Let me start by saying these earbuds are a noticeable step up from the Elite 3 series. The hybrid ANC actually works - I tested them on a noisy subway and could still hear my podcast clearly. The HearThrough mode isn't as natural as some competitors, but gets the job done when you need situational awareness.

The fit is where these really shine for me. As someone with smaller ears, most earbuds either hurt or fall out during workouts. The Elite 5 stays put during runs while remaining comfortable for hours. The included ear gels provide a good seal without that annoying pressure feeling.

Sound quality is good but not mind-blowing. Bass lovers might be slightly disappointed - even with the EQ maxed out in the Sound+ app, it lacks the punch of more expensive models. However, mids and highs are crisp, making these great for podcasts and calls.

Battery life is decent at around 6-7 hours per charge (with ANC on). I do wish they charged faster - leaving them overnight has become part of my routine. The case feels premium and supports wireless charging, which is nice.

The multipoint connectivity works flawlessly in my experience - switching between my phone and laptop happens seamlessly. Call quality is excellent thanks to those six mics; people say I sound clearer than when using my phone directly.

My biggest gripe? The touch controls take some getting used to. I've accidentally skipped tracks or activated voice assistant more times than I'd like to admit during the first week of use.

Overall, these are fantastic mid-range earbuds that excel at comfort and call quality while offering decent ANC performance. Just don't expect audiophile-grade sound or AirPods-level ecosystem integration.