Apple's newly announced AirPods 5 pair improved Active Noise Cancellation with a lower entry price, a combination that reshapes the value equation for the company's open-fit earbuds. The AirPods 5 are available to pre-order now and go on sale Friday, September 18.

What's new in the AirPods 5

The AirPods 5 keep the same overall shape and fit as the AirPods 4, so comfort is unchanged from the previous generation. The bigger change is inside: Apple redesigned the internal acoustic architecture to improve noise cancellation. Despite the lack of silicone ear tips, which usually help block outside sound, early testing shows a noticeable step up over the ANC version of the AirPods 4.

According to Apple, the earbuds use low-noise microphones and a new compressor tuned specifically for open-ear ANC. The compressor covers a wider frequency range and reacts faster to changing conditions, while sound is measured independently for the left and right ears to correct for fit leaks and sharpen cancellation.

Audio quality and features

Sound quality lands a step below the AirPods Pro 3, with muddier low mids in early listening. Apple's iOS 27 includes a custom EQ that lets users tune the output to their preference. The AirPods 5 also support Adaptive Audio and Transparency, giving them most of the audio features found on the AirPods Pro 3.

Features that were once reserved for the higher-end AirPods 4 are now standard across the AirPods 5 line, including Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, and Conversation Awareness. Durability improves as well, with an IP57 rating for better resistance to dust, sweat, and moisture.

Pricing and configurations

Apple previously restricted Active Noise Cancellation to the pricier AirPods 4 model, but ANC is now universal on the AirPods 5. The base model costs $129 and offers four hours of battery life with ANC enabled.

An upgraded version at $149 adds:

  • A Wireless Charging Case
  • An extra hour of battery life, for five hours with ANC
  • Swipe-based volume controls on the stem

Who should buy them

With better noise cancellation and a lower price, the AirPods 5 stand out as strong value in Apple's earbud range. They are an appealing pick for anyone who held off on AirPods over cost. Owners of the AirPods Pro or the AirPods 4 with ANC do not need to rush to upgrade, but the improvement is significant for those coming from older AirPods models.