AirPods 5 with wireless charging case review: Somehow both better & cheaper

The impressive AirPods 5 debuted alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, and they pack more value and better noise cancellation in the same tiny form factor, for less money.

Like AirPods 4, the AirPods 5 come in two versions: base model and a high-end model with additional features.

For this review, I’m testing the more expensive AirPods 5 with the wireless charging case. Luckily, audio quality and the active noise cancellation are identical between both models.

AirPods 5 review: Design and comfort

AirPods 5 are unchanged in their design. They come in a small charging case that’s more pocketable than the AirPods Pro.

The case has a small hidden LED on the front and a USB-C port on the bottom. The more expensive version also supports wireless charging on any MagSafe, Qi, or Apple Watch charger and speakers for Find My.

There’s a reason people call facial tissue Kleenex no matter who it’s from. AirPods have the same cultural cachet.

They’re white, with short stems and oval-shaped tips that rest in your ears. Only the high-end model adds capacitive sensors to the stems for volume control.

AirPods 5 review: The updated high-end model allows you to slide your finger to adjust volume

You can still squeeze the stems for playback controls or swipe vertically to adjust volume. I use this constantly on AirPods Pro 3, so I expect to use it often here.

Personally, the AirPods Pro 3 with the silicone ear tips fit slightly better in my ears, but your mileage may vary. I know my partner struggles with the silicone ones and finds the AirPods 5 more comfortable.

AirPods 5 review: The new AirPods 5 (left) and the AirPods Pro 3 (right)

Apple did make one notable durability upgrade: AirPods 5 now have IP57 resistance, up from IP54. They can now survive brief immersion in water, making sweat even less of a concern.

AirPods 5 review: Audio quality & ANC

AirPods 5 don’t sound noticeably different from AirPods 4. That’s unsurprising, since Apple uses the same driver.

AirPods 5 review: Listening to music on AirPods 5

For the price point, especially with the base model, AirPods 5 sound excellent. It’s a very neutral sound with a controlled bass and clear highs.

Even as I increased the volume, something I needed to do on flights, there was no distortion in the playback. Some users may want more on the low end, but I think Apple played it down the middle to appeal to most users.

AirPods 5 review: Settings for AirPods

Still, iOS 27 provides the ability to adjust the EQ, which can help emphasize the bass further if you prefer it. With the bass pulled all the way up, it can make these more punchy, great for a rhythmic workout.

I was most impressed with transparency mode. This mode lets you hear your surroundings without removing the earbuds.

Their open design means the microphones do less work to amplify outside sound. I held full conversations wearing AirPods 5 and eventually forgot they were there.

With no pressure formed in your ear from silicone ear tips, they don’t have any uncanny effects that the AirPods Pro sometimes do in loud environments.

While the open nature of the AirPods 5 aids transparency mode, they work against the active noise cancellation. More outside noise getting in makes it harder to cancel.

AirPods 5 review: Noise cancellation options in Control Center

During a few flights, I went back and forth between the AirPods Pro 3 and the AirPods 5. In my testing, AirPods 5 offered comparable ANC, though AirPods Pro 3 performed better overall.

Apple says a new algorithm allows the upgraded ANC to cancel 50% more noise than before. It’s noticeably better and the best ANC I’ve tested on open-design earbuds.

Best of all, the improved ANC is present on not just the high-end model, but both versions of the AirPods 5.

AirPods 5 review: More features with iOS

The list is starting to be cumbersome, but iOS is full of excellent features for AirPods 5. None are new or unique, but are present on other recent versions of AirPods that use the H2 chip on the inside.

There is personalized volume, Spatial Audio with head tracking, conversation boost, adaptive EQ, and live translation. They also support hands-free Siri, too.

Siri is particularly good on the new AirPods with the launch of iOS 27 and Siri AI. It’s so helpful now that I’ve been using it much more frequently, including on the AirPods 5.

AirPods 5 review: Holding the new AirPods 5

You can now have a full back-and-forth conversation with Siri on AirPods. Follow-up requests no longer require invoking Siri again.

AirPods 5 have a simple setup and automatically sync across all your devices via iCloud. You can adjust the listening mode directly from Control Center, and customize the various features from within the Settings app.

AirPods 5 review: Should you buy the AirPods 5?

AirPods 5 are a big win. As prices rise across Apple’s lineup, it’s refreshing to see AirPods cost less.

Unlike AirPods 4, both AirPods 5 models include ANC. That means noise cancellation now comes at the same $129 starting price.

AirPods 5 review: The pricing breakdown for the old AirPods 4 and the new AirPods 5

The high-end versions are now $30 cheaper, coming in at $149 instead of $179. They’re cheaper, have volume controls, better noise cancellation, and longer battery life.

Now that there is only a $20 price difference, I’m surprised Apple bothered with two models. I think the $20 is worth it for the extended battery, volume controls, and wireless charging.

I would have liked a lanyard anchor on the battery case. Despite its smaller size, it would be useful, as it is on AirPods Pro 3.

Apple even launched new wristlet lanyards for the iPhone 18 Pro that would be perfect to pair with a set of AirPods.

AirPods 5 review: The new AirPods 5 boxed up

I’m not sure that the AirPods 5 are worth upgrading from the AirPods 4, but if you have an older pair or are in the market, AirPods 5 are a great set of earbuds.

AirPods 5 review: Pros

• Exceptional transparency mode
• ANC is markedly better than last-generation
• Voice controls are welcomed addition
• ANC battery life is longer
• Compact case is more convenient than pros
• Open ear design is comfortable

AirPods 5 review: Cons

• Two models feel unnecessary
• Missing lanyard anchor

AirPods 5 rating: 4.5 out of 5

You can buy the new AirPods 5 on Amazon for the discounted price of $124.99 for the base model or $149 for the high-end model. Shipping begins September 18th.