After Apple introduced the AirPods 5 last week, we received a set to take home and review. We tested the AirPods 5 last week and have some initial thoughts.
The AirPods 5 have the same overall design and fit as the AirPods 4, so they’re just as comfortable as the previous generation model.
Active noise cancellation has been improved thanks to a new internal acoustic architecture, and it’s surprisingly good. The AirPods 5 don’t have silicone tips, so you might not expect the ANC to work as well as earbuds with a tighter fit, but there’s a noticeable improvement over the ANC version of the AirPods 4.
Apple says the AirPods 5 uses low-noise microphones and a new compressor optimized for open-ear ANC. The compressor is tuned to a wider frequency range and can respond more quickly than before when conditions change. Sound is measured independently for left and right ears, correcting for fit leaks to further improve ANC.
Sound quality on the AirPods 5 was murkier than on the AirPods Pro 3, especially in the lower midrange. iOS 27 does, however, have a custom equalizer, which allows adjustments. The AirPods 5 support adaptive audio and transparency, so they have most of the same audio features as the AirPods Pro 3.
Apple limited ANC to the high-end AirPods 4, but with the AirPods 5 it’s universal. You can now get AirPods with ANC for just $129. There’s an upgraded model with a wireless charging case, an extra hour of battery life, and swipe controls on the stem for $149. The base model has four hours of battery with ANC, while the upgraded version offers five hours.
Live translation, adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and other features that were previously limited to the high-end AirPods 4 model are now available on all models. Dust and water resistance have improved and AirPods have an IP57 rating, so they will better withstand exposure to sweat and humidity.
With the ANC upgrade and the price drop, the AirPods 5 are excellent value for money. If you’ve been hesitant to get AirPods because of the price, this is the version for you. People who own AirPods Pro or AirPods 4 with ANC don’t need to upgrade, but it’s a big improvement if you own older AirPods.
The AirPods 5 are available for pre-order and will launch on Friday, September 18.
