AirPods 5 Review: How Much Do Apple's New Earbuds Improve Sound, Comfort, Battery Life and Everyday Usability?

The AirPods 5 are a more substantial upgrade than their familiar shape suggests, particularly if you want Apple's open-ear design without paying AirPods Pro prices.

Apple has made Active Noise Cancellation standard across the AirPods 5 range, redesigned the internal acoustic architecture, upgraded the H2-powered audio system, improved water and dust resistance to IP57, added better voice features and introduced volume controls on the stem of the $149 model. Apple says the new AirPods 5 can reduce up to 50% more external noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC.

There are two versions:

• AirPods 5: $129

• AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case: $149

Both have ANC, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio, Live Translation and the H2 chip. The $149 version adds wireless charging, a speaker in the case, swipe volume controls and up to an extra hour of listening with ANC.

The biggest question isn't whether AirPods 5 are better than AirPods 4.

They are.

The more interesting question is:

Are they good enough to make the AirPods Pro 3 unnecessary for everyday listeners?

For some people, yes.

For others, the open-ear design still creates a fundamental limitation that better software and ANC can't completely overcome.

AirPods 5 Specs at a Glance

AirPods 5 combine an open-ear fit with Apple's H2 chip, ANC, Adaptive Audio, Spatial Audio and a redesigned acoustic system.

The specifications alone don't tell the full story.

The defining characteristic remains the open-ear fit.

What Is New About AirPods 5?

AirPods 5 bring ANC to the entire range while improving sound, durability, controls and Apple's AI-powered features.

The major changes include:

• H2 chip

• New multiport acoustic architecture

• Next-generation Adaptive EQ

• ANC on both models

• Up to 50% more external-noise reduction versus AirPods 4 with ANC, according to Apple

• Improved Transparency mode

• Adaptive Audio

• IP57 resistance

• Live Translation

• Siri AI integration

• Better voice isolation

• Volume swipe on the $149 version

• Wireless charging on the $149 version

• Slightly longer battery life on the premium configuration

That's quite a lot for what looks like a relatively small generational update.

How Good Do AirPods 5 Sound?

AirPods 5 sound noticeably fuller and clearer than the AirPods 4, particularly in bass response and vocal clarity.

Apple redesigned the internal acoustic architecture and added a custom high-excursion driver and high-dynamic-range amplifier. Adaptive EQ also adjusts the sound based on the fit and seal characteristics of the earbuds.

Early independent testing has been positive.

The Verge found that the AirPods 5 delivered more bass and clearer vocals than the AirPods 4, with better separation between instruments. The reviewer also considered them among the best-sounding open-ear earbuds tested.

That's significant because open-ear earbuds have an inherent acoustic disadvantage.

Without a silicone tip sealing the ear canal, you generally lose some low-frequency isolation and physical bass reinforcement.

Apple's redesigned acoustics appear to compensate for part of that limitation.

What the sound is like

Expect:

More bass → clearer vocals → better instrument separation → more engaging overall presentation

But don't expect the same level of isolation or low-end impact you get from a properly sealed in-ear earbud.

That's still the fundamental difference between AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3.

Are AirPods 5 Better for Music Than AirPods 4?

Yes, but the improvement is evolutionary rather than transformative for existing AirPods 4 owners.

Early testing is somewhat divided on whether the sound improvement alone justifies upgrading.

The Verge found the difference noticeable, particularly with bass and vocal clarity. Tom's Guide's early hands-on comparison was more conservative, with one reviewer who already owned AirPods 4 saying the sound improvement wasn't large enough by itself to justify replacing them.

That makes sense.

If your AirPods 4 already sound good to you, AirPods 5 won't suddenly make your music collection sound like a completely different recording.

The more compelling upgrade is the combination of:

better sound + stronger ANC + better durability + new controls + newer features.

How Good Is the AirPods 5 Active Noise Cancellation?

For open-ear earbuds, AirPods 5 have unusually capable ANC, but they still cannot isolate sound like sealed AirPods Pro earbuds.

Apple claims up to 50% more external-noise reduction than AirPods 4 with ANC. Its testing was conducted in July 2026 using AirPods 5 paired with an iPhone 17 and compared with the bestselling commercially available open-ear wireless headphones at the time.

That qualification matters.

Apple's claim is specifically about open-ear headphones, not all headphones or all earbuds.

Independent testing supports the general improvement.

The Verge noticed better handling of low-frequency airplane noise and busy restaurant environments compared with AirPods 4 ANC.

But there is a physical limit.

Because AirPods 5 don't seal the ear canal, outside sound still reaches your ears directly.

So:

AirPods 5 ANC = impressive for open-ear earbuds

AirPods Pro 3 ANC = better choice if maximum isolation is the priority

That's an important distinction.

