Apple announced the AirPods 5 earlier this month, giving its entry-level earbuds Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) as standard for the first time. The AirPods 5 start at $129, a $149 model adds a Wireless Charging Case, and both versions arrive in stores on Friday, September 18.
The launch also resets the way Apple tiers its cheapest earbuds. With the AirPods 4, the $50 step up from $129 to $179 bought ANC along with a wireless charging case. With the AirPods 5, noise cancellation comes at the entry price and now there is only a $20 step up to the next tier.
Apple has stopped selling both versions of the AirPods 4 directly, but they remain widely available from third-party retailers, where the standard model has already dropped to $99 and the ANC model to $149.
Here's everything that differs between the AirPods 4 and the AirPods 5:
| AirPods 4 (2024) |
AirPods 4 With ANC (2024) |
AirPods 5 (2026) |
AirPods 5 With Wireless Charging Case (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation | Active Noise Cancellation that removes up to 50% more external noise | Active Noise Cancellation that removes up to 50% more external noise | |
| Transparency mode | Improved Transparency mode | Improved Transparency mode | |
| Adaptive Audio | Adaptive Audio | Adaptive Audio | |
| Conversation Awareness | Conversation Awareness | Conversation Awareness | |
| Adaptive EQ | Adaptive EQ | Redesigned acoustic architecture and updated Adaptive EQ | Redesigned acoustic architecture and updated Adaptive EQ |
| Studio-quality audio recording | Studio-quality audio recording | ||
| Live Translation | Live Translation | Live Translation | |
| Force sensor | Force sensor | Force sensor | Force sensor with swipe volume controls |
| Up to five hours of listening time on a single charge | Up to four hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to five hours with noise control off) | Up to four hours of battery life on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to six hours with noise control off) | Up to five hours of battery life on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to seven hours with noise control off) |
| Up to 30 hours of listening time with the charging case | Up to 20 hours of listening time with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled (up to 30 hours with noise control off) | Up to 20 hours of battery life with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled | Up to 22 hours of battery life with the charging case with Active Noise Cancellation enabled |
| Charging Case (USB-C) | Wireless Charging Case (USB-C) with support for the Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers | Charging Case (USB-C) | Wireless Charging Case (USB-C) with support for the Apple Watch charger and Qi-certified chargers |
| Speaker for Find My | Speaker for Find My | ||
| Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54) | Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP54) | Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57) | Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57) |
| Previously $129, now discontinued | Previously $179, now discontinued | $129 | $149 |
How Big Is the Upgrade?
The AirPods 5 retain the H2 chip that debuted in the AirPods Pro 2 back in 2022, rather than the new headphone chip that had been rumored, and they retain Bluetooth 5.3, the same open-ear design, the same custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier, and identical dimensions and weight down to the gram. Personalized Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, Voice Isolation, Personalized Volume, and Siri Interactions all came to the AirPods 4 two years ago.
Noise cancellation is the headline upgrade, and now included regardless of which 2026 model you choose. Apple says the AirPods 5 remove up to 50% more external noise than the AirPods 4 with ANC, which it attributes to a redesigned acoustic architecture, and the same architecture underpins the claims of richer sound and a more natural Transparency mode. Durability improves from IP54 to IP57, so the earbuds and case are now rated for immersion rather than just splashes. Studio-quality audio recording is also new.
Should You Upgrade?
If you already own the AirPods 4 with ANC, there is not a strong case to upgrade. You already have Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness, Live Translation, a wireless charging case with a Find My speaker, and the same H2 chip, so the $149 model would give you stronger noise cancellation, a higher IP rating, an extra hour of listening time, and swipe volume controls.
The case is stronger if you own the standard AirPods 4. Noise cancellation, Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Live Translation are all missing from that model, and the AirPods 5 add every one of them at the same $129 you paid two years ago. The same goes for anyone still using the AirPods 3 or AirPods 2, where the jump also brings the newer fit, the H2 chip, USB-C, and Personalized Spatial Audio.
For new buyers, the AirPods 5 are the clear default choice. The AirPods 4 are the better value option only when heavily discounted.
The open-ear fit remains the real dividing line in the lineup. If you want genuine isolation, want to use hearing health features, or want heart rate sensing during workouts, the $249 AirPods Pro 3 are still the earbuds to buy. By contrast, if in-ear tips irritate you or you want to stay more aware of your environment, the AirPods 5 now offer a far more capable version of the design you will prefer.
Both AirPods 5 models are available to pre-order now ahead of their release on Friday, September 18. AirPods frequently see hefty discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so it is always worth seeking the best price using our Deals roundup.
Which AirPods 5 Model to Buy?
The difference between the two AirPods 5 models is significant despite the $20 gap. The Wireless Charging Case works with Qi chargers and the Apple Watch charger, contains a speaker that makes it much easier to find in the Find My app, and comes with an extra hour of listening time on a charge and two extra hours across the case.
The $149 model is clearly the one to buy for most people, unless the AirPods are a secondary device or one that isn't going to be used often. Jumping up to the higher-end model only costs $20, which is a relatively small amount of money for the number of enhancements.
