As far as Black Friday deals go, this is the best I’ve seen so far. Apple’s excellent AirPods (4th generation) are on sale for $70 right now, down from their regular price of $130.
The version of the wireless earbuds with active noise cancelling are also discounted (they’re on sale for $110, down from $179), but the AirPods 4’s ANC isn’t that great because the earbuds don’t feature an in-ear design, so you aren’t missing much by buying the cheaper earbuds. In fact, I barely notice ANC when I turn it on with the AirPods 4 with ANC — it’s there, but it also isn’t at the same time.
Both the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC feature IP54 sweat and water-resistance, making them the perfect workout companion. They also offer solid battery life, hitting five hours with ANC and four hours with it turned off. With the USB-C charging case, you can get a total of 30 hours. Both wireless earbuds feature Apple’s H2 chip, Siri integration, Find My support, and personalized spatial audio, giving you an all-around solid audio package.
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- Battery Life
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Up to 5 hours (30 hours with case)
- Charging Case Included?
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Yes
- Brand
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Apple
- Bluetooth
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5.3
- Price
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$129
The 4th gen AirPods might not feature support for Active Noise Cancelation, but they still pack a punch. The new H2 chip and improved acoustic architecture improve sound quality compared to the previous generation, and the USB-C charging case is highly convenient.
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- Battery Life
-
Up to 5 hours (30 hours with case)
- Charging Case Included?
-
Yes
- Brand
-
Apple
- Bluetooth
-
5.3
- Price
-
$179
Improving on the 4th gen AirPods, the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation support features like Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. Its case has also been upgraded, with wireless charging and a built-in speaker for Find My functions.
The AirPods 4’s best feature is how comfortable they are
In-ear wireless earbuds have never been my preference
While I really like Apple’s AirPods Pro 3rd generation, I’ve never been a big fan of in-ear wireless earbuds. They’re just not comfortable to wear all day, even with the new more secure foam tips. With the AirPods 4, that’s not an issue. I can comfortably keep the wireless earbuds for hours at a time.
That said, they do have a notable drawback. If you plan to use the earbuds while exercising or moving around a lot, it’s likely you’ll find the AirPods 4 will fall out of your ears frequently. They don’t feature an in-ear design and are more comfortable because of that, but that also means they don’t sit as securely in your ears.
That said, if you’re looking for a new pair of wireless earbuds, this is the best deal I’ve seen in months.
