Sony WH-1000XM5

Excellent sound Very good comfort Ultra-clear call quality Best-in-class noise canceling Very good battery life Hi-res compatible (wired/wireless) Hands-free voice assistant access Classy, modern design

Fold-flat, but don’t fold up

“Sony proves once again that it's the brand to beat in noise-canceling headphones.”

Supreme comfort

More expensive than the M4

What’s more, activating DSEE Extreme doesn’t make a huge difference in the sound quality. On other Sony devices, that algorithm’s ability to recover some of the detail lost to compression makes a noticeable impact. On the M5, the results are subtle,...

Rich bass response and crisp, detailed highs ; Adjustable in-app EQ ; Excellent noise cancellation ; Top-tier mic clarity ; Case supports wireless charging ; Hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant

Expensive ; Some bloat in companion app

Sony's true wireless WF-1000XM5 earphones offer superb sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and a dizzying array of high-end features.

Smaller, more comfortable design ; Upgrades to ANC and sound quality ; Much clearer voice call performance

Glossy texture can make them harder to remove from case ; Sony’s bonus features aren’t as seamless as those of its competitors ; Potential battery longevity concerns

If all you’re after is a great pair of noise-canceling buds that sound rich, immersive, and full-bodied, the $300 1000XM5s won’t leave you wanting for more. But if you’re Sony, the real dilemma is that there might be nowhere left to go from here.

Excellent audio performance with robust bass depth and crisp highs ; Top-notch active noise cancellation ; Intuitive on-ear controls ; App offers an adjustable EQ and other customization settings ; Comfortable, stylish design

Expensive

Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones pair top-notch noise cancellation with class-leading audio quality in a comfortable, attractive design.

Even better active noise cancellation ; More balanced, tighter sound ; Much-improved voice call quality

Design is very plasticky for $400 ; No major new features over 1000XM4 ; Bulky, awkward carrying case

Sony’s new WH-1000XM5 noise-canceling headphones are the company’s most advanced to date — but also the most expensive at $400. For that money, you get a fresh design, upgraded sound, and even better ANC.

Outstanding ANC performance ; Clean, wide musical soundstage ; Long battery life

More expensive than WH-1000XM4 ; Less practical design for travelers ; No water resistance or USB-C audio

Well-built design. 27-hour continuous battery life. Graphic EQ and presets available. Can be paired with up to two devices at a time. ANC cuts down mid to treble range noise. Mic has great noise handling.

Poor passive soundstage. ANC struggles to block out bass-range noise. If you have a small head, you may not find their fit comfortable.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are satisfactory for neutral sound. They don't create a very immersive experience due to their closed-back design, and their out-of-the-box sound profile is quite bass-heavy. They also deliver extra thump, rumble, and boom to mixes,...