Apple AirPods 5 Review: The Best $200 You Can Spend On Tech Today

It’s not lost on me that I’m currently writing this review wearing a pair of AUD$219 headphones and listening to music on a three-and-a-half-thousand-dollar iPhone 18 Pro Max. The price gap between the top-of-the-range iPhone and the entry-level AirPods is significant. But for all the “hate” the brand receives for its yearly price increases, Apple sure knows how to make a great, affordable pair of headphones.

The latest-generation AirPods Pro (AUD$429) still sit at the top in the earbuds category, while the over-the-ear AirPods Max 2 (AUD$999) occupy the headphones category. However, both of these come with a significant cost gap, too, so it’s refreshing to get my hands on a new product that anyone reading this article could reasonably head to the store and buy. I’ve been using the AirPods 5 for the last two weeks, and they’re among the cheapest yet most impressive pieces of technology I’ve tested this year.

I haven’t been convinced by the standard AirPods for years. When I tested the AirPods 4 with ANC, I said that you’re better off saving your money and buying the AirPods Pro 2 on sale. That’s no longer the case with the AirPods 5. They introduce an Active Noise Cancellation system that is up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation into an open-ear design, alongside the powerful H2 chip and a completely new multiport acoustic architecture. By bridging the gap between everyday convenience and high-end audio performance, they bring smart features like hands-free Siri AI and Live Translation straight to your ears while delivering up to 5 hours of continuous listening time with ANC enabled.

The real question is whether these intelligent upgrades, a 22-hour total battery capacity, and the new volume swipe controls make the new AirPods 5 a better choice than the Pros.

The 30-Second AirPods 5 Verdict

The AirPods 5 deliver a substantial upgrade by combining improved Active Noise Cancellation with a more comfortable open-ear design and highly capable Apple Intelligence features.

Pros:

• Active Noise Cancellation is up to 1.5x more effective than the previous generation.
• Live Translation processes languages directly through the earbuds in real time.
• The IP57 rating delivers improved dust, sweat, and water resistance.
• iOS 27 introduces a dedicated Custom EQ for personalised audio tuning.
• The premium model includes a highly requested volume swipe control on the stem.

Cons:

• Volume swipe is restricted exclusively to the more expensive Wireless Charging Case model.
• Siri AI features are initially rolling out only in English.
• The universal open-ear design still relies on a one-size-fits-all approach.

Should You Buy The AirPods 5? Yes. If you dislike the feeling of silicone ear tips but still want class-leading noise cancellation and smart features, the AirPods 5 strike a perfect balance between everyday comfort and premium audio performance.

AirPods 5 Technical Specifications

	Details
Silicon	H2 Chip
Noise Control	Active Noise Cancellation (up to 1.5x better than AirPods 4), Adaptive Audio, Transparency
Microphones	Ultra-low-noise microphones with Voice Isolation
Battery (Standard Case)	Up to 5 hours with ANC (20 hours total with case)
Battery (Wireless Case)	Up to 5 hours with ANC (22 hours total with case)
Durability	IP57 dust, sweat, and water resistant
Controls	Force Sensor (Standard), Force Sensor with Volume Swipe (Wireless Case)
Smart Features	Live Translation, Hands-free Siri AI, Siri Interactions, Conversation Awareness

Scroll horizontally to view full table

Price and Availability

The entry price for the AirPods 5 sits at an accessible AUD$219 for the standard model. Buyers can choose between two distinct versions at launch, depending on their battery and control preferences.

Here’s the pricing structure for the new AirPods 5 lineup:

• AirPods 5 (Standard Charging Case): AUD$219
• AirPods 5 (Wireless Charging Case): AUD$249

Both models share the exact same listening experience, acoustic architecture, and smart features. However, paying the premium for the Wireless Charging Case model unlocks longer total battery life when the case is included in the conversation, Qi wireless charging capabilities, and capacitive volume swipe controls on the stem. Local buyers in Australia can secure their AirPods 5 through pre-orders now, with retail availability commencing Friday, September 25.

Design, Fit, and Sustainable Materials

I will note right away that the external silhouette remains largely unchanged. The AirPods 5 leverage the exact same iconic open-ear fit as the AirPods 4, which Apple developed using 3D photogrammetry and laser topography across millions of data points to suit as many ear shapes as possible.

If the previous generation fit your ears comfortably, you’ll have no issues here. On the other hand, if they didn’t fit your ears, expect the same issues here. The only way to guarantee a secure fit is by choosing the Pro model with the silicone tips. That’s also something to keep in mind if you plan on using these in the gym, as I often have to push them back into my ears during my morning commute and haven’t even bothered reaching for them when training. It’s not a deal breaker per se, as I prefer an open ear design for commuting and office work, but it’s an annoyance that often has me reaching for the Pros.

Durability has received a notable update. Both the earbuds and the case feature a sealed battery design that earns them an IP57 rating, meaning they easily stand up to dust and heavy rain.

