AirPods 4 vs. AirPods Pro 2 Buyer's Guide: 20 Differences Compared

[JohnC1959]

Yeah better sound quality and ANC don't matter at all.

If you really don't like the rubber in your ears (as many don't) then the AirPods 4 ANC will do well. Many are willing to give up a little in sound to not have that tip.

 

[ninetyCent]

If you really don't like the rubber in your ears (as many don't) then the AirPods 4 ANC will do well. Many are willing to give up a little in sound to not have that tip.

That's still not the only thing to consider. Someone could be leaning towards not liking the tips but the sound quality and better ANC would push them to getting the pro.

 

[jo-1]

I see so many questions on the internet about why would you choose the 4 with ANC when the Pro 2s are about the same price. And the answer is simple: this is not a decision that can only be made financially. On some levels these are very different products.

I have both, and there are times (mowing/trimming the lawn, flying, etc.) that the Pro 2s are better. The 4s are great for an open office environment, where I want to be able to cut out some noise but not all of it.

It's about features, sure—and here the Pro 2s win for some people, especially for the new hearing enhancements. But it's also about fit. Some people don't like the silicon tips. Some people find the traditional AirPods uncomfortable.

Long story short: The inclusion of ANC has made people think these are competing products, but they're for different people and different use cases.

Spot on - best summary in the comments so far.

Almost no decision should be made based on price alone. It’s all about the se case and wearing compfort.

 

[jo-1]

That's still not the only thing to consider. Someone could be leaning towards not liking the tips but the sound quality and better ANC would push them to getting the pro.

when I want to pure sound quality, I directly switch to over-ears since they offer the best sound quality. Also for noise cancellation I prefer over-ears. Traveling with over-ears can be cumbersome due to weight and size of the packaging.

Thus in-ears will be always a compromise for me. Nothing more nothing less. I can’t stand the silicone tips and thus the 4 ANC is good enough for ultra mobile traveling. One could even argue that the small casing is the main deciding factor when it comes to ultra mobile traveling.

 

[svish]

AirPods 4 with ANC is a good buy.

 

[Rychiar]

I can’t even fathom why anyone would pay $249 for the AirPods Pro two. They’re always on sale.

 

[tomtad]

Got the AirPods 4 ANC and seriously the best thing I've bought for a long time. Seriously, don't hesitate. Just get them

 

[CausticSoda]

For a lot of people (perhaps even most) choosing between the APP2 or the AP4 with ANC is more about fit/comfort than features or price differences. People comment about buying the APP2 at stores where they hardly cost any more than the AP4 but that really is not the point.

 

[ninetyCent]

when I want to pure sound quality, I directly switch to over-ears since they offer the best sound quality. Also for noise cancellation I prefer over-ears. Traveling with over-ears can be cumbersome due to weight and size of the packaging.

Thus in-ears will be always a compromise for me. Nothing more nothing less. I can’t stand the silicone tips and thus the 4 ANC is good enough for ultra mobile traveling. One could even argue that the small casing is the main deciding factor when it comes to ultra mobile traveling.

I assume you're trying to say that if you want sound quality and ANC, you'd go all out for that and get the most expensive and bulky item for that and when you travel, you go for the most convenient one, sacrificing both quality and ANC. Good for you that you'd spring for two devices but what's that got to do with what's discussed here?

It's like saying that you'd drive your ferrari if you want speed but take your minivan to the grocery store when someone's discussing if a 3 series or an elantra is a better package.

 

[JustARumor]

Everything I’ve read says the APP have better sound quality, but given the similar electronics, always with the implication that the improvement stems only from the fact they’re in-ears and thus have better isolation. There’s no denying that’s true, but I also wonder if the drivers are better. Anyone out there do some audio tests to see?

 

[Flight Plan]

That's still not the only thing to consider. Someone could be leaning towards not liking the tips but the sound quality and better ANC would push them to getting the pro.

It is indeed the only thing to consider for me. Silicone rubber tipped earbuds have always fallen out of my ears, and more than once into a garbage can or a wet sink. And for as little time as they've spent actually IN my ears, they've always caused the inside of my ear to get inflamed and blistery.

 

[ninetyCent]

It is indeed the only thing to consider for me. Silicone rubber tipped earbuds have always fallen out of my ears, and more than once into a garbage can or a wet sink. And for as little time as they've spent actually IN my ears, they've always caused the inside of my ear to get inflamed and blistery.

Yeah for someone like you, definitely. If they can't stay on, they're trash.