AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3
In this AirPods 5 vs AirPods 4 vs AirPods Pro 3 comparison, I found small improvements to the new open-fit model, not the dramatic leap Apple’s claims might suggest. The Pro 3 remains comfortably ahead where ANC, battery and bass matter most.
By James · Picky Audio
· 6 min read
QUICK TAKE
If you already own the AirPods 4 with ANC, I would not upgrade in most cases. The sound and noise-cancelling improvements are minor. Swipe controls are the only real reason I am upgrading.
Coming from an older pair of AirPods, I would choose the wireless-charging AirPods 5. If you want the strongest noise cancelling, longer battery life and superior sound, the AirPods Pro 3 are still the clear pick.
| AirPods 5 | AirPods 4 | AirPods Pro 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Controls | Adds responsive swipe controls, although I needed a firmer squeeze lower on the stem. | Squeeze controls, but no swipe controls. | Uses the same responsive swipe-control approach as AirPods 5. |
| Noise cancelling | Only subtly stronger to my ears, perhaps 5% to 10% stronger than AirPods 4. | Impressive for moderate noise, but weaker with loud voices, inconsistent high frequencies, plane noise and engine noise. | Miles ahead across frequencies, especially lower frequencies. |
| Wind pickup | Wind pickup is very loud in ANC, transparency and adaptive modes. | Also picks up wind easily, making its active modes hard to use outdoors in wind. | Microphones pick up less wind and automatic wind reduction helps further. |
| Battery and case | 5 hours with ANC and 22 hours total on the wireless-charging version. The non-wireless model gets 4 hours and 20 hours total. | 4 hours and 20 hours total. No MagSafe charging. | 8 hours in the buds and 24 hours total. The case supports MagSafe charging. |
| Sound | Smoother treble, more deep sub-bass and the best sound of the two open-fit models. | A little harsher in the upper treble at high volume, with slight sibilance. | Superior overall sound, with cleaner mid-bass, more sub-bass and clearer mids. |
| Call quality | Very similar to the other two in my quiet-room, crowd-noise and windy-city call tests. | Very similar overall, though it struggled at the start of the windy-city test. | Very similar call quality overall. |
| Extras | Three-band EQ and IP57 dust and waterproof rating on the buds and case. | IP54 rating. | Heart-rate monitors, hearing-aid use and IP57 dust and waterproof rating. |
Are the AirPods 5 swipe controls worth upgrading for?
Swipe controls were the feature I most wanted from the AirPods 5, and they work great. If you have used AirPods Pro, the gesture works the same way and is just as responsive.
The open-fit shape sits closer to my jaw than the Pro models, so my jaw got in the way at first. I got used to it. I also found the AirPods 5 needed a firmer squeeze when I pressed low on the stem, but squeezing in the intended spot worked completely fine.
There are two AirPods 5 versions. The wireless-charging model gets swipe controls and an extra hour of battery life with noise cancelling on. Since battery capacity degrades over time, I would want that extra hour when the stated battery life is only 5 hours.
Is AirPods 5 noise cancelling much better than AirPods 4?
No. Apple advertises 50% stronger noise cancelling, but the difference was very subtle to my ears. I had to go back and forth multiple times to notice it, and I would put the improvement more around 5% to 10%.
AirPods 4 ANC already works well for moderate city or shop noise because it reduces the overall level enough that I do not need to turn up music, YouTube or a podcast. Neither open-fit pair does especially well with loud voices, inconsistent high-frequency noise, plane noise or engine noise.
The AirPods Pro 3 are in another league here, particularly with low frequencies. The open design also limits the seal you can achieve. The AirPods 5 fit me well, so I think I get a pretty good seal, but they still cannot compete with the Pro 3.
Wind is the bigger practical problem for the AirPods 4 and 5. Both pick it up loudly in ANC, transparency and adaptive modes, so those modes can become redundant outdoors on a windy day. Turning both modes off gives you natural awareness through the open design.
AirPods 5 sound quality: refined, not transformed
The AirPods 5 have a more refined tuning than the AirPods 4. Apple has dialled down the upper treble, which was a good choice because the AirPods 4 could get a little harsh at high volumes and had slight sibilance on S sounds.
Treble is smoother on AirPods 5, making them better suited to longer listening sessions or listeners sensitive to treble. I personally like a little more treble, so I boost it slightly with the three-band EQ for more hi-hat and crash presence. The smoother stock tuning lets me do that without it becoming harsh.
The mid-range is basically the same between AirPods 4 and AirPods 5, with no real issues for male or female vocals. The improvement is in sub-bass. AirPods 5 produce a little more deep rumble and give kick drums more punch and meat, without distortion in my testing tracks.
It is not a massive difference, and the bass remains somewhat boomy because open earbuds have limited sub-bass capability. If you want a more refined bass response, cleaner mid-bass and a more well-rounded sound, the AirPods Pro 3 are better. AirPods 5 have smoother treble, though, which some people may prefer.
Which AirPods model should you buy?
For an AirPods 4 ANC owner, the AirPods 5 are not a necessary upgrade for sound or noise cancelling. You can use the three-band EQ to get AirPods 4 closer if treble is the issue. Swipe controls are the meaningful upgrade, and that is why I am moving to AirPods 5.
If you are coming from an older generation, I would go for AirPods 5 with wireless charging for swipe controls, better battery life and wireless charging. Fit is exactly the same as AirPods 4, so if that pair fits you well, you are good.
Between AirPods 5 and AirPods Pro 3, there are plenty of reasons to choose the Pro 3: longer battery life, superior sound, noise cancelling that is miles ahead, heart-rate monitors and hearing-aid use. I will use AirPods 5 most of the time, but I am holding onto AirPods Pro 3 for situations where I need stronger ANC.
THE VERDICT
AirPods 5 are a minor refinement of AirPods 4, not a dramatic step forward. They are the better open-fit option, especially with the smoother treble, slightly fuller sub-bass and swipe controls, but existing AirPods 4 ANC owners should only move if those controls genuinely matter to them.
AirPods Pro 3 do not become redundant. They remain the far stronger option for noise cancelling, battery life and overall sound quality. Stay picky.
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