Following the release of the AirPods Pro 3 in late 2025, Apple has refreshed its entry-level option with the AirPods 5. The previous generation of these headphones, the AirPods 4, had a price difference between the model with active noise cancellation (ANC) and the model without. With the AirPods 5, Apple changed its strategy by offering ANC on the two entry-level AirPods, but limiting wireless charging to the most expensive model. If you’re in the market for new AirPods, there are several differences between the AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3, even though they share many of the same great features. They even share the current H2 audio chip, available on previous AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 models.
That being said, there are two main differences that users should be aware of between these two different models. First, AirPods 5 start at $129, with the premium version costing $149. The AirPods Pro 3, on the other hand, cost $249, which is $100 or $120 more. Second, AirPods 5 are open-back earbuds, meaning they don’t have ear tips. As a result, background noise may creep in when ANC is not enabled. Since AirPods Pro 3 come with ear tips, they provide a better seal from outside noise, even when ANC is turned off. Both earbuds feature adaptive audio, transparency, support for spatial audio, live translation, and Siri AI, as well as an IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistance rating. Here’s what’s different between these products.
What is the difference between AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 5
Even though the AirPods 5 are newer, the AirPods Pro 3 remain Apple’s best headphones. The company claims the premium earbuds offer up to 3x more active noise cancellation than the AirPods 5, while the AirPods 5 offer 50% better noise reduction than the AirPods 4 – these are Apple’s best open earbuds for ANC. Since the ANC is better on the AirPods Pro 3, users don’t need to pump it as loudly to enjoy their favorite tunes, which could make them feel like the Pro models are better, even though they have the same audio chip technology.
AirPods Pro 3 also have a heart rate sensor, which is not available in any other AirPods model. Apple is also keeping the hearing test, hearing aid, and hearing protection features exclusive to the Pro models. The AirPods Pro 3 also have the longest battery life of any AirPods model, with up to eight hours on a single charge, while the AirPods 5 are rated to last around four to five hours with ANC enabled. With the charging case, the AirPods Pro 3 get an extra 24 hours of battery life, while the AirPods 5 will only get around 20-22 hours in total.
Additionally, AirPods Pro 3 are the only AirPods with a MagSafe charging case and cord loop holder. Another sophisticated feature exclusive to AirPods Pro 3 is Apple’s second-generation ultra-wideband chip in the MagSafe charging case, which allows users to quickly locate their AirPods using the Find My app. If they have an iPhone 15 or newer, or newer versions of the Apple Watch, they can locate the earbuds from a greater distance.
There are some differences between the AirPods 5 models
With the differences between the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 5 clear, it’s important to remember that there are also differences between the AirPods 5 models. After all, the AirPods 5 come in two models: a $129 version and a $149-plus premium option called the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging. In general, these headphones will offer the same audio quality and level of ANC, but there are some differences in charging capabilities and case features.
The more affordable AirPods 5 option offers up to four hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC enabled, with up to an additional 15 hours of battery life with the charging case. Those numbers increase a bit with the more expensive $20 version, with up to five hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC enabled and an additional 17 hours with the charging case. As for the charging case, the entry-level AirPods 5 model only offers a USB-C charging case, while the more expensive model comes with a wireless charging case that allows users to charge with USB-C, an Apple Watch charger, or any other Qi charger. The more expensive AirPods 5 model also includes speakers for Find My, when you can’t remember where you put your AirPods.
The more expensive AirPods 5 model with wireless charging case also comes with a force sensor with volume swipe, so you can slide the stems to change the volume – a feature that was previously exclusive to AirPods Pro models. The cheaper AirPods 5 model, however, only has a force sensor for playing, pausing or skipping songs, but the only way to adjust the volume is using an iPhone or asking Siri. The AirPods 5 are available from September 18, while the AirPods Pro 3 have already been on the market for a year.
