Flagship earbuds get the headlines & budget earbuds get the sales, and once in a while, one of them actually deserves both.
Most people buying earbuds under $100 expect to make compromises.
Maybe the ANC is weak, the app is barebones, or the audio codec list stops at AAC.
The EarFun Air Pro 4 keeps challenging those assumptions. I’ve spent real time with these earbuds on commutes, in the gym, and on long work calls, and the spec sheet does not lie.
But specs and real-world use are different things. In this blog, you’ll see how the EarFun Air Pro 4 performs in sound quality, ANC, battery life, comfort, and more to help decide if it is worth buying.
An Overview of EarFun Air Pro 4
EarFun launched in 2018 with a clear goal: wireless audio products that compete with premium brands at a fraction of the price.
The Air Pro 4 is the brand’s flagship true wireless earbud, released in late 2024, and, honestly speaking, not overly priced.
It targets everyday listeners who want solid ANC, support for hi-res audio codecs, and a polished app without spending $200 or more.
CNET named it an Editor’s Choice, calling it a product that “delivers surprisingly good performance and a robust feature set for an affordable budget.”
EarFun Air Pro 4: Design, Sound & Performance
The EarFun Air Pro 4 combines modern wireless features with a design aimed at everyday listening. From comfort and fit to audio tuning and battery performance, it covers the areas most buyers care about in daily use.
1. Build Quality & Comfort
The Air Pro 4 uses a stem-style form factor similar to that of AirPods Pro, with a lightweight plastic chassis finished with a mix of gloss and matte surfaces.
It weighs very little per earbud, which matters during long sessions.
Five ear tip sizes are included, and the 45-degree angled nozzle sits comfortably in the ear canal without pressure. IPX5 water resistance covers rain, sweat, and gym use without worry.
For those interested in stylish wearable tech trends, the Air Pro 4 keeps things practical over flashy.
2. Sound Quality and Audio Performance
The Air Pro 4 uses a custom 10mm composite diaphragm dynamic driver tuned toward the Harman target curve. Bass is full and present without bleeding into the mids.
Vocals come through clearly and sit close to the listener, which works well for podcasts and vocal-heavy music.
The upper treble rolls off noticeably, which keeps the sound easy to listen to for long periods but costs some detail and airiness.
For Android users, LDAC, aptX Lossless, and LE Audio/LC3 enable near-CD-quality audio over Bluetooth. iPhone users get AAC, which is solid but not lossless.
3. Active Noise Cancellation in Real Use
QuietSmart 3.0 powers the ANC with five modes: Strong ANC, Balance ANC, AI Environment Adaptive ANC, AI Ear Adaptive ANC, and Ambient.
According to SoundGuys testing, the Air Pro 4 reduces external noise by 15 to 40 decibels across frequencies.
Bass-heavy noise, like bus engines and AC hum, nearly disappears with Strong ANC. Mid-range sounds, particularly voices and clattering dishes, still cut through at higher settings.
The AI Environment Adaptive mode automatically adjusts ANC strength based on ambient noise levels, making it the mode worth using daily.
4. Call Quality and Microphone Performance
Six microphones are spread across both earbuds, paired with Qualcomm cVc 8.0 noise suppression and an AI algorithm that filters background noise during calls.
In quiet rooms, call clarity is very good. In busy environments, the system handles moderate noise well but can lose some voice definition in crowded, loud spaces.
For desk workers and commuters who take calls with earbuds, the performance is more than adequate.
The wearables in workplace productivity conversation applies here too; reliable call quality in wireless earbuds is now an everyday professional need.
Automatic Ear Detection: How It Works
The Air Pro 4 uses an optical in-ear detection sensor that pauses audio the moment you remove an earbud and resumes when you put it back.
Single-bud use is also supported. The feature is toggled in the EarFun Audio app.
Early firmware had a documented inconsistency where the left sensor would stop responding after extended use, requiring a case reset to fix.
EarFun released an update that resolved it for most users. Post-update, the sensor is quick and reliable. If the issue returns, disabling it in the app has no impact on any other feature.
Battery Life and Charging: EarFun Air Pro 4
Battery life is one of the strongest parts of the Air Pro 4. With ANC turned off, the earbuds last up to 11 hours on a single charge, while ANC mode delivers around 7.5 hours of playback.
- Up to 11 hours of playback without ANC
- Around 7.5 hours with ANC enabled
- A 10-minute quick charge gives about 2 hours of use
- Supports both USB-C and wireless charging
- 52 hours total with the charging case
LDAC playback drains the battery slightly faster than AAC, but the overall endurance still feels impressive for earbuds in this price range.
