WH-1000XM5 Review

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SetupScore EditorsUpdated Feb 2026
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Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones with sleek design and plush ear cups, featuring industry-leading noise cancellation.
89 / 100
verified Excellent
starstarstarstar star
4.2
Amazon Rating 18,995 reviews

The Bottom Line

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones deliver industry-leading noise cancellation, making them an ideal choice for those seeking a quiet listening experience. With their lightweight design, they also provide exceptional comfort. While the price tag is higher than the previous model and the carrying case is larger, the enhanced ANC and comfort make these headphones a compelling option for audiophiles and frequent travelers.

MSRP: $400.00 at Amazon arrow_outward
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Our Analysis

Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones sit at the top of the noise-cancelling headphone market, offering a blend of comfort, sound quality, and advanced features that few competitors can match. What we found particularly impressive is the industry-leading noise cancellation, which was praised by six out of 18 sources, making them a standout choice for anyone looking to block out the world. Comfort is another strong suit, with the lightweight design and soft padding accommodating larger ears and allowing for extended wear. Sound quality is a joy; after EQ adjustments, it offers a fun and excellent listening experience. Additionally, these headphones deliver best-in-class voice call quality, as noted by four sources. However, the higher price tag compared to the previous model and a larger carrying case might be a turn-off for some, and the slightly disappointing 25-hour battery life — a step down from the 30-hour battery of the previous WH-1000XM4 — could be a deal-breaker for those who prioritize endurance.

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Review Insights

Customers praise these headphones for their awesome sound quality, superb noise cancellation, and incredible battery life that charges quickly. They are comfortable, with one customer noting they're easy on the ears. While some customers find them well worth the price, others say they're not worth the price tag. The durability receives mixed reviews, with several customers reporting that the headband starts falling apart. Functionality is also mixed, with some customers reporting that the right ear randomly stops working.

Topic Breakdown

AI-Analyzed

Sound quality

positive 1363 mentions

Customers praise the headphones' sound quality, noting they are loud with crisp highs, and one customer mentions the equalizer feature.

See what people said
"The sound quality and build quality are wonderful. The noise cancellation is 100% best-in-show. The microphone is much improved over previous models...."
"...headphones had everything I wanted - ANC, two connections at once, great sound, but I couldn't keep them on my head for more than 30 minutes without..."
"...The headphone's noise cancellation was amazing and it had great sound quality! This is a 10 out of 10 product I would recommend for long hour flights!"

Noise cancellation

positive 1135 mentions

Customers praise the headphones' noise cancellation capabilities.

See what people said
"...is still outstanding. Noise cancellation makes this my go-to device when I want to keep the door open to the outdoors. Will be traveling soon with it."
"...The noise cancelling for sure it is moderately improved over xm3 and the microphone results are amazing - It could not pick up my kid's crying right..."
"These headphones are nearly perfect in every aspect, great noise cancelling, great Bluetooth capabilities, Alexa is a bit wonky but deals decently..."

Quality

positive 942 mentions

Customers find these headphones to be of top quality, particularly praising their noise cancellation capabilities.

See what people said
"Great headphones, volume control is touch, and on the right side of the headset- and it seems to only go one way, up, but I'm not sure, as I didn't..."
"...Safe to say these are the best headphones when it comes to noise canceling. The app is intuitive and easily accessible...."
"Great product. One flaw unfortunately- when you swipe right or left on the touch panel, the transition to the next / previous song is not clean...."

Comfort

positive 646 mentions

Customers find these headphones extremely comfortable, noting that they sit well on their heads.

See what people said
"...will not be hurting the headphones themselves are very plush and comfortable and I have a smaller head in comparison to a lot of the headphones I've..."
"I got the smokey pink version. Very comfortable and cute, great sound quality, has a free app that lets you customize your sound quality/..."
"...- the Sony M5 headphones makes me really hot (temperature) and uncomfortable, preventing long-term use. - the Sony M5 headphones gave me a..."

Battery life

positive 369 mentions

Customers are satisfied with the headphones' battery life, noting that it charges quickly.

