Apple AirPods 4 with ANC vs Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB-C)
Buy the AirPods Pro 2 if you want the best noise cancellation, a sealed in-ear fit, and the longest battery life per charge. Buy the AirPods 4 with ANC if you dislike silicone tips and want open-ear comfort. The Pro 2 has ranged from $80.00 to $265.28 since October 31, 2026, so its price swings widely; the AirPods 4 with ANC has no listed price here, so compare live store prices before deciding.
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Apple AirPods 4 with ANC
4.3Choose the AirPods 4 with ANC if you want open-ear earbuds without silicone tips and still want active noise cancellation.
Pros
- Open-ear design stays comfortable for long wear
- IP54 rating covers sweat and rain on earbuds and case
- H2 chip with Adaptive Audio, Transparency, and Conversation Awareness
- Case has a speaker for Find My alerts
Cons
- Only up to 4 hours with ANC on
- Open fit lets in more noise than sealed tips
- Fewer features on non-Apple devices
- Only 7 ratings on the listing
What separates them
| Apple AirPods 4 with ANC | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB-C) | |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Open-ear, no silicone tips | In-ear with silicone tips and a sealed canal |
| Noise cancellation | Active Noise Cancellation tuned for an open fit | Up to 2x more ANC than the original Pro |
| Battery per charge with ANC | Up to 4 hours | Up to 5.5 hours |
| Total battery with case | Up to 20 hours per Marevelle's listing | Up to 30 hours |
| Dust and water resistance | IP54 on earbuds and case | Not listed |
| Chip | H2 | H2 |
| Charging case | USB-C case with speaker | MagSafe case with USB-C |
| Price |
Price history
$265.28$80.00
- Apple AirPods 4 with ANC: lowest $99.99 on Nov 1 at Marevelle.
- Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB-C): lowest $80.00 on Oct 31 at Mercari; $265.28 on Nov 1.
Prices at every store
Apple AirPods 4 with ANC
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- MarevelleCheck price at Marevelle
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB-C)
- AmazonCheck price at Amazon
- eBayCheck price at eBay
- MercariCheck price at Mercari
Specs compared
| Spec | Apple AirPods 4 with ANC | Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Connectivity | Wireless | Bluetooth |
| Noise cancellation | Active Noise Cancellation | — |
| Chip | H2 headphone chip | — |
| Dust water resistance | IP54 | — |
| Earbud height | 1.19 inches (30.2 mm) | — |
| Earbud width | 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) | — |
| Earbud depth | 0.71 inch (18.1 mm) | — |
| Earbud weight | 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams) | — |
| Case height | 1.82 inches (46.2 mm) | — |
| Case width | 1.97 inches (50.1 mm) | — |
Questions and answers
- Which has better noise cancellation?
- The AirPods Pro 2. Its sealed in-ear fit and up to 2x more ANC block more sound than the open-ear AirPods 4 with ANC, which mainly cut low-frequency noise like engines.
- Which lasts longer on a charge?
- The AirPods Pro 2, at up to 5.5 hours with ANC versus up to 4 hours on the AirPods 4 with ANC. Total with the case is up to 30 hours versus up to 20.
- Are the AirPods 4 with ANC worth it over the Pro 2?
- Only if you dislike silicone tips. The AirPods 4 give open-ear comfort and an IP54 rating, but you give up noise cancellation strength and battery life.
- Which is better for running?
- The AirPods 4 with ANC has an IP54 rating on earbuds and case, which helps with sweat and rain. The Pro 2 has no listed rating, though its silicone tips grip more securely.
- Do both use the H2 chip?
- Yes. Both run the H2 chip and support Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and Personalized Spatial Audio.
- Is the Pro 2 worth its higher price?
- At its $80.00 low since October 31, 2026, yes. Near its $265.28 high, only if top noise cancellation matters most to you.