Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: A Step Forward or a Step Back?

The release of a new Sony WH-1000X series headphone is an event in itself, almost like Apple unveiling a new iPhone, but in the world of noise-canceling cans. Since the WH-1000XM2, Sony has defined what premium wireless headphones should be: class-leading ANC, excellent comfort, and features competitors struggle to match. The series achieved cult status among travelers and audiophiles alike.

But with the Sony WH-1000XM5, things didn’t go as smoothly. Critics accused Sony of playing it too safe, offering fewer innovations, and even removing some useful features. As someone who has owned every model in the series, I put the XM5 through its paces and compared it with the XM3 and XM4 to see if the backlash is justified.

Design & Build Quality

The Sony WH-1000XM5 arrives in a new, minimalist carrying case inspired by Japanese origami. It’s well-made, but noticeably larger than the XM4’s case, and the handy mesh pocket for accessories is no longer present. Inside, you’ll find a USB-C charging cable and a 3.5mm audio cable—thankfully, Sony still supports wired listening, but the airplane adapter, which was included with previous models, has been omitted.

Sony has overhauled the design this time. The Sony WH-1000XM5 abandons the folding hinges of its predecessors in favor of a sleek, monolithic headband with a sliding adjustment mechanism reminiscent of Apple’s AirPods Max. Unfortunately, this means the headphones no longer fold, which explains the bulkier case. Sony claims it eliminated the folding mechanism due to durability complaints, though my XM3 hinges have survived years of use without issue.

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The XM5 is made entirely of lightweight plastic. While some might call it less premium, it does shave the weight down to 250 g—lighter than most competitors and almost half the weight of the hefty AirPods Max. On the head, the Sony WH-1000XM5 feels airy and exceptionally comfortable. The new memory-foam earpads cradle the ears snugly without pressure, though the cups rotate less than on the XM4, making them slightly less comfortable to wear around the neck.

Visually, the XM5 is more understated. Gone are the bronze accents and bold styling of the XM4. Instead, the XM5 opts for smooth, minimalist lines. It’s tasteful but less iconic, and the matte black finish tends to attract smudges. If that bothers you, the beige version is the safer pick.

Features & App Experience

Sony’s Headphones Connect app remains essential to unlocking the XM5’s full potential. Initial pairing is a breeze, just tap the NFC logo on Android.

The app offers:

• EQ and sound presets for tuning the sound.
• Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts ANC and ambient settings based on your activity (walking, commuting, sitting).
• Location awareness automatically switches profiles depending on where you are.
• Hearing safety features, showing exposure levels, and warning against prolonged high-volume listening.

The app is more refined than before: transitions between modes are smoother, and you can disable notification sounds when ANC changes. Sony even added a quirky gamification system, awarding badges for listening time. It feels gimmicky, but the health and hearing-protection tools are genuinely useful.

Sound Quality

Sony has switched to 30mm carbon-fiber composite drivers in the XM5, replacing the 40mm units in the XM4. Despite the smaller size, tuning is familiar: warm, bass-forward, and slightly thick, designed to please most listeners rather than audiophile purists.

Out of the box, the sound is smooth and easy to enjoy. Vocals are full, bass has a satisfying punch, and treble remains relaxed. With LDAC enabled, detail improves, and EQ adjustments via the app help fine-tune to your taste. Call quality is also much improved thanks to eight beamforming microphones and advanced AI noise reduction—the Sony WH-1000XM5 is one of the best wireless headsets for phone and video calls.

Supported codecs include SBC, AAC, and LDAC (no aptX), and Bluetooth 5.2 ensures a stable connection with multipoint pairing.

Noise Cancelling

Noise cancellation has always been Sony’s crown jewel, and the XM5 pushes it even further. Using the QN1 processor + V1 chip and a total of eight microphones, the XM5 blocks out more high-frequency noise than the XM4 while maintaining Sony’s already outstanding low-frequency suppression.

On a plane, train, or bus, the XM5 creates an impressively silent bubble. It’s still unmatched compared to most rivals—TWS earbuds can’t come close. The Ambient (transparency) mode is equally natural, making it feel as if you aren’t wearing headphones at all.

Adaptive noise canceling works well, though occasionally it misjudges the situation and toggles ANC when you don’t need it. Thankfully, you can customize or disable this behavior.

Battery Life

Battery life remains excellent at 30 hours with ANC on (40 hours with ANC off). In my testing, that figure held up, even with transparency mode enabled most of the time.

Charging is quick: a full charge takes 3.5 hours, but with a USB-PD charger, just 3 minutes of charging delivers up to 3 hours of playback, perfect for travelers in a rush.

Price & Value

At launch, the Sony WH-1000XM5 was priced at $399, the same MSRP as the XM4 before it. Today, it’s often discounted to around $300, putting it in the same range as its predecessor. In Russia and other markets, retail prices vary but typically mirror the XM4.

And here’s the dilemma: the XM4 is still widely available, and in many ways, it’s more practical—foldable, smaller case, and some may prefer its styling. The XM5 delivers better ANC and call quality, but loses portability and some features.

Conclusion

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is an excellent pair of noise-canceling headphones, lightweight, comfortable, with superb ANC, great call quality, and strong battery life. On its own, it would be easy to recommend.

But compared to the WH-1000XM4, the XM5 feels less like an upgrade and more like a sideways step. The design sacrifices portability; the case is bulkier, and the sound is only incrementally improved. For travelers, the XM4 may actually be the smarter buy while it’s still available.

If you value the very best ANC and call quality, the XM5 is the one to get. But if you want a more versatile, compact, and equally great-sounding headphone, the XM4 remains a fantastic and often cheaper alternative.

Verdict: Sony WH-1000XM5 is a refined but controversial successor. Impressive on its own, but not the clear upgrade many were hoping for.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Class-leading noise cancellation
• Lightweight & comfortable fit
• Strong battery life with fast charge
• Clear call quality
• Useful app features & LDAC support

Cons

• Doesn’t fold
• Missing some accessories
• Plainer design, no water resistance
• Limited earcup rotation
• Few real upgrades over XM4

Sony WH-1000XM5 Specifications

• Type: Over-ear, closed-back, wireless headphones
• Drivers: 30mm dynamic, neodymium magnet
• Frequency Response (Bluetooth): 20Hz – 20kHz (44.1kHz sampling)
• Frequency Response (Wired): 4Hz – 40kHz (with 3.5mm cable)
• Impedance: 48 Ω (wired, power off)
• Sensitivity: 102 dB/mW
• Noise Cancelling: Dual processor (QN1 + V1) with 8 microphones
• Transparency Mode: Yes (Ambient Sound / Quick Attention)
• Bluetooth Version: 5.2
• Supported Codecs: SBC, AAC, LDAC
• Multi-Point Connection: Yes (2 devices)
• Controls: Touch gestures + physical buttons
• App Support: Sony Headphones Connect (iOS/Android)
• Battery Life: Up to 30 hrs (ANC on), 40 hrs (ANC off)
• Fast Charging: 3 mins = 3 hrs playback (via USB-C, PD)
• Charging Time: ~3.5 hrs full charge
• Weight: 250 g
• Colors: Black, Silver (Beige)
• Accessories: Carry case, USB-C charging cable, 3.5mm audio cable