See what people said
"I bought it for the noise canceling, loved it because of the case, battery life, and the surprises it packs. Firstly, the noise canceling is amazing...."
"...Battery life is great—you're not reaching for the charger every few hours. And the controls are super intuitive, once you get the hang of them...."
"...Wide dynamic sound good separation, great battery life, light and comfortable but I would enjoy deeper pads for my big ears but this would change..."

Value for money

mixed 544 mentions

Customers have mixed opinions about the headphones' value for money, with some finding them well worth the price and praising their sound quality, while others feel they are not worth the price tag.

See what people said
"...hesitant to purchase these because of the price, but they are worth every penny. They also performed flawlessly on a recent flight that I took...."
"...Seems like a design flaw or bad parts used to make it. Not worth the money if we do not get help from Sony to get it fixed."
"...Worth the money if you want best in class ANC over anything else and if you crave lightweight and comfort. Air travelers, look no further...."

Functionality

mixed 481 mentions

Customers have mixed experiences with the headphones' functionality: while some report that the noise cancellation works really well, others mention that the left earphone stops working and the headphones become useless over time.

See what people said
"...It makes them unusable when this happens. It happens about every two hours. Once it starts, it continues until I turn them off and back on...."
"...Works great and works like a charm by either taking the headphones off or covering the touch control panel...."
"Good sound, some handy features but unfortunately mine seem to turn off randomly while listening to music, with a loud annoying pop sound when they..."

Durability

negative 488 mentions

Customers report durability issues with these headphones, noting that the headband, hinges, and earpieces are prone to breaking.

See what people said
"While noise cancellation is great and fit is good, the hinge broke when I dropped it on the seat of the airplane from a fairly low drop maybe 6..."
"...The zipable case the headphones live in also seem kinda cheap and flimsy. Again, it doesn't affect the headphone's performance. -..."
"I purchased these in June 2025 and in September 2025, they broke at the hinge. Who cares if the quality/ANC is great if you can't use them?..."

Key Points

What Reviewers Love

  • +

    Industry-leading noise cancellation

    Cited by 6 sources

  • +

    Comfortable due to lightweight design

    Cited by 6 sources

  • +

    Sony WH-1000XM5 has much better ANC compared to other headphones.

    Cited by 6 sources

  • +

    Fun, excellent sound quality (after EQ)

    Cited by 5 sources

What To Consider

  • −

    Higher price tag than previous model

    Cited by 3 sources

  • −

    Larger carrying case

    Cited by 3 sources

  • −

    25-hour battery life is disappointing

    Cited by 3 sources

  • −

    Skinnier headband design causes more top-of-head pressure

    Cited by 2 sources

check_circle Best For

  • Travelers seeking silence
  • Audiophiles on a budget
  • Professionals in noisy environments

warning Consider Carefully

  • Budget-conscious shoppers
  • Users prioritizing battery life

Specifications

Performance

Audio driver size
30 Millimeters
Audio driver type
Dynamic Driver
Audio latency
200 Milliseconds
Frequency response
2.4 GHz
Sensitivity
102 dB

Ergonomics

Control method
Touch
Control type
Voice Control
Earpiece shape
Circle
Headphones jack
3.5 mm Jack
Wearing detection
Yes

Source Analysis

This review synthesizes insights from 54 independent sources to provide a comprehensive, unbiased assessment.

Expert Reviews (15)

Professional testing labs & tech publications

whathifi.com

100/100
Verified Source

The Sony WH-1000XM5 offers an impressive audio experience with better detail levels, a more dynamic sound range, and a spacious, open presentation. It boasts improved ANC and call quality, making it a strong contender in the premium wireless headphone market. Despite its solid performance, it lacks aptX HD support and does not offer audio via USB-C, which are notable drawbacks.

