Appleβs AirPods are so ubiquitous, theyβve become the Kleenex of Bluetooth earbuds. But whether you own an iPhone or an Android, AirPods are hardly the only compelling option. As long as you stay clear of the cheapest budget options you see in checkout lines, Bluetooth earbuds, in general, are all pretty awesome.
Apple has debuted the new AirPods 5 with improved active noise cancellation and sound qualityβaiming to provide improved listening and user features at a lower launch price than the predecessor AirPods 4.
The newest AirPods will go on sale for $129 in stores starting on September 18, according to an Apple press release accompanying the companyβs βSurprise and Shineβ event. Customers can also purchase AirPods 5 with a wireless charging case that provides longer battery life and on-stem volume control for $149. Preorders are already open.
This is looking like a solid deal compared to the predecessor AirPods 4. The older AirPods debuted in 2024 with a starting price of $129, but users had to pay $179 for the version with active noise cancellation.