Apple's true wireless lineup now has two noise-cancelling open-ear options: the AirPods 5 and the AirPods 4 ANC. Both sit in the same family, but they ask different prices and deliver different balances of features. This head-to-head uses published reviews and listed specifications to help you decide whether the newer model justifies the upgrade or whether the older one still makes sense.
We'll work through price, headline scores, sound, noise cancelling, battery, calls, and value. Where the two are close, we'll say so plainly. The goal is a clear recommendation for your situation, not a forced winner.
Price and positioning
The Apple AirPods 5 launched in 2026 at $129. The Apple AirPods 4 ANC came out in 2024 at $179. That makes the newer pair $50 cheaper at launch, which is unusual for a successor. The AirPods 5 are positioned as the accessible entry point to Apple's noise-cancelling open earbuds, while the AirPods 4 ANC were the premium option when they arrived.
Both are true wireless earbuds with active noise cancellation, wireless charging, transparency mode, and wear detection. Both use Bluetooth 5.3. The AirPods 5 add multipoint, which lets you connect to two devices at once; the AirPods 4 ANC do not list multipoint. The AirPods 5 also carry an IP57 rating against IP54 on the older pair, meaning better dust and water resistance. Neither lists impedance.
If you care about price, the AirPods 5 are the obvious entry point. If you already own the AirPods 4 ANC, the question is whether the newer model's features and lower price make it worth switching.
The scores, side by side
HearWiki's headline score is a buyability figure derived from published review consensus, price, and availability. The AirPods 5 score 75/100, and the AirPods 4 ANC score 80/100. That is a five-point gap, which is meaningful but not huge. Both are solid buys in the context of their price points.
The sub-scores tell a more nuanced story. On sound, the AirPods 5 score 8.0/10 against 7.6/10 for the AirPods 4 ANC. On ANC, the AirPods 5 score 8.0/10 against 6.7/10. Battery is 6.5/10 versus 5.9/10. Calls are 8.0/10 versus 7.9/10. Value is 8.5/10 versus 7.1/10.
Notice that the AirPods 4 ANC have a higher headline score despite losing on every sub-score. That is because the headline is not a weighted average; it reflects overall review consensus and market position. Do not read causation into the gap. The sub-scores are separate category summaries.
In short, the AirPods 5 lead on every measured category, but the AirPods 4 ANC still hold a higher overall score. The likely reason is coverage: the AirPods 5 are days old and far fewer published reviews exist for them yet, so their headline score carries less confidence and will move as reviews land.
Sound
Both pairs use dynamic drivers, but the AirPods 5 use a custom driver with adaptive EQ and a multiport acoustic design, according to the listed specifications. The AirPods 4 ANC use an 11 mm dynamic driver with a bass-enhanced tuning. Published reviews describe the AirPods 5 as rich and detailed, while the AirPods 4 ANC are balanced with improved bass response.
Codec support differs. The AirPods 4 ANC list SBC and AAC. The AirPods 5 do not list codecs, so HearWiki has no figure for them. For Apple users, AAC is the standard and works well with iPhones, so this is unlikely to be a practical issue.
If you value detail and adaptive tuning, the AirPods 5 have the edge. If you prefer a warmer, bass-forward sound, the AirPods 4 ANC may suit you better. Neither is a clear winner for everyone.
Noise cancelling and battery
Both have active noise cancellation. The AirPods 5 score 8.0/10 on ANC, while the AirPods 4 ANC score 6.7/10. That is a clear lead for the newer model, which uses adaptive noise cancellation that adjusts to your environment. The AirPods 4 ANC offer hybrid ANC, which is effective but not class-leading, according to published reviews.
Battery life is where both struggle. The AirPods 5 give 5 hours per charge with ANC off, dropping to 4 hours with ANC on. The AirPods 4 ANC give 4 hours per charge with ANC on, and the same 4 hours with ANC off, based on the listed figures. With the charging case, the AirPods 5 total 22 hours, and the AirPods 4 ANC total 20 hours. Neither figure is a per-charge number; the with-case totals include the case's extra charges.
In practice, you will likely use ANC most of the time, so expect around 4 hours per charge on both. That is modest by modern standards. The AirPods 5 have a slight edge in total battery, but neither will last a full workday without a case recharge.
Calls and everyday use
Both pairs have three microphones and score nearly identically on call quality: 8.0/10 for the AirPods 5, 7.9/10 for the AirPods 4 ANC. Published reviews note clear voice pickup on both, though neither is class-leading. If you take frequent calls, you will not notice a big difference.
Multipoint is a differentiator. The AirPods 5 support it; the AirPods 4 ANC do not. If you switch between a phone and a laptop, the AirPods 5 make that seamless. The AirPods 4 ANC require manual reconnection.
Both have transparency mode, wireless charging, and wear detection. The AirPods 5 have a higher IP rating (IP57 vs IP54), so they are better for workouts or light rain. The AirPods 4 ANC are still sweat-resistant, just less so.
Which one should you buy?
If you are buying new and want the best value, choose the Apple AirPods 5. They are cheaper, score higher on every sub-score, and add multipoint and better water resistance. The lower price makes them the sensible entry point for most Apple users.
If you already own the Apple AirPods 4 ANC, the upgrade is not urgent. The headline score is higher on the older pair, and the differences in sound and calls are small. The main reasons to switch would be multipoint, better ANC, or the lower price if you can sell your current pair.
If you are on a tight budget and do not need multipoint, the AirPods 4 ANC may still be available at a discount, and they offer a solid experience. But at full price, the AirPods 5 are the better deal.
For a full side-by-side, see the comparison table. You can also browse other options in our best true wireless guide or best ANC earbuds list.
FAQ
Are the AirPods 5 better than the AirPods 4 ANC?
On paper, the AirPods 5 lead on sound, ANC, battery, calls, and value, and they cost less. However, the AirPods 4 ANC have a higher overall HearWiki score, so reviews have been slightly more favourable to the older pair. For most buyers, the AirPods 5 are the better purchase, but the difference is not dramatic.
Should I upgrade from AirPods 4 ANC to AirPods 5?
Only if you specifically want multipoint, better water resistance, or stronger noise cancelling. The call quality is nearly identical, and battery life is close. If your AirPods 4 ANC work well, there is no urgent need to upgrade.
Do the AirPods 5 have better battery life than the AirPods 4 ANC?
Yes, slightly. The AirPods 5 last 5 hours per charge without ANC and 4 hours with ANC, for a total of 22 hours with the case. The AirPods 4 ANC last 4 hours per charge with or without ANC, for a total of 20 hours with the case. Both are modest, so plan for a mid-day case recharge.
