But do the AirPods 5 live up to the hype? I spent three weeks testing them thoroughly to find out. From battery performance to sound quality, my in-depth review has everything you need to decide if these are the headphones for you. Should you upgrade from a set of AirPods 3 or 4? Are these a better option than the AirPods Pro 3? How do they compare to headphones from rival companies? Don’t worry, I’m here to help you.
For more extensive advice, check out our guides on the best AirPods and best wireless headphones.
David Price / Foundry
AirPods 5: design and fit
The AirPods 5 have the same external design as the previous generation, and largely the same design as all AirPods models since 2016: the stems have been shortened over the years, but the classic shape and glossy white finish remain instantly recognizable. They look great, in short, but don’t expect anything radically new.
But there are a couple of minor design changes worth mentioning. One is that the new earbuds (and their case) are rated as significantly more waterproof than the previous model, with the IP rating increased from IP54 to IP57. The second number refers to the entry of liquid, and in this case indicates that while the AirPods 4 were protected against jets of water, the AirPods 5 can withstand immersion of up to 1 m for 30 minutes… although I would not recommend trying this. More of a reassuring type of update.
One change you’re more likely to notice if you opt to spend an extra $20 on the model with the wireless charging case is the addition of a volume slider feature to the force sensor on both stems: swipe up to increase the volume, swipe down to decrease it. It’s strange that this feature isn’t available on the cheaper AirPods 5, but none of the AirPods 4 models have it and, in principle, it’s a useful addition to their controls. An unexpectedly loud track starts playing on shuffle? No need to take out your iPhone, you can simply lower the volume with a swipe of your finger. The only problem is that it is a little uncomfortable to wear because the AirPods 5 fit quite loose; Trying to slide the control sometimes simply causes the earbuds to move around in your ear. The AirPods Pro, by comparison, have a firmer fit that makes their slide control easier to use.
David Price / Foundry
So let’s talk about being fit. Unlike the AirPods Pro, which come with removable ear tips in a variety of sizes and can be further customized by using after-market foam ear tips, the AirPods 5 continue to use an integrated earpiece made of the same material as the rest of the device. That means you’re stuck with a single, standard shape and size. If it doesn’t fit, you’re out of luck.
