This week’s Pick of the Week is the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, Apple’s newest regular AirPods and one of the most talked-about pairs of earbuds this fall. We haven’t tested them ourselves: this pick is based on specs and independent reviews from Engadget and Tom’s Guide, plus Apple’s announcement.
What the AirPods 5 are
The AirPods 5 keep the open-fit design of the AirPods 4, with no silicone tips sealing your ear canal. The big change is that every model now has active noise cancellation (ANC): with the AirPods 4, you had to buy a separate ANC version. Apple says a new multiport acoustic design and updated software let the AirPods 5 remove up to 50% more noise than the previous generation, with richer sound. They’re also rated IP57, up from IP54, so Engadget notes they can survive being submerged up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. Both models support Live Translation with a compatible iPhone.
There are two versions, and they sound the same. The Wireless Charging Case model adds swipe-to-adjust volume on the stems, a speaker in the case so Find My can play a sound when you lose it, wireless charging with Qi or Apple Watch chargers, and an extra hour of battery: up to five hours of listening with ANC on, versus four for the standard model.
What reviewers liked
- A big jump in sound quality. Tom’s Guide disliked the AirPods 4’s sound but calls the AirPods 5 “completely different,” rich and detailed across genres. Engadget was struck by the bass, which open earbuds usually struggle with.
- Impressive ANC for an open fit. Engadget says it’s best against constant noises like an HVAC hum. Tom’s Guide calls it “a great ANC performance” for earbuds without tips.
- Comfortable for hours. Tom’s Guide’s reviewer, who has very small ears, wore them for about six hours with no pain.
- Volume swipes, finally. Engadget calls the swipe volume control the biggest upgrade, and it’s only on the Wireless Charging Case model.
- Clear calls. A colleague on a work call told Tom’s Guide he was surprised by how good they sounded.
What reviewers didn’t like
- Short battery life. Five hours per charge (four on the standard model) trails many cheaper earbuds, according to Tom’s Guide. Its fitness editor heard the low-battery warning after about three hours of running plus a dog walk.
- Not AirPods Pro-level noise cancelling. Tom’s Guide could still hear car horns, chatter and its own typing, and noticed a faint hiss with ANC on and nothing playing. Engadget says voices are reduced but not removed.
- Older Bluetooth. Tom’s Guide points out they still use Bluetooth 5.3, while Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 have Bluetooth 6.1.
- No health features. Heart rate tracking and Apple’s hearing health tools are still reserved for the AirPods Pro 3.
- Confusing lineup. Engadget argues the cheaper model shouldn’t exist, because the Wireless Charging Case version is clearly better for only a little more.
Overall, the verdicts are very positive. Engadget scores them 8.8 out of 10, and Tom’s Guide says that for iPhone users on a budget, they’re the best earbuds you can buy.
Who should buy them
The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case make the most sense if you have an iPhone, don’t like silicone ear tips, and want noise cancellation in everyday earbuds that are easy to wear all day. They’re also a solid upgrade if you have older AirPods without ANC.
Skip them if you use only Android (many features need an Apple device, as we explain in our AirPods 5 on Android guide), if you want the strongest noise cancellation, or if you need more than five hours per charge for long runs or flights.
Alternatives worth a look
- AirPods 5 (standard case): the same sound and ANC with less battery and no volume swipes or wireless charging. Engadget thinks most people should spend a little more on the Wireless Charging Case version.
- AirPods Pro 3: Engadget still calls them Apple’s best earbuds, with silicone tips for stronger noise cancelling, heart rate tracking and hearing health features.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 4: an open-design option that works better with Android phones and has newer Bluetooth.
Why it’s our pick this week
The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case bring noise cancellation and much better sound to Apple’s regular AirPods without changing the comfortable open fit. Battery life is the main weak spot. If you already own AirPods, here’s why their battery can drain fast and how to update their firmware.
Sources: Engadget review, Tom’s Guide review, Apple Newsroom
Where to buy
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