Is Transparency Mode Better on AirPods 5?

Yes. Transparency mode is one of the strongest aspects of the AirPods 5 experience because the open-ear design already lets ambient sound through naturally.

Apple says it has improved Transparency mode to make nearby voices and environmental sounds feel more natural. Adaptive Audio can also dynamically balance ANC and Transparency based on the surrounding environment.

The Verge found the Transparency experience remarkably natural, with very little perceived difference between wearing the earbuds and not wearing them.

That's particularly useful when:

• Walking outdoors

• Running

• Working in an office

• Talking to colleagues

• Waiting at airports

• Cycling where appropriate

• Listening while staying aware of your surroundings

This is where the open-ear design becomes an advantage rather than a compromise.

Are AirPods 5 Comfortable?

For people who dislike silicone ear tips, AirPods 5 can be more comfortable for long everyday use than sealed in-ear earbuds.

The earbuds don't create the same pressure or plugged-ear feeling as AirPods Pro.

That's a major reason to choose them.

Early reviewers found the updated fit comfortable, including during running. The open design also lets environmental sound remain audible without depending entirely on Transparency mode.

But comfort is highly individual.

Apple's one-size-fits-most approach won't work perfectly for everyone.

Some ears simply don't hold open-style AirPods securely.

If you've had trouble keeping AirPods in your ears before, AirPods 5 won't magically solve that.

Are AirPods 5 Good for Running?

Yes, particularly if you want awareness of your surroundings and don't like the sealed feeling of in-ear earbuds.

The IP57 rating provides significantly stronger dust and water resistance than the AirPods 4's IP54 rating.

That makes AirPods 5 better suited to sweaty workouts and outdoor use.

One reviewer tested them during a 22-mile run and highlighted their comfortable fit and ability to maintain environmental awareness, while also noting the shorter battery life compared with AirPods Pro 3.

For shorter everyday workouts, they're particularly compelling.

For very long endurance sessions, battery life becomes more relevant.

How Good Is AirPods 5 Battery Life?

Battery life is the biggest weakness of the AirPods 5.

This hasn't changed enough from the previous generation.

The base AirPods 5 provide:

Up to 4 hours with ANC

Up to 6 hours with noise control off

Up to 20 hours with the charging case and ANC

The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case improve that to:

Up to 5 hours with ANC

Up to 22 hours with the case and ANC

Five minutes in the case provides around one hour of listening.

For everyday commuting and office use, that's manageable.

For a long international flight, it's less impressive.

The Verge specifically criticized the five-hour maximum on the wireless-charging model and four-hour figure on the base model as below what some competitors offer.

This is one area where AirPods Pro 3 can make more sense for heavy users.

Is the $149 AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case Worth It?

Yes, the $149 model is the more complete AirPods 5 package because the extra $20 adds useful everyday features.

The additional $20 gets you:

• Wireless charging

• Speaker in the case

• Volume swipe controls

• One extra hour of earbud battery life with ANC

• Two extra hours of total case battery life with ANC

The volume control is particularly important.

Until now, non-Pro AirPods haven't offered the same convenient on-ear volume adjustment.

The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case let you swipe up or down on the stem to change volume.

That's a small feature that you'll probably use constantly.

Given the $20 price difference, the premium version is the one I'd consider first.

Are AirPods 5 Controls Better?

Yes, especially on the $149 model, which finally adds swipe-based volume control directly on the stem.

You can still use the traditional stem controls for:

• Play/pause

• Answering calls

• Ending calls

• Skipping tracks

• Switching listening modes

The premium model adds:

Swipe up/down → volume adjustment

It's exactly the sort of small usability improvement that makes wireless earbuds feel more complete.

You don't have to reach for your phone just to adjust the volume.

How Good Are AirPods 5 for Phone Calls?

Call quality is very good, with improved voice isolation helping conversations remain understandable in noisy environments.

AirPods 5 use dual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone, alongside voice-processing features designed to improve call quality.

The Verge found that voices remained understandable during calls and that traffic noise was largely suppressed, although some nearby voices and wind could still make it through.

That makes them well suited to:

• Work calls

• Zoom

• FaceTime

• Phone calls

• Voice messages

• Outdoor conversations

They're not going to replace a dedicated microphone.

But they're very good for everyday communication.

What Does the H2 Chip Add?

The H2 chip powers many of the AirPods 5's computational audio, ANC and intelligent features.

The chip enables:

• Active Noise Cancellation

• Adaptive Audio

• Personalized Spatial Audio

• Dynamic head tracking

• Voice Isolation

• Siri interactions

• Live Translation

• Improved computational audio

This is one reason the AirPods 5 are more than simply Bluetooth earbuds.

