Macrumors iconMacrumorsSep 28, 2026 ~1 min source read

AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?

Apple's AirPods 5 bring Active Noise Cancellation to its $129 earbuds for the first time. The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life, volume controls on the stems, and a case speaker for Find My.

AirPods 5 vs. AirPods Pro 3 Buyer's Guide: Which Should You Buy?

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Useful takeaways from this story.

Apple's AirPods 5 bring Active Noise Cancellation to its $129 earbuds for the first time.

They continue to narrow the feature gap between the devices, but the Pro model still offers a sealed in-ear fit, substantially better noise cancellation, and hearing and workout features.

The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life, volume controls on the stems, and a case speaker for Find My.

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The useful part

Apple's AirPods 5 bring Active Noise Cancellation to its $129 earbuds for the first time. The $149 AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case add longer battery life, volume controls on the stems, and a case speaker for Find My. The ‌AirPods 5‌ arrived in September 2026, a year after the AirPods Pro 3.

How it works

  • They continue to narrow the feature gap between the devices, but the Pro model still offers a sealed in-ear fit, substantially better noise cancellation, and hearing and workout features.
  • Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these sets of AirPods is best for you.

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