Apple’s AirPods 5 brings active noise cancellation to its $129 earbuds for the first time. The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case adds longer battery life, volume controls on the stems, and a Find My case speaker. 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 training features. Our guide helps 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 |
| In-ear optical sensor | In-ear optical sensor | Skin detection sensor |
| Active open-ear noise cancellation | Active open-ear noise cancellation | Active noise cancellation in the ear; up to 3 times more effective than AirPods 5 |
| Force sensor controls | Force sensor controls with volume scrolling | Touch controls with volume scrolling |
| Hearing test, hearing aids, hearing protection, automatic conversation enhancement and loud sound reduction | ||
| Heart rate detection during workouts | ||
| Up to 4 hours of listening on a single charge with ANC | Up to 5 hours of listening on a single charge with ANC | Up to 8 hours of listening on a single 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 |
| The case charges via USB-C | The case charges via USB-C, Apple Watch charger, or Qi charger | The case charges via USB-C, Apple Watch charger, Qi charger, or MagSafe charger |
| Speaker in the Find My case | Speaker in the Find My case | |
| Second generation Ultra Wideband chip in the case for precision research with a compatible iPhone | ||
| The charging case is 50.1 mm (1.97 inches) wide. | The charging case is 50.1 mm (1.97 inches) wide. | The charging case is 2.45 inches (62.2 mm) wide and has a lanyard loop |
| Starting at $129 | Starting at $149 | Starting at $249 |
The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is 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 scrolling on the stems, wireless charging, and a speaker that makes it easier to find a lost case. Choose the $129 model if the lower price matters more and you’re happy with the shorter battery life and USB-C-only charging case.
However, the AirPods Pro 3 are worth $100 more than the higher-end AirPods 5 if noise cancellation is your priority and you prefer a snug fit in your ear. Apple says they provide up to three times more ANC than the AirPods 5, as the ear cushions create a physical seal. The eight hours of listening time per charge is particularly useful on long journeys. In our hands-on tests, the AirPods 5 sounded muddier than the Pro 3, particularly in the low-mid range.
The AirPods Pro 3 are also the clear choice if you want their hearing health features or heart rate tracking during workouts without relying on an Apple Watch. Their charging case also adds Precision Finding. If you don’t like silicone earbuds, the AirPods 5 let you keep your ear open and get almost all of the everyday listening features shared by the Pro model.
AirPods often receive discounts from third-party retailers, which can shave a $100 markup off the AirPods Pro 3’s list price versus the AirPods 5’s $149 markup. Check the latest prices using our deals library before you buy.
