Apple announced the AirPods 5 earlier this month, offering its entry-level active noise cancellation (ANC) headphones as standard for the first time. AirPods 5 start at $129, a $149 model adds a wireless charging case, and both versions hit stores Friday, September 18.
The launch also resets how Apple prioritizes its cheapest headphones. With the AirPods 4, the $50 increase from $129 to $179 bought ANC with a wireless charging case. With the AirPods 5, noise cancellation is offered at the price of entry and it’s now just a $20 step to get to the next level.
Apple has stopped selling both versions of the AirPods 4 directly, but they remain widely available through third-party retailers, where the standard model is already down to $99 and the ANC model is down to $149.
Here’s everything that’s different between AirPods 4 and AirPods 5:
| AirPods 4 (2024) |
AirPods 4 with ANC (2024) |
AirPods 5 (2026) |
AirPods 5 with wireless charging case (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Active noise cancellation that suppresses up to 50% more external noise | Active noise cancellation that suppresses up to 50% more external noise | |
| Transparency mode | Improved transparency mode | Improved transparency mode | |
| Adaptive audio | Adaptive audio | Adaptive audio | |
| Conversation Awareness | Conversation Awareness | Conversation Awareness | |
| Adaptive equalizer | Adaptive equalizer | Redesigned acoustic architecture and updated adaptive EQ | Redesigned acoustic architecture and updated adaptive EQ |
| Studio-quality audio recording | Studio-quality audio recording | ||
| Live translation | Live translation | Live translation | |
| Force sensor | Force sensor | Force sensor | Force sensor with sweep volume controls |
| Up to five hours of listening time on a single charge | Up to four hours of listening time on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled (up to five hours with noise control off) | Up to four hours of battery life on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled (up to six hours with noise control disabled) | Up to five hours of battery life on a single charge with active noise cancellation enabled (up to seven hours with noise control disabled) |
| Up to 30 hours of listening time with charging case | Up to 20 hours of listening time with the charging case with active noise cancellation enabled (up to 30 hours with noise control off) | Up to 20 hours of battery life with charging case with active noise cancellation enabled | Up to 22 hours of battery life with charging case with active noise cancellation enabled |
| Charging case (USB-C) | Wireless charging case (USB-C) with support for Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers | Charging case (USB-C) | Wireless charging case (USB-C) with support for Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers |
| Speaker for Find My | Speaker for Find My | ||
| Dust, sweat and water resistant (IP54) | Dust, sweat and water resistant (IP54) | Dust, sweat and water resistant (IP57) | Dust, sweat and water resistant (IP57) |
| Previously $129, now discontinued | Previously $179, now discontinued | $129 | $149 |
How big is the upgrade?
The AirPods 5 retain the H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2 in 2022, rather than the new headphone chip that had been rumored, and they retain Bluetooth 5.3, the same open-ear design, the same high-excursion custom driver and high dynamic range amplifier, and the same dimensions and weight down to the gram. Custom spatial audio, adaptive EQ, voice isolation, custom volume, and Siri interactions all came to AirPods 4 two years ago.
Noise cancellation is the main upgrade and is now included no matter which 2026 model you choose. Apple claims that the AirPods 5 suppress up to 50% more external noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC, which it attributes to a redesigned acoustic architecture, and the same architecture underpins claims of richer sound and a more natural transparency mode. Durability improves from IP54 to IP57, so the earbuds and case are now designed for immersion rather than just splashing. Studio-quality audio recording is also new.
Should you upgrade?
If you already own the AirPods 4 with ANC, there’s not a good reason to upgrade. You already get adaptive audio, Transparency mode, conversation awareness, live translation, a wireless charging case with a Find My speaker, and the same H2 chip, so the $149 model would give you stronger noise cancellation, a higher IP rating, an extra hour of listening time, and swipe volume controls.
The case is stronger if you own the standard AirPods 4. Noise cancellation, Transparency mode, adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and live translation are all missing from this model, and the AirPods 5 add each of them to the same $129 price you paid two years ago. The same goes for anyone still using the AirPods 3 or AirPods 2, where the jump also brings the new fit, H2 chip, USB-C, and custom spatial audio.
For new buyers, the AirPods 5 are clearly the default choice. AirPods 4 are the best value option only when heavily discounted.
The open ear shape remains the real dividing line in the range. If you want true isolation, want to use hearing health features, or want to detect heart rate during workouts, the $249 AirPods Pro 3 are still the headphones to buy. On the other hand, if in-ear tips irritate you or you want to stay more aware of your surroundings, the AirPods 5 now offer a much better version of the design you’ll prefer.
Both AirPods 5 models are available for pre-order now ahead of their release on Friday, September 18. AirPods often have deep discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so it’s always worth shopping around for the best price using our deals roundup.
Which model of AirPods 5 to buy?
The difference between the two AirPods 5 models is significant despite the $20 gap. The wireless charging case works with Qi chargers and the Apple Watch charger, contains a speaker that makes it much easier to find in the Find My app, and comes with an extra hour of listening time on a charge and an additional two hours on the case.
The $149 model is clearly the one to buy for most people, unless the AirPods are a secondary device or one that won’t be used often. Upgrading to the top model only costs $20, which is a relatively small amount compared to the number of upgrades.
