Customer Ratings & Reviews
- Model:
- WF1000XM5/B
- SKU:
- 11932696
Rating by feature
- Sound Quality
Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars
- Battery Life
Rating 4.6 out of 5 stars
- Connectivity
Rating 4.5 out of 5 stars
to a friend
Faulty Product
||Posted . Owned for 3 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I could tell within a few minutes that I had a faulty product. Noise cancelation did not work at all. I had the xm4 buds previously, but they were stollen. Which is a bummer because they were great. After this experience I moved on to Bose Quite Comfort Ultra earbuds and have not looked back.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Austinjsr, we're sorry to hear about what happened on your previous Sony unit and that you had an issue with your new one. If the noise canceling effects are not sufficient, it is recommended to isolate the issue by following this link:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000780044.html?search=noise%20canceling
We have our Support team that is always happy to assist. You may email us anytime at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details: Name: Username: Model Number: Issue: Telephone Number:
We hope you consider Sony again. ~Earl
Sound Issues
||Posted . Owned for 8 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Having some issues with the left earbud. but loved the sound quality.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Ashish,
We're glad that you like the sound quality of the WF1000XM5. It's unfortunate that you are having issues with the left earbud. We would like to know more about what happened and help you out. Please email the below information to socialsupport@am.sony.com.
Name:
Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number:
Sincerely,
-Ralph
Sony fony.
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Not better than the Jabra 10 elite. But since they keep discontinuing their products. It’ll have to do. I guess !
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi DavidM, thank you for your feedback and for giving the WF-1000XM5 earbuds a try, even when you have a preference for the Jabra Elite 10. We understand that finding the right earbuds is a very personal choice, and we appreciate your honest comparison.
The WF-1000XM5 are designed to deliver high-quality sound, industry-leading noise cancellation, and enhanced comfort, following in the footsteps of the popular XM4s. According to Sony product literature and user discussions, key strengths of the WF-1000XM5 include improvements in noise cancellation performance, sound quality, and touch control customization over previous models. Many users have recognized the commitment to continuous improvement, comfort, and user experience with each new generation of Sony earbuds.
Regarding product continuity, Sony aims to provide ongoing support and updates for our devices. While some brands may frequently cycle through product lines, Sony works to build lasting value, including robust after-sales service and a global support network, so that customers can rely on their devices for years to come.
We recognize and respect that preferences for sound tuning, controls, or fit may vary by user and brand. If you have specific feedback or features you would like to see improved, please let us know. Your input is valuable in helping us develop products that better meet the needs of all users.
Thanks again for considering Sony headphones.
Best regards,
Gus
Sony Social Media Team
Poor quality ear buds
||Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Don’t buy this product. Constantly switching on and off, also doesn’t change occasionally when placed on charge overnight.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Moose98,
We're truly sorry to hear you are having issues with the WF1000XM5 earbuds, that's definitely not the experience we want you to have. We'd love to help.
To address both conditions, firstly, reset the earbuds by following the instructions in the link below: https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000783924.html
If the issue persists, perform a factory reset by following the instructions in the link below:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000783925.html
We hope you find the information helpful! Thanks for choosing Sony.
-Aldair
give me the gift card
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.they're cool or whatever I just want a gift card for rating them
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JonathanH,
You made the right choice with the Sony WF-1000XM5! The WF-1000XM5 features cutting-edge technology to deliver premium sound quality and the best noise-canceling performance on the market. Noise reduction algorithms developed with AI machine learning suppress ambient noise and ensure the person on the other end of the phone can hear your voice clearly even in noisy situations. For total convenience, the WF-1000XM5 can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously so, when a call comes in, your headphones can automatically connect to the right one. With an IPX4 water resistance rating, splashes and sweat won’t stop these headphones – so you can keep moving to the music. Thank you for choosing Sony!
-Ralph
Terrible sound
||Posted . Owned for 4 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I wanted to love these, as I love my over ear wh-1000xm4. But no matter what I did, the sound quality on these were plain awful. Muddled, tinny, and soft all at the same time. Absolutely no bass, no eq settings fixed it. I don't know if I had a defective pair or what, but I returned these before I ever left the store parking lot.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JacobB,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the WF1000XM5. We're certainly sorry to hear that your experience with them wasn't what you'd hoped for, and we truly appreciate you taking the time to provide such valuable feedback. Rest assured, your comments are being shared directly with our dedicated Sony team as we're always looking for ways to refine and enhance our products.
