Following the release of AirPods Pro 3 in late 2025, Apple has refreshed its entry-level option with the AirPods 5. The previous generation of these earbuds, AirPods 4, had a price difference between the model with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and the model without it. With AirPods 5, Apple has changed its strategy by offering ANC on both entry-level AirPods, but capping wireless charging to the more expensive model. If you’re in the market for new AirPods, there are several differences between AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3, even though they share several of the same great features. They even share the current H2 audio chip, which has been available across the previous AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 models.
That being said, there are two main differences users need to be aware of between these two different models. First, AirPods 5 start at $129, with the premium version costing $149. AirPods Pro 3, on the other hand, cost $249 — either $100 or $120 more. Secondly, AirPods 5 are open-ear earbuds, which means they don’t have ear tips. As a result, background sounds may leak in when ANC isn’t on. Since AirPods Pro 3 come with ear tips, they have a better seal against outdoor noise even when ANC is switched off. Both earbuds feature Adaptive Audio, Transparency, Spatial Audio support, Live Translation and Siri AI, and an IP57 resistance rating for dust, sweat, and water. Here’s what else is different between these products.
What’s the difference between AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 5
Even though AirPods 5 are newer, AirPods Pro 3 remain Apple’s best earbuds. The company says the higher-end buds feature up to 3x more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods 5, while AirPods 5 offer 50% greater noise reduction compared to AirPods 4 — these are Apple’s best open-ear buds for ANC. Since ANC is better on AirPods Pro 3, users don’t need to blast sound as loud to enjoy their favorite tunes, which might make them feel like the Pro models are better, even though they feature the same audio chip technology.
AirPods Pro 3 also feature a heart rate sensor, which is not available in any other AirPods model. Apple also keeps the hearing test, hearing aid, and hearing protection features exclusive to the Pro models. AirPods Pro 3 also have the longest battery life of any AirPods model, with up to eight hours on one charge, while AirPods 5 are rated to last for around four to five hours with ANC switched on. With the charging case, AirPods Pro 3 gets up to an additional 24 more hours of battery life, while AirPods 5 will only get around 20 to 22 hours in total.
Also, AirPods Pro 3 are the only AirPods with a MagSafe charging case and lanyard loop support. Another fancy feature exclusive to AirPods Pro 3 is Apple’s second-generation ultra-wideband chip in the MagSafe charging case, which allows users to quickly locate their AirPods using the Find My app. If they have an iPhone 15 or newer, or newer versions of the Apple Watch, they can locate the earbuds from a further distance.
There are a few differences between the AirPods 5 models
With the differences between AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 5 clear, it’s important to remember there are also some difference between the AirPods 5 models. After all, AirPods 5 come in two models: a $129 version and a $149 more premium option called AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging. In general, these earbuds will offer the same audio quality and the same level of ANC, but there are a few differences in charging capabilities and case features.
The more affordable AirPods 5 option features up to four hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC on, with up to 15 additional hours of battery life with the charging case. These numbers go up a bit with the $20 more expensive version, with up to five hours of battery life on a single charge with ANC on and an additional 17 hours with the charging case. When it comes to the charging case, the entry-level AirPods 5 model only offers a USB-C charging case, while the more expensive model comes with a wireless charging case that lets users juice up with USB-C, an Apple Watch charger, or any other Qi charger. The more expensive AirPods 5 model also includes speakers for Find My, for whenever you don’t recall where you placed your AirPods.
The more expensive AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case model also comes with a force sensor with volume swipe, so you can swipe the stems to change the volume — a feature that was previously exclusive to the AirPods Pro models. The cheaper AirPods 5 model, however, only features a force sensor to play, pause, or skip songs, but the only way to adjust volume is with an iPhone or by asking Siri. AirPods 5 are available starting September 18, while AirPods Pro 3 have already been on the market for a year.