A large part of the experience comes from Apple's combination of:

earbuds + H2 + iPhone + iOS

The hardware becomes much more capable when paired with Apple's ecosystem.

What Is Live Translation on AirPods 5?

Live Translation uses AirPods, an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and Apple's software to help translate conversations between languages.

Apple includes Live Translation among the AirPods 5 features. It requires compatible Apple hardware, software and supported languages.

It's an interesting example of how Apple's earbuds are becoming an interface for AI rather than simply an audio accessory.

However, availability isn't universal.

Language, region and device requirements apply, and Apple's AI features continue to roll out across supported markets.

So don't buy AirPods 5 purely for Live Translation without checking whether the feature is available on your specific iPhone and in your region.

What Is Siri AI on AirPods 5?

AirPods 5 can provide hands-free access to Apple's newer Siri AI capabilities when paired with a compatible iPhone.

Apple says users can ask open-ended questions, brainstorm and have longer conversations through Siri AI. The earbuds can also support head gestures for certain Siri interactions.

This is another area where the AirPods experience increasingly depends on the iPhone.

The earbuds themselves aren't running a full standalone AI assistant.

They act as the audio and interaction interface for Apple's broader intelligence system.

Are AirPods 5 Good for Android Phones?

They work with Android devices as Bluetooth earbuds, but you lose some of the features that make AirPods particularly compelling inside Apple's ecosystem.

Apple explicitly says AirPods can work as wireless Bluetooth headphones with non-Apple devices, although functionality may be limited.

If you're an Android user, you're therefore paying for an ecosystem that you can't fully access.

For iPhone users, features such as:

• Automatic pairing

• Siri

• Spatial Audio

• Live Translation

• Apple device integration

• Find My

• Seamless switching

make the proposition much stronger.

Are AirPods 5 Waterproof?

AirPods 5 have an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance, but that does not mean they're designed to be submerged without limits.

IP57 is a significant durability improvement over the AirPods 4.

It provides protection against dust and temporary immersion under standardized test conditions. Apple nevertheless recommends following its care guidance and avoiding unnecessary exposure to liquids.

The charging case has its own resistance characteristics, so don't treat the earbuds and case as identical in every situation.

For exercise and rain, the improved rating is reassuring.

For swimming, intentional underwater use isn't what I'd recommend.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

For AirPods 4 owners, the upgrade is most compelling if you want ANC, better sound and improved durability rather than simply a newer design.

The important point is that AirPods 5 aren't a complete redesign.

They're an evolution of the AirPods 4 concept with substantially more capability.

Tom's Guide's early comparison found the improvements meaningful but concluded that existing AirPods 4 users don't necessarily need to upgrade purely for sound.

That's a reasonable conclusion.

If your AirPods 4 are working well, keep them.

If you want better ANC, stronger durability and the newest features, AirPods 5 make more sense.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Which Should You Buy?

Choose AirPods 5 for comfort and openness; choose AirPods Pro 3 when sound isolation, battery life and deeper in-ear performance matter more.

The difference is fundamentally about fit.

AirPods 5

Best for:

• Open-ear comfort

• Environmental awareness

• Casual listening

• Office use

• Running

• People who dislike silicone tips

• Lower price

AirPods Pro 3

Best for:

• Maximum noise isolation

• Stronger bass

• Longer listening sessions

• Better passive seal

• More demanding music listening

• Additional health features

Early testing specifically noted the AirPods 5's shorter battery life and lack of the Pro 3's heart-rate monitoring.

The AirPods Pro 3 therefore remain the more feature-rich option.

But that's not necessarily what everyone wants.

Some people simply don't like having silicone tips sealed inside their ears.

For them, AirPods 5 solve a different problem.

Which AirPods 5 Should You Buy?

The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is the more attractive configuration for most buyers who have decided on AirPods 5.

The $20 difference buys enough useful functionality to justify the upgrade.

You get:

Wireless charging

Volume swipe

Better case battery life

Longer individual listening time

Case speaker

The $129 model is still attractive if keeping the initial price as low as possible matters.

But the feature difference is unusually large for a $20 step.

AirPods 5 Pros and Cons

Pros

• ANC included in both models

• Excellent open-ear comfort

• Better sound than AirPods 4

• Stronger bass and clearer vocals

• Very natural Transparency mode

• Improved ANC for an open-ear design

• H2 chip

• Live Translation

• Siri AI integration

• IP57 durability

• Excellent Apple ecosystem integration

• Very good call quality

• Volume swipe on $149 model

• Wireless charging on $149 model

• $129 starting price

Cons

• Battery life remains mediocre

• Open-ear design can't isolate sound like AirPods Pro

• Base $129 model lacks wireless charging

• Base model lacks volume swipe

• Some advanced features require compatible iPhone hardware

• Android functionality is more limited

• No silicone-tip seal

• Long-term battery durability can't yet be judged because the product launched only in September 2026

Are AirPods 5 Worth Buying in September 2026?

