Odi Productions
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Apple AirPods 4th gen vs Pro 2nd gen comparison and whether it’s worth the upgrade. I have thoroughly tested each of these earbuds for hundreds of hours, and aim to offer a critical opinion from the perspective of an audiophile and professional music producer.
I’ll be comparing these two head to head on categories like price, comfort, features, battery life, noise cancelling, and sound quality.
Then at the end, I’ll share which is the better overall value for the money, and my overall recommendation on which you should buy.
Also, if you’re interested in learning more after, I have tested each product individually in my AirPods Pro 2 review and AirPods 4 ANC Review, along with the rest of the lineup with my AirPods 3 review and AirPods Max Review. (Links open in new tab.)
Apple AirPods 4th Generation vs Pro 2nd Generation Price Compared
At the time of this writing, the regular AirPods 4th gen ANC is about $20 cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2nd gen at current market prices for brand new.
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd generation Prices
- Retail: $249.00
- New: $169
- Renewed: Available – Check Prices
Apple AirPods 4th generation ANC Prices
- Retail: $179.00
- New: $149
- Renewed: $140 (save up to $9)
Apple AirPods 4th generation non-ANC Prices
- Retail: $129.00
- New: $129
- Renewed: N/A
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE
(Do NOT pay retail):
Save up to $80 with Renewed below:
Save up to $39 with Renewed below:
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
Apple AirPods 4 vs Pro 2: Comfort
Apple’s introduction of the “AirPods” product was a revelation when introduced to the world, practically creating the “Truly Wireless Earbuds” category overnight.
What’s not to love? Compared to bulky full-sized headphones, these earbuds are impossibly tiny, truly wireless, and feel like wearing nothing at all.
(Well, aside from the fact that it’s fairly easy to lose one of these tiny earbuds out in the real world, rendering your ~$100+ product inoperable.)
Effortless comfort and convenience is the AirPods’ modus operandi, and the 4th generation and Pro 2nd generation are the best yet.
When it comes to comfort, the main difference separating the two is that the “regular-line” AirPods 4th generation doesn’t have any eartips that need to be inserted into the ear canals, unlike the AirPods Pro line of earbuds.
The AirPods Pro 2nd generation has to be inserted into the ear canal and comes packaged with multiple eartips for users to try and find their best fit. The creation of this physical seal has both pros and cons, which we’ll talk about later.
I found the stock eartips to be just fine, but upgrading to aftermarket memory foam eartips took the AirPods Pro 2 comfort to another level.
That said, I actually don’t prefer having to insert anything into my ear canals when possible, so I find the “looser” AirPods 4th gen to be more comfortable overall.
Apple really improved the fit of the 4th gen versus the previous 3rd gen by making the actual earbud shape slimmer and more streamlined, resulting in not only a more natural fit, but somehow being more secure as well.
The Pro 2 also features the bigger, more bulbous earbud like the previous regular 3rd gen, and it presses slightly against parts of the ear more than the slimmer 4th gen earbud design.
Despite my slight aversion to inserting things into the ear canals, I did get quite used to the Pro 2 over time (especially with the memory foam tips), to the point of barely noticing them at all.
I could wear either pair of earbuds for hours on end, all day even, but I give the slight nod to the less-invasive regular AirPods 4th gen.
AirPods 4th gen vs Pro 2nd gen Case Size Compared
The Apple AirPods 4th generation has a much smaller charging case compared to the AirPods Pro 2nd generation, as pictured above and below.
Both cases are about the same height and depth, but the AirPods Pro 2nd generation case is much wider when compared side by side.
I prefer the smaller form factor of the AirPods 4 charging case.
Also, both cases have a USB-C charging port and some small built-in speakers.
Apple AirPods 4 Comfort: 5 out of 5
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Comfort: 4.5 out of 5
Winner: AirPods 4th generation
Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling
What is the difference between AirPods 4th gen and AirPods Pro 2nd gen?
The main difference between the Apple AirPods 4th generation and AirPods Pro 2nd generation is that the Pro models need to be inserted into the ear canal to create a physical seal.
Other than that, the 4th gen with ANC now has active noise cancelling which was previously reserved for the Pro and Max models. We’ll talk about the noise cancelling performance soon.
Aside from that, these share many of the same modern features such as Personalized Spatial Audio, Dolby Atmos Support, and built-in microphones for calls.
The AirPods Pro 2nd generation just received a rather large firmware update that Apple announced in a keynote, adding a hearing aid functionality. Pretty cool.
Where the AirPods line really shines when it comes to features is the seamless connectivity and switching between Apple devices.
If you’re on the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone, Mac, and maybe an iPad, the effortless switching is a godsend.
If you’re not, AirPods still work just as normally as any other modern Bluetooth device, and I’ve tested on both my Windows gaming PC and Android mobile device.
