AirPods 5

Active Noise Cancellation finally arrived as standard on Apple's entry-level earbuds with the AirPods 5, and Apple claims it's the best of any open-ear design, removing up to 50% more external noise than the AirPods 4 managed. That's down to a redesigned acoustic architecture and an updated Adaptive EQ, which also make for richer sound and a more natural-sounding Transparency mode. The open fit carries over from previous generations, so there are still no silicone tips to push into your ears, and durability improves with better resistance to dust, sweat and water.

There are two versions to choose between, and unusually the decision is no longer about whether you get noise cancellation, since both models have it. The $129 model charges over USB-C, while $149 buys a Wireless Charging Case that works with Qi chargers and Apple Watch pucks as well as a cable, adds swipe-based volume control on the stems, and stretches battery life to around five hours of listening with noise cancellation on, or roughly 22 hours including case top-ups. Notably, that pricier model still undercuts what the AirPods 4 with ANC cost at launch, a rare price drop in a year when Apple pushed Mac, iPad and iPhone prices up.

Software features include Adaptive Audio, which blends noise cancellation and Transparency automatically depending on your surroundings, and Conversation Awareness, which dips the volume as soon as you start speaking. Live Translation is supported too, though it needs pairing with a compatible iPhone running Apple Intelligence. Announced at the "Surprise and Shine" event on 9 September 2026, they went on sale 18 September.