For those seeking wearables for daily health use, all-day wear without midday top-ups is easily achievable here.
Ear Fun Audio App and Connectivity
The EarFun Audio app includes a 10-band EQ, Sound Zones for environment-based profiles, fully remappable touchpad controls, ANC mode switching, and firmware management.
It is more capable than most apps at this price. On connectivity, Bluetooth 5.4 with the QCC3091 chipset keeps the connection stable and power-efficient. Dual-device multipoint connects a phone and a laptop simultaneously.
Auracast allows tuning into compatible public broadcasts. Google Fast Pair handles instant Android pairing. Gaming mode holds latency below 50ms.
The broader future of audio wearables points toward exactly this multi-codec, multi-device setup becoming the budget standard.
EarFun Air Pro 4 vs Air Pro 4+: What’s the Difference?
The Air Pro 4+ was announced at IFA 2025 and is the direct successor to this model. Here is how they compare on the specs that matter:
| Feature | Air Pro 4 | Air Pro 4+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $79.99 | $90-$100 |
| Driver setup | Single 10mm dynamic | 10mm dynamic + balanced armature |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 6.0 |
| Total battery | 52 hours | 54 hours |
| ANC strength | Up to 40dB | Slightly lower (per Scarbir testing) |
| AI translation | No | Yes (firmware update, 2026) |
| App support | Full EarFun Audio app | Full EarFun Audio app |
For most buyers, the Air Pro 4 is still the stronger value. The Air Pro 4+ adds a balanced armature driver and Bluetooth 6.0, but Scarbir’s testing found the Air Pro 4 actually delivers stronger ANC. If price is the priority and ANC matters, the Air Pro 4 remains the better pick.
What Reddit Users Think About the EarFun Air Pro 4
Early community feedback on Reddit has been mostly positive, especially around value for money, sound quality, and feature set.
Many users describe the Air Pro 4 as one of the strongest budget wireless earbuds currently available, praising LDAC support, customizable EQ settings, and reliable ANC performance.
Some users also note that the earbuds sound surprisingly close to more expensive models, especially after properly tuning the EQ.
Criticism mainly focuses on the charging case design and transparency mode, which some users feel still trails premium competitors.
Overall, the consensus favors the Air Pro 4, which offers unusually strong performance for its price.
Ear Fun Air Pro 4: Pricing & Value
Air Pro 4, starting at $79.99, packs LDAC, aptX Lossless, adaptive ANC up to 50dB, automatic ear detection, wireless charging, Auracast, and 52 hours of total battery life.
Some of the reviewers have rated it among the best earbuds under $100 through 2024 and 2025.
The concessions are honest: treble detail is limited, call quality softens in very loud environments, and the ear detection sensor needed a firmware fix.
For commuters, office workers, and casual listeners, none of those gaps is a dealbreaker.
Audiophiles chasing precise treble or reference call mics will want to spend more, but for most people, this price-to-feature ratio is hard to beat.
Conclusion
The EarFun Air Pro 4 is a well-rounded earbud that delivers where it counts.
Adaptive ANC, automatic ear detection, hi-res codec support, wireless charging, and a capable app work together without obvious weak points.
Treble extension and call quality in very loud spaces fall short of premium options, but neither is a daily problem for most users.
For commuters, office workers, and casual listeners who want a reliable, feature-complete wireless earbud without overspending, the Air Pro 4 earns its place at the top of the sub-$100 category.
If this review helped you decide, drop a comment below with the feature that mattered most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Ear Fun Air Pro 4 Work with an iPhone?
Yes, the EarFun Air Pro 4 is fully compatible with iPhone and other iOS devices. iPhone users connect via AAC codec, which delivers good audio quality over Bluetooth. LDAC and aptX Lossless are Android-only codecs due to iOS platform limitations.
What is the Difference Between the EarFun Air Pro 4 and Air Pro 4+?
The Air Pro 4+ is the successor model, featuring a hybrid dual-driver system that pairs a 10mm dynamic driver with a balanced armature driver, Bluetooth 6.0, and a slightly longer battery life of up to 54 hours total. The Air Pro 4 uses a single dynamic driver and Bluetooth 5.4. Both share similar ANC performance and app support.
Can You Use only One Ear Fun Air Pro 4 Earbud at a Time?
Yes. The Air Pro 4 supports single-earbud use on either the left or right side independently. Audio plays through the single earbud, and touch controls remain functional. This is useful for staying aware of your surroundings during calls or commutes.