Andy Madden Read →
Pros
  • Better levels of detail
  • Greater dynamic reach
  • More spacious, open presentation
  • Improved ANC and call quality
Cons
  • No aptX HD support
  • No audio via USB-C
  • Larger case

techgearlab.com

84/100
Verified Source

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones offer a comfortable fit with soft padding, accommodating larger ears and providing a comfortable wear for extended periods. They excel in noise cancellation, creating a musical bubble that minimizes external disturbances. The sound quality is well-balanced with rich lows, warm mids, and bright highs. The app allows for extensive customization, including equalizer settings and noise cancellation levels. While the 25-hour battery life is a bit disappointing compared to competitors, it's sufficient for most daily use. Phone call quality is superior, with clear voice transmission even in noisy environments.

Read →
Pros
  • Softly padded ear cups and headband
  • Accommodates larger ears comfortably
  • Fantastic noise blocking capabilities
  • Customizable sound settings with app
Cons
  • Padding compresses easily, causing sweat build-up
  • Not as luxurious as high-end competitors
  • 25-hour battery life is disappointing

cnet.com

89/100
Verified Source

The Sony WH-1000XM5, the latest in Sony's 1000X series, offers a refined design with a single hinge and redesigned headband, making it lighter and more comfortable. It retains the same battery life as its predecessor, up to 30 hours, with a quick charge feature. The headphones now have synthetic leather ear pads that seem more durable and breathable. They also come with Bluetooth 5.2 and dual processors, enhancing noise canceling and call quality.

See full bio Read →
Pros
  • More refined sound and even better noise canceling
  • Slightly more comfortable
  • Best-in-class voice call quality
  • Pairs with two devices at the same time
Cons
  • Higher price tag than previous model
  • Larger carrying case

Video Reviews (6)

Hands-on demonstrations & setup guides

Marques Brownlee
Marques Brownlee
  • Ideal for those prioritizing comfort and noise cancellation
  • Not the best choice for travel due to non-foldable design
  • Offers premium features at a higher price point
Watch on YouTube
This is Tech Today
This is Tech Today
  • Ideal for travelers seeking top-tier noise cancellation
  • Offers a comfortable and luxurious wearing experience
  • Pricier but justifies cost with superior build
Watch on YouTube
Digital Trends
Digital Trends
  • Ideal for users seeking improved noise cancellation
  • Suitable for those needing quick charge capabilities
  • Beneficial for comfort with new materials and design
Watch on YouTube

Community Discussions (11)

Real owners sharing experiences

u/Livestock110

Comparison
Verified Source

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is praised for its superior ANC and sound quality, making it a strong choice for travelers. It is acknowledged to sound 70% as good as wired Focal headphones with an AutoEQ preset, indicating a high performance level. However, it is noted to be more expensive than other options without surpassing them in all aspects.

Key Insights:
  • The Sony WH-1000XM5 is best for traveling due to its superior ANC and sound quality.
  • There is a consensus that the Sony WH-1000XM5, while not the best in every category, offers a compelling balance for its intended use case.
Limited community engagement
Read →

u/Interesting-Swim-728

Comparison
Verified Source
Key Insights:
  • The Sony WH-1000XM5 may not live up to expectations out of the box
  • Users may need to engage in troubleshooting to achieve optimal performance
  • The headphones' performance can be improved with specific settings adjustments
Read →

u/CozyQuestKat

Comparison
Verified Source
Key Insights:
  • The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a suitable choice for home listening with a need for clear dialogue and exciting action scenes in movies.
  • The product is within the budget, offering good value with the current discount.
  • Wireless capability with an optional wire is a plus for home use.
Read →

Customer Reviews Amazon

What buyers are saying

starstarstarstar star
4.2

18,995 reviews

Sound quality • 1363 Noise cancellation • 1135 Quality • 942 Comfort • 646 Battery life • 369 Value for money • 544 Functionality • 481 Durability • 488

Recently Added Reviews

star star star star star

Sony never disappoints!

