Apple modified its AirPods lineup by introducing the AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancelation. The replace makes it just a little simpler than earlier than to resolve whether or not you get the usual AirPods or step as much as the AirPods Professional 2.
Let’s have a look at the variations between the three earbuds–there’s much more than simply the form and match. This information will show you how to make the correct shopping for choice for your self or the particular person you’re looking for.
AirPods and AirPods Professional options in contrast
Right here’s a fast reference chart detailing the options for the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancelation, and AirPods Professional 2.
AirPods 4AirPods 4 with Lively Noise CancelationAirPods Professional 2Price$129/£129$179/£179$249/£229Weight (earbuds)0.15 ounce
(4.3 grams)0.15 ounce
(4.3 grams)0.19 ounce
(5.3 grams)Weight (case)1.14 ounces
(32.3 grams)1.22 ounces
(34.7 grams)1.79 ounce
(50.8 grams)Battery life5 hours earbuds
30 hours caseWith ANC on:
4 hours earbuds
20 hours case
With ANC off:
5 hours earbuds
30 hours case
6 hours earbuds
24 hrs caseChargingUSB-CWirelessly cost or USB-CWirelessly cost with MagSafe or USB-CEar tipsNoNoYesNoise cancellationNoYesYesConversation awarenessNoYesYesPersonalized Spatial Audio with head trackingYesYesYesControlsTap on earbudsTap on earbudsTap and swipe on earbudsWater/sweat-resistantYes (IP54)Sure (IP54)Sure (IP54)Discover My speaker in caseNoYesYes
AirPods 4 and AirPods Professional 2 design and match
The apparent completely different between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Professional 2 are the designs and the way they slot in your ears.
The AirPods 4 don’t use ear suggestions and sit on the opening of the ear canal.
Foundry
The AirPods 4 don’t have ear suggestions. They sit on the opening of the ear canal. This design depart just a little little bit of house between the earbuds and the ear canal. Apple says the AirPods 4 “present a pure and safe match for extra folks than ever.” The AirPods 4 and the AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation have the very same design; the variations are with inner options.
The AirPods Professional do have ear suggestions, that are extensions of the earbud that match into the opening of the ear canal. This design creates a seal for the ear canal that muffles outdoors sound.
Each the AirPods 4 and the AirPods Professional function a shorter stem size than the unique AirPods. Additionally, each can be found solely in white.
The AirPods 4 has a narrower case than the AirPods Professional 2.
The AirPods Professional 2 makes use of ear suggestions that match within the outer a part of the ear canal.
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AirPods 4 and AirPods Professional 2 noise cancelling
That is the principle audio function between the three fashions.
The $129 AirPods 4 doesn’t have Lively Noise Cancellation
Two mannequin embrace ANC:The $179 AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation
The AirPods 4 with ANC and the AirPods Professional 2 have the identical Lively Noise Cancellation features that embrace Adaptive Audio and Transparency Mode. Each additionally help Dialog
The AirPods Professional 2’s ear suggestions have an effect on its Lively Noise Cancellation. For the reason that ear suggestions block out exterior sounds, the ANC is more practical with the AirPods Professional than the AirPods 4 with ANC, which nonetheless makes use of ANC effectively.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Professional 2 Spatial Audio and sound high quality
The AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation, and the AirPods Professional 2 help Spatial Audio with head monitoring.
Additionally, the three fashions use Apple’s H2 chip for audio processing, so the sound high quality is comparable between them. The AirPods Professional 2’s ear suggestions and the way they cut back outdoors sound, nevertheless, does have an effect on the standard–the AirPods Professional 2 sounds “purer” than the AirPods 4.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Professional 2 controls and options
Each AirPods 4 fashions have stems with power contact sensors, which let you use a pinch to regulate audio playback and telephone calls.
The AirPods Professional 2 has the identical power contact sensors, however the stems additionally permit for swipe motions to regulate quantity, and you’ll maintain the stems to change listening modes.
