AirPods 5 First Week Reviews: $129 ANC Praised as 'Ridiculously Great Value,' but Apple's 50% Improvement Claim Questioned

The AirPods 5 have been on sale for four days since their September 18 launch, and the first full reviews are painting a clear picture: outstanding value, but Apple's marketing claims need an asterisk.

What Reviewers Love

• ANC at $129: Active Noise Cancellation is now standard on both AirPods 5 models — a first for Apple's entry-level AirPods. Gizmodo calls it "a ridiculously great value"
• IP57 water resistance: Upgraded from IP54 on AirPods 4, surviving submersion to 1 meter for 30 minutes
• Same comfort, better sound: The open-ear design is unchanged from AirPods 4, but internal acoustic architecture improvements deliver slightly fuller audio
• $149 model: The Wireless Charging Case version adds volume control on the stem and longer battery life — reviewers call this the sweet spot

The 50% ANC Question

Apple claims 50% better Active Noise Cancellation vs. AirPods 4. Independent measurement from Headphonesty suggests the real-world gain is closer to 25–30%. The improvement is still noticeable — especially in cafés and on public transit — but falls short of Apple's headline figure. Engadget notes the ANC remains weaker than AirPods Pro 3, as expected for an open-ear design.

Should You Buy?

At $129, the AirPods 5 are the most affordable name-brand ANC earbuds on the market. If you want maximum noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro 3 at $199 remain the better choice. But if you prefer open-ear comfort and want "good enough" ANC, the AirPods 5 are excellent. Compare all options in our wireless earbuds hub.