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AirPods 5 are easier to access at the earbud batteries than earlier AirPods iFixit examined—but they are not broadly repairable. In its September 29, 2026 teardown, iFixit called them “the most repairable AirPods earbuds ever” and still scored them just 2/10: the earbuds’ batteries came out with a less destructive process, while the charging case was destroyed before its battery could be reached.
What changed inside the AirPods 5 earbuds?
iFixit found pronged batteries in the AirPods 5 earbuds, rather than the tiny soldered leads it encountered in the previous model. After opening each earbud around its driver, it removed glue strips beside the battery and popped the battery out. That makes the battery more accessible than before, but it does not mean a replacement is readily available or that the procedure is straightforward.
The left and right batteries are not interchangeable. iFixit found that their polarity is reversed and their prongs sit in slightly different positions. At the time of its teardown, iFixit said replacement batteries were not yet available.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsAccess still takes careful disassembly
iFixit described using a hair dryer on a low setting, a clamp, and patient prying. It kept the heat moving to avoid melting plastic. The teardown shows that commonly available tools can reach the earbud battery, not that this is an easy, validated repair for ordinary owners. It is an observation of iFixit’s disassembly, not a consumer repair guide.
#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.
Why the charging case remains difficult to repair
The earbuds’ improved battery access does not extend to the case. iFixit encountered tight seams and struggled to remove the inner layer even with a rework station. It also found plastic welds where screws could have allowed further disassembly. By the time it reached the case battery, the case had been destroyed.
That difference matters: an earbud battery that can be accessed with careful work is only one part of a repairable product. The case battery and charging port are also important components. In an April 2024 Fairbuds article, iFixit repairability engineer Carsten Frauenheim identified earbud batteries, the case battery, and the case charging port as key components to consider when scoring repairability.
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.*
What iFixit’s 2/10 score means
iFixit gave AirPods 5 a repairability score of 2/10 in 2026, the highest score it had given AirPods at the time. The score recognizes the improvement in earbud battery access; it does not mean the whole product is easy to open, that every battery can be replaced, or that parts and repair instructions are available.
For context, iFixit gave Fairbuds a provisional 10/10 in 2024, pending verification of promised repair manuals and replacement-part availability. These are iFixit assessments published at different times, not results from a common independent standard. The more useful comparison is what can be replaced, how difficult access is, and whether the necessary parts and instructions exist.
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.*
| Repair consideration | AirPods 5 | Fairbuds, as described by iFixit in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Earbud batteries | iFixit reached and removed them using a less destructive procedure, but said replacement batteries were not yet available at teardown publication. | iFixit described replaceable batteries in both earbuds, with limited disassembly. |
| Charging-case battery | iFixit destroyed the case before reaching its battery. | iFixit described a screw-accessed, replaceable case battery. |
| Score | 2/10 from iFixit in 2026, its highest AirPods score at that time. | 10/10 provisional from iFixit in 2024, pending verification of promised manuals and parts. |
Fairbuds are a more concrete alternative to consider if replaceable batteries are a priority; they are not an AirPods-compatible replacement. iFixit also noted limitations, and its score was provisional. The 2024 assessment does not establish current price, stock, compatibility, or availability in a particular region.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What repair options did Apple list?
Apple’s AirPods service page says customers can begin with troubleshooting or arrange repair or replacement. It describes in-person service through Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider, as well as mail-in service. The page does not establish that Apple performs a component-level AirPods 5 battery replacement, so a service or replacement route should not be treated as proof that the earbuds are repairable at the component level.
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.*
Apple says its one-year limited warranty does not cover accidental damage or batteries that wear down through normal use. Final fees follow inspection, and service options may vary by location and parts availability. These details describe Apple’s general AirPods service information; consult the page for current options applicable to your location.
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.
What the teardown does—and does not—establish
- It establishes: iFixit’s observations of AirPods 5 disassembly, its 2/10 score, and the greater access it found to the earbud batteries.
- It does not establish: current replacement-part availability beyond the September 2026 teardown, an Apple component-level battery-repair process, or typical success rates for home or third-party repairs.
- It is not: an independent repairability score or proof that an ordinary owner can perform a successful repair.
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