Apple's AirPods 5 offer Active Noise Cancellation as standard on both the $129 and $149 models, representing a $50 price drop from AirPods 4 with ANC. The open-ear design delivers strong noise cancellation without ear tips, though battery life is limited to 4-5 hours and the lack of haptic feedback on the force sensor is a drawback. AirPods Pro 3 remain Apple's best earbuds, but AirPods 5 provide better value for many users.