2. AirPods 5: The best AirPods for most people
- The best for: Most buyers who prefer an open fit or want ANC without spending $249 on AirPods Pro 3.
- Buy AirPods 5 if: You prefer an open-ear fit, you want effective noise cancellation, and you want to spend much less than the AirPods Pro 3.
- Don’t buy AirPods 5 if: Maximum isolation and noise cancellation are important, or you want heart rate detection and Apple’s hearing health features.
The AirPods 5 are no longer just the cheapest AirPods that miss out on most of the Pro features.
Apple introduced AirPods 5 in September 2026 with active noise cancellation as standard. That immediately makes the decision more interesting: You can now get open AirPods with ANC for $129, compared to $249 for the AirPods Pro 3.
Like the previous standard AirPods, they do not use silicone ear tips. They sit in the ear without sealing the ear canal, which will be a major plus for anyone who finds the AirPods Pro uncomfortable or doesn’t like the isolating feel of in-ear headphones.
Noise cancellation has improved a lot. Apple says AirPods 5 eliminate up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC, thanks to a redesigned acoustic architecture and updated computational audio. Macworld also notes that Transparency mode has been improved and that Adaptive Audio can automatically combine ANC and Transparency depending on your environment.
The sound has also been improved, with a new acoustic design and a next-generation adaptive equalizer aimed at improving performance across a wider range of ear shapes.
There are actually two AirPods 5 packages, but unlike the previous generation, they don’t differ in whether ANC is included.
The $129 AirPods 5 come with a USB-C charging case. Apple rates them for up to four hours of listening with ANC enabled or six hours with noise control disabled and up to 20 hours with the case when ANC is used.
The $149 AirPods 5 with wireless charging case are the most attractive option. They can be charged via USB-C, with an Apple Watch charger, or with a Qi charger, and the case includes a speaker for Find My. They also add volume adjustment by sliding the stem. Battery life increases to five hours with ANC, seven hours with noise control off, and 22 hours with the case when using ANC.
For just $20 more, we’re leaning toward the version with a wireless charging case, unless you’re particularly interested in keeping the price down.