All three fashions are sweat and waterproof, however they don’t seem to be waterproof to allow them to’t be worn swimming.
Whereas all three fashions work with Discover My, the AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation and the AirPods Professional 2 have charging instances with audio system that play Discover My alerts.
The AirPods Professional 2 will quickly have a brand new Listening to Air function that enables the earphone for use as over-the-counter listening to aids. The function features a Listening to Check and a Listening to Safety function. This might be coming as a free firmware replace by the top of 2024; when you already personal AirPods 2, you don’t want to purchase something. The Listening to Air just isn’t accessible for the AirPods 4.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Professional 2 battery life
The AirPods 4 earbuds final 5 hours on a full cost. The case shops 30 hours of cost.
The AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation’s battery life is affected by the ANC function:
With ANC on on a regular basis, Apple states a four-hour battery life for the earbuds, and 20 hours of obtainable cost within the case.
With ANC off on a regular basis, Apple states a five-hour battery life for the earbuds, and 30 hours of obtainable cost within the case.
If you happen to change between ANC on and off, battery life is adversely affected when it’s on and your get an earbud battery life between 4 and 5 hours.
AirPods 4 and AirPods Professional 2 wi-fi charging
The AirPods 4 doesn’t have wi-fi charging. It costs by way of USB-C.
The AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation helps wi-fi and USB-C charging. It really works with the Apple Watch and Qi chargers. It doesn’t help MagSafe, however a MagSafe charger will work when you place the case within the lifeless middle of the charger and stability it. It doesn’t make a magnetic connection to remain in place.
The AirPods Professional 2 helps wi-fi and USB-C charging. It really works with the Apple Watch and Qi chargers, and it does help MagSafe.
The AirPods Professional 2 case has a loop for attaching a lanyard.
Lewis Painter / Foundry
Which one must you purchase?
Whereas there are loads of similarities between the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation, and AirPods Professional 2, there are just a few elements to think about.
The apparent choice to make is whether or not you need Lively Noise Cancellation. If not, your solely selection is the AirPods 4. If you happen to do need it, then you want to select between the AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation and the AirPods Professional 2. (You possibly can all the time flip off ANC when you don’t need to use it.)
If you happen to do need Lively Noise Cancellation, resolve whether or not you need ear suggestions or not. If you happen to assume ear suggestions are uncomfortable or don’t just like the impact they’ve on sound, then the AirPods 4 with ANC are for you. If you happen to’re fantastic with ear suggestions or need to maximize the impact of ANC, then the AirPods Professional 2 are your decide.
Perhaps, as an alternative you’re most involved with match and also you’re fantastic with both ear suggestions or no ear suggestions. The AirPods Professional 2’s ear suggestions assist safe the ear buds in your ear. Apple says the AirPods 4 match higher than ever, however they nonetheless sit on the opening of your ear canal and will not be as safe because the AirPods Professional 2. The one solution to insure a correct match is to attempt them on earlier than a purchase order. If you happen to completely need ear suggestions, your solely selection is the AirPods Professional 2.
(We extremely advocate the aftermarket Comply Foam Suggestions for AirPods Professional customers, which enhance match and luxury over the guidelines Apple consists of.)
If in case you have dominated out the AirPods Professional 2 and are deciding between the 2 AirPods 4 fashions, the main distinction (beside ANC, which you don’t have to make use of) is the charging case. The AirPods 4 with ANC’s case helps wi-fi charging and has a Discover My speaker for alerts. Ask your self, is the additional $50/£50 price ANC, wi-fi charging, and Discover My alerts?
If you wish to use the AirPods as a listening to assist, the AirPods Professional 2 is your selection.
One final consideration is worth. The costs on this article are Apple’s listing costs; you’ll be able to usually discover worth reductions at third-party retailers akin to Amazon. In actual fact, the AirPods Professional 2 are sometimes on sale for $190/£190, simply $10/£10 greater than the AirPods 4 with Lively Noise Cancellation. If you’re okay with ear suggestions, then the AirPods Professional 2 might be had at a very good worth.
