- RATING
The AirPods 5 offer superb audio quality, the best active noise cancellation we've heard on a pair of open earphones and tremendous value.
AirPods are one of the most popular earphones in the world and that popularity is set to surge with the release of the AirPods 5 which have taken a huge leap forward in terms of quality and active noise cancellation.
AirPods 5 are Apple’s entry-level earphones what we call an open-ear fit because they don’t have a silicon tip that creates a seal in your ear.
They are designed to just rest comfortably inside your ear.
We know these aren’t everybody’s cup of tea because people are worried they’re going to fall out of the ear.
The people in this camp will pay extra for the AirPods Pro 3, which has the silicon tip that makes them feel a little bit more secure in your ears.
Now this is all well and good but if you’re overlooking the AirPods 5 for that one reason you could be making a huge mistake.
AirPods 5 have the same look and fit as AirPods 4 but their shape and size made them a comfortable fit for us.
We wore them while walking, in the gym and on a commute and they didn’t budge.
While they are super lightweight there’s still enough heft that makes them sit comfortably in place.
But once you start listening to the AirPods 5, any worry about the fit will quickly disappear.
Thanks to the new multiport acoustic architecture and new computational audio algorithms, the AirPods 5 sound incredible.
The audio seems to have more authority with a distinct improvement in bass while there is plenty of detail.
And even if you want to ramp up the volume you’re not missing out and there is zero distortion.
Some music fans may opt for earphones that offer a higher maximum volume but Apple’s approach the AirPods 5 is keeping the audio in their arena where it knows it can offer its highest quality.
And that quality is not far off the AirPods Pro level.
And we’re not just talking about audio quality but the quality of the Active Noise Cancellation as well.
AirPods Pro are among the best earphones you can buy in terms of the quality of the Active Noise Cancellation and its ability to shut out the outside world.
What helps the AirPods Pro is the addition of the silicon tip, which provides passive noise cancellation on top of the Active Noise Cancellation.
The AirPods 5 don’t have a silicon tip and are an open-ear design yet they still manage to provide a stunning level of ANC.
When ANC kicked in, we were thoroughly impressed just how well it suppressed all of the outside noise.
This is technology that’s definitely punching above its weight.
Apple says the AirPods 5 provide the best active noise cancellation in an open-ear-designed earphone.
And we agree wholeheartedly.
We’ve worn the AirPods 5 on planes and trains and in public and they really put you in your own world while maintaining the superb audio quality at the same time.
But it’s not all about ANC. There’s also an excellent Transparency mode, which allows you to still hear the world around you when you want to.
Adaptive Audio is also on board so it can adjust the Active Noise Cancellation and throw in a bit of Transparency as your surroundings change without you having to lift a finger.
Another feature we like is Conversation Awareness which can turn down the volume as soon as you start speaking.
This makes it easier to communicate with those around you without having to remove the AirPods.
The one little thing we didn’t like at first was that it was sometimes difficult to get the AirPods out of the case.
This is a combination of the strong magnetic pull and their slippery surface.
But it didn’t take us long to be able to grip them properly to get them out of the case and into our ears.
There are two models of the AirPods 5.
The more expensive version that comes with a wireless charging case has slightly better battery life – 5 hours with ANC compared to 4 hours – up to 22 hours of battery life with ANC with the case.
The other difference is on the AirPods themselves with the ability to adjust the volume with a swipe on the actual AirPod itself.
The AirPods 5 are priced at $219 while the AirPods 5 with wireless charging case is $249.
Suggest you pay the extra $30 to get all the bells and whistles.
But in terms of audio quality, active noise cancellation and features, both models are identical and will give you the same result.
The AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case are available now.
VERDICT
The AirPods 5 offer superb audio quality, the best active noise cancellation we’ve heard on a pair of open earphones and tremendous value.
