After Apple introduced the AirPods 5 last week, we took a set home and tested them for a week. Our initial assessment: the AirPods 5 keep the same overall design and fit as the AirPods 4, deliver noticeably better active noise cancellation, and arrive at lower prices and new feature parity across models.
AirPods 5: Design, fit and ANC improvements
The AirPods 5 share the AirPods 4’s shape and comfort, with no silicone ear tips, yet Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) shows a clear improvement over the ANC version of the AirPods 4. Apple attributes the upgrade to a new internal acoustic architecture, low-noise microphones and a new compressor tuned for open-ear ANC. That compressor is tuned to a wider frequency range and is designed to react faster to changing conditions. Sound is measured independently for the left and right ears, allowing the system to correct for fit leaks and further refine ANC performance.
Sound, features and battery life
In direct listening, the AirPods 5 sounded muddier in the low mids than the AirPods Pro 3, though iOS 27’s custom EQ provides options to adjust the tonal balance. The AirPods 5 support Adaptive Audio and Transparency and include features such as Live Translation and Conversation Awareness that were previously limited to higher-end AirPods 4 models—those capabilities are now available across all AirPods 5 variants.
Apple has made ANC standard across the AirPods 5 lineup. The base AirPods 5 with ANC is priced at $129. An upgraded model, priced at $149, adds a Wireless Charging Case, an extra hour of battery life and swipe-based controls on the stem. With ANC active, the base model provides four hours of listening per charge, while the upgraded model offers five hours. Dust and water resistance have also been improved to an IP57 rating.
With upgraded ANC and a lower entry price, the AirPods 5 represent strong value. They are a particularly good option for buyers who avoided AirPods because of cost. Owners of AirPods Pro or AirPods 4 with ANC likely won’t need to upgrade, but the AirPods 5 are a meaningful improvement for users of older AirPods.
The AirPods 5 are available for pre-order now and will launch on Friday, September 18.
