Are the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus the Best Sub-$100 Earbuds?

The EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus are generating significant buzz as a major upgrade to the 2024 Pro 4 model. Bursting with advanced Bluetooth tech that outpaces most competitors in its price bracket, these earbuds offer features rarely seen in the sub-$100 category. They include a dedicated gaming mode, dual device connection, LE Audio support, Auracast capability, and LDAC codec compatibility.

Currently, they are a standout value proposition, often dropping to bargain prices around $76/£63. However, at any price point, compromises exist. We need to determine if the feature set outweighs the drawbacks and how they truly perform for gamers.

Vibrant Audio and Surprising Gaming Performance

While not explicitly designed as dedicated gaming earbuds—which typically rely on low-latency wireless dongles—the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus include an impressive "game mode." This feature aims to reduce latency when connecting to PCs or Bluetooth-ready consoles.

In testing, the difference was tangible. Without game mode, a noticeable delay existed between inputs and audio. Activating the mode virtually eliminated this lag. During intense sessions in Marathon, gunshots felt immediate upon clicking the mouse. While I wouldn't recommend them for competitive esports due to inherent Bluetooth latency and mediocre microphone quality, they are excellent for casual play.

They worked seamlessly for multiplayer in Fortnite and were perfect for single-player experiences on a Steam Deck or Switch. The directional audio, while not pinpoint-precise like a high-end headset, allowed for rough spatial awareness of footsteps and shots.

Rich Sound Profile for Music and Atmosphere

Beyond gaming, the audio profile is vibrant and detailed. In Grand Theft Auto V and IV, the earbuds captured atmospheric depth, allowing listeners to distinguish individual city sounds: the thrum of car engines, traffic horns, street chatter, and radio bass.

For music, the sound is rich and bright with balanced bass, mids, and treble. In complex tracks like Oasis' "Some Might Say," individual instruments remain distinct. The default bass setting provides punch without feeling artificial, handling tracks from Dave’s 100M and Busta Rhymes' "Break Ya Neck" effectively.

Key Audio Characteristics:

  • Clarity: Individual instruments are distinguishable in layered tracks.
  • Bass: Punchy and present without overpowering the mix.
  • Limitations: Vocals can occasionally be drowned out in dense songs like The Strokes' "12:51," and sibilant sounds (hissing consonants/cymbals) may sound harsh.

While not audiophile-grade, these issues are easily mitigated. The companion app offers presets such as treble reducers or vocal enhancers that correct these flaws instantly. For the vast majority of content, the default EQ is warm and engaging.

Premium Features and High-Quality Codecs

The EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus deliver far more features than expected at this price point, managed through an intuitive app. Most notably, they support high-quality Bluetooth codecs, including aptX adaptive, aptX Lossless, and LDAC.

With compatible hardware (iOS does not support LDAC) and streaming platforms (such as Spotify’s lossless audio), users can access the highest possible streaming quality. While true lossless audio over Bluetooth remains theoretically limited compared to wired connections, having this hardware support is a significant boon for budget-conscious buyers.

Additionally, the earbuds support power-efficient LE Audio (Bluetooth Low Energy) and Auracast. Auracast allows multiple devices to connect to a single source, such as a phone broadcasting audio to multiple earbud sets. While adoption is still growing, future-proofing with these standards is a welcome addition.

Comfort, Design, and Battery Life

Comfort is a strong suit. Each bud weighs just over 5g, making them lightweight enough to forget you are wearing them. Their simple shape and rubber tips provide comfort for long gaming sessions, commutes, and sweaty workouts. They carry an IP55 rating, ensuring resilience against moisture.

The design is functional but not visually striking. The two-tone aesthetic features a black body with a greyish-purple outer stem. The touch controls, located on a small circle at the top of the stem, can feel fiddly when adjusting volume or pausing music. However, the curved charging case is compact, sturdy, and holds the buds securely.

Battery Performance:

  • Claimed Battery: 12 hours (ANC off) + 42 hours from the case.
  • Real-World Usage: Between 6 and 8 hours on a single charge.

The real-world battery life is strong, though not spectacular, due to the power drain from toggling between game mode, ANC, and dual connection. Nevertheless, it eclipses most competitors in the same category.

Active Noise Cancelling: Adequate but Not Absolute

The Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) on the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus performs as expected for this price tier. It dampens incoming noise but does not eliminate loud sounds entirely.

In a cafe, the ANC successfully prevented nearby conversations from becoming distracting. However, in noisier environments like a gym, the clink of weights remained audible. On the London Underground, the screech of the Victoria Line made it difficult to fully immerse in audio. It is effective for moderate noise reduction but will not provide the silence offered by premium flagship models.

Verdict

The EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus are a compelling option for those seeking high-end features without the flagship price tag. With support for LDAC, a functional game mode, and impressive battery life, they offer tremendous value. While the ANC and microphone quality are merely adequate, the vibrant audio and robust feature set make them one of the best sub-$100 earbuds available today.