Looks
Although the two pairs of earbuds look different outside of the ear, they pretty much look the same once worn.
Apple has shortened the stems of the regular AirPods since the 3rd gen to more closely resemble the Pro line when worn.
Both sport that iconic Apple white hue that is easy to spot from a mile away.
AirPods 4th gen vs Pro 2nd gen Battery Life Comparison
The AirPods Pro 2nd generation has 1 more hour of battery life on a single charge than the AirPods 4th generation. Both earbuds are rated at 30 hours total with the charging case at 100%, and providing multiple charges.
- Apple AirPods 4 Battery Life: Up to 5 hours on single charge, Up to 30 hours with charging case
- Apple AirPods Pro 2 Battery Life: Up to 6 hours on single charge, Up to 30 hours with charging case
This is pretty much an even split for me. Despite the extra 1 hour of battery life of the Pro 2, I typically use AirPods for just a few hours before they inevitably spend some time in the charging case, which quickly gets them enough juice to last a few more hours.
Apple AirPods 4th gen vs Pro 2nd gen Noise Cancelling Performance
The AirPods Pro 2nd generation has superior noise cancelling to the AirPods 4th generation, starting with the physics alone.
The Pro 2nd gen’s eartips create a physical seal when inserted into the ear canal, unlike the regular AirPods 4th gen.
This alone is already passively blocking out more noise than the looser 4th gen.
Once you throw in the active noise cancellation itself, the Pro 2 is much more effective than the AirPods 4th gen.
That said, the AirPods 4 with ANC was surprisingly much better than I expected. I knew the physical limitations of not having that seal, but the 4th gen’s noise cancelling is not half bad.
All in all, the AirPods Pro 2 wins easily on noise cancelling, but there are even more elite performers in this category such as the full-sized Bose QuietComfort Ultra and Sony WH-1000XM5.
AirPods 4 Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 3.0 out of 5
AirPods Pro 2 Features / Battery Life / Noise Cancelling: 3.5 out of 5
Winner: AirPods Pro 2nd generation
Apple AirPods 4th gen vs AirPods Pro 2nd gen Sound Quality Comparison
Judging by the hierarchy of the AirPods product line, where the AirPods Pro 2nd gen sits between the flagship AirPods Max and more affordable regular 4th gen, one would rightly assume the Pro has superior sound quality to the regular AirPods.
And you would be correct – the AirPods Pro 2nd generation has superior sound quality to the regular 4th generation.
But the real question is, how big of a difference is it, and is it worth paying extra for?
First off, the physical seal that the Pro 2 creates has the added benefit of competing with less ambient noise, while also allowing for safer listening volumes.
The 4th gen may have ANC to mitigate outside noise, but it doesn’t negate the physics of allowing more noise into the ear canal versus the physical seal of the Pro 2.
On the AirPods Pro 2nd gen…
One of the biggest differences related to sound quality is that these two earbuds have completely different sound signatures, both with their pros and cons.
The AirPods Pro 2nd gen has a more audiophile-friendly sound signature and neutral bright stock tuning that should be quite pleasing to the more discerning listeners.
Compared to the 4th gen, the Pro 2 boasts a bigger soundstage with a more open, detailed, and “natural” sound.
The bass on the Pro 2 is satisfying and clean, without overpowering the rest of the frequency spectrum like most consumer headphones.
Due to my background as a music producer and audio engineer, my personal listening preference is the more balanced and reference-like sound signature like the AirPods Pro 2 here. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by the stock tuning of a very mainstream product like the AP2.
On the AirPods 4th gen…
The sound signature of the AirPods 4th gen is almost the complete opposite of the AirPods Pro 2.
Where the AP2 is “neutral bright”, open-sounding, and balanced, the 4th gen is noticeably darker, more bass-heavy, and “veiled”.
I find the 4th gen fuller-sounding and warmer overall.
Between the two, the regular 4th gen has the more consumer-friendly sound signature, with the primary emphasis on having more bass impact and quantity than the AP2.
There is still some detail in the treble of the 4th gen, so it’s not completely drowned out by the bass regions.
The soundstage is narrower and more “2D” flat in the 4th gen compared to the Pro 2.
For consuming more “casual” media like YouTube videos and podcasts, I find the bassier, smoother sound profile of the regular 4th gen to be very charming and fitting.
Overall thoughts on sound quality
I’m honestly impressed by the continuously-improving sound quality of the relatively newer “Truly Wireless Earbuds” category, with the 4th gen representing the best sounding regular-line AirPods by a good margin.
That said, the higher-end AirPods Pro 2 is called “Pro” for a reason, and with the higher pricetag comes a higher level of sound quality and fidelity overall.
