Apple AirPods 5 review: The choice is clear

There should only be one model of the AirPods 5 . This is a hill I will die on . But let's back up a bit, because there's a lot to discuss before we get to that ultimate conclusion.

Apple's latest "regular" AirPods no longer force you to choose between living with or without active noise cancellation (ANC). Since both models have the feature, it means they both also offer Live Translation, since that heavily relies on ANC to work its magic. But my frustrations with the two AirPods 5 options are in what I'd argue are inane differences between them.

Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that you can now get ANC and Live Translation on Apple's cheapest earbuds. It's also nice to see that the company increased the water resistance from IP54 on the AirPods 4 lineup to IP57 on this pair. That difference means the new AirPods can withstand full submersion under up to 1 meter (just over 3 feet) for up to 30 minutes. Before, your AirPods were only protected against splashes.

Apple also upgraded the ANC performance and sound quality on both AirPods 5 models. The company explained that these upgrades are due in part to "a new multiport acoustic architecture." Of course, Apple also tweaked both its ANC algorithms and its Adaptive EQ tool to bolster the improvements. The result is ANC that blocks 50 percent more noise than the AirPods 4 and "richer, more detailed sound." But when the obviously better-equipped version is just $20 more, the $129 model is a tough sell.

On the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, you get audible Find My abilities, swipeable volume controls and extended battery life in both the earbuds and the case. Additionally, as indicated by the very catchy name, you can also charge the whole set wirelessly via any Qi or Apple Watch charger.

Honestly, the volume control gesture on the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case is the biggest upgrade for me. I've gone back to the AirPods 4 recently, and every time I use them, I try to swipe to adjust the volume as if I'm wearing a set of the AirPods Pro. I feel like this could've been added to the pricier AirPods 4 model last year; it just seems like a feature that should've been standard before now.

The first thing that struck me about the AirPods 5 is the enhanced sound quality. Sure, I knew there would be a difference between these and the previous model, but I didn't expect to be wowed immediately. As soon as I got them in my ears and hit play on Sylvan Esso's "Flood Season," the bass stood out. Unlike the AirPods Pro models, which seal off your ear canal, open-wear earbuds like the AirPods typically struggle with low-end tone. With the changes Apple made to its audio platform on the AirPods 5, this isn't an issue. The upgrades extend to the extra detail the company promised, too: Instruments across a range of genres have texture and nuance, and songs are immersive, even without Spatial Audio activated.

When it comes to the ANC upgrade, the AirPods 5's most obvious advantage over the AirPods 4 with ANC is with constantly churning noises. If your home or office has an always-humming HVAC system, or your desk is near enough to a white noise machine, the AirPods 5 will provide welcome relief. Human voices still remain a challenge for these new models, but there's enough noise-blocking power here to at least reduce them, especially when you're listening to music or a podcast. You'll still hear the chatter, but it's at least at a much lower volume.