AirPods 4 (Without Active Noise Cancellation) Are $90 on Labor Day
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Labor Day weekend is usually known for headphone deals , and Apple’s new entry-level earbuds just made the list. The AirPods 4 (non-noise-canceling) are on sale for $89.99 on Amazon, a rare markdown from their usual $129. That’s just 99 cents above the all-time low, according to price tracker .
The design hasn’t changed much from the earlier AirPods, but Apple has tweaked the fit so they sit more securely and the sound is better than you’d expect from headphones that don’t block your ear canal, notes this PCMag review . Incidentally, the open-back design of these earbuds means you can still hear what’s going on around you, which is handy if you’re walking around town, but not so great if you’re looking for a fully immersive experience. That said, the sound itself is surprisingly rich for this style — Apple’s 11mm drivers deliver a solid bass line without distortion, something the older AirPods couldn’t really achieve. The tradeoffs are obvious, though: There’s no noise cancellation, no wireless charging, and you don’t get an equalizer to fine-tune the sound. Those omissions will matter to some, less to others.
They simply shine in everyday use. The stems also double as control strips, with subtle haptic clicks when pressed, so you’ll always know if you’ve skipped a track or answered a call. Battery life is around five hours on a single charge, with another 25 hours in the case, which isn’t groundbreaking but is reliable enough. Both the earbuds and case are splash- and dust-resistant with an IP54 rating, and pair easily with iOS 18 without any setup hassles. iPhone users who just want clear sound and a comfortable fit without shelling out for a pricier model with active noise cancellation should consider these. But if you want extra features like noise cancellation or wireless charging, you’ll want to step up to the next level.