OnePlus Buds 4 or EarFun Air Pro 4? Which is better for noise cancellation?
If noise cancellation is your main priority, the OnePlus Buds 4 are the better overall choice between these two earbuds. OnePlus rates them for up to 55dB of adaptive noise reduction, while the EarFun Air Pro 4 is rated for up to 50dB. More importantly, independent testing found the OnePlus Buds 4 particularly effective at reducing both low-frequency sounds and higher-frequency noise.
The EarFun Air Pro 4 is still a strong ANC option, especially considering its feature set. It can reduce constant sounds such as air conditioning, traffic, and engine noise quite well, but independent testing suggests the OnePlus has the edge when the goal is simply to block as much outside sound as possible.
| Feature | OnePlus Buds 4 | EarFun Air Pro 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum claimed ANC | Up to 55dB | Up to 50dB |
| ANC technology | Real-time adaptive ANC | QuietSmart 3.0 adaptive ANC |
| Claimed ANC frequency range | Up to 5,500Hz | Up to 4,000Hz |
| ANC performance | Excellent | Very good |
| Low-frequency noise | Excellent | Very good |
| Higher-frequency noise | Very good | Good |
| Best for | Stronger overall noise blocking | Features and value |
| Available |  | |
The numbers in this table are manufacturer claims, so they should not be treated as direct laboratory measurements. Real-world ANC also depends heavily on ear-tip fit, ear shape, and the type of noise around you.
How good is the OnePlus Buds 4 noise cancellation?
The OnePlus Buds 4 use real-time adaptive active noise cancellation that can adjust the noise reduction continuously. OnePlus claims up to 55dB of noise reduction across a range extending to 5,500Hz, with adjustments made up to 800 times per second.
Those specifications sound impressive, but the more useful question is how the earbuds perform outside a specification sheet. Independent SoundGuys testing found that the OnePlus Buds 4 reduced the loudness of external noise by an average of 84% with ANC enabled. The testing also found close to 40dB of attenuation across low, mid, and high frequencies.
That makes the Buds 4 well suited to common situations where ANC matters.
Airplane and bus noise
Low, steady sounds are usually where ANC performs best, and the OnePlus Buds 4 handle this type of noise well. Independent testing found that they can reduce low-frequency sounds such as airplane-engine and train noise, making them a strong option for commuting and travel.
For example, if you are listening to a podcast on a flight, the Buds 4 can reduce the constant engine rumble enough to make the spoken audio easier to hear without pushing the volume unnecessarily high.
Office and cafe noise
ANC is not limited to deep bass sounds. RTINGS found that the OnePlus Buds 4 can also reduce common office sounds, including nearby conversations, keyboard noise, and air-conditioning fans.
That does not mean every voice or sudden sound disappears. Human speech contains plenty of frequencies that ANC earbuds cannot completely remove. Still, reducing the overall background noise can make music, podcasts, and calls easier to follow.
How good is the EarFun Air Pro 4 noise cancellation?
The EarFun Air Pro 4 uses QuietSmart 3.0 adaptive ANC and is rated for up to 50dB of noise reduction. EarFun also lists a noise-cancellation range up to 4,000Hz.
The Air Pro 4 performs well for its class. SoundGuys found that its strongest ANC mode reduced external noise by an average of 75%, with particularly useful results in noisy environments such as buses.
Independent testing also found that the Air Pro 4 handles steady background sounds well. Air conditioning and electronic humming are reduced substantially, while traffic noise is also softened. More sudden sounds, such as a door closing or sharp noises in a busy public space, can still get through.
So the EarFun is not a weak ANC performer. It is simply a little behind the OnePlus when noise cancellation is the main thing you care about.
OnePlus Buds 4 vs EarFun Air Pro 4 for different types of noise
The difference becomes easier to understand when you look at real situations.
| Situation | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Airplane engine | OnePlus Buds 4 | Strong low-frequency noise reduction |
| Train or bus | OnePlus Buds 4 | Strong performance against steady rumble |
| Office fan or AC | OnePlus Buds 4 | Handles continuous background noise very well |
| Cafe chatter | OnePlus Buds 4 | Better overall noise attenuation |
| Keyboard sounds | Close | Neither can remove every higher-frequency sound |
| Sudden sounds | Close | ANC is less effective against quick changes |
| Wind outdoors | EarFun has an advantage in flexibility | EarFun offers dedicated wind-noise handling |
| Maximum overall ANC | OnePlus Buds 4 | Stronger results in independent testing |
The wind point deserves some attention. RTINGS notes that the OnePlus Buds 4 do not have a dedicated wind-reduction feature, and wind hitting the ANC microphones can produce artifacts. The EarFun Air Pro 4, meanwhile, includes wind-noise cancellation among its ANC options.
Does 55dB ANC mean the OnePlus is automatically better?
No. The 55dB versus 50dB figures are useful for understanding the manufacturers’ claims, but they should not be treated as a direct five-decibel performance advantage.
ANC performance depends on frequency, microphone placement, software processing, passive isolation, and how well the earbuds seal your ears. A good fit can make a noticeable difference because the ear tips block some sound before the electronic ANC system even has to process it.
