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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchThe oft-repeated “up to 33 percent off” AirPods 4 deal is not a confirmed current price. NBC Select reported that discount on February 3, 2026, when Amazon listed AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) at $113.99. The latest dated retailer coverage available here, from August 11, put the standard model at $99.99 and the ANC model at $149.99 at Best Buy. Check the live listing before paying: prices, sellers, stock and conditions change.
What the reported prices actually mean
| Configuration | Apple list price | Recent reported price | Approximate discount | Evidence date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 4, no ANC | $129 | $99.99 at Best Buy | About 23% | August 11, 2026 TechRadar coverage |
| AirPods 4 with ANC | $179 | $149.99 at Best Buy | About 16% | August 11, 2026 TechRadar coverage |
| AirPods 4 with ANC (historical) | $179 | $113.99 at Amazon | About 36.3% by calculation | February 3, 2026 NBC Select report |
Apple’s U.S. prices are listed on its AirPods buying page. NBC’s “33 percent” wording does not precisely match $113.99: $113.99 is $65.01 below $179, or about 36.3%; a mathematically exact 33% reduction would be about $119.93. Treat 33% as NBC’s deal label, not as a currently verified calculation.
Other dated reports found the ANC model at $144.99 on Amazon on July 16 and at $149.99 at Best Buy on August 3. Those observations establish price history, not a live offer today.
Standard AirPods 4 versus AirPods 4 with ANC
What you get with the standard model
- Apple’s H2 chip, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking and Voice Isolation.
- USB-C charging case, with up to five hours of listening per charge and up to 30 hours with the case.
- IP54 dust, sweat and water resistance; it is not waterproof and resistance can decline with wear.
- No Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode or wireless charging case.
Apple’s detailed specifications are at Apple Support. Apple does not include a USB-C cable or power adapter.
#1 Best Overall
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO — Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
What the $50 list-price premium adds
- Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness.
- A wireless-charging case compatible with an Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers.
- A case speaker for Find My.
- Up to four hours per charge with noise control enabled, up to five hours with it off, and up to 30 hours with the case.
- Live Translation support when paired with a compatible Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone on iOS 26 or later, subject to language, region, firmware and availability requirements.
Which model is the better buy?
Choose standard AirPods 4 at about $99.99 if you:
- Want the lowest new-retail price.
- Prefer an open fit and dislike silicone ear tips.
- Mainly listen to podcasts, make calls or use casual music playback.
- Do not need noise reduction or wireless charging.
At a genuine $99.99 from a reputable seller, the standard model is the value choice.
Pay more for ANC at about $149.99 if you:
- Commute, travel or work in noisy places.
- Want Transparency mode and Adaptive Audio without silicone tips.
- Value wireless charging and the Find My case speaker.
- Will use the features often enough to justify roughly $50 more.
$149.99 is a reasonable feature price, but it is not close to the $113.99 historical deal. If you do not need the earbuds immediately, waiting for a lower ANC price is defensible.
Rank #2
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU — The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode — which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds — to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
Open-fit comfort has a trade-off
Both versions use a universal, open or semi-open shape rather than AirPods Pro-style sealed silicone tips. That can avoid in-ear pressure and preserve awareness of surrounding sound, but fit varies by ear. It also provides less passive isolation, so ANC may be less effective in loud environments than on sealed in-ear earbuds; bass and stability can vary from person to person. NBC Select’s comfort comments are reviewer experience, not a guarantee for every ear.
Compatibility and battery limits
AirPods work as Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices, but Apple-specific functions may be limited. The fullest feature set requires compatible iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV or Vision Pro hardware and current operating systems. Android users should consider whether basic audio and calls justify paying for ecosystem features such as Find My, Siri integration, Personalized Spatial Audio or Live Translation.
Rank #3
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT - AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION - AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation help reduce outside noise before it reaches your ears, so you can immerse yourself in what you’re listening to.*
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU - The powerful H2 chip comes to AirPods 4. Adaptive Audio seamlessly blends ANC and Transparency mode - which lets you comfortably hear and interact with the world around you exactly as it sounds - to provide the best listening experience in any environment.* And when you’re speaking with someone nearby, Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY - Voice Isolation improves the quality of calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE - Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* A skin-detecting sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off.
Battery figures are Apple’s “up to” ratings; volume, settings, environment and use affect results. Do not charge the earbuds while wet.
Check the listing before ordering
- Confirm whether the title says “with Active Noise Cancellation.”
- Check that the seller and shipper are Apple or a reputable authorized retailer.
- Verify the item is new, not renewed, restored, open-box or used.
- Confirm the case type: standard USB-C case or ANC wireless-charging case.
- Review stock for your ZIP code, delivery date and return policy.
- Check whether a coupon, membership or selected color is required.
- Compare the final pre-tax checkout total, not only the crossed-out price.
Marketplace pages can combine multiple sellers and conditions. Walmart’s AirPods 4 listings, for example, separate new, restored and pre-owned offers. A cheaper renewed unit is not equivalent to new stock: check battery age, warranty, return terms and seller reputation.
Rank #4
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Alternatives
AirPods Pro 3, listed by Apple at $249, use sealed tips and are the better direction when strong isolation, a customizable fit or hearing-related features matter more than an open design. Android shoppers may get better controls and cross-platform support from non-Apple open-fit or ANC earbuds. Older AirPods Pro models can be worthwhile only after checking that the unit is genuinely new, the battery is healthy and the warranty is clear.
Bottom line: buy now or wait?
Buy new standard AirPods 4 around $99.99 if you want an inexpensive open-fit pair and do not need ANC. Choose the ANC version around $149.99 for its additional modes and wireless-charging case, but regard it as a fair—not exceptional—deal. The $113.99 ANC price and the “up to 33 percent off” claim belong to an earlier February report; verify today’s seller, condition and checkout price before ordering.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT - AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO - Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY - AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE - Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* A skin-detecting sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track
- LONG BATTERY LIFE - Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
