The Choice Is Clear

Billy Steele for Engadget Add Engadget on Google: Preferred Source Google Discover RATING : 8.8 / 10 Pros Everyone gets ANC Improved audio and ANC performance Live Translation is here Volume controls (on one model) Cons No advanced hearing health features Cheaper model shouldn’t exist There should only be one model of the AirPods 5 . This is a hill I will die on . But let's back up a bit, because there's a lot to discuss before we get to that ultimate conclusion.

Apple's latest "regular" AirPods no longer force you to choose between living with or without active noise cancellation (ANC). Since both models have the feature, it means they both also offer Live Translation, since that heavily relies on ANC to work its magic. But my frustrations with the two AirPods 5 options are in what I'd argue are inane differences between them.