True Wireless
Apple AirPods 5
75Great
$130
Full review dataApple AirPods 5 vs Technics EAH-AZ100: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Technics EAH-AZ100 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 86. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Technics EAH-AZ100 - Outstanding overall at around $250.
True Wireless
Technics EAH-AZ100
86Outstanding
$250
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Technics EAH-AZ100 leads on 4 of 7 measures.
- Apple AirPods 5
- Technics EAH-AZ100
HearWiki score
75
86
Sound
8.0
9.2
Noise cancelling
8.0
8.6
Battery
6.5
8.7
Calls
8.0
7.8
Value
8.5
8.1
Price (USD)
$130
$250
Generation & platform
The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?
Half a step newer
Apple AirPods 5 (2026) against Technics EAH-AZ100 (2025). The Apple AirPods 5 edges ahead on platform, but only just: ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid. It also adds Water resistance IP57 against IPX4.
- AirPods 520261 yr newer
- EAH-AZ1002025
What differsAirPods 5EAH-AZ100
- ANC type
- Adaptive
- Hybrid
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
Platform
Everyday features
Level on: Bluetooth, Multipoint pairing, Wireless charging, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.
Specifications
AirPods 5EAH-AZ100
- Type
- True Wireless
- True Wireless
- Price (USD)
- $130
- $250
- HearWiki score
- 75
- 86
- Released
- 2026
- 2025
- Availability
- Sold new
- Sold new
- Driver
- dynamic
- 10 mm dynamic
- Driver type
- dynamic
- dynamic
- Driver size
- -
- 10 mm
- Drivers per side
- -
- 1
- Frequency response
- -
- 20 Hz - 40 kHz
- Impedance
- -
- 16 Ω
- Bluetooth
- 5.3
- 5.3
- Codecs
- -
- SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
- Multipoint pairing
- Yes
- Yes
- Wireless range
- -
- 10 m
- Battery life
- 5 h
- 12 h
- Battery life (ANC on)
- 4 h
- 10 h
- Battery incl. case
- 22 h
- 28 h
- Full charge time
- -
- 120 min
- Quick charge
- -
- 15 min → 1.2 h
- Wireless charging
- Yes
- Yes
- Active noise cancelling
- Yes
- Yes
- ANC type
- adaptive
- hybrid
- Transparency mode
- Yes
- Yes
- Companion app
- Yes
- Yes
- Custom EQ
- Yes
- Yes
- Wear detection
- Yes
- Yes
- Controls
- both
- touch
- Voice assistant
- Siri
- Yes
- Weight
- 4.3 g
- 11.8 g
- Case weight
- 32.3 g
- 42 g
- Water resistance
- IP57
- IPX4
- USB-C
- Yes
- Yes
- Connector
- USB-C
- -
- Microphones
- 3
- 2
- Microphone type
- beamforming
- MEMS
- Call noise reduction
- Yes
- -
What reviewers said
Apple AirPods 5
The Apple AirPods 5 are true wireless earbuds that deliver adaptive active noise cancellation and a transparent listening mode, backed by a custom high-excursion driver for improved audio. They support Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity, offer an IP57 water-resistance rating, and come with a USB-C charging case that supports wireless charging. With three beamforming mics, hands-free Siri AI, and a custom EQ via the companion app, these earbuds aim to provide a versatile and smart listening experience.
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode for flexible noise control
- Pro:IP57 water resistance for sweat and light rain protection
- Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
- Con:Battery life is modest at 4 hours with ANC on
- Con:Total case playback of 22 hours may require frequent recharging for heavy users
- Con:Open-ear design may not suit those wanting a sealed fit
Technics EAH-AZ100
The Technics EAH-AZ100 are premium true wireless earbuds that deliver rich, detailed sound through a 10mm dynamic driver, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. They combine effective hybrid active noise cancellation with a comfortable, IPX4-rated design, plus smart features like multipoint pairing and wireless charging for versatile daily use. With up to 12 hours of playtime on a single charge, they are built to last through long listening sessions.
- Pro:Excellent sound quality with LDAC support
- Pro:Strong hybrid ANC and transparency modes
- Pro:Long battery life with wireless charging case
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:Touch controls may be overly sensitive
- Con:No aptX codec support
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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