All the Differences Between AirPods 5, AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3
I’ve been using the first-generation AirPods Pro since 2021, so it’s safe to say I’m in no rush to upgrade. But I was so surprised to learn that Apple’s new AirPods 5 are cheaper and better than the AirPods 4 that I initially thought I might have found the easiest way to upgrade. But then moderation kicked in: experience has taught me to carefully weigh my options before buying anything, so I decided to compare (at least on paper) the AirPods 5 with their Apple counterparts: the AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and the AirPods Pro 3. Here’s what I found.
AirPods Pro 3 headphones still provide the best noise cancellation.
As much as I love the AirPods 5 and appreciate the fact that active noise cancellation (ANC) is now standard on all Apple headphones, the new model’s noise cancellation is significantly weaker than the AirPods Pro 3. According to a specs comparison on Apple’s website , the AirPods Pro 3 have “3x more effective active noise cancellation (ANC) than AirPods 5.” This is the most important AirPods feature for me, and I’m seriously considering paying $120 more (at retail) for better ANC. However, the AirPods 5 have “1.5x more effective ANC than AirPods 4 (with ANC),” so for many, this could be a worthwhile upgrade.
The AirPods 5 have the worst battery life (but it’s probably good enough).
According to Apple, AirPods 5 provide up to five hours of battery life on a single charge (with Active Noise Cancellation enabled) and 22 hours of battery life with the charging case. If you purchase the cheapest AirPods 5 (without wireless charging), these figures drop to four hours of battery life on a single charge and 20 hours of battery life with the charging case. This is less than the AirPods 4 (with Active Noise Cancellation), which provide five hours of battery life on a single charge and 30 hours with the charging case. AirPods Pro 3 have better battery life: eight hours of playback on a single charge and 24 hours with the charging case.
The upgraded AirPods 5 cost an extra $20.
If you opt for the $149 AirPods 5, you’ll get improved battery life, volume control on the stem, a wireless charging case, and a built-in speaker for Find My Phone. I think these features more than justify the extra $20 over the base AirPods 5. I think the extra hour of battery life is a significant feature, and all the other improvements are excellent, enhancing the user experience. It’s convenient to adjust the volume by swiping your finger along the stem of the AirPods, and after switching to wireless charging last year, I can’t imagine going back to the old charging method. The case’s built-in speaker, which plays sound and makes it easy to find the earbuds even if they get lost on the couch, is worth the price alone.
For some people, the AirPods 5 may provide a better fit.
The AirPods Pro 3 ear tips sit in the ear canal. This is optimal for the best noise cancellation and a secure fit, but it’s not for everyone. I know quite a few people who prefer the AirPods 4 design, which sits outside the ear canal. The AirPods 5 follow the same design approach and may be a better choice for some.
AirPods 5 cannot be used as a hearing aid.
You can use AirPods Pro 3 as a temporary hearing aid , but this doesn’t apply to AirPods 5 or AirPods 4. If you need Apple’s hearing health monitoring features, you should choose AirPods Pro 3, which are FDA-cleared for use as a hearing aid .