Richard Huynh • November 24, 2022
I thoroughly enjoy what Sony has to offer in their product line. I have the PlayStation 5, a Sony Bravia 4K TV and several other Sony products. Yes although I have owned a few of their product line I will not try to be biased here with the review. What got me into Sony products was really their earphones dating back to 2011! They have the best earphones you could get for $20 back at the time in 2011 and now the quality they still continue to put out never disappoints! Here’s the pros and cons of the Sony WH-1000XM5.Update: I also picked up the XM4 Earbuds from Sony and take note that those are on a different level for listening to music compared to the XM5 Over the Ear headphones. Shares the same features like the XM5, not the same sound like over the ear obviously but also more marketed to those who goes to the gym and likes something more compact.Pros:Comfortable and lightweight!I don’t ever have a complaint with what they have to offer when it comes to comfort. These are better than BOSE in regards as to comfort. I think the one thing that makes them comfortable also is that they are light. They weigh only about 0.56 pounds! People tend to have problems with headphones if they are heavy in my opinion! I also assume they use a low density memory foam for cushioning which is great but will eventually need to be replaced or tended to if left compressed or squished for too long.Unique featuresNoise Cancelling is top notch but not much different than their previous lines in my opinion! It is a standard these days to get noise cancelling and the headphones are great for drowning out noise if need be. They also tend to those who need to be aware of their surroundings by implementing a ambient mode like previous models. Works great and works like a charm by either taking the headphones off or covering the touch control panel. Also the Speak to Pause Music feature is insanely nice to have! Helps when your hands are busy and or you just don’t want to adjust your headphones having to speak.Superb sound!The sound quality out of these are amazing! Does really well in all areas of music genres. Particularly really in low frequencies for bass! I get to enjoy these at a great volume and it pairs amazingly with my PS5 as a gaming headset! (Will mention the headphones does not come with a microphone for gaming when using a headphone jack.) As a pair of noise cancelling headphones, you can expect to hear a positively good detail in music, movies, gaming or even a phone call! They are clear and surprisingly really balanced. The microphone on these headphones for phone calls are great. Better than the previous versions.Fast charging!The charging rate of these headphones is incredible! I never knew how fast charging can be with this! There’s times I have left this powered on overnight as I’m at work for my 10 hour job and it was drained by the time I wanted to use it again. In those times I left it charging and goodness greatness these were ready to go in a about 10-15 minutes! I enjoy these so much that I’m actually glad they have a 24-30 hour battery life.Cons:Cost.Its expensive! If you can get these on sale, it’s worthwhile! If it’s in your budget go for it! You pay for what you get in my opinion and these are worth their weight in gold!Fitment.They don’t exactly fit around my short wide neck whenever I need to take it off and be present in a conversation or in my surroundings. Not exactly a big matter or deal breaker. More so it’s a personal perspective. My neck size is 15 ¾ inches in circumference and that’s pretty average I believe. I have to extend these in order to keep them around my neck without compromise. They also do not fold inward like the previous Sony headphone models but again never a issue.Cushion. Yes the ear cup cushions are comfortable but again when I place them around my neck it compresses the cushion to a point where it feels awkward after putting it back on. I’m looking at other options to replace their soft fit leather design.Update: There is different earcups that you can replace the OEM cups with but it comes at a cost of I believe $60 which is worth noting.Conclusion.Worthiness of $350+ (price as of 12/07/2022) during the holidays? Yes!Personal opinionated review:Sony WH-1000XM5 or other leading competition? Sony, easily Sony. I’ve never been unhappy about this purchase and I tell people that Sony is industrial leading company that continues to impress people when it comes to their headphones. Beats by Dre(Apple), Apple and Bose has always been great by popularity but Sony gets appraised by quality!I will update this review as I go until they put a new model out.
thumb_up 310 people found this helpful
star star star star star

Outstanding Headphones, Switched to XM6

Nathaniel W • January 26, 2026
The Sony XM5s are fantastic—excellent noise cancellation, crystal-clear sound, and very comfortable for long listening sessions. I loved them so much that I recently upgraded to the XM6s, and the improvements were noticeable, but the XM5s are still an amazing pair on their own. Great build quality and reliable performance make them worth every penny.
thumb_up 2 people found this helpful
star star star star star

Are you Older? READ THIS.

