The Apple AirPods 5 have been launched alongside the iPhone 18 Pro and the foldable iPhone Duo. Despite their low profile among the day’s releases, the AirPods 5 stand out due to meaningful improvements and an advantageous price point. At £139, they are cheaper than the AirPods 4 were at launch—a rarity in consumer electronics—and this pricing provides central appeal.
The design maintains the open-fit aesthetic familiar to previous non-Pro Apple earbuds. They sit just inside the ear canal rather than using silicone tips, a design many buyers value for comfort and for maintaining awareness of one’s surroundings. The overall look is a single glossy white with a pebble-like charging case.
However, the open design presents a trade-off concerning fit. Unlike the AirPods Pro, which allow users to swap tip sizes for a secure seal, the AirPods 5 require the user to accept whatever size Apple ships. While the reviewer found the fit acceptable, it was not ideal, noting that the buds felt unsecured during activities like running or rushing for a train.
Apple has issued two versions of the AirPods 5 generation, leading to a confusing naming scheme: the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case and the base AirPods 5. A welcome universal upgrade is that both models now include active noise cancellation (ANC) as standard, a feature that required extra payment for the AirPods 4.
Differences exist across the two models. The pricier model includes a case capable of wireless charging—either via a Qi pad or Apple Watch charger—and features a speaker for using Find My to locate the buds. Conversely, the base model maintains a standard Force sensor on the stem, allowing users to pause or play tracks by squeezing. The premium model expands this functionality by adding swipe gestures for volume control, a feature directly borrowed from the AirPods Pro and highly effective.
Functionally, both models offer seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem. Connection to one Apple device automatically makes them available across all others using the user’s Apple ID. Transparency mode remains a core strength of Apple, and the AirPods 5 represent an improved implementation of this mode.
Performance testing highlighted several improvements. Noise cancellation is where the AirPods 5 show their biggest advances. Apple claims up to 50% better cancellation than the AirPods 4, and direct comparisons confirm a clear step up, particularly in managing background road noise and the high-pitched shrieks of passing trains. Yet, the buds still struggle in intense environments; the reviewer noted that on the London Underground, the music volume needed to be increased significantly.
Sound quality marks a considerable improvement over the AirPods 4, especially in the low end. Open buds often struggle with bass, but the AirPods 5 delivered a punchier, more immersive feel, noticeable when listening to tracks like Massive Attack’s Teardrop. Furthermore, Apple has included an equalizer, providing users with detailed control over the sound signature, an addition long requested by users who prefer to tweak their audio.