From an environmental perspective, the AirPods 5 are made with 40 per cent recycled material by weight. The wireless charging case utilises 70 per cent recycled plastic, while the battery relies on 100 per cent recycled cobalt. The entire manufacturing process incorporates 35 per cent renewable electricity across the supply chain.

Next-Generation Sound Quality and ANC

The main reason to upgrade to the AirPods 5 is the overhauled acoustic performance. Apple has integrated a new multiport acoustic architecture inspired by the AirPods Pro 3, which uses denser meshes to control airflow more precisely and produce a better sound.

When paired with the redesigned compressor, the earbuds deliver up to 1.5x more effective Active Noise Cancellation than the previous generation. Taking these on a crowded train commute proved just how well they filter out low-frequency rumble without relying on intrusive silicone ear tips, but wearing them on a recent international flight really impressed me. They’re open-ear, so I wouldn’t go into this expecting life-changing noise cancellation, and they’re certainly not on the level of the AirPods Pro 3 or AirPods Max 2. However, for the money, it’s seriously impressive to see just how far ANC has come in recent years.

Sound quality also takes a step forward. Powered by the H2 chip, the next-generation Adaptive EQ measures the sound travelling to your eardrum and optimises it in real time. It now adjusts the left and right ears independently to correct for fit variations. The result is noticeably richer bass, clearer vocals, and excellent instrument separation compared to older models.

Putting this system to the test across my testing playlist highlighted just how versatile the open-ear drivers have become. On Don Toliver’s Honeymoon, the low-end hits with impressive depth and weight without muddying the vocal track. Switching to Spiller’s Groovejet, the funky bassline and crisp rhythm section benefit from great instrument separation, keeping the mix feeling open and lively. Finally, spinning Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On showcased exceptional mid-range warmth, rendering his lead vocals with crystal clarity while preserving every subtle detail in the underlying acoustic percussion. The result is noticeably richer bass, clearer vocals, and excellent channel separation compared to older generations.

H2 Chip, Hands-Free Intelligence, and Live Translation

Because these earbuds are an extension of your iPhone, they take full advantage of Apple Intelligence. The headline feature is Live Translation. By pressing and holding both stems or using a voice command, the microphones listen to the language being spoken in front of you and play the translation directly into your ears. Your paired iPhone can even display a live transcription and speak your responses aloud. It’s impressive, but I have to say, I’ve never used it beyond a demo with a French-speaking mate.

Siri Interactions also change how you manage daily notifications. If you receive a phone call while your hands are full, you can simply nod your head “yes” to answer or shake your head “no” to decline.

You also get completely hands-free access to Siri AI. You can ask the assistant to pull up personal context or broad world knowledge using just your voice, which pairs perfectly with the upcoming Siri Recap tools.

Battery Life and Wireless Charging Case

Battery performance depends entirely on the model you choose.

Both versions deliver up to 5 hours of continuous listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled before you put them back in the case to charge. However, the standard USB-C charging case provides a total of 20 hours of listening time with ANC, while the Wireless Charging Case extends that total up to 22 hours.

Beyond battery capacity, the Wireless Charging Case model introduces the highly requested volume swipe feature. The brand put an array of capacitive pixels underneath the force sensor, allowing you to easily adjust your media volume by gently swiping up or down on the stem. It’s convenient when it works. Unlike the silicone ear-tipped Pro model, the open-ear AirPods 5 can fall out of your ear more easily when trying to use this capacitive feature. It’s why I would probably skip the wireless charging model altogether and save a few bucks.

Custom EQ and Extra Features

This was a bit of a sleeper upgrade that not many have mentioned. Finally, audio customisation arrives natively with iOS 27, inside the redesigned AirPods settings menu, you will find a new Custom EQ setting. This provides a simple three-band equaliser for low, mid, and high frequencies. It features an interactive preview so you can hear each change instantly, and your specific tuning preferences save directly to the AirPods rather than the device.

The H2 chip also drives several smart background features. Voice Isolation utilises machine learning to significantly reduce background noise during phone calls. Once again, this was a quiet upgrade, and everyone I’ve spoken to so far has mentioned just how good it is.

Adaptive Audio dynamically blends your ANC and Transparency modes based on your changing environment. Lastly, you can use the earbuds as a Camera Remote by pressing and holding the force sensor to start or stop a video recording from a distance.

Man of Many’s Verdict on the AirPods 5

Apple has managed to pack a serious amount of premium technology into a highly accessible package with the new AirPods 5.

By hugely improving the Active Noise Cancellation and implementing the H2 chip, the AirPods 5 deliver high-fidelity audio in an open-ear design. The addition of Live Translation and Siri Interactions turns them into genuine productivity tools, too. While locking the volume swipe controls behind the more expensive case model is mildly frustrating for some, I personally wouldn’t stress, and the overall package presented here is superb.

The AirPods 5 easily secure their spot as the best everyday earbuds on the market, especially for those who wish to stick with the Apple ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions