Customer Ratings & Reviews

The headsets kept jumping into voice recognition. Anything that I was listening to with automatically stopped when a voice in the room was heard. Also, I don’t like that they don’t fold like the previous ones. I’m sitting as Best Buy as we speak replacing them because they broke in my hand as I was trying to put them onto my ears. Not worth the 400+ dollars I paid for it. Last model was so much better. And these when you turn them, mom won’t even tell you that they’re on like the last pair/model.

I can't believe they sound so terrible that even EQ doesn't help. No base whatsoever, no matter what I do. Sony reduced the driver size from 40mm to a tiny 30mm, and it affects sound quality. Significant downgrade from XM3. I had to return them and buy XM4 instead. I can't believe two year old headphones sound much better than the new one and cost less. If they cost $150 I could tolerate that sound, but for $400 and after XM3 and XM4 they just dont leave up. Sony is going down the hill.

I went from Bose QC35 for four years to these yet after two road trips, I returned them and bought some Bose QC45s and are way happier. The #1 reason is the head band is so narrow the weight of the cans hurt my head enough to give me a headache. This was after 4+ hours so if you are walking on campus for 10 mins, this may not be an issue. I also like how the Bose has volume buttons. They are far faster to adjust than swiping over and over without accidentally skipping forward or back. I also like how the Bose have an R and L prominent in the cups so you can quickly see what goes where compared to a small R on the Sony. Also, the Bose fold and the case is both nicer and smaller. Plus, the Bose are less expensive. Granted, you can upload photos of your ears to supposedly analyze them for better sound but who does that? I believe the sound is just as good in the Bose as the Sony’s for 99.5% of those who can afford either pair.

Right out of the box I was so excited to pair these Sony WH-1000XM5 with my iPhone 13 Pro. Simply need to put it into pairing mode and it was ready within seconds. Download the Sony Headphones app from the App Store and my headphones were ready to be used to the fullest. The technology that Sony has paired into this set of headphones is impressive. Noise-canceling on this pair of headphones is impressive. I can't hear much of any external noise when I'm around noisy environments. Working from home I can't hear the cooling fan, external speaker, or vacuum when the noise canceling is active. Even more impressive is the sound quality on phone calls or online web meetings. I had my music speaker on 40% volume during a phone call and the other party couldn't hear my music, as only my voice was making it through to them. Sony has crafted a pair of smart headphones with advanced technology built into them. One QN1 noise-canceling processor paired with the Integrated V1 processor can really cancel out the background commotion. There are a total of eight microphones that are actively monitoring external noise to give you the best audio experience as a headphone user. Inside the ear cups are 30mm drivers that do an exceptional job at sound quality for crisp high notes and deep bass notes as well. With the app, you can easily fine-tune the sound preference which suits your hearing best. There is built-in AI in the form of DSEE Extreme to help upscale compressed digital music files to ensure that I'm getting a full experience for my music of choice. Four beamforming microphones on this pair of headphones are designed to capture your voice in full clarity and precision. Hands-free operation is possible with the touch interface that can be turned on/off through the app. The right ear cup allows for volume and music controls for example. These particular headphones also have the ability to pause your music when you start to speak so you can converse when needed, and this feature can be turned on/off via the app. Also depending on your movements, the ANC will adjust in case you're moving around your home or various locations, and this feature took me some getting used to but can be turned on/off via the app. Alexa is also built-in and can be activated if you choose to. Pair these Sony headphones easily to two devices at the same time, which has been helpful for listening to music from my iPhone and then connecting to my Windows laptop for a virtual meeting. There is a nice hardshell case that comes with these to help protect this luxury set of headphones. Also included in the case is a 3.5mm gold plate L-shape audio wire so you can listen to your headphones with a wired connection if you choose to. Also, there is a USB-PD cable for charging purposes. Battery life is stated to be up to 30 hours of total play, and you can get a 3-hour charge in just 3 minutes with the provided USB-PD compatible AD adapter. The overall fit of these headphones is really nice. I can wear these for long periods of time without feeling discomfort. The pads are large and soft with the leather encircling your ear in full. The headphones are adjustable with nice smooth and quiet movement across the headband, without clicking to set a place on your headband size. The look and design of these headphones are very upscale and minimalistic which I like because I don't want to be flashy with branding and attract attention with my headphone choice. For me, this has been a great set of headphones so far for home usage and while commuting. They offer incredible noise cancellation and truly are one of the best sets I have ever used. The style is elegant and upscale. This is a luxury set of headphones meant for use in stationary settings and multi-tasking. I would not recommend using these for any exercise or precipitation weather, since there is not an IPX rating. PRO: Noise-canceling technology is top-notch The style looks really nice Sony app offers many options to maximize the headphones All-day comfort CON: Cautious to use while exercising due to lack of IPX rating

I've owned these for less then a year and when i plugged them in to charge one night when i woke up the next day the charger was melted to the charging port and now i cant charge it anymore 0/10 do not buy

Not worth the price at all don’t buy them, if you’re looking for Sony headphones get the base boosters one

I had the Sony XM5 before and absolutely loved it. Finally decided to buy my wife one for Christmas. It has been her motivation to hit the gym everyday. The sound is crystal clear, battery can run for days, noise cancelling is on another level. Design is beautiful. Light weight but very firm on your head, has never fell off my head even when I’m doing cardio. Super soft for the ears as well since I also use them for study. My favorite is it dry super quick when you sweat, doesn’t even leave any water mark or stickyness. 1000% recommend.

