With Apple releasing two versions of the AirPods 4, adding new features to its 2022 AirPods Pro 2, and discontinuing its 2nd and 3rd gen AirPods all at the same time, I wouldn’t blame you if you’re having trouble picking out the right AirPods to buy or upgrade to.
The AirPods drastically vary in form, function, features, and price. So, ultimately, you’ll have to pick one based on your lifestyle, priorities, and budget. The best we can do is outline how they differ.
AirPods 4
The main reason you’d opt for these over the two-year-old AirPods Pro 2 is their design. Both new AirPods 4 sport an open-ear/on-ear design, which means they rest on the outside of your ear canals instead of in-ear buds that go inside. This gives them a more relaxed fit and is better for people with trouble inserting peripherals inside their ears.
These are the company’s new entry-level and midrange offerings since it discontinued its 2nd- and 3rd-gen AirPods. So, if you’re not looking to spend $250 on the 2022 AirPods Pro 2, the $180 AirPods 4 with ANC or the $130 version without ANC are decent alternatives.
The stems on the AirPods 4 sport force sensors (you lightly press the stem for input) while the AirPods Pro 2 are navigated using touch sensors on the stems, which involves tapping the stem. This ultimately depends on personal preference, but force sensors are mostly appreciated for their tactility and feedback. I personally prefer physical buttons on buds, so I’m more inclined towards force sensors, too.
It’s not a huge difference, but the AirPods 4 lasts five hours on a single charge, while the Pros 2 gives you six hours. The difference is not much to begin with, and both earbuds (AirPods 4 and Pros 2) max out at 30 hours with the charging case, which is another reason not to take the slight disparity in battery life very seriously.
AirPods 4 With or Without ANC
Those are the only differences between the AirPods 4 and the Pros 2 that you’d need as a starting point to make a decision. If you’re sure about going for the 4th generation, all that’s left to do is decide between the two models.
Apart from ANC, which is the main selling point setting the two versions apart, the $180 model also offers a few other noise-cancelation-related features such as Adaptive Audio (ANC is automatically raised or lowered based on how loud your surroundings are), Transparency mode (a dedicated mode that allows you to better focus on ambient sound), and Conversation Awareness (volume is automatically lowered when you start a conversation and auto-raised as soon as you’re finished).
The other major difference between the two AirPods 4 models is their charging cases. The case for the higher-end model supports wireless charging (along with regular Type-C charging). It can be replenished with any Apple Watch charger or a Qi-certified charger, while the budget AirPods only charge via a Type-C cable. The case for the premium AirPods 4 also embeds a speaker for Find My alerts, making it easier to locate when you’ve misplaced it. The $130 version doesn’t provide a speaker in the case.
AirPods Pro 2
Frankly, there’s not much difference between these and the $180 AirPods 4 except in terms of design. As I mentioned, these are in-ear buds, so they go all the way inside your ear canal. Some would argue that this design makes for a snugger fit, but this differs from person to person. Before purchasing online, I’d recommend you physically try both designs (Apple Stores usually have demo units available to the public).
The other key difference is in the newly added accessibility features for the AirPods Pro 2. Apple announced at its Glowtime event that these can now double as hearing aids, and the FDA recently greenlit the feature, too. This is an obvious one, but if you have mild or severe auditory impairment issues, you know which AirPods to opt for.
I don’t think someone would prefer touch sensors over force sensors so passionately that they’d spend an extra $70 just for this feature. But if you’re one of those, that’s another reason to opt for the Pros 2. Both AirPods 4 offer force sensors, which means you lightly press their stems to navigate the onboard controls, while Pros 2 are navigable by using a touch interface on their stems.
Though the AirPods Pro 2 are from 2022, they’re still powered by the same H2 chip inside the new AirPods 4. They also offer ANC and Apple’s proprietary personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking. The battery life is nearly the same as the Pros 2, lasting just an hour extra, totaling six hours. The MagSafe charging case on these AirPods matches what you get on the premium AirPods 4, with support for wireless charging and a speaker for Find My alerts. Even water and dust resistance is similar across the Pros 2 and the 4th gen at IP54.
AirPods Max
The use case for the AirPods Max is a lot different and much more specific. You’d only go for these if you’re looking for over-ear headphones instead of wireless earbuds. There could be a number of reasons behind that. First, headphones unarguably deliver a richer, wider, and fuller sound than earbuds owing to the huge drivers inside. The 40mm drivers on the AirPods Max will produce deeper bass, crisper treble, and clearer mids than the 11mm drivers on the earbuds. If audio is your biggest priority, you’re going to enjoy headphones more.
The noise cancelation and isolation perks that come with over-ear headphones are unparalleled to earbuds. The memory foam and mesh on the AirPods Max earcups provide the kind of passive noise isolation that the tiny silicone ear tips on the AirPods earbuds can never achieve. Without even enabling ANC, the Max separates you from your surroundings quite well. Enabling ANC takes separation to another level, with the headphones featuring 100dB of noise cancelation compared to the maximum of 35dB on the AirPods buds. Also, the AirPods Max employs nine dedicated ANC mics on its exterior, while there are two mics on the AirPods earbuds to get the job done.
Due to a larger battery inside, the AirPods Max lasts much longer on a single charge. With ANC and Spatial Audio enabled, these provide 20 hours of listening and talking time, while the AirPods 4 promises five hours and the AirPods Pro 2 six hours. So, if you don’t want to be tied to a socket now and then or if your lifestyle doesn’t allow recharging too often, the Max is the way to go.
Headphones are also ideal for folks whose ears can’t handle in-ear peripherals (me). With headphones, you don’t have to worry about choosing the right fit (various ear tip sizes) or the right style (on-ear or in-ear). It’s a one-size-fits-all solution for the most part. The AirPods Max are known for their comfortable mesh headband and ability to fit over earrings and glasses well.
AirPods Max also makes sense if you’re not pressed for space. Though these are collapsible, they’re notorious for how weirdly they fold. When collapsed all the way and stowed in their diaper-looking carry case, they acquire a slightly smaller size. However, they’re going to occupy much more space than the AirPods in your apartment and office tote bag.
Just make sure you’re financially (and emotionally) prepared to make a heart-wrenching $550 on the AirPods Max. They are pricey, but it’s also almost annoying how incredible they are.
What to choose?
Which AirPods are right for you is an “it depends” question. All AirPods serve different purposes at starkly different price points, so it ultimately depends on what your needs are.
The AirPods 4 make sense if you’re looking for open-ear buds. Their on-ear design is what mainly sets them apart from the in-ear tips on the Pros 2. Between the two AirPods 4 models, ANC is the biggest deciding factor. If it’s an unnegotiable feature for you, go for the $180 model. If not, the $130 version without ANC is good enough.
If you’re after an in-ear design or have a hearing impairment, the $250 AirPods Pro 2, with its hearing aid capabilities, is a good fit.
Or, if you’re more of an over-ear headphones over earbuds person, which could be because of the significant bump in audio quality and noise cancelation they offer, then the AirPods Max is your answer. That’s assuming you don’t mind spending $550.
