TechGadgetsNewsApple announces AirPods 5 with ‘best-in-class open‑ear active noise cancellation’The AirPods got some attention at Apple’s September event.The AirPods got some attention at Apple’s September event.by John HigginsSep 9, 2026, 5:31 PM UTCShareGiftThe two new Apple AirPods 5 models both include active noise cancellation. Image: ApplePart OfAll the news from Apple’s ‘Surprise and shine’ eventsee all updates John Higgins is a senior reviewer covering TVs and audio. He has over 20 years experience in AV, and has previously been on staff at Digital Trends and Reviewed.Today, Apple announced the AirPods 5, updates to the AirPods 4 series that was first released in 2024. Apple says the new buds feature “best-in-class open‑ear active noise cancellation.”The AirPods 5 are redesigned with a new acoustic architecture, upgrades to adaptive active noise cancellation (ANC) with 50 percent better noise reduction than the AirPods 4, and improved sound.A second model includes on-stem control — the first time Apple’s open-ear design includes it — allowing for volume adjustment by swiping up and down.
It also has a longer battery life that provides up to five hours of playback — one hour more than the AirPods 4 with ANC — and supports Apple Watch and Qi chargers with the addition of a wireless charging case.The base model AirPods 5 are available for preorder today for $129, and the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case which have an improved battery is $149 ($30 less than the previous gen). Both models will be available on September 18th.The AirPods 4 series was the first time Apple’s open-ear wireless earbuds came in a version with active noise cancellation (ANC) and one without. Both versions shipped with the H2 chip, pinch controls, and identical sound. Even with their open-ear design, the AirPods 4 with ANC handle ambient noise impressively well.John Ternus was the vice president of hardware engineering when the original AirPods were launched in 2016, so it’s fitting that the newest version of AirPods is announced during his first event as Apple’s new CEO.Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates.John HigginsAppleApple Event 2026GadgetsHeadphonesNewsTechThe Apple Watch Ultra 4 is ready for the new SiriAndrew Liszewski18 minutes agoiOS 27 launches on September 14th with Siri AITom Warren20 minutes agoApple Watch Series 12 has an always-on Siri that makes AI recaps of your dayStevie Bonifield24 minutes agoMost PopularLG TVs caught spying even when offline or on standbyiPhone 18 live blog: On the ground at Apple’s biggest eventApple announces the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro MaxApple says ‘Fold’ and competitors ask ‘How wide?’What to expect at Apple’s September 9th launch eventAdvertiser Content FromThis is the title for the native ad
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