AirPods 5 Hands-On: Better Noise Cancellation, Lower Price
After Apple introduced the AirPods 5 last week , we got a set to take home and review. We've been testing the AirPods 5 for the 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 prior-generation model. Active Noise Cancellation…
Apple's latest AirPods 5 have arrived, and we've had the chance to review them. The design and fit are the same as the previous-generation AirPods 4, ensuring comfort. The significant improvement lies in their Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which has been enhanced by new internal acoustic architecture. Despite not having silicone ear tips, the ANC performance of the AirPods 5 is notably better than that of the AirPods 4.
Apple claims the AirPods 5 use low-noise microphones and a compressor tuned for open-ear ANC, reacting faster to changing conditions. Sound quality is slightly muddier than the AirPods Pro 3, particularly in the low mids, but custom EQ adjustments in iOS 27 can help. Features like Adaptive Audio and Transparency are available, and ANC is now universal across all models.
The base model starts at $129 with four hours of battery life, while the upgraded version with a Wireless Charging Case offers $149, five hours of battery, and swipe-based controls. Improved dust and water resistance sees an IP57 rating. The ANC upgrade and lower price make the AirPods 5 an excellent value if you're considering AirPods and don't already own AirPods Pro or 4 with ANC. Pre-orders start on September 18.
Written by urgent.news from MacRumors's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
