Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) vs Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) ($179) vs Apple AirPods (3rd generation) ($55) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right audio.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) | Apple AirPods (3rd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $179 | $55 |
| Weight | 43.3g | 46.5g |
| Battery | 30h total | 6h per charge, 30h with case |
| ANC | Adaptive | — |
| Fit | Open | One-size, non-sealed |
| Chip | H2 | Apple H1 |
| Charging | — | Lightning, MagSafe or Qi |
| Water | — | IPX4 sweat/water resistant |
| Weight | — | 46.5g (Apple published: 4.28g bud x2 + 37.91g case) |
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods 4 (ANC)
- Open-fit ANC
- USB-C
- H2 chip
- Open fit ANC limited
- No wireless case (base)
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
- Force-sensor stem controls, no more taps
- MagSafe charging case
- IPX4 resistance, first in the base AirPods line
- Adaptive EQ tunes output to fit in real time
- Still no ANC or Transparency
- Shorter stem changes the grip some people relied on
- Non-sealed fit remains a wall against isolation
- Costs more used than 1st/2nd gen for a fit-only upgrade
Apple AirPods (3rd generation) is the better value at $55. If weight matters most, Apple AirPods 4 (ANC) carries lighter at 43.3g. Both are part of our curated audio index — tap through to check current pricing.