Not everyone needs the fancy noise cancellation or health tracking of the AirPods Pro 3—and Apple gets that. The 2025 AirPods 4, priced at $179, is built for the everyday user: students rushing to class, commuters scrolling podcasts, and anyone who wants reliable wireless audio without the Pro price tag. After two weeks of testing it across coffee runs, work calls, and weekend hikes, here’s why it’s the best “no-frills” AirPods yet.
Design: Lightweight, Durable, and Apple-Classic
The AirPods 4 sticks to the iconic stem design, but with subtle upgrades that make a big difference. At 4.8g per earbud (down from 5.2g in the AirPods 3), they’re so light you’ll forget you’re wearing them—even during a 3-hour library study session . The charging case is 15% slimmer too, fitting easily into skinny jeans pockets or small backpack pouches—no more digging around for a bulky case.
Apple finally added IP54 water and dust resistance (up from IPX4), which was a long-overdue fix. I accidentally splashed coffee on them and left them in a dusty gym bag overnight—they worked perfectly the next day. The matte white finish also hides fingerprints way better than the Pro 3’s piano coat, a win for anyone who hates constant wiping.
One small win: the case now has a tiny LED indicator on the front, so you can check battery level without opening the lid or grabbing your phone.
Sound Quality: Crisp for Daily Use (No Bass Overkill)
The AirPods 4 isn’t built for audiophiles, but it crushes everyday listening. Apple tweaked the drivers to boost vocal clarity—podcasts like The Daily sound like the host is sitting next to you, and video calls with colleagues have zero muffling (even in a windy park). Bass is balanced, not overpowering: Ed Sheeran’s acoustic tracks stay warm, while pop songs like Dua Lipa’s have enough punch without drowning out lyrics.
Transparency mode got a upgrade too. Unlike the AirPods 3’s “muffled” 通透感，the 4’s mode lets in natural ambient sound—you can hear subway announcements or a friend calling your name without taking out an earbud. It’s not as advanced as the Pro’s Adaptive Audio, but for $179, it’s more than enough for crossing streets or chatting at a café.
Battery Life: All-Weekend Listening (Finally!)
Battery life was my biggest complaint with the AirPods 3—so the 4’s upgrade is a game-changer. Apple claims 7 hours of listening per charge (up from 6 hours), and in real use, it delivers: I used them for 6 hours of music, 1 hour of calls, and still had 15% left. With the charging case, you get 30 hours total—enough to get through a 5-day workweek without plugging in .
Quick charge is even better: 10 minutes plugged into a MagSafe charger gives 2 hours of use. I’ve saved myself more than once by tossing them on the charger while I make breakfast before a morning commute.
Smart Features for Everyday Life
The AirPods 4 doesn’t have AI translation or heart rate tracking, but it adds small, useful tweaks that make daily use smoother:
- Siri Shortcut Customization: Assign specific tasks to double-tapping the stem—like “play my commute playlist” or “read my unread texts.” I set mine to launch a focus timer for study sessions, and it’s cut down on phone distractions.
- Cross-Device Sync Speed: Switching from my iPhone to iPad now takes 1 second (down from 3 seconds in the 3rd gen). Perfect for when I start a podcast on my phone and finish it on my tablet during lunch.
- Find My Improvements: The earbuds now emit a louder beep when lost, and the “Last Seen” map in the Find My app shows more precise locations (down to which desk drawer they’re in, if you’re at home).
The Trade-Offs (No Surprises Here)
At $179, you’re giving up some Pro perks—and that’s okay, but it’s worth noting:
- No Active Noise Cancellation: If you need to block subway or plane noise, you’ll have to splurge on the Pro 3. The transparency mode is great for awareness, but it won’t silence loud environments.
- No Spatial Audio: Movies and games don’t get that “theater feel”—sound stays centered, not immersive.
- Basic Case: No wireless charging unless you pay extra for the MagSafe version ($199 total). The standard case uses a USB-C port, which is convenient, but wireless charging would be a nice add-on.
Pro Tips to Get More From Your AirPods 4
- Extend Battery: Turn off “Automatic Ear Detection” (in Bluetooth settings) if you often wear one earbud—this saves 10-15% of battery life.
- Improve Calls: Enable “Voice Isolation” during calls (tap the microphone icon on your phone) to block wind or crowd noise—works way better than the default setting.
- Share Audio: Double-tap the case while it’s open to pair with a friend’s AirPods—great for watching a movie together on a plane.
- Clean Them Right: Use a dry cotton swab to wipe the speaker grilles—dust buildup makes sound muffled over time.
Who Should Buy the AirPods 4?
Buy It If:
- You’re a student or casual user who just needs music, calls, and podcasts.
- You hate bulky earbuds and want something lightweight for all-day wear.
- You’re on a budget (it’s $120 cheaper than the Pro 3).
Skip It If:
- You commute in loud places (get the Pro 3 for noise cancellation).
- You want immersive sound for movies/games (spatial audio is Pro-only).
- You already have the AirPods 3—upgrades aren’t big enough to justify switching.
Final Verdict
The 2025 AirPods 4 isn’t flashy, but it’s reliable. It does exactly what most people need: plays music clearly, makes calls sound good, and lasts all day—without draining your wallet. Apple didn’t try to cram Pro features into it; instead, it polished the basics to near-perfection.
If you’re tired of cheap wireless earbuds that die after 3 hours or fall out during walks, the AirPods 4 is the sweet spot. It’s not the most exciting tech release of 2025—but it’s one of the most useful.
