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Apple's fall 2026 open-fit AirPods. Tom's Guide says they sound far better than the AirPods 4, and both versions now have ANC. The catch is battery life: about 4 hours per charge (5 with the wireless-charging case), and the extras need an iPhone.
Common Apple AirPods 5 problems
- Very short battery life
Tom's Guide calls the battery very disappointing: 4 hours per charge with the standard case and 5 hours with the wireless-charging case. Its fitness editor got the low-battery warning after about 3 hours of walking and running. Wirecutter, previewing the launch, also says 4 hours with ANC is shorter than it would like.
Source: Tom's Guide review, Wirecutter - ANC lets sound through, with a faint hiss
Tom's Guide could still hear car horns, chatter and its own typing with ANC on, and heard a hissing or fizzing noise when ANC was on with no music playing. It points people who need real silence to the AirPods Pro 3.
Source: Tom's Guide review - Few changes and Apple-only extras
Tom's Guide says there is not a huge change from the AirPods 4 apart from ANC and sound, criticizes the dated Bluetooth 5.3, and notes Live Translation needs an Apple Intelligence iPhone and there is no traditional EQ. Its roundup says Android compatibility still holds them back.
Source: Tom's Guide review, Tom's Guide
What owners like
- Much better sound than AirPods 4
Tom's Guide found every genre rich and detailed, with no tinniness and balanced bass, and calls it a big step up from the AirPods 4.
Source: Tom's Guide review - Comfortable, sweat-proof open fit
Tom's Guide's tester, who has very small ears, wore them for about six hours with no pain. They are rated IP57, and a 22-mile test run showed they mostly stayed put.
Source: Tom's Guide review - ANC on both versions, and clear calls
Unlike the AirPods 4, both AirPods 5 versions include ANC (Tom's Guide, Wirecutter). Tom's Guide calls the call quality near-perfect.
Source: Tom's Guide review, Wirecutter
- You need more than 4-5 hours per charge
- You use an Android phone
- You want strong noise blocking for flights or loud offices
- iPhone owners on a budget
- People who dislike silicone ear tips (open-fit, no seal)
- Small ears (Tom's Guide's tester wore them 6 hours pain-free)
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Tom's Guide: Reviewed the wireless-charging version: much better than the AirPods 4 and the ideal budget pick for iPhone users, but the battery life is very disappointing. 4.5 stars under 'Also tested' in its earbuds roundup.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Not yet tested ('What to look forward to'): Apple promises better ANC, EQ and water resistance, but 4-5 hours with ANC is shorter than Wirecutter would like.