AirPods 5, AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 3 Compared on Price, ANC and Features

Apple's current AirPods lineup now gives you three main choices across different prices and feature sets: AirPods 4, AirPods 5, and AirPods Pro 3.

The newest AirPods 5 sit between the entry level AirPods 4 and the more advanced AirPods Pro 3. Their main appeal is stronger active noise cancellation than the previous generation while keeping the price below the Pro model.

AirPods 4 remain the lowest cost option, especially in the version without active noise cancellation. AirPods Pro 3 continue to offer the strongest noise reduction, longer ANC battery life, and additional health related functions.

The differences become clearer when you compare the models directly.

Model	Current price in source	ANC	ANC battery life	Water resistance	Notable features
AirPods 4 without ANC	$99.99	No	Not applicable	IP54	Basic AirPods experience
AirPods 4 with ANC	Up to $174.99	Yes	Not specified	IP54	Transparency, Adaptive Audio, live translation support
AirPods 5	$124.99 without case, $149.99 with case	Yes	Up to 5 hours	Not specified	Improved ANC, Siri AI support, newer software features
AirPods Pro 3	$199.99	Yes	Up to 8 hours	IP57	Strongest ANC, hearing aid features, heart rate sensing

AirPods Pro 3 still have the strongest noise cancellation

AirPods Pro 3 remain the most capable model in the comparison.

Apple rates their active noise cancellation as significantly stronger than the rest of the lineup. According to the source, Apple claims the Pro 3 provide up to three times better ANC than the newer AirPods 5 and around four times the ANC performance of AirPods 4.

The Pro model also includes features that are not available across the entire range.

These include hearing aid functionality and heart rate sensing. The microphone system used for active noise cancellation also supports software features such as live translation.

Battery life with ANC enabled is another advantage. AirPods Pro 3 are rated for up to eight hours, compared with five hours for AirPods 5.

Their IP57 rating also provides stronger water resistance than the IP54 rating listed for AirPods 4.

AirPods 4 remain the cheapest entry point

AirPods 4 are still the most affordable way into Apple's current earbud lineup.

The base version costs around $99.99 and removes active noise cancellation entirely. That lower price also means giving up several related software features.

The non ANC model does not include Transparency Mode, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, or live translation support mentioned for the more advanced versions.

There is also an AirPods 4 model with active noise cancellation, but its position is less straightforward now that AirPods 5 have arrived.

At prices reaching roughly $174.99, the ANC version of AirPods 4 can cost more than AirPods 5 while offering weaker noise cancellation.

That makes discounted pricing especially important if you are considering the older ANC model.

AirPods 5 fill the middle of the lineup

AirPods 5 provide a newer option for people who want active noise cancellation without paying AirPods Pro 3 pricing.

The earbuds are listed at $124.99 without the charging case and $149.99 with it.

According to the source, ANC performance improves by up to 1.5 times compared with AirPods 4.

Some of the newer software improvements are tied to iOS 27 and can also reach AirPods 4 models with ANC, so AirPods 5 do not have every new feature exclusively.

Their main advantage is therefore the combination of newer hardware, stronger ANC, and lower pricing than the Pro model.

Each model targets a different price level

The lineup now has a clearer separation.

AirPods 4 without ANC are the low cost option for people who mainly want Apple's basic wireless earbud experience and do not need advanced noise control features.

AirPods 5 offer a middle ground with improved ANC and newer features at a lower cost than the Pro model.

AirPods Pro 3 remain the most feature rich version, with stronger ANC, longer battery life under noise cancellation, hearing related functions, heart rate sensing, and greater water resistance.

The AirPods 4 ANC model is the hardest one to position at regular pricing because AirPods 5 can offer stronger noise cancellation for less money. Its value may therefore depend heavily on discounts as retailers reduce older inventory.