The independent results are more useful here. SoundGuys rated the OnePlus Buds 4’s ANC at 8.4/10 and found an average 84% reduction in external noise. Its testing of the EarFun Air Pro 4 found a 7.5/10 ANC score and an average reduction of about 75% in its strongest ANC mode.
Because the testing methods and conditions can differ between products, these numbers should be viewed as useful evidence rather than a perfect head-to-head laboratory score.
Which one is better for commuting and travel?
The OnePlus Buds 4 are the better pick if your main reason for buying ANC earbuds is commuting or travel.
Their strong low-frequency noise reduction makes them especially useful for buses, trains, and airplanes. They are also lightweight, with each earbud weighing about 4.7 grams, and they have an IP55 rating.
The EarFun Air Pro 4 remains a good travel option, particularly if you want extra features such as wireless charging, multipoint connectivity, and broad Bluetooth codec support. Its ANC is good enough to make a meaningful difference on a commute, even though the OnePlus has the stronger overall noise-blocking performance.
Which one is better for office use?
The OnePlus Buds 4 get the edge here as well.
Office noise is more complicated than airplane noise because it can include air conditioning, keyboard clicks, conversations, chairs moving, and other unpredictable sounds. RTINGS found that the OnePlus Buds 4’s ANC reduces several of these common office sounds effectively.
The EarFun Air Pro 4 can still work well at a desk. Its adaptive ANC gives you several ways to adjust noise reduction, and its app provides more control over how the earbuds respond to your surroundings.
If your office is mostly a steady hum, either model should work. If you want the stronger all-around noise reduction, choose OnePlus.
What about fit and passive noise isolation?
ANC is only part of the equation. The ear tips physically block some outside sound, which is called passive isolation. A poor seal can reduce the effectiveness of ANC because more outside sound reaches your ear in the first place.
The OnePlus Buds 4 have performed particularly well in independent isolation testing. RTINGS describes their noise isolation as excellent and says they can reduce everything from low train rumbles to higher-pitched fan noise.
This is one reason the OnePlus result is more convincing than simply comparing its advertised 55dB figure with EarFun’s 50dB figure.
If you buy either pair, try the included ear tips and use the size that creates a comfortable, secure seal. Bigger tips are not automatically better; the right size is the one that seals your ear without causing uncomfortable pressure.
What does the EarFun Air Pro 4 do better?
The EarFun Air Pro 4 has several advantages that could make it the better purchase for some people, even though it loses this specific ANC comparison.
It supports a broad range of audio features, including LDAC and aptX Lossless, along with Bluetooth 5.4. EarFun also includes wireless charging, multipoint connectivity, in-ear detection, and up to 52 hours of total playback under its stated conditions.
The EarFun Audio app also gives you multiple ANC modes and sound customization options. SoundGuys found the Air Pro 4 to be a feature-packed pair of earbuds with good sound quality and good noise cancellation for its price range.
So if your question were “Which has more features for the money?”, the answer could be different.
But for “Which is better for noise cancellation?”, the OnePlus has the clearer advantage.
Which should you buy for noise cancellation?
Choose the OnePlus Buds 4 if noise cancellation is your top priority. They combine a strong adaptive ANC system with good passive isolation, and independent testing shows that they can reduce a wide range of outside noise effectively.
Choose the EarFun Air Pro 4 instead if you want good ANC but also care heavily about features such as wireless charging, multipoint connectivity, and broad codec support. Its ANC is still quite capable, especially with steady background noise.
For a buyer who mainly wants to sit on a plane, train, bus, or in a noisy office and hear less of the outside world, OnePlus Buds 4 is the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
The questions below cover the most important things to know before choosing between the OnePlus Buds 4 and EarFun Air Pro 4 for noise cancellation. They focus on real-world ANC performance, travel use, and which pair makes more sense when blocking outside noise is your main priority.
Is OnePlus Buds 4 ANC better than EarFun Air Pro 4?
Yes. The OnePlus Buds 4 have the stronger overall ANC performance based on available independent testing. OnePlus also rates its system at up to 55dB, compared with up to 50dB for the EarFun Air Pro 4, although those manufacturer figures are not directly comparable performance scores.
Are EarFun Air Pro 4 good for airplane noise?
Yes. The EarFun Air Pro 4 does a good job reducing steady, low-frequency background noise such as engine and traffic sounds. However, the OnePlus Buds 4 have the edge if airplane noise reduction is your main reason for buying either pair.
Which is better overall for someone who mainly wants ANC?
The OnePlus Buds 4 are the better choice when ANC is the deciding factor. The EarFun Air Pro 4 becomes more attractive if you value its wider feature set and connectivity options as much as noise cancellation.
Final Verdict
OnePlus Buds 4 wins for noise cancellation. The EarFun Air Pro 4 is still a capable ANC earbud, but the OnePlus Buds 4 offer stronger measured noise reduction and better isolation across a broad range of sounds.
If you are choosing specifically for commuting, flights, office noise, or general background-noise reduction, go with the OnePlus Buds 4. If you are willing to give up some ANC performance for a broader feature set, the EarFun Air Pro 4 is still worth considering.
