The premium AirPods 5 are the best open-ear earbuds Apple has made

Apple released the AirPods 5 at $149, $30 less than the AirPods 4 with ANC they replace, and the $129 base model lacks wireless charging and volume controls. The new earbuds feature improved active noise cancellation and, for the first time in non-Pro AirPods, volume controls on the stem. The design remains identical to the AirPods 4, but the price drop and added controls make the 5 the most value-dense Apple wireless earbud yet.