Yes, if you want Apple's open-ear design and value comfort, ecosystem integration and everyday convenience more than maximum isolation or battery life.

The AirPods 5 are particularly interesting because Apple has taken features that previously pushed users toward the AirPods Pro range and brought many of them into its cheaper open-ear design.

You now get:

ANC

Adaptive Audio

Transparency

Spatial Audio

Live Translation

Siri AI

IP57 resistance

all starting at $129.

The $149 version adds the controls and charging features that make the package feel more complete.

The biggest compromise remains battery life.

Four to five hours with ANC is not exceptional in 2026.

And while the ANC is impressive for an open-ear design, physics still favors a sealed earbud when the goal is maximum isolation.

That leaves AirPods 5 in an interesting position.

They're not the best AirPods for every user.

They're the AirPods for people who want Apple's ecosystem and modern features without putting a silicone ear tip into their ear canal.

The Bottom Line: AirPods 5 Review

The AirPods 5 are a meaningful improvement over AirPods 4, particularly in sound, ANC, durability and everyday controls, but their short battery life keeps them from being an all-around perfect wireless-earbud package.

The most impressive part isn't one individual specification.

It's the combination.

The redesigned acoustic system makes music sound fuller.

The improved ANC makes the open-ear design more useful in noisy environments.

Transparency mode remains exceptionally natural.

The IP57 rating makes them more practical for exercise and outdoor use.

The H2 chip brings Apple's newest audio and AI features.

And the $149 version finally gives non-Pro AirPods proper volume controls.

But battery life is still the weak spot.

If you're listening with ANC for long stretches, four to five hours isn't much compared with some competitors.

And if you want the best possible isolation and sound, AirPods Pro 3 remain the more appropriate choice.

For everyone else, particularly iPhone users who dislike sealed earbuds, AirPods 5 are one of the most compelling open-ear options Apple has made.

If you're buying them, I'd lean toward the $149 Wireless Charging Case version. The extra $20 buys features you'll notice every day.

FAQs

Are AirPods 5 worth buying in 2026?
Yes, especially for iPhone users who want an open-ear fit, ANC, strong ecosystem integration and Apple's latest audio features. The $149 version offers the most complete package.

How much do AirPods 5 cost?
The AirPods 5 start at $129 in the US. AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case cost $149.

Do all AirPods 5 have ANC?
Yes. Unlike the AirPods 4 generation, both AirPods 5 configurations include Active Noise Cancellation.

Are AirPods 5 better than AirPods 4?
Yes. They improve sound, ANC, durability and several usability features. However, existing AirPods 4 owners don't necessarily need to upgrade if they're happy with their current earbuds.

Do AirPods 5 have better sound quality?
Yes. Apple's redesigned acoustic architecture and Adaptive EQ improve the sound, with early reviews particularly noting stronger bass and clearer vocals.

How long do AirPods 5 last on a charge?
The base model lasts up to four hours with ANC, while the Wireless Charging Case version lasts up to five hours. Total case battery life is up to 20 and 22 hours respectively with ANC.

Are AirPods 5 comfortable?
The open-ear design can be more comfortable than sealed in-ear earbuds for people who dislike silicone tips. Fit is still highly individual.

Are AirPods 5 good for running?
Yes. The open design helps you remain aware of your surroundings, while the IP57 rating provides improved protection against dust and water. Early testing has also found the fit suitable for running.

Do AirPods 5 have volume controls?
The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case have swipe controls on the stem for volume. The $129 model does not.

Are AirPods 5 waterproof?
They have an IP57 rating for dust and water resistance. That provides substantially more protection than the previous AirPods 4 rating, but it shouldn't be interpreted as unlimited waterproofing.

Do AirPods 5 work with Android?
Yes, they can function as Bluetooth headphones with Android devices, but some Apple-specific functionality is limited.

Do AirPods 5 have the H2 chip?
Yes. Both AirPods 5 configurations use Apple's H2 headphone chip.

Do AirPods 5 support Live Translation?
Yes, when paired with compatible Apple hardware and software in supported languages and regions.

Are AirPods 5 better than AirPods Pro 3?
Neither is universally better. AirPods 5 prioritize an open-ear fit and environmental awareness, while AirPods Pro 3 provide a sealed fit, stronger isolation and additional features.

Which AirPods 5 should I buy?
The $149 Wireless Charging Case version is the more complete choice because it adds volume swipe controls, wireless charging and longer battery life for only $20 more.

What is the biggest weakness of AirPods 5?
Battery life. Four hours with ANC on the base model and five hours on the Wireless Charging Case version is modest compared with many competing wireless earbuds.