Thank you for considering Sony products, we hope you have a nice day.
-DiegoV
The sounding earbuds, hand down
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Works great with Apple and android. The Sony app works perfect.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi 2060,
You made the right choice! We're glad that you are enjoying the functionality and dedicated app (Sony Headphones Connect) of the headphones. The WF-1000XM5 features cutting-edge technology to deliver premium sound quality and the best noise-canceling performance on the market. Noise reduction algorithms developed with AI machine learning suppress ambient noise and ensure the person on the other end of the phone can hear your voice clearly even in noisy situations. For total convenience, the WF-1000XM5 can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously so, when a call comes in, your headphones can automatically connect to the right one. With an IPX4 water resistance rating, splashes and sweat won’t stop these headphones – so you can keep moving to the music. Thank you for choosing Sony!
-Ralph
Overrated
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Though it sounded better than Jabra elite 10 gen 2 when talking via MS Teams from a laptop, it sounded horrible on music listening. It also doesn't fit any better than Jabra. Waste of money. I'm returning this set and keeping Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi KarenX,
We regret to hear that you were not satisfied with the WF1000XM5. Sony's commitment to customer satisfaction is our top priority. Rest assured that your feedback will help us improve our products and services.
For optimum performance, make sure that the software version of the headphones is up-to-date (via the Sony Sound Connect app). It is also recommended to wear both earbuds properly. Wear the headset so that the earbud tip is comfortably situated as deep in the ear canal as possible. If the size of the earbud tips does not match the size of your ear canals or the headset is not worn properly in your ears, tap operations or Speak-to-Chat speech detection may not work correctly, or you may not obtain the correct sound qualities, noise canceling effects, or call performance. When changing the earbud tips, try the earbud tip sizes in order from the larger ones to the smaller ones. The most suitable size of the earbud tips for left and right ears may be different. The “Sony Sound Connect” app will help you to determine which earbud tips suit you best to achieve the optimal noise canceling effect, sound quality, etc.
Additionally, you can use the Equalizer/CLEAR BASS setting of the Sony app to fine-tune the sound quality to your needs.
Thanks again for sharing your review and we hope you will consider Sony for your future purchases.
-Ralph
DO NOT BUY
||Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I received these in Jan 21st and it is now Mar 8th. So not even 2 months and the right earbud is going out. It cuts out constantly and when it IS actually working there is a bad crackling noise. I can’t even use the right earbud anymore as it’s gotten so bad. The left one still works fine. I had the previous model and had the battery issue but I thought I’d give Sony another shot and GREATLY regret it. Now I’m stuck with nonfunctioning earbuds and out the money I spent. Do yourselves all a favor and stay far away from Sony EarPods.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Disneyguy, We apologize for the issues you have experienced with the WF1000XM5. If the connection is unstable, such as when producing only intermittent or crackling sound, select “Priority on stable connection” using the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app. For more details, please refer to this link: https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000781983.html
If you are unable to resolve your concern, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details:
Name:
Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number:
Sincerely,
Sam
Over priced for the quality
||Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I thought they would sound better than Bose but there not as good and pricey
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Eyeviewnyc, thanks for commenting. We're sorry if the price and sound quality of our WF1000XM5 didn't live to your expectations. This is certainly not the feedback we hoped to receive. For low sound quality, some of these issues can be fixed by following the steps provided on this Help Guide link:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000779956
Also, when you want to prioritize the sound quality, we recommend selecting the “Priority on sound quality” mode from the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app.
Additionally, the following information on this article is important in order to maximize the noise canceling function and sound quality for music and calls.
https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00262839
I hope this helps.
Should you need more information/technical assistance, please feel free to email us and we'll be more than happy to assist you. You may send us an email at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following:
Name:
BestBuy Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number:
Thank you for choosing Sony.
Best regards,
Romeo
Sony Social Support
disappointing earbuds.
