The Sony WH-1000XM5 has earned a solid reputation for blending premium comfort, refined sound, and powerful noise cancellation.
While newer models like the XM6 promise small upgrades, the XM5 still holds its ground as a balanced, long-lasting choice for most users.
It’s built for people who want immersive listening without the distractions, making it ideal for work, travel, or daily use.
In this review, I’ll share how the XM5 performs in real conditions and why it continues to be one of the most practical and rewarding premium headphones available today.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Overview
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the next step in Sony’s premium noise-canceling headphone line, following the XM4 and coming before the XM6.
It was built to refine comfort, improve clarity, and deliver stronger ANC performance.
Sony changed the design approach with this model. The XM5 is lighter, has a slimmer headband, and uses a fixed hinge instead of the foldable style from the XM4. While this gives it a cleaner look, it’s less compact for travel.
Overall, the XM5 continues to stand out as one of the top options for noise cancellation, comfort, and smart audio features.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: Performance and Features
The Sony Headphones WH-1000XM5 focus on reliable performance, comfort, and smart functionality. It combines powerful noise cancellation, refined sound quality, and dependable battery life with a well-designed build and seamless connectivity:
1. Noise Cancellation Performance
The adaptive ANC system automatically adjusts based on your surroundings, using multiple microphones and sensors to control external noise.
During real-world testing on planes, subways, cafés, and open offices, it effectively reduced low-end rumbles and background chatter.
Compared to the XM4, it delivers a smoother, more natural silence, while the XM6 only slightly improves clarity through upgraded microphones. Overall, it achieves around a 90% reduction in ambient noise.
2. Sound Quality
The XM5 has a warm sound profile with deep bass and mildly recessed mids, creating a relaxed and full tone. Through the Sony Headphones Connect app, EQ tuning brings out clearer vocals and more balanced highs.
Adjusting the bass down slightly and increasing the treble sharpens the sound without losing richness.
It supports LDAC, AAC, and SBC codecs for high-resolution Bluetooth playback, though true lossless quality remains out of reach in wired mode.
3. Battery Life and Charging
Battery life extends up to 30 hours with ANC active, offering two to three days of use under typical conditions.
A quick three-minute charge provides about three hours of playback, making it convenient for travel or work breaks.
Charging via USB-C takes roughly three and a half hours for a full recharge, and the performance remains consistent over time with minimal degradation.
4. Design and Comfort
Weighing around 250 grams, the XM5 feels light while maintaining a stable fit. The soft-fit leather earcups and cushioned headband provide lasting comfort, even after several hours of wear.
In a three-hour continuous use test, it showed minimal heat buildup and no noticeable pressure points.
The fixed hinge and non-foldable design make it less portable, but the clean finish gives it a modern, professional look.
5. App Experience and Controls
The Sony Headphones Connect app enhances usability with detailed control over sound and noise cancellation. Users can customize ANC levels, EQ settings, and ambient modes to suit different environments.
Multipoint pairing, voice assistant access, and the speak-to-chat function all work smoothly.
Touch controls on the earcups are responsive and accurate, allowing quick control of volume, playback, and calls.
6. Connectivity and Use Cases
Equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, the XM5 connects quickly and maintains stable performance across devices. It switches effortlessly between phones and laptops with minimal delay.
On Windows, disabling “hands-free telephony” in sound settings fixes the issue of low call quality.
Across various environments, offices, travel, home, and gyms, it remains dependable, offering comfort, clarity, and consistent signal stability for daily use.
7. Pricing and Value
- WH-1000XM5: Original launch in the higher price tier, now typically available around US $299–$329.
- WH-1000XM6: Positioned at the premium end, generally priced around US $399–$450+
At its current price, the XM5 delivers strong long-term value with reliable ANC, long battery life, and solid build quality. It suits students, professionals, and frequent travelers who need dependable performance without paying top dollar.
Overall, the XM5 offers one of the best price-to-performance ratios in its class, balancing cost and capability better than most newer models.
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Other Alternatives
The Sony WH-1000XM5 sits in a highly competitive category where brands like Bose and Sennheiser also offer excellent wireless headphones.
| Model | ANC | Sound & Comfort | Features | Price (USD) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Excellent | Warm and clear | Rich and versatile | $300–$350 | Still worth it |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Best | Balanced and refined | Premium and foldable | $380–$450 | Slight upgrade |
| Sony WH-1000XM4 | Great | Warmer and fuller | Foldable and reliable | $250–$310 | Value pick |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | Excellent | Neutral and clean | Mixed software experience | $400–$460 | Audiophile choice |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Strong | Detailed and natural | Long battery life | $300–$350 | Balanced option |
While the XM6 adds refinements and the Bose QC Ultra targets audiophiles, the XM5 remains the practical all-rounder with top-tier ANC, comfort, and pricing that still makes sense for most listeners.
Should You Still Buy It?
The Sony WH-1000XM5 still delivers top-tier noise cancellation, clear sound with EQ tuning, and lasting comfort for long use. Battery life and smart features remain reliable, making it a well-rounded option.
It’s best for students, professionals, and travelers who want high-end ANC and comfort at a lower price.
Those who prefer a foldable design or need the newest upgrades may find the XM6 more suitable. The XM6 adds a new ANC processor and foldable hinge, but the overall improvement is minor.
The XM5 remains the smarter buy for most users, offering premium performance and long-term reliability at a better price.
User Reviews and Real-World Feedback
Real users highlight how the Sony WH-1000XM5 performs beyond specs – from everyday comfort to long-term reliability and sound experience.
“Noise cancellation is outstanding — it completely blocks out the city noise during my commute.” – Tomemcd, Sony Community
“After a year, they still sound amazing and feel light enough for long flights.” – Conscious_Rain4840, Reddit
“The audio is warm and full, but I miss the foldable design from the XM4.” – Noodlesandcookie, Reddit
“They’re easily the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever owned.” – Cheesebuggah, Head-Fi Forum
“Sound quality is excellent, though the build feels a bit delicate over time.” – Yeetusdelete0, Sony Forum
Conclusion
The Sony WH-1000XM5 review shows that this model still stands out for its mix of comfort, clean sound, and class-leading noise cancellation.
It performs reliably in daily use, with solid battery life, stable connectivity, and features that remain relevant even next to newer releases.
The XM5’s balance between performance and price makes it an easy recommendation for students, professionals, and travelers who want dependable quality without stretching their budget.
Ready to experience it yourself? Try the Sony WH-1000XM5 and hear why it continues to be a fan favorite.
