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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchApple’s AirPods 5 are the most repairable AirPods earbuds iFixit has scored—but the rating is still just 2/10. The improvement is specific: iFixit found that the batteries inside the earbuds can be unplugged after opening their housings. The charging case remains effectively inaccessible, and iFixit reported no replacement parts, repair manuals, or Self Service Repair path for the earbuds when it published its teardown on September 29, 2026.
What does AirPods 5’s 2/10 repairability score mean?
In its September 29, 2026 teardown, iFixit gave AirPods 5 a repairability score of 2/10—the highest score it had awarded to AirPods earbuds. The same teardown describes a history of 0/10 scores for earlier AirPods. That makes AirPods 5 a relative improvement, not an easy-to-repair product or a high-scoring device. iFixit’s teardown and score explanation are the basis for the rating.
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The score reflects a change in the earbuds’ battery connections. It does not mean every part of the AirPods 5 system—including the charging case—can be repaired. iFixit’s ratings are its own repairability assessments, not standardized regulatory scores.
Can you replace the AirPods 5 earbud batteries?
iFixit found that each earbud’s battery connects through prongs rather than soldered leads. Once the housing is open and the adhesive strips are cleared, the battery can be unplugged. That is a meaningful design change because it makes battery removal possible without desoldering the battery connections.
#1 Best Overall
- 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.
Opening the earbuds is still delicate work. iFixit used low heat from a hair dryer and a clamp to open a bud, then carefully pried the housing apart. This demonstrates a possible teardown method; it is not a beginner-safe repair guide or a recommendation to try the procedure without the right skills and tools. The authors, Elizabeth Chamberlain and Shahram Mokhtari, wrote that “skilled technicians and even intrepid DIYers will probably be able to replace AirPod batteries with a decent success rate.”
Left and right batteries are not interchangeable
The left and right cells have reversed polarity and slightly different prong placement, so a battery intended for one side cannot simply be installed in the other. iFixit said replacement batteries were not yet available when it published the teardown. Availability can change, so that statement applies to September 29, 2026—not necessarily to current stock.
Rank #2
- 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.*
Can the AirPods 5 charging-case battery be replaced?
The case is the biggest repairability weakness. iFixit reported that it destroyed the case while trying to reach its battery, which remained effectively inaccessible. The earbud battery connection improvement therefore does not extend to the case: a removable battery inside the buds does not make the complete set straightforward to service.
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Are replacement parts or official repair instructions available?
At the time of its teardown, iFixit reported that Apple had no replacement parts or repair manuals for these earbuds and that the Self Service Repair program offered no repair path for them. These are claims attributed to iFixit’s September 29, 2026 teardown, not an independently verified statement of Apple policy. Check Apple’s current service options and parts availability before arranging a repair.
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.*
How does AirPods 5 compare with a more repairable wireless headphone?
iFixit’s initial wireless-headphone scorecard gave the Fairphone Fairbuds XL 10/10, citing tool-free battery replacement, modular construction, documentation, and parts availability. That is a useful example of what a more repair-oriented design and support ecosystem can look like, but the Fairbuds XL are over-ear headphones, not earbuds. The 10/10 and 2/10 ratings are therefore not a like-for-like product comparison. iFixit’s wireless-headphone scorecard announcement explains the benchmark.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- SUPERIOR COMFORT — Unlike traditional circular ear buds, the design of EarPods is defined by the geometry of the ear. Which makes them more comfortable for more people than any other ear bud–style headphones.
- HIGH-QUALITY AUDIO — The speakers inside EarPods have been engineered to maximize sound output and minimize sound loss, which means you get high-quality audio.
- BUILT-IN REMOTE — EarPods with USB-C plug also include a built-in remote that lets you adjust the volume, control the playback of music and video, and answer or end calls with a pinch of the cord.
- COMPATIBILITY — Works with all devices that have a USB-C port.
- INTEGRATED MICROPHONE — A built-in microphone precisely captures your voice while you’re on the phone, taking a FaceTime call, or summoning Siri — so you’re always heard loud and clear.
Rank #4
- REBUILT FOR COMFORT — AirPods 4 have been redesigned for exceptional all-day comfort and greater stability. With a refined contour, shorter stem, and quick-press controls for music or calls.
- 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.*
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — AirPods 4 feature the Apple-designed H2 chip. Voice Isolation improves the quality of phone calls in loud conditions. Using advanced computational audio, it reduces background noise while isolating and clarifying the sound of your voice for whomever you’re speaking to.*
- MAGICAL EXPERIENCE — Just say “Siri” or “Hey Siri” to play a song, make a call, or check your schedule.* And with Siri Interactions, now you can respond to Siri by simply nodding your head yes or shaking your head no.* Pair AirPods 4 by simply placing them near your device and tapping Connect on your screen.* Easily share a song or show between two sets of AirPods.* An optical in-ear sensor knows to play audio only when you’re wearing AirPods and pauses when you take them off. And you can track down your AirPods and Charging Case with the Find My app.*
- LONG BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 5 hours of listening time on a single charge. And get up to 30 hours of total listening time using the case.*
What to take away before buying or repairing
- For earbud battery repair: AirPods 5’s pronged, unplug-able batteries make replacement more plausible than in earlier AirPods, but opening the shells takes care and replacement cells were not available when iFixit published its teardown.
- For the charging case: iFixit’s teardown found the battery effectively inaccessible without destroying the case.
- For service planning: iFixit reported no Apple parts, repair manuals, or Self Service Repair route for these earbuds at the time. Verify current service and parts options rather than assuming the situation is unchanged.
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