AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3: Is Open

Noise cancellation no longer requires paying AirPods Pro prices.

AirPods 5 start at $129 with Active Noise Cancellation, keeping Apple’s open-ear fit while undercutting the $249 AirPods Pro 3 by $120. The new earbuds are available for preorder and reach stores Sept. 18.

The trade-off is isolation. Apple says AirPods Pro 3 cancel substantially more noise, while also offering longer battery life and health features that AirPods 5 lack. For hybrid work and everyday commuting, the question is whether those advantages justify another $100 to $120.

AirPods 5 bring ANC to Apple’s least expensive earbuds as part of its broader 2026 product lineup , but the Pro model still has a sizable advantage in noisier environments.

AirPods 5 retain an open-ear design, while AirPods Pro 3 use silicone tips in five sizes . The Pro design creates a tighter acoustic seal, adding passive isolation alongside electronic noise cancellation.