Image: Apple · source
AirPods 5
Open-fit earbuds with noise cancellation at the entry price.
Overview
AirPods 5 keep the small open-fit body introduced with AirPods 4, but noise cancelling is now standard rather than a $50 upgrade. A new multiport acoustic design and updated audio algorithms improve the seal that the open shape can create, and Apple claims the system removes up to 50 percent more outside noise than its predecessor.
The chip is Apple's H2, and the buds meet IP57 for dust, sweat and water. Controls include presses on the stem, head gestures and Siri, plus Live Translation across the AirPods family when paired with a supported iPhone.
Battery life is rated at four hours with ANC on and six with it off, or 20 hours with the USB-C case. The earbuds weigh 4.3 g each. A second model with a wireless charging case, a force sensor for volume swipes and extra battery sells separately.
Why it mattered
Made noise cancellation standard on the lowest-priced AirPods.
At a glance
- Announced
- September 9, 2026
- Released
- September 18, 2026
- Launch price
- $129
- Status
- Available
Highlights
- Active noise cancellation as standard
- H2 chip
- IP57 resistance
- Up to 20 hours with case
- Starts at $129
Tech specs
Specifications as published at launch. Some values (like battery life) are manufacturer estimates.
Audio
- Noise control
- Active Noise Cancellation, Transparency, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation
- Spatial Audio
- Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- Microphones
- Dual beamforming microphones, inward-facing microphone
Chip
- Chip
- Apple H2
Battery
- Listening time
- Up to 4 hours (ANC on), 6 hours (ANC off)
- Total with case
- Up to 20 hours (ANC on)
- Quick charge
- 5 minutes gives about 1 hour
Connectivity
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.3
- Charging
- USB-C case
Design
- Water resistance
- IP57 (earbuds and case)
- Weight
- 4.3 g per earbud; case 32.3 g
- Dimensions
- Earbud 30.2 x 18.3 x 18.1 mm; case 46.2 x 50.1 x 21.2 mm
Features
- Controls
- Press stem, head gestures, Hey Siri
- Sensors
- Optical in-ear sensor, speech and motion accelerometers, force sensor
Software
- Launch OS
- iOS 27
How it compares
More in the AirPods family
AirPods (1st generation)
Cord-free earbuds that pair with an iPhone in one tap.
AirPods (2nd generation)
Hands-free Siri and faster switching arrive with the H1 chip.
AirPods (3rd generation)
A shorter-stem redesign with Spatial Audio and sweat resistance.
AirPods 4
A new open-fit shape and an H2 chip at $129.
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Open-fit earbuds that can still cancel noise.
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
The same ANC earbuds plus volume swipes and a wireless case.