AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4 with ANC: Which to Buy Now
Published on November 4, 2026
Until September, the entry AirPods question was whether to pay $50 more for noise cancellation. Apple settled that: AirPods 5 start at $129, and both versions include ANC. The AirPods 4 with ANC launched at $179, which means the cheapest new AirPods now outdo what used to be the top of the line.
The real question this holiday season is whether a discounted AirPods 4 with ANC is still worth it, and which of the two AirPods 5 versions to buy.
What AirPods 5 changed
On the outside, almost nothing. Launch reviews from MacRumors describe the same design and fit as AirPods 4, and BGR weighed them: the same 4.3 g per bud. If AirPods 4 fit you, these will; if they always felt like they were about to fall out, nothing has changed.
The change is noise cancellation. Apple says it cuts up to 50 percent more noise than AirPods 4, and the gain comes from software: each ear is measured separately to correct for leaks from the open fit. MacRumors called the improvement noticeable even without silicone tips, and BGR named ANC the best feature on these AirPods.
The rest is incremental: IP57 resistance to dust, sweat and water, and Live Translation powered by Apple Intelligence, which works across the AirPods lineup.
Sound is where reviews split. Some heard a small improvement; others pointed out it uses the same driver and changed little year over year. It is not a reason to upgrade or a reason to choose.
The two AirPods 5 versions
Both have the same sound and the same ANC. The $149 model adds:
- An extra hour of battery with ANC on (5 hours versus 4).
- Volume control by swiping the stem.
- A wireless charging case that works on Qi pads and Apple Watch chargers, with a speaker for Find My.
Most launch reviews recommended the pricier model, and battery is the reason: four hours with ANC runs out on a long commute or a workday with earbuds in. It remains the most common complaint, even at five hours. For $20, the upgrade is easy to justify.
When AirPods 4 with ANC still make sense
The older pair has one edge over the base AirPods 5: a wireless charging case. It also has the bigger weakness, weaker noise cancellation. Reviews at launch found it handled low hum like engines and AC well, and only partly muffled voices and fans.
Since ANC is the whole reason to buy this model, the math is simple. Near AirPods 5 pricing, skip it. If Black Friday drops it to around $100 and wireless charging matters to you, it is a fair deal.
If noise is your main problem
Open-fit earbuds always let in more sound than sealed ones. For subways, flights and loud offices, AirPods Pro still isolate far better, and the AirPods 5 reviews make the same point. AirPods 5 are the best choice for noise cancellation without the plugged-ear feeling, not for silence.
Prices change often between sales and sellers. Check the current price before you buy.
Which one to buy
| Model | Best for | Price range |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case | Wearing earbuds for hours at a time | $140 – $150 |
| AirPods 5 | ANC at the lowest price | $120 – $130 |
| AirPods 4 with ANC | Only around $100, if wireless charging matters | $100 – $179 |
Android users miss half of what these earbuds do, and the budget Bluetooth headphones guide has options that deliver more for the same money. And if the earbuds are mostly for meetings, the headset for video calls guide explains why the microphone matters more than noise cancellation there.
Our recommendations
AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case
The version most launch reviews recommend: an extra hour with ANC on and volume control on the stem, for $20 more.
Pros
- Up to 5 hours with ANC on, versus 4 on the base AirPods 5 and on AirPods 4 with ANC
- Swipe-to-adjust volume on the stem, missing from the base model
- Case charges on Qi pads and Apple Watch chargers, with a speaker for Find My
Cons
- Same sound and same noise cancellation as the $129 model
- Battery is still the most common complaint in reviews, even at five hours
- Open fit with no silicone tips: if AirPods 4 never stayed in your ears, these will not either
$140 – $150
Check price on AmazonAirPods 5
The cheapest way into AirPods with noise cancellation, and better noise cancellation than AirPods 4 had.
Pros
- ANC on every AirPods 5, which Apple says cuts up to 50 percent more noise than AirPods 4
- Same sound and ANC as the $149 version
- IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance
Cons
- No wireless charging on the case, unlike AirPods 4 with ANC
- Up to 4 hours with ANC on, same as the previous generation
- No volume control on the stem
$120 – $130
Check price on AmazonAirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation
Only worth it well below the base AirPods 5: it has a wireless charging case but weaker noise cancellation.
Pros
- Wireless charging case with a Find My speaker, which the base AirPods 5 lacks
- Same shape and same 4.3 g weight as AirPods 5, so the fit is identical
- As the outgoing model, it is the most likely to see deep Black Friday cuts
Cons
- Weaker ANC: reviews at launch found it handled low hum well but only partly muffled voices and fans
- Previous generation, so it will be first to drop off feature updates
- Up to 4 hours with ANC on
$100 – $179
Check price on AmazonPrices are reference ranges and change often, so check the current price on Amazon before buying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between AirPods 5 and AirPods 4?
Noise cancellation. On AirPods 4 it was limited to the $179 model; on AirPods 5 it comes on both versions, and Apple says it cuts up to 50 percent more noise. Shape and weight are unchanged, reviewers found the sound barely different, and water resistance moved up to IP57. The pricier AirPods 5 adds an hour of battery with ANC on and volume swipes on the stem.
Is AirPods 5 noise cancellation as good as AirPods Pro?
No. AirPods 5 have an open fit with no silicone tips, and any open-fit earbud lets in more sound than a sealed one. Reviewers call the improvement over AirPods 4 noticeable, but for subways, flights and loud offices, AirPods Pro still isolate far better.
Are AirPods 4 with ANC still worth buying?
Only at a steep discount. The base AirPods 5 costs less than the AirPods 4 with ANC launched at and has better noise cancellation, which is the reason to buy this model in the first place. The older pair's one advantage is the wireless charging case. If it drops to around $100 and wireless charging matters to you, it is a fair deal; near AirPods 5 pricing, it is not.
