Apple’s AirPods 5 have now been in stores for a month, and they have become one of the most watched pairs of earbuds as holiday shopping begins. The reason is simple: for $129 in the US, they bring Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) to Apple’s most affordable AirPods. A version with a Wireless Charging Case costs $149. Both went on sale on September 18 in the US and more than 65 other countries and regions, according to Apple.

What you get

Apple says AirPods 5 remove up to 50 percent more outside noise than AirPods 4 with ANC, thanks to a new multiport acoustic architecture and improved computational audio. Other features, according to Apple:

  • Next generation Adaptive EQ and Personalized Spatial Audio
  • A more natural Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness
  • Live Translation and the option to answer Siri with a nod or a shake of the head
  • Better dust, sweat and water resistance; MacRumors lists an IP57 rating

The $149 model adds a force sensor on the stem so you can swipe to change the volume, plus longer battery life: up to five hours of listening with ANC on, one hour more than AirPods 4 with ANC, and up to 22 hours with the case. Its case charges with Apple Watch chargers, Qi compatible chargers and USB-C. MacRumors reports the base model gets four hours with ANC.

Until now, ANC was only available on the more expensive AirPods 4 with ANC model. Making it standard at the entry price is what has buyers paying attention. MacRumors put it plainly after testing: “With the ANC upgrade and the price drop, the AirPods 5 are an excellent value.”

Discounts have been rare so far. 9to5Toys reported a short Amazon preorder deal at $124.99 in September that has since ended, and Macworld wrote on October 7 that it had not yet seen a discount on AirPods 5 during Prime Day. That leaves many gift buyers watching the price ahead of the holidays.

Who should buy, and who can skip

AirPods 5 suit iPhone owners who want light, open ear earbuds without silicone tips and still want noise cancelling for commutes, flights or a noisy office. For full features, Apple says they should be paired with an Apple device running the latest software, and Siri AI features need an Apple Intelligence supported iPhone with iOS 27.

If you already own AirPods Pro or AirPods 4 with ANC, MacRumors says there is no need to upgrade. If sound quality and the strongest noise cancelling matter most, AirPods Pro 3 remain the step up at $249 in Apple’s lineup; MacRumors found AirPods 5 sounded muddier than AirPods Pro 3, especially in the low mids.

Which model to pick

The $129 model is the better value for most people. Pay the extra for the $149 version only if you want wireless charging, the extra hour of battery life and volume swipe on the stem. Prices on Amazon and other stores can change at any time, so check the exact model name on the listing before you buy.