• 2 min read
AirPods 5 bring ANC to $129, launch September 18
Apple’s AirPods 5 add active noise cancellation at $129, with a $149 wireless-charging model shipping September 18, 2026.
Image: The Verge
Apple announced the AirPods 5 at Apple Event 2026, bringing active noise cancellation to a lower $129 starting price. Preorders are open through Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Apple’s online store, with both versions scheduled to launch on September 18, 2026.
The standard AirPods 5 cost $129 and include ANC. That undercuts the previous pricing structure: active noise cancellation was previously limited to the $179 AirPods 4 with ANC. ANC is now available in Apple’s entry-level AirPods tier rather than only in the more expensive configuration.
A second version costs $149 and adds a wireless-charging case, longer battery life and touch controls on the earbud stem. Those controls let users adjust volume without reaching for a phone. Apple has not provided battery figures in the available announcement details, so the size of that improvement is not yet clear.
| AirPods 5 version | Price | Included changes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $129 | Active noise cancellation |
| Wireless charging | $149 | Wireless-charging case, longer battery life and stem-based volume controls |
The AirPods 5 will launch on September 18 alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple Watch Ultra 4, iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Apple’s available details establish pricing, the two configurations and the shipping date, but not the new earbuds' battery capacity, ANC performance or other audio specifications.
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The $129 model provides ANC at the lower price, while the $149 model adds a wireless-charging case, longer battery life and stem-based volume controls. The more expensive version is available for preorder through Apple with its wireless-charging case.
Frequently asked questions
How much do the AirPods 5 cost?+
The standard AirPods 5 cost $129. A $149 version adds a wireless-charging case, longer battery life and stem-based volume controls.
When do the AirPods 5 launch?+
The AirPods 5 launch on September 18, 2026. Preorders are available through Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart and Apple.
Do all AirPods 5 models have active noise cancellation?+
Yes. Active noise cancellation is included in both AirPods 5 versions, including the $129 standard model.
How much battery life do the AirPods 5 provide?+
Apple has described the $149 model as having longer battery life, but the available announcement details do not provide a battery figure.
Gadgets Editor
Eli is obsessed with the tangible future. He reviews phones, wearables, and everything with a battery. Known for his rigorous testing protocols and unabashed teardowns, Eli has broken more review units than he cares to admit, all in the name of discovering the truth about durability and repairability.
