Yes. AirPods 5 have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).

This is one of the biggest upgrades in Apple’s latest standard AirPods lineup. Unlike traditional noise-cancelling earbuds that use silicone ear tips to create a seal inside your ears, AirPods 5 use an open-ear design with ANC.

Apple says AirPods 5 deliver up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods 4 with ANC.

But how effective can ANC be when the earbuds don’t completely seal your ears?

Let’s take a closer look.

What Is ANC on AirPods 5?

Active Noise Cancellation uses microphones and advanced audio processing to detect sounds around you.

The AirPods then generate an opposing sound signal designed to reduce unwanted background noise.

This can help reduce sounds such as:

• Air conditioners
• Fans
• Traffic
• Aircraft engine noise
• Office background noise
• Public transport
• General environmental noise

The result is a quieter listening experience without simply increasing the volume of your music.

How Does AirPods 5 ANC Work With an Open-Ear Design?

This is the most interesting part of AirPods 5.

Most ANC earbuds use silicone ear tips that physically seal your ear canal. AirPods 5 don’t use that type of in-ear seal.

Instead, Apple combines:

• Multiple microphones
• The H2 chip
• Redesigned acoustic architecture
• Computational audio
• Adaptive EQ
• Active Noise Cancellation

This allows AirPods 5 to reduce external noise while still maintaining their open-ear design.

That means you can get noise cancellation without the plugged-in feeling some people experience with silicone earbuds.

How Good Is AirPods 5 ANC?

AirPods 5 offer significantly improved ANC compared with the previous generation.

Apple describes them as offering industry-leading ANC for an open-ear design.

However, there’s an important distinction.

Because AirPods 5 don’t completely seal the ear canal, they aren’t expected to block every external sound as effectively as premium in-ear ANC earbuds.

They are particularly useful for reducing continuous background noise.

For example, they can make a noisy office, train or airplane environment more comfortable.

AirPods 5 vs AirPods Pro 3 ANC

If maximum noise cancellation is your priority, the AirPods Pro 3 remain the stronger option.

The AirPods 5 are designed for people who want ANC without silicone ear tips.

The AirPods Pro 3 are better for people who want the strongest possible noise reduction.

Does AirPods 5 Have Transparency Mode?

Yes.

AirPods 5 include Transparency Mode, which allows outside sounds to remain audible while you’re listening to audio.

This can be useful when:

• Someone is talking to you
• You’re walking around the city
• You’re working in an office
• You’re waiting for an announcement
• You need to remain aware of your surroundings

AirPods 5 also support Adaptive Audio, which can dynamically balance noise cancellation and transparency depending on the environment.

Does ANC Affect AirPods 5 Battery Life?

Yes.

Using Active Noise Cancellation consumes more power.

The standard AirPods 5 provide up to 4 hours of listening time with ANC enabled on a single charge.

The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case provide up to 5 hours of listening time with ANC enabled.

The charging cases extend total listening time considerably.

Can You Turn ANC Off?

Yes.

You can switch between available listening modes depending on what you’re doing.

You can use ANC when you want to reduce background noise and Transparency Mode when you want to hear what’s happening around you.

This gives you more control than simply using normal audio playback.

Is AirPods 5 ANC Good for Flights?

AirPods 5 can help reduce aircraft and cabin noise, but expectations should be realistic.

Because of the open-ear design, they don’t provide the same level of passive isolation as sealed in-ear earbuds.

For frequent flyers who want the strongest possible reduction of aircraft engine noise, AirPods Pro 3 are likely the better choice.

For travellers who dislike silicone ear tips but still want some noise cancellation, AirPods 5 are a very interesting alternative.

Is AirPods 5 ANC Good for Office Use?

Yes.

AirPods 5 can be particularly useful in an office environment.

ANC can reduce continuous background sounds such as:

• Air conditioning
• Fans
• Computer noise
• General conversations
• Office activity

And because the design is open-ear, some users may find them more comfortable for wearing throughout the working day.

AirPods 5 ANC: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

• Active Noise Cancellation
• Open-ear design
• No silicone ear tips
• Improved noise reduction
• Transparency Mode
• Adaptive Audio
• H2 chip
• Spatial Audio
• Live Translation
• Comfortable design for many users

Disadvantages

• Doesn’t isolate noise as strongly as sealed in-ear earbuds
• ANC reduces battery life
• Not ideal if maximum noise blocking is your only priority
• Open-ear design allows more environmental sound through

Are AirPods 5 Worth Buying for ANC?

If you want ANC but don’t like in-ear silicone tips, AirPods 5 are a compelling option.

They combine the familiar open-ear AirPods design with features that were previously more closely associated with Apple’s premium models.

However, if your main goal is maximum noise cancellation, AirPods Pro 3 are still the better choice.

Choose AirPods 5 if:

• You prefer an open-ear design
• Silicone ear tips are uncomfortable
• You want ANC for everyday use
• You want to remain somewhat aware of your surroundings
• You want a more affordable ANC AirPods option

Choose AirPods Pro 3 if:

• Maximum ANC is your priority
• You travel frequently
• You want stronger passive noise isolation
• You prefer an in-ear fit
• You want the most advanced noise cancellation experience

Final Verdict

Yes, AirPods 5 have Active Noise Cancellation.

What’s impressive is that Apple has brought ANC to an open-ear design, giving users noise reduction without requiring silicone ear tips.

AirPods 5 are therefore an excellent middle ground between regular open-ear earbuds and fully sealed ANC earbuds.

For comfort + open-ear design + ANC: AirPods 5

For maximum noise cancellation: AirPods Pro 3

Frequently Asked Questions

Do all AirPods 5 models have ANC?

Yes. Both AirPods 5 models include Active Noise Cancellation.

Is AirPods 5 ANC better than AirPods 4 ANC?

Yes. Apple states that AirPods 5 provide up to 1.5x more ANC than AirPods 4 with ANC.

Does AirPods 5 have Transparency Mode?

Yes. AirPods 5 support Transparency Mode as well as Adaptive Audio.

Does AirPods 5 use silicone ear tips?

No. AirPods 5 have an open-ear design rather than the sealed in-ear design used by AirPods Pro.

Which has better ANC, AirPods 5 or AirPods Pro 3?

AirPods Pro 3 offer stronger noise cancellation because their in-ear design provides better passive isolation in addition to ANC.

How long does AirPods 5 last with ANC?

The standard AirPods 5 provide up to 4 hours of listening with ANC enabled, while the Wireless Charging Case version provides up to 5 hours on a single charge.

Is AirPods 5 good for noise cancellation?

Yes, especially if you want ANC without using silicone ear tips. However, users who want the strongest possible noise blocking should consider AirPods Pro 3.