The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancelation at $179 are a general-consumer product that offers many pro features. They sound great, the Active Noise Cancelation is extremely useful, they fit better than previous AirPods, and the wireless charging and Find My speaker on the case are much-welcomed conveniences.

In other words, without getting too much into the weeds of things, active noise cancellation works by the device "monitoring" the outside noise and emitting an inverted soundwave, or what Treski calls "the anti phase," to neutralize or negate the external cacophony.

Apple’s AirPods have long been a staple in the wireless earbud market, appealing to a broad audience with their comfort,simplicity, and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem.