Apple’s AirPods 5 bring active noise cancellation to its $129 earbuds for the first time. The $149 AirPods 5 with wireless charging case adds longer battery life, volume controls on the stems, and a speaker for Find My. The AirPods Pro 3 cost $249.
The AirPods 5 arrived in September 2026, a year after the AirPods Pro 3. They continue to narrow the feature gap between the devices, but the Pro model still offers a sealed in-ear fit, significantly better noise cancellation, and hearing and workout features. Our guide helps answer the question of how to decide which of these sets of AirPods is best for you.
| AirPods 5 (2026) |
AirPods 5 with wireless charging case (2026) |
AirPods Pro 3 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Open ear cup without tips | Open ear cup without tips | In-ear fit with foam-infused silicone tips in five sizes |
| In-ear optical sensor | In-ear optical sensor | Skin detection sensor |
| Open-ear active noise cancellation | Open-ear active noise cancellation | Active noise cancellation in the ear; up to 3 times more efficient than AirPods 5 |
| Force sensor controls | Force sensor controls with volume sweep | Touch controls with volume sweep |
| Hearing test, hearing aid, hearing protection, automatic conversation amplification and loud noise reduction | ||
| Heart rate detection during workouts | ||
| Up to 4 hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC | Up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC | Up to 8 hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC |
| Up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC using the case | Up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC using the case | Up to 24 hours of listening time with ANC using the case |
| Charging the case via USB-C | The case charges via USB-C, Apple Watch charger or Qi charger | The case charges via USB-C, Apple Watch charger, Qi charger, or MagSafe charger |
| Loudspeaker in case of Find My | Loudspeaker in case of Find My | |
| Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip for precision searching with a compatible iPhone | ||
| Charging case measures 1.97 inches (50.1 mm) wide | Charging case measures 1.97 inches (50.1 mm) wide | Charging case is 2.45 inches (62.2 mm) wide and features a lanyard loop |
| From $129 | From $149 | From $249 |
The AirPods 5 with wireless charging case are the best choice for most buyers. For $20 more than the base model, you get an extra hour of listening time per charge with ANC, volume moves on the stems, wireless charging, and a speaker that makes finding a misplaced case easier. Choose the $129 model if lower price matters most and you’re happy with its shorter battery life and USB-C-only charging case.
However, the AirPods Pro 3 are worth an extra $100 over the higher-end AirPods 5 if noise cancellation is your priority and you prefer a snug in-ear fit. Apple claims they provide up to three times more ANC than the AirPods 5 because the ear tips create a physical seal. Their eight-hour listening time per charge is particularly useful on long journeys. In our hands-on testing, the AirPods 5 seemed more muddled than the Pro 3, especially in the lower midrange.
The AirPods Pro 3 are also the obvious choice if you want hearing health or heart rate detection features during workouts without relying on an Apple Watch. Their charging case also adds Precision Finding. If you don’t like silicone tips, the AirPods 5 allow you to keep the open-ear fit while still getting almost all of the everyday listening features shared by the Pro model.
AirPods frequently receive discounts from third-party retailers, which can reduce the $100 premium in the list price of the AirPods Pro 3 compared to the $149 AirPods 5. Check the latest prices using our deals summary before you buy.
