CNET compared Apple's $129 AirPods 5 with the $249 AirPods Pro 3. The right pick comes down to fit, noise and whether you want health features.
Apple's new $129 AirPods 5 get close to the $249 AirPods Pro 3 on sound and noise blocking. They cost nearly half as much. CNET's Kerry Wan tested both and says the choice depends mostly on how the earbuds fit, where you use them and whether you want health tools.
The AirPods 5 have an open design with no ear tips. They rest loosely in the ear, which means less pressure. The AirPods Pro 3 sit deeper with cushioned tips and a tighter seal. Wan's wife dislikes that pressure, so the AirPods 5 suit her. The Pro 3 come with several tip sizes, including extra-extra small and large. The AirPods 5 come in one size.
Both sound good. Apple moved some of the Pro 3's sound design to the AirPods 5, which improved bass and clarity. The Pro 3 still have a bit more punch. The AirPods 5 block 50% more outside noise than the model before them, but less than the Pro 3. The tight seal helps the Pro 3 on a subway or a busy street.
CNET still calls the AirPods 5 the best noise-canceling earbuds in their open-fit class. Its sister site ZDNET tested eight earbud models in October 2026, and the Pro 3 won its award for most effective noise canceling. The open fit also gives the AirPods 5 a more natural transparency mode, which lets in outside sound.
The base AirPods 5 cost $129. A $149 version adds wireless charging and pinch-and-swipe controls. The Pro 3 include both, plus a lanyard loop. Apple also sells the AirPods Max 2, the over-ear option. With iOS 27, both AirPods 5 and Pro 3 get a three-band equalizer. It lets you adjust low, mid and high sounds for free.
Only the Pro 3 have built-in heart-rate sensing. They can also work as an FDA-authorized hearing aid. That matters if you track your heart rate during workouts or want hearing help without buying traditional hearing aids. The AirPods 5 do not offer either.
Skip upgrading if your earbuds work. If you buy, the $129 AirPods 5 suit most people, and the $249 Pro 3 are for noisy commutes and health features.
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