Price drop for AirPods 5

The Apple AirPods 5 have seen a price drop on Amazon, now listed at 149.95 euros, which is close to the price of the base model. This is a reduction of 19.05 euros or 11 percent from the original recommended price of 169 euros.

Features and design of AirPods 5

The AirPods 5 were released on September 18 and are primarily intended for use with iPhones. They follow the design of the AirPods 4 and include active noise cancellation for the entire range. Apple offers two versions: 149 euros for the standard model and 169 euros for the model with a wireless charging case and additional features.

Improved noise reduction and comfort

The AirPods 5 have enhanced noise reduction capabilities, with Apple stating they can eliminate up to 50 percent more noise than the AirPods 4. Testing showed the most noticeable improvement in reducing low and mid-range voices. The open-ear design ensures comfort during long use, and the headphones and case are IP57 certified, which is an upgrade from the IP54 rating of the AirPods 4.

Battery life and performance

In testing, the AirPods 5 provided 5 hours and 30 minutes of listening with active noise cancellation, slightly more than the 5 hours promised by Apple. The headphones claim up to 22 hours of battery life with the case. Voice capture during calls is described as top-tier, with effective background noise reduction. The open design allows some environmental sounds to be heard, with adaptive audio adjusting transparency and noise cancellation based on ambient sound levels.

Use cases and ecosystem limitations

The AirPods 5 are well-suited for users who travel frequently, work in open spaces, or use them for video conferences with an iPhone. However, recent features like real-time translation via Apple Intelligence or Siri control via head movements are only available within the Apple ecosystem. On Android devices, the AirPods 5 offer minimal functionality, lacking features like multipoint, advanced codecs, and fast pairing.

Comparison with other models

Compared to the standard model priced at 149 euros, the wireless charging case version offers a slight price increase for additional features such as wireless charging, volume adjustment on the stem, and an extra hour of battery life. If noise isolation is a priority, the AirPods Pro 3 are technically superior due to their in-ear design, as noted in testing. The AirPods Pro 3 are already considered the best open-ear headphones in previous comparisons.

Strengths and limitations

The AirPods 5 have strengths such as more effective noise reduction on voices and low-mid ranges, exemplary comfort without in-ear tips, top-tier call quality, IP57 certification for the headphones and case, wireless charging, and volume adjustment on the stem. However, they have limitations such as poor filtering of very low and high frequencies, an average battery life of 5 hours per charge with noise cancellation, minimal service on Android, and persistent inaccuracies in the extremes of the audio spectrum.

Recommendations for buyers

Before purchasing, users should confirm on the Amazon product page that they are buying the model with a wireless charging case, which is currently priced at 149.95 euros. For iPhone users who find in-ear tips tiring, this model is worth considering. On Android, a model compatible with Fast Pair and multipoint would be more suitable. For noise reduction in environments like subways or airplanes, the AirPods Pro 3 with their in-ear design remain more consistent.