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Excellent sound quality but fit was terrible. Difficult to get out of the case (slippery). I read about these issues prior to purchasing but didn't believe it until I experienced the multiple issues personally. Ended up returning for the jabra elite 10 which are much better IMO.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi sksk,
While we're thrilled that you're satisfied with the amazing sound quality of your WF-1000XM5, we're really sorry if it didn't live up to your expectations and that it had to be returned. This is certainly not the news we'd like to hear from you. We greatly appreciate your feedback about the design of these headphones. And for optimum fit, comfort, and to keep the headphones from falling out, we always recommend performing the steps on this article:
https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00262839
We value you and your feedback, and we are hoping that you will consider Sony again in your future purchase.
Sincerely,
Romeo
These suck. Get Powerbeats Pro.
||Posted . Owned for 2 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.The fact that anyone believes these are better than the Powerbeats Pro is laughable. Terrible range. Terrible swapping between 2 devices. I constantly have to go into settings and manually connect them. Good sound. Constant connection drops. If i could return these I would.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Wayne,
Thanks for reaching out to us with your concerns. we regret to hear you're not having the best experience with this earbud headphones and you've been running into some issues. For total convenience, the WF-1000XM5 can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously so, when a call comes in, your headphones can automatically connect to the right one. For more details about Connecting the headphones to 2 devices simultaneously (multipoint connection), please visit the links below.
https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00249936
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1001106282.html
• Multipoint connection works with only two devices at a time.
- A third device can be connected through Bluetooth, however, the Bluetooth connection with the last device that played music will stay connected and the second device will be disconnected in order for the third device to establish the Bluetooth connection with the headphones.
• Download the Sony Headphones Connect app on one of the devices and make sure it has the latest update.
• If you want to play music from the other device, stop playback on the device that is playing the music, and start playback by operating the other device.
Even if you start playback by operating the second device while playing music on the first device, the music from the first device will continue to be heard via the headset. In this state, if you stop playback on the first device, you can listen to music from the second device via the headset.
• To ensure you get the best Bluetooth connection, please set the headphones Bluetooth Connection Mode to “Priority on stable connection”.
• We also recommended updating the firmware of the headphones (via the Sony Headphones Connect app) for optimum performance.
It's unfortunate that you are considering returning the unit. We want to make sure you’re taken care of.
If you still have the unit, may we may we contact you to help? If so please email the below information to socialsupport@am.sony.com.
Name:
Best Buy Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number:
Sincerely,
Jess
Good earbuds
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Good quality earbuds. Havent had any issues so far
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Cheyenne,
You made the right choice! The WF-1000XM5 features cutting-edge technology to deliver premium sound quality and the best noise-canceling performance on the market. Noise reduction algorithms developed with AI machine learning suppress ambient noise and ensure the person on the other end of the phone can hear your voice clearly even in noisy situations. For total convenience, the WF-1000XM5 can be paired with two Bluetooth devices simultaneously so, when a call comes in, your headphones can automatically connect to the right one. With an IPX4 water resistance rating, splashes and sweat won’t stop these headphones – so you can keep moving to the music. Thank you for choosing Sony!
-Ralph
Exchange window 14 days beware!
||Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Bought the ear buds on May 20 and my return window apparently is june 3rd. My left ear bud is cutting out every 10 min. Or so. This is why I try not to buy from BestBuy. Most stores provide a 30 day exchange window without buying a special membership. NO MORE BESTBUY with tvs especially. Sorry Best Buy you can do better than that..
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JTYYZ, we're sorry to hear that you have an issue with your Sony unit. Please initialize your earbuds by following this link:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000783925.html?utm_source
You can also find this link helpful:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000779959.html
If you require any additional support with regard to this product, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details: Name: Username: Model Number: Issue: Telephone Number:
~Earl
Amazing product with a huge downside
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I loved the wf-1000xm4's and I needed a new pair. Well if you like a shaking/raddleing sound when you turn anc or ambient mode, this is the product for you. Turns out it happens on Every. Single. One. I looked it up and it's a flaw with the design of the headphones. The sound quality is top notch but I wish I knew they had this flaw.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Spencer, thanks for choosing and purchasing our product. We're sorry to hear that you have an issue with the sound in your new Sony unit. Please initialize the unit to isolate the issue by following this link:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000783925.html?search=initialize
If the issue persists, please email us at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details: Name: Username: Model Number: Issue: Telephone Number:
~Earl
Whatever
||Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Really liked the X4s better, haven’t gotten these to stay in my ears as well and the smaller case is easier to misplace
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi MikeB, Thanks for the feedback. We apologize if you're having trouble with the fittings. The New Noise Isolation Earbud Tips are made from an exclusive material that improves fitting and increases comfort. The earbuds come in four sizes, including a new extra small version. For optimum fit, comfort, and in order to maximize the noise canceling function and sound quality of these headphones, we always recommend following the steps on this article:
https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/articles/00262839 Hope this helps. Thanks and regards, -Craig
The perfect earbuds?
Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Let me preface with saying I’m an audiophile, and sound engineer. I have focal 906 bookshelves and svs pb3000 in my home, kenwood excelon components and FI subs in my car and Yamaha hs5s with and hs8s sub and Sony MDR 7506 cans in my studio and, so my standards are high. Sony knows how to make headphones, my MDR’s are incredibly neutral and accurate. I had the apple AirPod 2’s as my earbuds prior to these. I tried desperately to like them. For most people that use iOS devices, those will work quite well. For myself, I found them lack in sound quality, especially in the low-mid bass. It’s overdone, and muddy on top of that. I couldn’t find a preset in my iPhone that I could truly enjoy my music on. Not to say they are bad per se, ANC was good, integration within an iOS devices is great, and the “find my” feature is nicer. Despite my efforts to like them for more than just convenience, I couldn’t, and gave them away. I was torn between these, the Bose QC II’s, the B&W’s and the sennheiser momento’s. I had a set of Bose QC 35 cans. The ANC on those is astonishing, they have typical Bose tuning (emphasized bass and bright highs) and are great for when I want that Bose sound. After hours and hours of reading reviews, I boiled it down to the Bose and these. The Bose probably have a tad better ANC, as they should. (They invented the tech after all) but I decided to let sound quality be the deciding factor, as I listen to all kinds of music, and wanted the most neutral and accurate sound possible. The Sonys, to me, are perfect. More comfortable in my ear then the AirPod pro 2’s, more accurate, more robust midrange. I feel like apple and Bose really tune their stuff to just try to squeeze a bit too much bass out of a tiny driver. Ironically, the Sonys have the larger driver of the 3 earbuds. Nice lightweight case, they cold a charge for longer than the AirPods and I couldn’t stand the finish on the AirPod case (scratches so easy). The ONLY area they aren’t flawless in is low bass, but it doesn’t bother me, again, quality over quantity (and I have 2 15” subs on 3500 watts in my car if I want that). I’m really impressed by these earbuds, very happy I gave away the AirPods and picked the xm5’s up.
I would recommend this to a friend
Almost the best. Almost.
|Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Excited to try out the earbuds this time around. Sony’s been good at making good ANC headphones and earbuds over the past years. So I’m hoping this will continue on. For future references, I’ll be referring to these earbuds as the XM5 rather than its full model name WF-1000XM5. I previously owned the XM3 earbuds. Comparatively large in physical size when compared to the XM5. Unfortunately I cannot truly compare the two now because I lost the charging case for the XM3. However, I do distinctly remember the physical size differences between the two. And the XM5 is definitely smaller this time around. The charging case has a USB-C port and pairing reset button at the back. Wireless charging is also available by setting the case upright on top of a wireless charger. The included USB-C cable, the most irritating and frustrating part of owning a Sony audio wear product, is once again short, coming in at over 6 inches in length. For the price you’re paying, it’s an insult to include a USB-C charging cable of this length. Sony continues the tradition of botching this up every time. Ensure you have a USB-C cable of preferred length around if you need to charge it using this method. There are 4 extra foam tips should the pre-installed size (Medium) don’t fit your ears. They’re SS, S, and L. For my ears, I ended up using SS. I have no problem replacing them and I did a fitting try after each size to check what works for my ears. At the moment, the earbuds are staying in my ears after some random head shaking. So that’s good news. One of the reviews I glanced over while waiting for the XM5 to be sent out mentioned a change in surface feel – to a gloss finish instead of matte. That person also says the change makes taking out the earbuds harder because of the smooth gloss finish. In this respect, I wholeheartedly agree with this. The gloss finish for the earbuds makes taking them out of the case harder. A matte finish would have made gripping them easier for removal from either the case or ears. This is a design flaw and decision that should not have made it through to manufacturing. If you intend on getting the XM5, I recommend being extremely careful when taking them out of the case or off your ears. There’s always that possibility of having butterfingers and an earbud slipping off, falling down to an unreachable crevice or spot. It’s