Apple’s non-Pro AirPods have always taken a different approach to fit. Instead of silicone ear tips that seal the ear canal, they use a half-in-ear design that rests at the entrance of the ear. The idea is simple: to offer a lightweight, open feel for listeners who find conventional in-ear earbuds uncomfortable or intrusive. The AirPods 5 follow this approach while adding active noise cancellation (ANC) and spatial audio. During our tests, we were often comparing them with the AirPods Pro 3, and beyond the obvious price difference, there are other things worth knowing before you decide which one to bet your money on. In this AirPods 5 review, we will look at the new AirPods’ sound quality, ANC, comfort, controls, and spatial audio to know who it is for.
The AirPods 5’s half-in-ear design has its takers. Someone like my younger brother, who doesn’t feel comfortable wearing in-ear tips or dislikes the plugged-up feeling of conventional in-ear earbuds, would prefer this. The overall footprint is very small and lightweight. The case is also compact. In fact, these are one of the most compact mainstream earbuds you can buy.
The small case is extremely compact to carry around. Unlike most other earbuds cases, this one is hardly noticeable in a jeans pocket. The tiny buds are also ergonomically comfortable and stay fit. But the shortness of the stem leaves little room to grip the earbuds, making it slightly difficult to use the swipe gestures for volume control. What should be a simple interaction can take more effort than expected, especially when adjusting the earbuds while wearing them.
Overall, the design is familiar and practical, but a slightly longer stem could have made the earbuds easier to handle without compromising their compact form.
The AirPods 5 deliver clear vocals and a generally enjoyable presentation, but their sound does not have the weight I expected.
Bass has a noticeable presence, yet it lacks the mass and physical impact of the AirPods Pro 3. The difference is particularly apparent if you are used to the fuller low end of sealed earbuds. The AirPods 5 can reproduce bass, but they do not deliver the exact sense of substance, if you will.
Vocals are much stronger here. Johnny Cash’s voice in the song Hurt has an intimate quality, with the texture of his voice and subtle details in his breathing coming through clearly. The presentation makes the vocal sound close to the listener.
High notes are also handled well. They remain clear without becoming sharp to the ears. So, the overall sound signature is well suited for most music and audio content you consume. It’s just that if you prefer substantial bass weight, you may find the low end underwhelming.
Similarly, volume-wise, I found the experience more satisfying beyond roughly 60% level. At lower levels, the sound did not have the same sense of presence and engagement. This is because of the open-fit design, but it is worth considering if you usually listen quietly or expect the earbuds to sound full without raising the volume.
Now, if you want the sound to be wider and more open, Apple’s Spatial Audio feature works impressively. I enjoyed listening to Dolby Atmos versions of ‘Ghungroo’ and David Bowie’s ‘Space Oddity’, and in both tracks, instruments and other elements had more room to breathe. You can try it if you want an immersive experience.
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Apple says the earbuds offer up to 1.5 times more noise cancellation than the AirPods 4 with ANC. What I appreciate is the availability of ANC even with the half-in-ear design. It can suppress background noise in an office or at home, which can help you concentrate more on what you are doing or consuming.
That said, because of the design limitation, some outside noise is bound to reach the ear. So, during a cab ride or while writing this review on my office desk, the AirPods 5 did not reduce surrounding noise as effectively as I would have liked. The outside environment remained noticeable, limiting the sense of isolation I expected from an ANC-equipped pair of earbuds.
So simply put, the AirPods 5 are better suited to listeners who want some noise reduction without giving up the openness of a conventional AirPods fit.
On the other hand, the Transparency mode is one of the best in the business. The conversation awareness feature has been a hit or miss, though.
Apple rates the standard AirPods 5 at up to four hours of listening with ANC enabled, while the wireless charging case variant is rated for up to five hours. We have the latter, and with the case, the claimed total is 22 hours.
In my battery test, the earbuds lasted 7 hours and 34 minutes on a single charge. I tested them with ANC enabled, playing FLAC music from an iPhone Air at 80% volume. So, the battery life can be more than Apple’s estimates and can vary with volume, codec, ANC usage, and other settings.
Besides the extra juice, the wireless charging case edition is convenient to use if you have a compatible charger. It supports Qi charging pucks, and you can use it with an Apple Watch charger.
Another neat feature is the presence of a speaker for Find My alarm.
The Apple AirPods 5 offer a comfortable alternative to in-ear earbuds and are primarily for those of you who find silicone ear tips uncomfortable or prefer the open feel of half-in-ear earbuds. They are compact, comfortable to wear, deliver clear vocals, reliable Transparency mode, and an overall enjoyable sound. Spatial Audio is another highlight, making compatible Dolby Atmos tracks sound wider and more immersive. Its battery life is also good for everyday use.
However, the bass lacks the weight you get from AirPods Pro 3, and ANC cannot block outside noise as effectively. The short stems also make volume gestures slightly difficult to use. So, there are a few compromises to consider before you spend your money.
Ultimately, it all comes down to the design. They are easily the best mainstream earbuds if you dislike the in-ear design. At Rs 17,900, the AirPods 5 get the basics right, offer a relatively balanced sound, and bring most of the premium Apple earphones experience, just without the silicone ear tips.
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