But do the AirPods 5 live up to the hype? I spent three weeks testing them thoroughly to find out. From battery performance to sound quality, my in-depth review has everything you need to decide if these are the earbuds for you. Should you upgrade from a set of AirPods 3 or 4? Are these a better choice than the AirPods Pro 3? How do they compare to earbuds from rival companies? Don’t worry, I’m here to help.
For broader advice, check out our guides to the best AirPods and the best wireless earbuds.
David Price / Foundry
AirPods 5: Design and fit
The AirPods 5 have the same external design as the previous generation, and largely the same design as every AirPods model going back to 2016: the stems have got shorter over the years, but the classic shape and shiny white finish remain instantly recognizable. They look great, in short, but don’t expect anything radically new.
But there are a couple of minor changes to the design which are worth mentioning. One is that the new earbuds (and their case) are rated as significantly more water-resistant than the previous model, with the IP rating bumped from IP54 to IP57. The second number refers to liquid ingress, and in this case indicates that whereas the AirPods 4 were protected against jets of water, the AirPods 5 can handle immersion up to 1m for 30 minutes… although I wouldn’t recommend testing this out. More of a peace-of-mind type of upgrade.
A change you’re more likely to notice if you opt to spend an extra $20 on the model with the wireless charging case is the addition of a volume swipe function to the force sensor on both stems: swipe up to increase the volume, swipe down to decrease it. It’s odd that this feature isn’t available on the cheapest AirPods 5, but neither AirPods 4 model got it, and in principle this is a handy addition to your controls. An unexpectedly loud track starts playing on shuffle? No need to dig out your iPhone, you can simply lower the volume with a swipe. The only issue is that it’s a little awkward to use because the AirPods 5 fit quite loosely in the ear; trying to swipe the control sometimes just makes the earbuds move in the ear. The AirPods Pro, by comparison, have a firmer fit which makes it easier to use their swipe control.
David Price / Foundry
So let’s talk fit. Unlike the AirPods Pro, which come with detachable eartips in a range of sizes and can be further customised by using aftermarket foam tips, the AirPods 5 continue to use an integrated earbud in the same material as the rest of the device. That means you’re stuck with a single, standard shape and size. If it doesn’t fit, you’re out of luck.