the worst case scenario but it’s something you’ll need to keep in mind. Sound quality is as good as it gets for earbuds. It has decent highs and seems to have good lows. The tuning seems balanced and I have no issue with how it sounds after almost two hours with my audio testing playlist. Additional listening was done on a different playlist with a different set of songs. Active noise cancellation is on at maximum level and I heard no external noise while listening and with no audio playback on. ANC is excellent as expected from Sony and it reduces every sound around me down to nearly nothing. The microphone is probably the one area that these earbuds are weak on. A short test was run using the Recorder app on my Google Pixel phone and then listening to it. While it is acceptable in audio quality, it’s certainly not the best. To make the most out of these earbuds, the Sony Headphones Connect app is available for iOS and Android devices. Sadly there’s no version for Windows so expect basic functionality when pairing with a laptop or any other Bluetooth enabled devices. Similar to other Sony audio wear with ANC, there are 3 basic levels of noise cancellation – full, “Ambient Sound,” and off. For Ambient Sound, there are 20 levels of adjustments to customize how much noise to cancel out or let in. For my use case, I kept this at full noise cancellation. Adjusting the noise cancellation level is greatly useful for when you need some audio awareness while using the earbuds. As for the other features these earbuds and app offers, I did not test Spatial Audio or 360 Reality Audio, as neither would be of any use in my use case. Even if I wanted to try either of the two, the latter requires an additional install which I opted not to bother and the former has no additional detail on what can utilize this feature. So, is the asking price worth it? The next best competitor other than the one from the fruity company can be had for less. The fruity competitor is priced the same as that competitor as well. This makes recommending a difficult choice as there are other options that could offer similar ANC performance as the XM5. The price increase over the previous generation only makes it harder to recommend from a value standpoint. Yet at the same time, people had concerns over battery life/drain on the previous generation. Would I pay the MSRP for the XM5? Honestly, no. There are other options and I feel that those offer potential better value with similar or same ANC performance. Now if the XM5 were priced the same as the previous generation, then I may lean to yes. The Good: Excellent ANC, good sound profile, compact The Bad: gloss finish makes removing earbuds from case tricky/hard, short USB-C cable, higher MSRP than previous gen The Ugly: the possibility of an earbud slipping out of your finger only for it to fall down to an unreachable crevice/spot… all because Sony decides on a GLOSS finish instead of a matte finish. Verdict: If discounted, yes. Otherwise, pass.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendHorrible
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I was expecting a lot for what these cost and honestly very disappointing, I had last model which was bulky and constantly falling out of my ears despite needing to buy third party earbud tips, unfortunately story hasn’t changed with this model, ANC is really bad with earbud tips that these ones arrive with, like I heard absolutely all the noise around me, so people suggested to buy third party earbud tips, which I did and ANC improved but I still heard plenty of noise. Sound is not bad, but due to sliding out of my ear required frequent manual adjustment which caused changes since I actually had to touch each earbud. I figured since I’m using Sony Xperia 1 V phone that these would work great, but when compared to Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds II, Bose just wins on every level.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendHurts my ears
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Decent size hurts ears alot when in ears specifically
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi NathanL, Thanks for sharing your feedback. We apologize if your ears hurt when using the earbuds. The WF1000XM5 comes with 4 earbud tips (SS/S/M/L).The M-sized earbud tips come attached to the left and right headset units at the time of purchase.
If you feel the size of the earbud tips does not fit of large enough to hurt your ears, you can change the earbud tips. When changing the earbud tips, try the earbud tip sizes in order from the larger ones to the smaller ones. The most suitable size of the earbud tips for left and right ears may be different. Hope this helps. Regards, -Craig