AirPods 5

Released September 2026

AirPods 5 are Apple's entry-level open-ear earbuds, now with active noise cancellation and a cable-charged USB-C case, suited to iPhone users who want ANC without in-ear tips.

Model history · 5 models, 2016–2026

Type: Open-ear
Noise cancelling: Yes
Battery: 4 h
With case: 20 h
Best codec: AAC
Weight: 4.3 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the noise cancellation is a clear step up from AirPods 4 and impressive for an unsealed design, with clear calls and good transparency. Short battery life is the main complaint; SoundGuys found comfort and noise cancellation depend heavily on fit, and Engadget and SoundGuys say the missing volume swipe and wireless charging make the dearer case the better buy.

From soundguys.com, engadget.com and tomsguide.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: Open-ear
Noise cancelling: Yes
Transparency mode: Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking: Yes
Bluetooth codecs: SBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-C: No
Chip: H2
Drivers: Custom high-excursion Apple driver and custom high dynamic range amplifier in a new multiport acoustic architecture
Noise cancelling detail: Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio, Transparency and Conversation Awareness
Audio features: Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; Voice Isolation; studio-quality audio recording; Live Translation; lossless audio with Apple Vision Pro

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): Up to 4 hours
With the case: Up to 20 hours
Wireless charging: No
Battery life detail: Up to 6 hours per charge with noise control off
Charging case: Charging Case (USB-C), charged by USB-C cable only
Fast charging: 5 minutes in the case gives around 1 hour of listening

Design

Weight (each earbud): 4.3 g
Water and sweat resistance: IP57
Bluetooth: 5.3
Controls: Force sensor on the stems (press to play, pause, answer calls and skip; press and hold to switch listening modes); camera remote; “Hey Siri” or just “Siri”; Siri Interactions by nodding or shaking your head
Microphones: Dual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone; speech-detecting accelerometer
Fit and ear tips: Open-ear design with no ear tips
Case weight: 32.3 g
Water resistance detail: IP57 (IEC 60529) for the AirPods and charging case
Works with: Full features with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro on the latest software; works as Bluetooth headphones with other devices, with limited features
Colours: White
In the box: AirPods 5 and Charging Case (USB-C), documentation; no USB-C cable or power adapter

Pros and cons

Pros

Active noise cancellation in an open-ear design, rated by Apple as up to 1.5× more effective than AirPods 4 with ANC
IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance for the buds and the case
Personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking, plus Live Translation with a compatible iPhone

Cons

Up to 4 hours per charge with ANC on (20 hours with the case)
The case charges only by cable, with no Find My speaker; volume swipe is also missing (both come with the Wireless Charging Case version)
Apple rates AirPods Pro 3 at up to 3× more noise cancellation

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
SamsungGalaxy Buds4	Open-ear	Yes	5 h	24 h	Samsung Seamless Codec	4.6 g	Mar 2026
Anker soundcoreAeroFit 2 Pro	Open-ear	Yes	5 h	24 h	LDAC	10.4 g	Jan 2026
AppleAirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case	Open-ear	Yes	5 h	22 h	AAC	4.3 g	Sept 2026

Previous model: AirPods 4.

Sources

Photo: store.storeimages.cdn-apple.com

AirPods 5 multiport acoustic architecture close-up, official video poster: Apple Newsroom video poster
AirPods 5 family earbuds shown in an open charging case: Apple Newsroom, Apple-AirPods-5-hero-260909.jpg

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