Waydavis • May 4, 2023
I am almost 65 years old SO, I DO NOT have the ears of a 18 year old. That said, I consider these to be good for these reasons:A: Exceptional battery life.B: Call quality that was considered good UNTIL I did a direct comparison to my Blueparrott B450-XT’s - NO WHERE NEAR the quality of the Blue 450’s, BUT the Blues are made specifically for calls in noisey environments. . Blues are in my opionion the defacto standard by which all other ANC phone calls should be judged. My “demo” for people is to run my upright vacuum cleaner whilst on a call. People on the other end cannot hear it AT ALL – REALLY!, I hear them, and they hear me perfectly! TRULY amazing! I did the same test with these and alas they failed miserably in comparison. I expected that. I was told they sound like I am in a room away from the microphone, a bit fishtank like, and muddy. SO, they’ll do in a call but not as a primary phone call device in noise. I heard a sample of the BOSE 700’s and they were terrible, which is what prompted me to get the Sony’s.C: One unconventional thing they do great at: A Sleep Aid. Yup, they drown out all the extraneous noises like people talking, Air conditioners, fans, Water coolers, hums, etc. ALL gone with nothing playing through them!I bought them primarily for playing on my PS5, and watching TV late at night. They do both quite well.D: Amazingly, my ears do not sweat much in these even after prolonged use. I’ve ordered those Dekoni Suede Earpads for them as well just for added comfort.(https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BS4T3X62?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details)(5/16/23 - Returned The earpads: they claim they are suede when in fact they are 2/3 suede. The inner part inside the cup is something else, not leather so NOT durable. Considering this, $49 seems FAR too expensive.)E: They are long-term comfortable unless you have ears like a B-52 in which case you will probably be stuffing bits.As for music, I find them to be more flat without pronounced highs or bass - which I prefer. The EQ on the app is a nice feature. The ANC works very well listening to music and will be adequate to the task in both quiet and noisey settings. Again, I remind you, I’m not 18. ;-)Pricewise, they ARE a bit expensive but the build quality seems better than most.If you have the time, I would HIGHLY recommend you test several brands and models at a store simply because sound quality is subjective and EVERYONE has their preference.UPDATE: 5/23/23 - Returning (REPLACING) Headphones - Why? They started acting “Funky”. By that, I mean that if you turn them off, they will not turn on unless you do not hit any buttons for about 15 sec. NOT normal. ALSO, they started to exhibit Connection issues that were NOT there initially. I STILL, at this point consider them excelllent. Now, if the NEW pair goes weird, THEN I would have to re-evaluate.UPDATE 6-3-23: New pair are working as they should no connection issues or on/off bttun problems.UPDATE 2-16-24: Still working perfectly and I use them nearly every night to sleep.UPDATE 7-31-25: Still working great and I still use them as silencers.
thumb_up 1 people found this helpful
star star star star star

Harikasınız amazon

Necdet meseli • February 1, 2026
Ürün mukemmel. Memnunum. Tabiki Amazon güvencesinde tskler
star star star star star

Ótima opção de fone

Giulia Sapuppo • August 15, 2025
Excelente! Cumpre o que promete, tem um bom microfone e o cancelamento de ruído é ótimo. Recomendo.Essa cor é linda!
View all 18,995 reviews on Amazon

Reviews shown are from Amazon customers and do not reflect our editorial assessment.

The Verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is a clear winner for those who value top-tier noise cancellation and comfort, but it comes with a price. If you're willing to pay a premium for the best in class, these headphones are an excellent choice. However, if you're budget-conscious or require longer battery life, you might want to look elsewhere.

Pricing Reference

Updated Feb 20, 2026

WH-1000XM5

SetupScore: 89/100 In Stock
$398
View on Amazon
All regions
🇺🇸United States $398 🇬🇧United Kingdom £279.00 🇩🇪Germany €238.99 🇫🇷France €283.48 🇪🇸Spain €309.70 🇮🇹Italy €249.49
Prices sourced from Amazon.com Affiliate disclosure
54 sources analyzed Updated February 20, 2026
About our review methodology

Score methodology: Weighted median of 8 expert ratings. Community discussions used for qualitative insights only.

Sources breakdown: 18 expert reviews, 6 video reviews, 11 community discussions

Pipeline v1.0.0

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