I tested over 80 tech products in 2024 and these were my favorites

You got me, Apple. I didn’t think you could engineer hard-plastic earbuds that I’d like as much as the AirPods Pro, but the AirPods 4 with ANC kick butt (and ear). Finally, rock-solid noise-cancelling without the need to wedge silicone tips deep inside my ear canals.

You also get most of the other features found in the AirPods Pro, including spatial audio, wireless case charging, full support for Find My and great call quality. Missing, alas, are the Pro’s revolutionary hearing-aid capabilities, but if you’re not at the point where you need them, there’s everything else to like here.

Read my full Apple AirPods 4 review to learn more, and check out the best wireless earbuds roundup for other options you might like.