Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: The Best Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Design and Comfort: Smaller and Lighter

Sony has completely redesigned the WF-1000XM5 earbuds, making them 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the previous XM4 generation. The result is a much more compact and comfortable fit that works for a wider range of ear shapes and sizes. Gone is the bulky, protruding design, replaced with a sleek, rounded shape that sits flush with your ears.

The earbuds are available in Black and Silver finishes, both with a premium matte coating that resists fingerprints and looks sophisticated. Each earbud weighs just 5.9 grams, making them virtually disappear once you're wearing them. Despite the smaller size, Sony has maintained excellent build quality with IPX4 water resistance for protection against sweat and light rain.

Comfort is exceptional for extended wear. The redesigned shape distributes pressure evenly, eliminating the hotspots that plagued earlier models. Sony includes four sizes of foam ear tips that provide excellent noise isolation and a secure seal. Once you find the right fit, these earbuds can be worn comfortably for hours without fatigue.

The charging case has also been redesigned, becoming smaller and more pocketable. It's still larger than some competitors like the AirPods Pro, but the reduction in size is noticeable. The case uses USB-C for charging and supports wireless Qi charging. The lid has a satisfying magnetic snap and feels premium in hand.

Noise Cancellation: Industry Leading Performance

The WF-1000XM5 features Sony's most advanced noise cancellation technology yet, powered by the new Integrated Processor V2 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e. The result is simply the best active noise cancellation available in wireless earbuds, surpassing even the AirPods Pro 2 in most scenarios.

Low-frequency noise like airplane engines, bus rumble, and air conditioning is virtually eliminated. Mid-frequency sounds like conversation and office chatter are significantly reduced. Even high-frequency noises are handled better than any competing earbuds. The noise cancellation is so effective that you can comfortably use these in loud environments with music at low to moderate volumes.

Sony's AI-based noise cancellation adapts in real-time to your environment and activity, optimizing performance automatically. The system analyzes ambient sound 700 times per second, making micro-adjustments to maintain optimal cancellation. You can also manually adjust the level through the Sony Headphones app with 20 different sensitivity levels.

Transparency mode is equally impressive, providing natural ambient sound that doesn't feel artificially amplified or tinny. The Speak-to-Chat feature automatically pauses music and activates transparency when you start talking, resuming playback after you finish. It works remarkably well and becomes indispensable once you're used to it.

Sound Quality: Audiophile Performance

Sound quality is where the WF-1000XM5 truly shines. These earbuds deliver audiophile-grade audio that rivals wired headphones costing significantly more. The new 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X produces incredibly detailed, well-balanced sound with impressive bass extension, clear mids, and sparkling highs.

Bass is deep and controlled without overwhelming the mix. Sony has tuned these earbuds to deliver impactful low-end for genres like hip-hop and electronic music, while maintaining clarity for acoustic and classical. The midrange is transparent and natural, making vocals sound present and intimate. Treble extends beautifully without harshness or sibilance.

Soundstage and imaging are exceptional for closed-back earbuds. Instruments are well-separated with clear positioning, creating a spacious, three-dimensional listening experience. High-resolution audio support via LDAC codec ensures you're hearing all the detail in lossless files when paired with compatible Android devices.

The Sony Headphones Connect app provides extensive EQ customization with presets and a detailed 5-band equalizer. DSEE Extreme upscaling enhances compressed audio in real-time, restoring detail lost in streaming services. 360 Reality Audio support provides immersive spatial audio for compatible content, though library availability remains limited.

Battery Life and Connectivity

Battery performance is outstanding. Sony rates the WF-1000XM5 at 8 hours with ANC on, 12 hours with ANC off. In real-world testing, these estimates are accurate, with most users getting 7.5 to 8.5 hours depending on volume and codec. The charging case provides an additional 16 hours with ANC on, for a total of 24 hours.

Fast charging is convenient, delivering 1 hour of playback from just 3 minutes of charging. A full charge takes about 2 hours via USB-C or 3 hours wirelessly. The case supports Qi wireless charging, which is convenient for desk charging pads, though slower than wired.

Bluetooth 5.3 provides stable, reliable connectivity with excellent range. Multipoint pairing allows simultaneous connection to two devices, automatically switching between your phone and laptop seamlessly. The connection is rock-solid with no dropouts in testing, even in crowded RF environments.

LDAC codec support on Android devices provides high-resolution audio quality, while AAC works well for iPhone users. The lack of aptX support may disappoint some Android users, but LDAC offers superior quality when available. Latency is low enough for video watching without noticeable sync issues.

Features and Smart Functions

The WF-1000XM5 is packed with smart features that enhance the user experience. Touch controls on each earbud are responsive and customizable through the app. You can control playback, volume, noise cancellation modes, and voice assistant access with simple taps and swipes.

Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses music when you start talking, resuming after a customizable delay. Quick Attention mode lets you temporarily lower volume and activate transparency by holding your finger on the left earbud. Both features work reliably and become second nature quickly.

Adaptive Sound Control uses your phone's accelerometer and GPS to detect your activity and location, automatically adjusting noise cancellation profiles. You can create custom profiles for specific locations like home, office, or gym. The system learns your patterns over time and becomes more accurate.

Google Fast Pair on Android and Swift Pair on Windows provide instant pairing. Wear detection automatically pauses music when you remove an earbud and resumes when you put it back. The Sony Headphones Connect app is comprehensive, offering firmware updates, customization, and detailed settings control.

Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How does noise cancellation compare to AirPods Pro 2?

The Sony WF-1000XM5 offers superior noise cancellation, particularly for low and mid-frequency sounds. AirPods Pro 2 are excellent but the Sony earbuds edge ahead in overall ANC performance. However, AirPods integrate better with Apple devices and have better spatial audio support for Apple ecosystem users.

Do these work well with iPhone?

Yes, the WF-1000XM5 works perfectly with iPhone using AAC codec. You'll miss some Android-exclusive features like LDAC high-res audio and Google Fast Pair, but core functionality including ANC, transparency, and sound quality work excellently on iOS.

Can I use just one earbud at a time?

Yes, you can use either the left or right earbud independently. This is useful for staying aware of surroundings or extending battery life during long days.

Are they good for phone calls?

Call quality is very good thanks to AI-powered noise reduction and bone conduction sensors. Your voice comes through clearly even in noisy environments, though not quite as clear as the AirPods Pro 2 which excel at call quality.

Do they support aptX codec?

No, the WF-1000XM5 does not support Qualcomm aptX or aptX Adaptive. Sony uses LDAC instead, which provides superior high-resolution audio quality when paired with compatible Android devices.

How is the fit for small ears?

The redesigned smaller shape fits small ears much better than the XM4. Sony includes four ear tip sizes, and the compact design works for a wider range of ear shapes. Most users with small ears report excellent fit and comfort.

Who Should NOT Buy These Earbuds

Deep Apple Ecosystem Users: If you use iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch, the AirPods Pro 2 offer better integration with seamless device switching, Find My support, and superior spatial audio with head tracking for Apple content.

Budget-Conscious Buyers: At $299, these are premium earbuds. If budget is a concern, the Sony WF-C700N or previous generation WF-1000XM4 offer good value with many of the same features at lower prices.

Workout Warriors: While IPX4 rated for sweat resistance, these aren't designed for intense workouts. The foam tips can absorb moisture, and the compact case isn't the most durable. Consider sport-focused earbuds like Jabra Elite or Beats Fit Pro for gym use.

Those Who Need Smallest Possible Earbuds: Despite being smaller than XM4, these are still larger than AirPods Pro or Samsung Galaxy Buds. If absolute minimum size is critical, other options exist.

Comparison: Sony WF-1000XM5 vs AirPods Pro 2

Sony WF-1000XM5 wins on pure audio performance and ANC power. AirPods Pro 2 excel in Apple ecosystem integration and spatial audio. Read our AirPods Pro 2 review for detailed comparison.

Alternative Options to Consider

• Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($249) - Best for Apple users, superior spatial audio, smaller case, excellent call quality and seamless ecosystem integration.
• Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II ($279) - Excellent ANC and comfort, unique fit customization system, though slightly older technology.
• Sony WF-1000XM4 ($199) - Previous generation still excellent, significant savings, similar features with slightly less refined ANC and larger size.
• Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro ($229) - Great for Samsung users, good ANC, 360 Audio, excellent integration with Galaxy devices.

The Verdict

The Sony WF-1000XM5 represents the pinnacle of wireless earbud technology. They deliver the best noise cancellation available, audiophile-grade sound quality, and impressive battery life in a refined, comfortable package. Sony has addressed nearly every weakness of the previous generation while improving performance across the board.

The redesigned smaller form factor makes these accessible to more users, while the improved ANC sets a new standard for the category. Sound quality is exceptional, rivaling dedicated audiophile IEMs costing significantly more. The extensive feature set, excellent app, and thoughtful smart functions create a complete, polished experience.

At $299, these are premium earbuds with premium pricing, but you're getting flagship performance that justifies the cost. The only real competition comes from the AirPods Pro 2, and your choice between them depends primarily on ecosystem. Android users should choose Sony, Apple users should choose AirPods.

If you want the absolute best noise cancellation, exceptional sound quality, and don't mind paying for excellence, the Sony WF-1000XM5 are the earbuds to buy. They're not perfect, the case could be smaller and the price is high, but they deliver on every meaningful metric. For audiophiles and frequent travelers who demand the best, these are worth every penny.