Apple announced AirPods 5 on 9 September 2026 and put them in the shops on 18 September. Our leather AirPods 5 cases were ready before the earbuds arrived.
The short version: the case comes in full grain leather in Saddle Brown, Dark Brown or Black, or in softer Nappa leather in six colours. The status light stays visible, wireless charging works with the case on, and every case arrives in a gift box.
The rest of this guide covers what Apple changed, whether your old case still fits, and how to choose a leather you will still like in three years.
What Apple Changed With AirPods 5
There are two versions this year: AirPods 5 and AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case. Both now come with active noise cancellation, which on AirPods 4 was kept for the dearer model. The wireless version also charges on Qi chargers and the Apple Watch charger, and its case has a small speaker for Find My.
Both are rated IP57 for dust and water, up from IP54. In practice that means brief immersion rather than the odd splash.
What did not change is the size. The AirPods 5 charging case measures 46.2 x 50.1 x 21.2 mm, the same as the AirPods 4 case, and it is still glossy white plastic. IP57 keeps the water out. It does nothing about the keys in your pocket.
Will an AirPods 4 Case Fit AirPods 5?
Yes. The charging case kept its shape and size, so a well made AirPods 4 case fits AirPods 5 too. Our AirPods 4 cases and AirPods 5 cases are made to the same 5.5 x 5.2 x 2.7 cm dimensions, so if you already own one of ours, it moves straight across to your new pair.
AirPods Pro are a different story. AirPods Pro 3 come in a differently shaped charging case, so they need a leather AirPods Pro 3 case instead.
Inside Our Leather AirPods 5 Case
The case comes in two parts, one for the lid and one for the base, so the lid opens and closes the way it always has. The details:
- Two leathers, nine colours. Full grain leather in three classic shades, or Nappa leather in six.
- The status light stays visible. A small opening at the front sits over the light, so you can still check the charge at a glance.
- Wireless charging with the case on. If you have AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case, put it on a Qi charger without taking the leather off.
- Compact. At 5.5 x 5.2 x 2.7 cm, it is about half a centimetre larger than the bare case in each direction.
- A gift box as standard. Every AirPods case leaves us boxed, whether it is a present or not.
Full Grain or Nappa: Which Leather Should You Choose?
Both are real, full grain leather. The difference is the finish, and you will feel it the first time you pick the case up.
| Full grain leather | Nappa leather | |
|---|---|---|
| Colours | Saddle Brown, Dark Brown, Black | Black, Grey, Navy Blue, Avocado Green, Turquoise Blue, Orange |
| Feel | Firmer, with a natural grain you can see | Soft and smooth |
| With use | Darkens and builds a patina | Softens and changes more subtly |
| Choose it if | You want patina, or a match for our iPhone cases | You want colour, or a match for a Nappa strap or sleeve |
Still undecided? Saddle Brown is the most popular shade across our range, and on something you pick up dozens of times a day, the patina has plenty to work with. We wrote more about why leather still matters and how it ages.
Matching It With the Rest of Your Kit
An AirPods case rarely sits alone. It ends up next to your phone on a desk, a café table or the bedside. If your iPhone 18 leather case is Saddle Brown, Dark Brown or Black, the same shade on your AirPods pulls the two together. Still choosing your phone case? Our guide to pairing leather with the iPhone 18 Pro colours will help.
The Nappa colours line up with our Nappa Apple Watch straps and several of our MacBook sleeves. One bright piece, say an Avocado Green AirPods case beside a brown phone case, looks chosen rather than random. For the full approach, see how to build a matching leather set.
Looking After a Leather AirPods Case
Leather asks for less care than most people expect.
- Wipe it now and then. A soft, dry cloth removes dust and the oils from your hands.
- Condition it occasionally. If the leather starts to feel dry, a little conditioner every two or three months is enough. Leather Honey and Chamberlain's Leather Milk both work well.
- Dry it slowly. Your AirPods are rated IP57. The leather is not. If it gets wet, pat it dry and leave it at room temperature, away from radiators and hairdryers.
- Clear out the lint. Every few weeks, take the case off and shake out anything that has collected inside.
The same routine suits all of our leather. Our step by step guide on how to clean a leather phone case goes into more detail.
An Easy Gift to Get Right
An AirPods case is one of the safer presents you can buy. It arrives boxed, it gets used every day, and you only need to know which AirPods the other person owns. This year that is simpler than usual, because AirPods 4 and AirPods 5 take the same case. For more ideas, browse our guide to leather gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does wireless charging work through a leather AirPods 5 case?
Yes, if you have AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case. Leave the leather case on and place it on a Qi charger. The standard AirPods 5 charge by USB-C cable, with or without a case.
Can I still see the charging light?
Yes. A small opening at the front sits over the status light.
Will this case fit AirPods Pro 3?
No. AirPods Pro 3 use a differently shaped charging case, so choose one of our AirPods Pro 3 cases instead.
Is a leather AirPods case better than silicone?
They suit different people. Silicone is grippy and cheap to replace. Leather feels more substantial, picks up less lint and looks better with age rather than worse. We explain more in why premium AirPods cases have become an everyday essential.
Which colour shows the most patina?
Saddle Brown. As the lightest of our full grain shades, it shows the deepening of tone most clearly. Dark Brown and Black change more quietly.
Shop the AirPods 5 collection
All leather AirPods 5 cases
Saddle Brown full grain leather
Dark Brown full grain leather
Black full grain leather
Avocado Green Nappa leather
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