Apple's AirPods 5 bring Active Noise Cancellation to its $129 earbuds for the first time. The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life, volume controls on the stems, and a case speaker for Find My. The AirPods Pro 3 cost $249.
The AirPods 5 arrived in September 2026, a year after the AirPods Pro 3. They continue to narrow the feature gap between the devices, but the Pro model still offers a sealed in-ear fit, substantially better noise cancellation, and hearing and workout features. Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these sets of AirPods is best for you.
| AirPods 5 (2026) |
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case (2026) |
AirPods Pro 3 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Open-ear fit without ear tips | Open-ear fit without ear tips | In-ear fit with foam-infused silicone ear tips in five sizes |
| Optical in-ear sensor | Optical in-ear sensor | Skin-detect sensor |
| Open-ear Active Noise Cancellation | Open-ear Active Noise Cancellation | In-ear Active Noise Cancellation; up to 3x more effective than AirPods 5 |
| Force sensor controls | Force sensor controls with volume swipe | Touch controls with volume swipe |
| Hearing Test, Hearing Aid, Hearing Protection, Automatic Conversation Boost, and Loud Sound Reduction | ||
| Heart rate sensing during workouts | ||
| Up to 4 hours of listening time on one charge with ANC | Up to 5 hours of listening time on one charge with ANC | Up to 8 hours of listening time on one charge with ANC |
| Up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC using the case | Up to 22 hours of listening time with ANC using the case | Up to 24 hours of listening time with ANC using the case |
| Case charges via USB-C | Case charges via USB-C, Apple Watch charger, or Qi charger | Case charges via USB-C, Apple Watch charger, Qi charger, or MagSafe charger |
| Speaker in case for Find My | Speaker in case for Find My | |
| Second-generation Ultra Wideband chip in case for Precision Finding with a compatible iPhone | ||
| Charging case is 1.97 inches (50.1 mm) wide | Charging case is 1.97 inches (50.1 mm) wide | Charging case is 2.45 inches (62.2 mm) wide and has a lanyard loop |
| Starts at $129 | Starts at $149 | Starts at $249 |
The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are the best choice for most buyers. For $20 more than the base model, you get an extra hour of listening time per charge with ANC, volume swipes on the stems, wireless charging, and a speaker that makes a misplaced case easier to find. Choose the $129 model if the lowest price matters most and you are content with its shorter battery life and USB-C-only charging case.
However, the AirPods Pro 3 are worth the extra $100 over the higher-end AirPods 5 if noise cancellation is your priority and you prefer a snug in-ear fit. Apple says they provide up to three times as much ANC as the AirPods 5, since the ear tips create a physical seal. Their eight-hour listening time per charge is particularly useful on long journeys. In our hands-on testing, the AirPods 5 sounded muddier than the Pro 3, particularly in the lower midrange.
The AirPods Pro 3 are also the clear choice if you want their hearing health features or heart rate sensing during workouts without relying on an Apple Watch. Their charging case adds Precision Finding, too. If you dislike silicone ear tips, the AirPods 5 let you keep the open-ear fit while getting nearly all of the everyday listening features shared by the Pro model.
AirPods frequently receive discounts from third-party retailers, which can narrow the AirPods Pro 3's $100 list-price premium over the $149 AirPods 5. Check the latest prices using our Deals roundup before buying.
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