AirPods 4 with ANC is Apple’s open-ear noise-cancelling earbud, launched in September 2024 and listed at $179. Right now it has dropped to $119.99 at Amazon — a new low for 2026 and nearly 35 percent off the list price, representing a saving of just over $59. That is a genuinely unusual discount for a product Apple rarely lets retailers cut. But before you add it to your cart, there is a more important question to answer: is this the right AirPods to buy at all?
What Makes AirPods 4 with ANC Different
The AirPods 4 with ANC sits in an interesting position in Apple’s lineup. It uses the same H2 chip found in the AirPods Pro 3, which is no small thing — the H2 is what makes the noise cancellation work as effectively as it does in an open-ear design with no silicone ear tips. That open-ear form factor is the defining characteristic here. There are no tips to seal against your ear canal, which means the ANC is working against a harder acoustic challenge than a sealed in-ear design faces.
Apple redesigned the AirPods 4 for all-day comfort, with a refined contour, a shorter stem, and greater stability compared to previous generations. Quick-press controls handle music playback and calls. For people who find traditional in-ear earbuds uncomfortable over long periods, this open-ear approach is genuinely appealing — and having active noise cancellation on top of it is the key upgrade over the base AirPods 4, which lists at $129 and is currently on sale for $99.
Is the AirPods 4 with ANC Deal Actually Good?
The $119.99 price at Amazon is the lowest the AirPods 4 with ANC has reached in 2026, and the second-lowest it has ever been. The all-time low was $99, hit during the 2025 Black Friday and holiday sales period. So if you are hoping to match that price again, it is possible — but there is no guarantee it returns, and prices have been fluctuating between $119 and $149 through 2026, with some retailers sitting as high as $157. Waiting for a better deal is a gamble.
What this is not, despite how some retailers frame it, is a straightforward slam-dunk. The deal is US-focused, and international buyers should check local pricing before assuming equivalent savings apply in their market. Amazon is offering free shipping, with delivery available as early as March 16 for standard orders and faster for Prime members.
AirPods 4 with ANC vs AirPods Pro 3: The Real Question
Here is where the buying decision gets complicated. The AirPods Pro 3 scores 8.2 out of 10 against the AirPods 4 with ANC’s 7.5 out of 10, according to What Hi-Fi’s reviews. The Pro 3 lists at $249, but is currently available at $224 on Amazon and $229 across most of the market — with Verizon occasionally dropping it to $199, though that deal is described as hit-or-miss. At $224, the gap between the Pro 3 and the AirPods 4 with ANC at $119.99 is around $104. Whether that gap is worth it depends entirely on how much you care about the sealed in-ear fit and the overall performance advantage the Pro 3 delivers.
If you already know you dislike in-ear tips, the AirPods 4 with ANC is the better fit — literally. The open-ear design is its entire reason for existing, and the H2 chip gives it a fighting chance at meaningful noise cancellation without a seal. But if you are comfortable with in-ear designs and want the best Apple has to offer at a reasonable price, the Pro 3 at $224 is the stronger long-term purchase.
At the budget end, the base AirPods 4 at $99 is worth considering if noise cancellation is not a priority. The OnePlus Buds Pro 3, currently at $129 after a 28 percent discount, is also in the conversation for Android users or anyone not locked into the Apple ecosystem.
Is the AirPods 4 with ANC worth buying right now?
At $119.99, the AirPods 4 with ANC is close to its best-ever price. If you are an iPhone user who prefers open-ear earbuds and wants noise cancellation, this is a strong moment to buy. The all-time low of $99 may return during major sale events, but there is no certainty, and the current price represents genuine value for what is a capable, well-designed product.
How does the AirPods 4 with ANC compare to the base AirPods 4?
The base AirPods 4 lists at $129 and is currently on sale for $99. The key difference is active noise cancellation, which the base model lacks. Both share the open-ear form factor and redesigned fit. If you frequently use earbuds in noisy environments — commuting, open offices, travel — the ANC model is worth the premium, especially at the current discounted price.
What chip does the AirPods 4 with ANC use?
The AirPods 4 with ANC uses Apple’s H2 chip, the same processor found in the AirPods Pro 3. The H2 chip is what enables active noise cancellation in the open-ear design, processing audio and environmental sound to reduce outside noise without a physical ear seal.
The AirPods 4 with ANC at $119.99 is a legitimate deal on a product Apple rarely discounts this steeply. It is not the all-time low, and the AirPods Pro 3 remains the better-performing option for those who can stretch their budget further — but for open-ear loyalists in the Apple ecosystem, this is one of the better buying windows the market has offered in 2026.
Where to Buy
£139 at Amazon | Apple AirPods 4 with ANC: | £99 at Amazon
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: What Hi-Fi?
