Both AirPods 5 versions include active noise cancellation (ANC), but Apple’s headline figure has a specific comparison behind it: the company claims up to 1.5 times the ANC of AirPods 4 with ANC under IEC 60268-24. The open fit avoids silicone tips, while Apple’s US list prices are $129 for the USB-C case and $149 for the wireless-charging case. Apple’s US product listing gives the model details and prices.
Think of open-fit ANC as lowering background noise, not switching the world off.
What Apple’s ANC comparison says
Apple’s up-to-1.5× figure compares AirPods 5 with AirPods 4 with ANC under the IEC 60268-24 test standard. It is a manufacturer-reported comparison under that standard; it does not promise the same perceived reduction for every sound, ear or setting.
The open design leaves the ear canal unsealed. That matters when you judge the result: reviewers have described reduced cabin or street noise, alongside less complete isolation than they associate with in-ear AirPods Pro models. Those are individual listening impressions, not a common standardized comparison. Fit and comfort also vary from person to person.
Two versions, with different case benefits
The $20 difference buys more than wireless charging. The higher-priced version adds volume control by swiping the stem, Qi and Apple Watch charger support, and a case speaker that helps with Find My. Both cases charge through USB-C, and both earbud versions include ANC.
| Feature | AirPods 5 with USB-C case | AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case |
| Apple US list price on Nov. 8, 2026 | $129 | $149 |
| ANC-on battery per charge, up to | 4 hours | 5 hours |
| ANC-on battery with case, up to | 20 hours | 22 hours |
| Case extras | USB-C charging | Qi and Apple Watch charging, stem-swipe volume control, Find My speaker |
Apple’s case-assisted battery totals add repeated listening and recharge cycles; they are not one uninterrupted session. In its stated test, Apple used preproduction AirPods 5 and iPhone 18 Pro units with prerelease software, played AAC tracks at 50% volume with ANC on, and turned off Spatial Audio and Conversation Awareness. For the per-charge result, playback ended when the first earbud stopped. The case total repeated the charge-and-playback cycle until the earbuds and case were depleted.
Neither version includes a USB-C charging cable or power adapter. If you do not already have a compatible cable and adapter, account for those separately.
What everyday use says about the open fit
Chema Flores reported using the wireless-case version daily for a month across streets, trains, planes and home. Other reviewers have described noise reduction on a flight or in traffic, but also noted that the open fit does not deliver the same sealed isolation they associate with AirPods Pro. The practical trade-off is straightforward: you avoid silicone tips, but the fit and the remaining environmental sound may suit one listener better than another.
When AirPods Pro 3 may make more sense
If stronger isolation is the priority, AirPods Pro 3 are the more relevant alternative. They use silicone tips, and Apple claims up to three times the ANC of AirPods 5 under IEC 60268-24; Apple lists up to eight hours of listening per charge with ANC on. Apple’s US listing showed AirPods Pro 3 at $249 on Nov. 8, 2026.
AirPods 5 make more sense if you prefer an open fit and want ANC without silicone tips. Choose between their two cases based on whether the extra charging options, Find My speaker, stem-swipe volume control and stated battery maximums are worth the additional $20.
