Wireless Earbuds · owner-verdict comparison

Apple AirPods 5 vs EAH-AZ100: what real owners say

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods 5: 65% of 129 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 233 for the EAH-AZ100.

Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score

Apple AirPods 5

65%of 129 owners recommend

65% recommend · 9% neutral · 26% don't

Owners praise

Comfortable open fit for owners who can't stand silicone ear tips
Noise canceling that owners call surprisingly strong for an earbud without a seal
Sound that most owners who mention it like

Owners complain about

Fit doesn't suit every ear: some owners say one or both buds keep falling out, and a few say they hurt
Noise canceling falls short of sealed models like the AirPods Pro 3
Sound tuning divides owners, with complaints of muddy or overpowering bass from some and a lack of punch from others

Full owner report →

EAH-AZ100

55%of 233 owners recommend

55% recommend · 26% neutral · 19% don't

Owners praise

Rich, detailed sound quality with strong bass, wide soundstage, and clear separation that many owners rank above rivals like the Sony XM5/XM6 and AZ80
Frequently called the best or most well-rounded earbuds owners have used, excelling across sound, features, and daily usability
Firmware updates have meaningfully improved sound tuning and ANC over time, with owners noting clearer vocals, better bass focus, and improved call quality after updating

Owners complain about

ANC is inconsistent across owners, described by many as mediocre, weak, or nearly nonexistent for the price, especially compared to Bose and Sony
Fit and comfort problems are common, including buds falling out, painful hard-shell pressure, and slick stock tips that don't stay seated
Stock tuning is often described as muddy or overly bass-heavy, requiring EQ adjustment to sound its best

Full owner report →

Which should you buy?

Get the Apple AirPods 5 if

✓People who find silicone ear tips uncomfortable but still want noise canceling
✓Owners of first- or second-generation AirPods ready for noise canceling
✓Casual, all-day listening at work or at home

Skip it if

People whose ears don't hold a tipless earbud, since some owners say one or both buds keep falling out
Buyers who want the strongest noise canceling, where owners who compare the two say the AirPods Pro 3 blocks more

Get the EAH-AZ100 if

✓Listeners willing to EQ for detailed, audiophile-leaning sound and wide soundstage
✓All-rounders wanting one bud for music, calls, movies, and long battery life
✓Buyers who prioritize sound quality and deep bass over class-leading ANC
✓Owners who find a snug alt-tip fit (Comply/Spinfit) for stability and comfort

Skip it if

Metal/rock fans annoyed by the bloated, muddy stock bass tuning
Gamers or video watchers sensitive to noticeable audio latency

What Apple AirPods 5 owners say

“these are by far the best airpods apple has made great fit (although the gen 2 are my favorite fit) best sound and has the option of anc / transparency plus the new equalizer is really handy and the volume swipe and extra battery are worth it in my opinion”
— @Ghostface1216 on YouTube

“Just bought the 5’s with the upgraded case coming from 1st gen that finally died. Wow, night and day difference. ANC is really good and they sound great”
— @stevenhintz5508 on YouTube

“I just got them, the bummer thing is the ANC being too strong I can't stand the pressure in my ears”
— @captainsparrow1229 on YouTube

What EAH-AZ100 owners say

“EAH-AZ100 is in another league”
— Master_Cartoonist_16 on Reddit

“I love them, got them $80 off.”
— Harkwit on Reddit

“I felt the same as well. These are so overrated”
— 1ElectricalZ1 on Reddit

Apple AirPods 5 vs EAH-AZ100: frequently asked questions

Is the Apple AirPods 5 or the EAH-AZ100 better?

Real owners lean toward the Apple AirPods 5: 65% of 129 owners recommend it, vs 55% of 233 for the EAH-AZ100.

Who should get the Apple AirPods 5?

Owners point the Apple AirPods 5 at people who find silicone ear tips uncomfortable but still want noise canceling, and owners of first- or second-generation AirPods ready for noise canceling.

Who should get the EAH-AZ100?

Owners point the EAH-AZ100 at listeners willing to EQ for detailed, audiophile-leaning sound and wide soundstage, and all-rounders wanting one bud for music, calls, movies, and long battery life.

What do owners complain about?

The most-cited downside of the Apple AirPods 5 is fit doesn't suit every ear: some owners say one or both buds keep falling out, and a few say they hurt. For the EAH-AZ100, it's aNC is inconsistent across owners, described by many as mediocre, weak, or nearly nonexistent for the price, especially compared to Bose and Sony.