Image: 茅野ふたば / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
In short: AirPods 5 are the first base AirPods with active noise cancelling. They cost about €149, often less at retailers. According to hifi.de, they offer the best ANC of any half-open earbuds, but have weaknesses in battery life and features. IMTEST names the JBL Tour Pro 3 its winner and the Soundcore Liberty 4 NC (about €70) its value pick.
Test results
| Model | Verdict | Battery |
|---|---|---|
| JBL Tour Pro 3 | IMTEST winner | 9+ h with ANC |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | strong ANC | 11+ h with ANC, 17 h without |
| AirPods 5 | best half-open ANC (hifi.de) | 4 h with ANC (hifi.de) |
| Galaxy Buds4 Pro | best with Samsung | 7.5+ h |
| Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro | premium | 7+ h |
| Huawei FreeBuds Pro 5 | €200 | about 6 h |
| Soundcore Liberty 4 NC | IMTEST value pick, €70 | n/a |
AirPods 5
iOS 27 adds a three-band equaliser, conversation awareness and Live Translation. Downsides, according to hifi.de: about 4 hours with ANC (5 hours for the wireless-charging case version), no volume swipe on the base model, a case without speaker or wireless charging on the cheaper version, only SBC and AAC, Bluetooth 5.3, and no multipoint or Auracast. IMTEST lists over 7.5 hours, likely measured without ANC; we report both figures as the sources state them.
The rest
The JBL Tour Pro 3 has a touch-display case that can also transmit audio, for example from in-flight entertainment, though IMTEST found the microphone weaker. The Sony WF-1000XM6 offers excellent battery life. The Galaxy Buds4 Pro are limited on iPhone. AirPods Pro 3 add heart-rate sensing for workouts.
Buying and care tips
Earbuds with silicone tips seal better than half-open designs, so try different tip sizes. Pick earbuds that match your phone: AirPods for iPhone, Galaxy Buds for Samsung. Judge battery life by the ANC figure, since that reflects everyday use, and look for multipoint if you switch between phone and laptop. Clean your earbuds regularly with a dry, soft cloth and brush, avoid water and sharp objects, and do not leave them in a hot car. Many apps can limit charging to 80 percent to protect the battery.
Who should buy what
iPhone users on a budget: AirPods 5. Frequent travellers: Sony WF-1000XM6. Gadget fans: JBL Tour Pro 3. Samsung owners: Galaxy Buds4 Pro. Bargain hunters: Soundcore Liberty 4 NC. Prefer bigger headphones? See our over-ear comparison and the iPhone 18 Pro facts. More in the in-ears section.
Sources
