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AirPods 5 earned a 2/10 repairability score from iFixit—the highest score iFixit says it has given AirPods, but still a very low rating. Their earbud batteries can be unplugged after the shells are opened, a modest improvement over earlier designs. The charging case remains effectively unrepairable, and the teardown did not identify an Apple repair route for these earbuds.
What iFixit’s 2/10 score means
In its September 29, 2026 teardown, iFixit called AirPods 5 its most repairable AirPods earbuds yet. The score breaks a run of 0/10 ratings for previous AirPods in iFixit’s score history, but it does not make the AirPods 5 easy to repair. The 2/10 is iFixit’s assessment of this product, not a standardized regulatory rating.
Most of the improvement is inside the earbuds: each battery connects with prongs rather than soldered leads. That makes battery removal possible once the housing is opened. It does not solve the larger access problems, provide replacement parts, or make the charging case serviceable. iFixit’s teardown and score provide the primary account.
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Can you replace an AirPods 5 battery?
Technically, yes: iFixit found that an earbud battery can be unplugged after opening the bud and clearing adhesive strips. Its teardown authors said, “for the first time, we think skilled technicians and even intrepid DIYers will probably be able to replace AirPod batteries with a decent success rate.” That is a qualified assessment of a possible repair, not a promise of success for every repairer.
#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.*
Opening the earbud takes care
iFixit opened a bud using low heat from a hair dryer and a clamp, followed by careful prying. The method shows that opening can be done; it is not a beginner-safe repair guide or a recommendation to improvise with household tools. The small, adhesive-sealed housing makes damage a real concern.
Left and right batteries are not interchangeable
The cells have reversed polarity and slightly different prong placement, so the left and right batteries cannot be swapped between earbuds. iFixit also reported that replacement batteries were not available when it published the teardown on September 29, 2026. Availability can change, so check current parts options before treating a battery replacement as practical.
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 is still the main repairability problem
The earbud battery change does not extend to the case. iFixit reported that reaching the charging-case battery destroyed the case, leaving it effectively inaccessible through a nondestructive repair. A replaceable battery connection inside each bud is therefore only a limited improvement to the overall product.
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Parts and official repair access remain unresolved
At the time of its teardown, iFixit said Apple had no replacement parts or repair manuals for AirPods 5 and that the Self Service Repair program offered no repair path for them. Those are iFixit’s reported findings as of September 29, 2026; they are not independently verified statements of Apple policy, and service options may change.
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 the score compares with a more repairable wireless headphone
iFixit’s initial wireless-headphone scorecard gave Fairphone Fairbuds XL a 10/10, citing tool-free battery replacement, modularity, documentation, and parts availability. That is a useful illustration of what a repair-oriented design can offer, not a like-for-like score comparison: Fairbuds XL are over-ear headphones, while AirPods 5 are earbuds. iFixit describes its scorecard and the Fairbuds XL rating in its wireless-headphone repairability announcement.
MacRumors independently summarized the AirPods 5 teardown findings, including removable earbud batteries and the difficult case, on September 29, 2026: AirPods 5 teardown: batteries removable, case still tough.
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.
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.*
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.
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