I don’t think it’s complete hyperbole to say the AirPods Pro 2 approaches audiophile-level sound, I think it has the fundamentals correct in its stock tuning, and just needs to keep advancing within the constraints of the minimized hardware space.
Apple AirPods 4th gen Sound Quality: 7.6 out of 10
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd gen Sound Quality: 8.1 out of 10
Winner: AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
Value
At the time of this writing, the AirPods Pro 2nd gen can be as little as $20 more expensive than the newer AirPods 4 ANC.
That’s pretty big upgrade you’re getting for just $20, considering the superior noise cancelling and sound quality of the Pro 2.
For that reason, I think the AP2 is a particularly stellar value at sale price.
At full retail price, the difference is much steeper, with the AP2 retailing at $249 and the 4th gen ANC at $179 – a difference of $70.
If we were to go by retail price, I’d say the value of the AP2 diminishes a fair bit, but we focus on current market prices here and finding you the best bang for the buck today.
(It’s important to note that there is an even cheaper non-ANC version of the 4th gen which retails at $129, but it’s not the model we’re focused on in this comparison.)
At $179 retail, I don’t think the 4th gen ANC is a bad value by any means, but it’s simply outshone by the more-compelling overall package of the Pro 2, for not much more money in the long run.
In this $150-200 range, another very competitive alternative (also made by Apple) would be a full-sized wireless noise cancelling headphone like the Beats Studio Pro, when on sale.
If we take the “physical seal” logic further, an over-ear closed-back headphone like the Beats Studio Pro benefits from that and bigger hardware in general, while sometimes being found for as low as $179. Highly recommend you check it out.
Apple AirPods 4 Value: 3.5 out of 5
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Value: 5 out of 5
Winner: AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
Apple AirPods 4th Generation Overall Rating
- Better comfort and fit than previous generations
- Improved sound quality over 3rd generation
- Impressive bass response and impact
- Average noise cancelling
- Sweat and Water Resistant
- USB-C charging case
- Bass can be overpowering at times
- Dark sound signature sounds “veiled”
- Treble lacks sparkle, airiness, and detail
- Narrow soundstage
Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation Overall Rating
- Excellent sound quality
- Strong, satisfying bass response
- Natural sound signature with wide soundstage
- Very good noise cancelling
- Great value for the money
- Inserting into ear canal not for everyone
- Included eartips may not fit perfectly
Overall Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2nd Generation
Although the AirPods 4th gen ANC put up a good fight, there’s still a reason why the AirPods Pro 2 and the “Pro” line exists.
I will say that the 4th gen ANC is much more competitive than any previous gen regular AirPods like the 3rd gen, thanks to having the best fit and sound quality to date for regular AirPods.
The AirPods Pro 2nd gen wins this head-to-head comparison on account of its superior, audiophile-friendly sound quality, and superior active noise cancelling due to its physical seal.
Also, based on current market prices and sales, the AirPods Pro 2 can typically be found for as little as $20 more than the 4th gen ANC, which is totally worth it for the upgrade.
In this $150 to $250 price range, there are also some truly compelling alternatives such as the Beats Studio Pro and Sony WH-1000XM4.
I recommend you check out those products above next.
Lastly, if you’d like to save some money and keep supporting RecordingNOW.com’s 100% independent, unbiased reviews, do consider using some of our affiliate links below to shop and even just compare prices. We purchase all products we review with our own money to maintain the highest level of integrity, and your support goes into that plus a continuously improving site experience.
Order HERE for the LOWEST PRICE AVAILABLE
(Do NOT pay retail):
Save up to $80 with Renewed below:
Save up to $39 with Renewed below:
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest unfiltered reviews 🙂
FAQ
Do AirPods 4 have noise cancelling?
Yes, the AirPods 4th generation now have an Active Noise Cancelling model, and a cheaper non-ANC model as well.
Do AirPods 4 have good sound quality?
Yes, the Apple AirPods 4th generation have the best sound quality so far in the regular line of AirPods, only surpassed by the Pro and Max models.
When did AirPods 4 come out?
The Apple AirPods 4th generation were officially released on Friday, September 20th, 2024.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
RecordingNOW.com is a 100% independent publisher with over 10 years of experience testing and reviewing consumer electronics and headphones.
We currently purchase the products we test with our own money, and are not paid by any company or manufacturer to influence our opinions or decisions.
After purchasing the product, we conduct up to hundreds of hours of detailed hands-on testing in a controlled, acoustically-treated environment. Noise cancelling performance is tested in the real-world, primarily on airplane flights, coffee shops, and walking around large metropolitan city environments.
ODi Productions is our resident expert and author of this article, with 10 years of experience as a professional music producer, tech journalist, and audiophile.
Read Next
Apple AirPods Pro 2 vs AirPods Max
Beats Studio Buds vs AirPods Pro 2
