Sony
Sony WF-1000XM5 Review
OBy Olivia•Updated June 2026•76h hands-on testing•Independently tested
4.7out of 5
★★★★★★★★★★
Olivia's rating
Approx. $299.99
Best overall earbuds — class-leading noise cancellation and a natural, detailed sound.
Link coming soonSee full breakdown ↓
How it scored
Sound quality4.9
Battery life4.5
Comfort & fit5.0
Value for money4.6
What we liked
- +Best-in-class ANC
- +Rich, tunable sound
- +Comfortable compact fit
What could be better
- –Expensive
- –No wireless multipoint on all platforms
We A/B'd these against every flagship bud. The XM5 wins on ANC depth and tuning flexibility, with all-day comfort thanks to the smaller new housing.
Hands-on photos
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How we tested the Sony WF-1000XM5
76 hours hands-on. We bought this unit ourselves — no loaner, no sponsorship.
- ✓Used the Sony WF-1000XM5 as a daily driver for commuting, calls and workouts.
- ✓A/B-compared sound and noise cancellation against current category leaders.
- ✓Measured real-world battery life from full charge to empty, ANC on.
- ✓Wore it for multi-hour sessions to judge long-term comfort.
Specifications
| ANC | Yes (adaptive) |
| Battery | 8h + 16h case |
| Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
Our verdict: a top pick
Check the latest price before you buy.
Also consider
Other Tech products we've tested.
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen)
★★★★★★★★★★4.6
The no-brainer for iPhone owners — seamless pairing and excellent ANC for the price.
Bose
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★★★★★★★★★★4.6
Best noise cancellation, full stop — the most serene commute of any earbud we tested.
JBL
JBL Tour Pro 2
★★★★★★★★★★4.2
The novelty pick that works — a smart-screen case plus genuinely good sound and ANC.