Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones Review

What the Sony WH-1000XM5 actually is

These are Sony's flagship wireless over-ear headphones, the fifth generation of a line that has owned the premium noise-canceling category for years. They run roughly $330 to $400 on Amazon, depending on sales and color. For that money you get active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, around 30 hours of battery, and Sony's full software suite.

The XM5 was a real redesign over the older XM4. New 30mm drivers, more microphones for the noise canceling, and a sleeker, slimmer headband. The one structural change people still grumble about: the earcups no longer fold flat into a compact ball. The case is bigger as a result.

Noise canceling that earns the price

This is the reason to buy them. The XM5 crushes low-frequency drone better than anything short of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and most owners give Sony the edge on consistency. Plane engines, the hum of an open-plan office, the rumble of a train. All of it fades into the background.

Where ANC always struggles is sudden high-pitched sound, and the XM5 is no different. A nearby toddler or a clattering keyboard still pokes through. But for steady ambient noise, this is about as good as it gets in a consumer headphone.

Comfort and sound day to day

The XM5 is genuinely light, and the soft earpads spread pressure well. People wear these for full transatlantic flights without their ears aching, which is more than you can say for a lot of premium cans. Glasses wearers report fewer hot spots than usual too.

Out of the box the sound leans warm and bass-forward, tuned to please rather than to be neutral. If that's not your taste, the Sony Headphones Connect app has a proper EQ to flatten it out. Call quality is solid, helped by the beam-forming mics, though it still won't replace a dedicated headset in a loud room.

The annoyances worth knowing

Battery sits around 30 hours with ANC on, which is fine but no longer class-leading now that rivals push past 40. A quick charge gives you a few hours from a short top-up.

The touch controls on the right earcup are responsive but fiddly in cold weather or with gloves. And because the cups don't fold flat, the case takes up real room in a backpack. Multipoint Bluetooth works, but switching between two devices can be clumsy.

Who should buy it, and who should skip it

Buy the XM5 if you fly often, commute on noisy transit, or work somewhere loud and want the best quiet money can reasonably buy. Frequent travelers are the obvious sweet spot. The comfort and ANC combination is hard to beat for long stretches.

Skip it if you mostly listen at a quiet desk, where cheaper headphones do the job, or if you want true studio-flat sound. Audio purists should look elsewhere. And if foldability matters to you, the older XM4 still folds and often sells for a lot less.

The verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is still the headphone to recommend first when someone wants top-tier noise canceling without overthinking it. The sound is enjoyable, the comfort is excellent, and the quiet is the real product.

It is not cheap, and the non-folding design and middling battery keep it from being perfect. But for travel and noisy environments, this remains our default pick. Wait for a sale and it gets easier to justify.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sony WH-1000XM5 better than the XM4?

Yes, for noise canceling, call quality, and comfort. The XM4 still wins on portability since it folds flat and usually costs less, so it's a smart budget alternative.

How long does the battery last?

About 30 hours with noise canceling on, and more with it off. A short charge gives you a few hours of playback, which is handy before a flight.

Is the WH-1000XM5 good for phone calls?

It's good, not great. The multiple mics handle voice well in quiet to moderate settings, but a very loud environment will still let background noise creep in.