features for AirPods Pro 2, but it cannot offer them in Canada yet.
Price range
Refurbished, AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) start at $199.99. AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation start at $149.99 and AirPods 4 start at $109.99. Prices on this page update live from our store.
See the full AirPods collection, read our AirPods buying guide, or compare the Pro models in AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 3.
Should you buy new or refurbished?
Refurbished AirPods give you the same sound and features.
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Every pair we sell is inspected and tested and comes with up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns. Grades describe looks only. Read new vs used vs refurbished to see how they compare.
FAQ
Are AirPods Pro 2 better than AirPods 4?
For noise cancellation, battery per charge and controls, yes. AirPods 4 are lighter and have an open fit with no ear tips.
Do AirPods 4 have noise cancellation?
Only AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation. The basic AirPods 4 do not have noise cancellation or Transparency mode.
Which has better noise cancellation, AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4 with ANC?
AirPods Pro 2. Apple rates them at up to 2x more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation.
Do AirPods 4 have ear tips?
No. AirPods 4 have an open-fit design with no ear tips. AirPods Pro 2 come with silicone tips in four sizes.
Can AirPods 4 be used as a hearing aid?
No. Apple makes the Hearing Aid feature for AirPods Pro 2 and later only, and it is not available in Canada yet.
Évitez le prix du neuf
Procurez-vous le AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) d'occasion à partir de $199.99, testé par de vrais techniciens, avec une garantie d'un an et des retours sous 14 jours.
