These ANC earbuds can handle fierce Scottish winds, making them a solid choice for me.

When I previously reviewed EarFun’s Air Pro earbuds, I noted that while their active noise cancelling was impressive, it struggled to fully block out the gusty Scottish winds during my walks. Fast forward to my testing of the EarFun Air Pro 4, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a new anti-wind noise cancelling feature in the app just when I needed it most.

I’m not suggesting this update was made just for me, but it does show that EarFun is committed to enhancing its products. Unlike some of the bigger names in audio, which often only make changes when it impacts their profits, EarFun feels like an underdog eager to improve its offerings for customers, and that dedication shines through in their products.

While the physical design of the Air Pro 4s isn’t drastically different from the previous model, the price has slightly increased to $80 / £80, with discounts bringing it down to around $50. However, the added features and audio quality enhancements make these earbuds a worthy upgrade.

The charging case has a more streamlined shape compared to the Air Pro 3, adopting a rounded rectangular design instead of the bulkier oval-square. It’s a bit darker and tidier, though the matte finish can still show scuffs if tossed in a bag or pocket.

The real improvements come from the updated mobile app, which allows you to control various features and perform firmware updates that EarFun regularly releases for bug fixes and enhancements.

You’ll find three main noise-cancelling modes: Normal, which lets ambient sounds through; Ambient Sound, which amplifies external noises for awareness; and Noise-Cancelling mode, which offers several options. Strong ANC and Balance ANC provide different levels of noise reduction, while two AI-driven modes adjust based on your environment and wearing status. There’s also a dedicated Wind Noise cancelling feature that does exactly what it promises.

While the AI options might feel a bit niche and hard to differentiate, having fine control over noise cancelling is beneficial for finding the right fit for your environment. Personally, I found Strong ANC and Wind mode to be effective in blocking out background noise during my listening sessions.

The Air Pro 4 retains the Game Mode from the previous model, delivering low-latency audio for gaming on the go. However, it’s a bit of a hassle that you have to activate this mode through the app each time, and it doesn’t carry over to other devices. This limitation is disappointing, as it would have made these earbuds a more compelling choice for gaming.

In-ear detection is a neat feature that pauses audio when you remove an earbud, which is handy for quick conversations. However, it can be annoying if you want to use just one earbud, but thankfully, it can be easily turned off. You can also customize touchpad controls to avoid accidental taps.

The app offers a wealth of features, though it lacks individual profiles for specific games. Still, it’s quite comprehensive and enjoyable to navigate.

One standout feature is the dual device connection, allowing you to pair with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously. The inclusion of Qualcomm’s aptX technology ensures efficient audio compression and lossless quality, typically found in pricier earbuds. Plus, with Auracast, you can broadcast audio from one device to multiple speakers, making these earbuds quite advanced for their price.

The Equalizer menu has also seen significant improvements, offering various presets to enhance bass, vocals, or tailor sound to specific genres. While some presets may seem gimmicky, they genuinely enhance audio quality, and you can create a custom sound profile to suit your preferences.

With so many features packed in, it’s clear that EarFun has gone above and beyond for the price. However, I can’t shake the feeling that gamers might feel a bit short-changed.

Initially, I hoped to use the Air Pro 4’s excellent noise-cancelling capabilities as a companion for my Meta Quest or any VR headset. Unfortunately, the lack of a low-latency mode outside the app is a missed opportunity for such capable earbuds. While EarFun may not be targeting gamers specifically, a Windows app or onboard settings to enable gaming mode across devices would have made these earbuds a standout choice in the gaming audio market. Finding gaming-focused earbuds can often cost significantly more than $100, so EarFun could have positioned itself as a budget-friendly alternative.

In my testing, I found that while audio from platforms like YouTube and Spotify was decent when connected to devices like the Asus ROG Ally X or Meta Quest 3, latency became an issue during gaming sessions.

It’s unfortunate because, for everyday use, these earbuds are incredibly comfortable and deliver impressive sound quality. The ANC is top-notch, reminiscent of the clarity I experienced with Bose’s first-generation noise-cancelling headphones. It’s not just about blocking out noise; it enhances the audio you want to hear. The combination of EQ, ANC settings, and hardware makes these earbuds a solid choice.

If you’re a gamer specifically looking for ANC earbuds, you might want to explore other options, which is disappointing to admit. However, for mobile gaming, I can wholeheartedly recommend these earbuds for their audio quality and low-latency mode. For other platforms, the latency issue is hard to overlook. It’s a shame because, in every other scenario, these earbuds exceed expectations for their price.

I should mention that I did encounter one defective pair during testing. While I haven’t seen widespread reports of this issue, and the earbuds have a solid 4.4-star rating from over 5,000 reviews, it’s worth noting.

Overall, these earbuds are feature-rich and offer great value for general use. If EarFun can implement low-latency modes for other devices in the future, they could become a formidable player in the gaming audio space. For now, I can only hope.

I used the EarFun Air Pro 4 as my go-to wireless earbuds for all types of audio on the move, comparing them to other models like the previous EarFun versions, Razer Moray in-ear monitors, Denon’s Noise Cancelling earbuds, and Samsung’s Galaxy Buds. I made extensive use of the EarFun app and tested them on various gaming devices, including the ROG Ally X, gaming PCs, and the Meta Quest 3.