AirPods 5 make one meaningful repairability improvement: iFixit found that each earbud’s battery connects with prongs instead of tiny soldered leads, and the shell opened more cleanly in its teardown. But accessing the battery still means carefully opening a glued earbud, the charging-case battery remained destructive to reach, and Apple does not offer a self-service battery-repair path. iFixit scored the earbuds 2 out of 10, its highest AirPods score—not a sign that they are easy to repair.
What changed in the AirPods 5 earbud batteries?
In its September 29, 2026 teardown, iFixit found pronged battery contacts that unplug, rather than the tiny soldered leads it describes in earlier AirPods. It also found a small seam that let the shell open more cleanly around the driver. Together, those changes make the battery connection more accessible once the earbud is open.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
The improvement is specific to the earbuds. iFixit says it had previously seen pronged batteries in AirPods 3, but found them difficult to reach without deforming or cutting the plastic. AirPods 5’s cleaner opening improves access; it does not remove the challenge of opening a sealed earbud.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Why replacing a battery is still difficult
The shell can be damaged during opening
The battery sits inside a glued shell. iFixit removed glue strips at the battery’s sides and lifted the cell out, but its teardown required careful heating and patient prying. A first attempt to open the stem melted plastic. This is evidence that a skilled repairer may be able to reach the battery—not that replacement is a simple or low-risk home repair.
#1 Best Overall
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION—AirPods 5 offer improved Active Noise Cancellation to help reduce outside noise.
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency for the best listening experience in any environment.* Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing if you start talking.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION—Communicate across languages using Live Translation, enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- NEW SIRI AI—Get more done every day with hands-free access to an even more powerful and personalized AI assistant on your iPhone.* Ask open-ended questions, brainstorm, and have full conversations.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO—Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
Each earbud needs the correct battery
The left and right batteries are not interchangeable. iFixit found reversed polarity when it tried moving the left battery to the right earbud, as well as prongs that sat slightly off-center. A replacement must match the side it is intended for. In its September 29, 2026 article, iFixit said replacement batteries were not yet available.
There is no official self-repair route described by Apple
iFixit reported that Apple offered no repair manual or Self Service Repair path for AirPods 5. Its teardown findings therefore do not amount to an Apple-supported battery-replacement procedure.
Rank #2
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION—AirPods 5 offer improved Active Noise Cancellation to help reduce outside noise, at their best value yet.
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency for the best listening experience in any environment.* Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing if you start talking.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION—Communicate across languages using Live Translation, enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- NEW SIRI AI—Get more done every day with hands-free access to an even more powerful and personalized AI assistant on your iPhone.* Ask open-ended questions, brainstorm, and have full conversations.
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY—Next-generation Adaptive EQ for better sound quality. Voice Isolation improves call quality in loud conditions,* using advanced computational audio to reduce background noise and clarify your voice.
The charging case remains the bigger repairability problem
The case did not get the same improvement as the earbuds. iFixit describes tight seams and plastic welds rather than screws; in its attempt to reach the case battery, the case was destroyed. A removable battery connection inside an earbud cannot make the product broadly repairable if the case battery remains inaccessible without destruction.
How much better is the repairability score?
iFixit gave AirPods 5 a repairability score of 2 out of 10, which it called the highest score it had given AirPods. The same article says AirPods earbuds had received 0 out of 10 for the preceding ten years. Those figures describe iFixit’s own scorecard, not an industry-wide certification or a uniform comparison of every AirPods generation.
Rank #3
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
The score captures the limited nature of the change: a more accessible earbud battery connection, offset by a delicate opening process, side-specific cells, no replacement batteries reported available at publication, and a case that iFixit could not open without destroying it.
What can owners do if an AirPod battery wears out?
Apple says customers can start troubleshooting or arrange service in person at an Apple Store or Authorized Service Provider, or by mail. Its AirPods service and repair page says the one-year limited warranty covers manufacturing issues, but not batteries that wear down through normal use; fees may apply when coverage does not apply. Service options can vary by location and parts availability.
Rank #4
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION—AirPods 5 offer improved Active Noise Cancellation to help reduce outside noise.
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency for the best listening experience in any environment.* Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing if you start talking.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION—Communicate across languages using Live Translation, enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- NEW SIRI AI—Get more done every day with hands-free access to an even more powerful and personalized AI assistant on your iPhone.* Ask open-ended questions, brainstorm, and have full conversations.
- PERSONALIZED SPATIAL AUDIO—Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking places sound all around you, creating a theater-like listening experience for music, TV shows, movies, games, and more.*
For customers with AppleCare, Apple says battery service is at no extra charge if capacity falls below 80%. That statement does not establish that Apple replaces an individual AirPods 5 battery cell. Apple’s page does not provide an exact fee here, so the cost of service outside coverage should be confirmed with Apple for the owner’s location and circumstances.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallWhat to consider if repairability is a priority
AirPods 5 are a small step forward, not a repair-first design. iFixit briefly points to Fairphone Fairbuds as an example that prioritizes battery replacement in both the earbuds and case; that is a design contrast, not a head-to-head repair test. For any earbuds, the useful questions are whether the shell can be opened without damage, whether the battery disconnects once reached, whether correct replacement cells are available, and whether the case can be opened and serviced too.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION—AirPods 5 offer improved Active Noise Cancellation to help reduce outside noise, at their best value yet.
- HEAR THE WORLD AROUND YOU—Adaptive Audio blends Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency for the best listening experience in any environment.* Conversation Awareness automatically lowers the volume of what’s playing if you start talking.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION—Communicate across languages using Live Translation, enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- NEW SIRI AI—Get more done every day with hands-free access to an even more powerful and personalized AI assistant on your iPhone.* Ask open-ended questions, brainstorm, and have full conversations.
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY—Next-generation Adaptive EQ for better sound quality. Voice Isolation improves call quality in loud conditions,* using advanced computational audio to reduce background noise and clarify your voice.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
