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Apple AirPods 5
Apple · Released September 18, 2026

AirPods 5

AirPods with noise canceling and IP57 for $129, but the base case drops wireless charging and the Find My speaker

Wireless Earbuds
8.8/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Buying call

Buy AirPods 5 if you're on iPhone and want ANC in an open fit that doesn't plug your ears: you get the H2 chip, IP57 and up to 4 hours with ANC on (20 with the case, Apple claim). Step up to the Wireless Charging Case model, which adds an hour of battery, Qi charging, stem volume swipes and a Find My speaker. Skip both if you ride loud trains or fly often, since an open fit can't seal out rumble like AirPods Pro 3, and Android users lose most of the features.

Full verdict ↓
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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
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Key specs
Connection
Wireless (Bluetooth)
Controls
Force sensor (press) · Siri · head gestures
Highlights

Specs that matter

Audio
Type
Earbuds
Wear
In-ear / earbuds
Bluetooth
Bluetooth 5.3
Body
Weight
0.1 oz (4 g)
Dimensions
Weight (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case): 1.22 ounces (34.7 grams) · Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) · Weight (AirPods
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

AudioEarbuds · In-ear / earbudsBT Bluetooth 5.3
Weight0.1 oz (4 g)Weight (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case): 1.22 ounces (34.7 grams) · Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) · Weight (AirPods
37 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

Prices from trusted US retailers, updated daily.

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Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy AirPods 5 if you're on iPhone and want ANC in an open fit that doesn't plug your ears: you get the H2 chip, IP57 and up to 4 hours with ANC on (20 with the case, Apple claim). Step up to the Wireless Charging Case model, which adds an hour of battery, Qi charging, stem volume swipes and a Find My speaker. Skip both if you ride loud trains or fly often, since an open fit can't seal out rumble like AirPods Pro 3, and Android users lose most of the features.

Best for

iPhone owners who want noise canceling in a tipless open fit.

Not for

Long-haul flyers and Android users.

Main strengthANC standard on both models, with the H2 chip and Live Translation
Main weaknessShort battery: up to 4 hours with ANC (Apple claim), a weak spot in several reviews
Reasons to buy
ANC standard on both models, with the H2 chip and Live Translation
Rated IP57, up from IP54 on AirPods 4
Sound and call quality clearly better than AirPods 4 in review testing
Open fit with no silicone tips
Reasons to avoid
Short battery: up to 4 hours with ANC (Apple claim), a weak spot in several reviews
ANC cut perceived noise by 59% in one test, well behind sealed buds
The base case drops wireless charging and the Find My speaker
One review heard a faint hiss with ANC on and no music
Measured view8.8/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

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SoundGuys6.4/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging CaseChristian Thomas · Sep 2026

Good ANC and sound for open-fit buds, but comfort depends heavily on ear shape.

Read on SoundGuys ↗
CNET8.9/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods 5 Review: A Better Upgrade Than I ExpectedDavid Carnoy · Sep 2026

Better sound and noise cancelling make them a strong pick for people who dislike ear tips.

Read on CNET ↗
The Verge8/10
Article · Full reviewThe premium AirPods 5 are the best open-ear earbuds Apple has madeJohn Higgins · Sep 2026

Best open-fit AirPods yet; says the pricier version is worth the extra $20.

Read on The Verge ↗
Linus Tech Tips · Sep 2026The Apple Product I Still Fanboy Over - AirPods 5 ReviewWatch on YouTube ↗
SoundGuys · Sep 2026Apple AirPods 5 review: A tough sell for SOME ears...Watch on YouTube ↗
Max Tech · Sep 2026AirPods 5 are BETTER than Apple told you!Watch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple AirPods 5
This deviceAirPods 5
VS
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
AlternativeAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Score
8.87.8
Full comparison
Apple AirPods 5
This deviceAirPods 5
VS
AirPods 4
AlternativeAirPods 4
Score
8.87.7
Full comparison
Apple AirPods 5
This deviceAirPods 5
VS
AirPods Pro 2
AlternativeAirPods Pro 2
Score
8.89
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All wireless earbuds →
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation7.8
AppleAirPods 4 with Active Noise CancellationAirPods 4 with ANC are worth it only on clearance; AirPods 5 now include ANC for $129.
AirPods 47.7
AppleAirPods 4The base AirPods 4 make sense only on clearance, because the $129 AirPods 5 now include ANC.
AirPods Pro 29.0
AppleAirPods Pro 2Apple's 2022 ANC buds still review well, but Apple's store now sells only the $249 AirPods Pro 3.
Product data

Full specifications

37 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Sound

Driver type
Custom high-excursion Apple driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier
Spatial audio
✓
Head tracking
✓

Noise Control

Adaptive ANC
✓
Ambient / transparency
✓

Battery

Battery (ANC on)
4 hours
Total with case
Up to 20 hours (ANC on)
Battery type
Up to 4 hours ANC; up to 20 hours with case
Charging port
USB-C
Wireless charging
✕
Quick charge
5 min in case = ~1 hour
Charging case
✓

Connectivity

Connection
Wireless (Bluetooth)
Codecs
AAC, SBC

Microphone

Microphone
Dual beamforming microphones; inward-facing microphone

Controls & Software

Controls
  • Force sensor (press)
  • Siri
  • head gestures
Voice assistant
✓
Find My
✓

Comfort & Build

Dimensions
Earbud: 30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm; Case: 46.2 x 50.1 x 21.2 mm
Water resistance
IP57 (dust, sweat, water)
Colors
  • White

Charging Case

Case weight
32.3 g

Sensors

Sensors
  • Optical in-ear sensor
  • motion-detecting accelerometer
  • speech-detecting accelerometer
  • force sensor

Launch

Released
September 23, 2023
In the box
  • AirPods 5
  • Charging Case (USB-C)
  • Documentation
Vote & discuss

Community says

No reader votes on the AirPods 5 yet. Votes happen on head-to-heads: pick a matchup and say which one you would buy.

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