Yes, AirPods 4 do have noise cancellation – but only on the specific “AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation” model, not the entry-level version.

Noise cancellation on AirPods 4

  • Apple sells two versions: a standard AirPods 4 and an AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).
  • Only the ANC version includes Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and Conversation Awareness as audio control features.
  • The design is open-ear (no silicone tips), so the ANC is decent for everyday noise but not as strong as AirPods Pro 2 in louder environments like planes or the subway.

How good is the noise cancellation?

  • Reviews describe the ANC as “middling but useful” in an unsealed design, cutting around 20 dB of noise in mids/highs and reducing things like traffic, office hum, and household noise.
  • It is generally reported as clearly better than older non-ANC AirPods, but still behind the more isolating AirPods Pro 2 with silicone tips for heavy travel or very noisy places.

Quick comparison table

[9][7] [7] [9][7] [1][3][9] [3][1] [5][9][3]
Model Noise cancellation Design Key audio modes
AirPods 4 (standard) No ANC; relies on basic passive noise control.Open-ear, no silicone tips.Personalized spatial audio, auto switching, Siri; no active noise control.
AirPods 4 with ANC Yes, Active Noise Cancellation in open design.Open-ear, similar fit to classic AirPods.ANC, Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness, spatial audio.

What this means if you’re buying

  • If your main question is “do AirPods 4 have noise cancellation,” the answer depends on which version you pick: choose the labeled “with Active Noise Cancellation” model to get ANC.
  • If maximum quiet and isolation are your top priority (e.g., frequent flying), reviewers still recommend AirPods Pro 2 over AirPods 4 with ANC.
  • If you dislike silicone tips but still want some noise reduction, AirPods 4 with ANC are positioned as a good compromise between comfort, features, and price.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.