After less than 60 days of use, these headphones failed at the joint above the earcup during normal use. I contacted Sony, who declared the issue was "cosmetic or accidental" despite them being unwearable. It was not covered under warranty, and Sony refused to provide a contact or means to escalate the issue. This is a known issue on their own community forums and other platforms.

Sound quality is rely good,the plastic is flimsy and they broke withing 6 months of having them

Premium product for premium price. I love everything about these headphones! Find it pretty comfortable as well.

Bought this sony trash and broke after 4 months , i should have listen to the customers reveiw who experienced same situation, i was blaming them for misuse or bad handling. I bought sony and bose head phone , i returned the bose and kept the sony. My experienced to sony , you can not wear hoodie over sony headphone , the hoodie interfer with every function going on by touching the sensitive button. The build up quality is poor . Attach a picture.

When you buy something this expensive it should last at least a year, if not more. It lasted less than 7 months. A plastic piece near the headset broke randomly. I won't waste my money on another headset from this company.

Best Buy order #BBY01-8070576244640 5/8/25 WH1000XM5 BLACK Headphones Ear piece feel off 6/15/25. ZERO Warranty Coverage

Was very excited to buy these Headphones. Got them the first day they came out. May 17, 2022. I figured these would be able to work with my Sony PS5 but no luck :/ Was concerned at the beginning that they felt a little light and flimsy. Now after only 1 and 5 months. One of the earphones has broken and is now hanging by the wire, Think I have an average sized head and it always felt a little tight even with the headphones fully extended. Called Customer Service and they wouldn't help in any way. Totally not work the money. They also said they haven't run into this before, which I totally doubt.

Broke after 4 months.... Manufacturer warranty doesn't cover the break wanted 100 bucks to send it in and repair it

This is definitely the best over the ear head set Sony has come up with. I own several Sony products, but this headset has become my favorite. Now for the GOOD things. It comes with a cable to convert from wireless to wired headset. The feel is very smooth like silk or silicon cover. In addition, the battery life and range distance are great compared to my in-ear set. It comes with a nice carrying case with is of good quality. One of the best features is the auto on/off of the noise cancellation control. When I start talking, ambient sound comes on and will stop the music. Once I stop talking noise cancelling restarts and so does music. Despite a few things that are not great, the app is easy to use and full of useful features including turning off the headset from the phone. It is a very light weight and very comfortable headset worth of any music lover consideration. The controls and instructions to use them are clear and easy to follow both in print and online. A couple to things I should mention that I do not like but are not worth removing a start. First, it is not water resistant, second the app has the 360 sound feature that it does create a better listening experience but it is too invasive by taking pics of one's ears. The second is that is does not have a complete noise canceling, it is more like a noise reducing capability. While it does reduce the ambient sound significantly, the noise cancelling is not so as effective as the in-ear Sony headset I have. The charging cable is extremely short for such high end headset. It's a very nice, soft, comfortable great sounding headset full with nice features.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the latest iteration of Sony's flagship noise-canceling headphones, and they come with a hefty price tag of $400. Pros: Best-in-class noise cancellation: The XM5 boast the most effective noise cancellation Sony has ever produced, thanks to new processors and microphones. They excel at blocking out low-frequency rumbles like airplane noise and engine hum. Excellent sound quality: While not perfect, the XM5 deliver well-balanced audio with rich bass and clear highs. The bass can be a bit overpowering for some, but the EQ in the accompanying app allows for customization. They are often used by hobbyist in the sound and music realms for these reasons. Improved design: The XM5 are lighter and sleeker than their predecessors, with a more comfortable fit (although some users report issues with ear cup size). The new case is also stylish and protective. Convenient features: Multipoint connection allows pairing with two devices simultaneously, and auto-pause/play is helpful for quick breaks. Speak-to-chat automatically lowers volume and pauses music when you start talking. Long battery life: Up to 27 hours with ANC on is impressive, making them ideal for travel or long listening sessions. Cons: Pricey: At $400, the XM5 are among the most expensive wireless headphones on the market. No longer foldable: Unlike previous models, the XM5 cannot fold flat, making them bulkier for travel. Mixed reviews on comfort: While some find them comfortable, others report issues with the ear cup size and headband pressure. For those who desire a headphone for exercise, these headphones are not water rated, so they often face issues with sweat buildup. Transparency mode not the best: While improved, the transparency mode doesn't quite match the natural sound reproduction of some competitors like the AirPods Max. Bass-heavy sound signature: The default sound profile may be too bass-heavy for some listeners. Overall: The Sony WH-1000XM5 are still some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market, offering excellent ANC, good sound quality, and convenient features. However, their high price, lack of foldability, and potential comfort issues might make them a tough sell for some. If you prioritize top-notch noise cancellation and are willing to pay a premium, the XM5 are worth considering. But if you're on a budget or have specific needs in terms of comfort and sound signature, you might want to explore other options.

After a lot of research I bit the bullet on these XM5’s. Awesome - hands down. Comfort, sound, ANC, features all Great. Daughter just got the Beats Pro these are way better! ( little more bulk but lighter weight)… Forget about the Apples, your paying for the name, sound wise, these XM5 annihilate the Apples. Touch Controls are fluent, effortless & responsive. Sony APP lets you control everything, adjust sounds to your liking etc. I own the XM5 ear buds as well ( my Pros collecting dust) Tried the Bose as well, wasn’t for me… Believe all the reviews , get these XM5’s ands you’ll see why they are the Top Rated headphones.. Disclaimer: ears do get warm when wearing for cardio…

Don’t bother buying the side hinge is plastic and will break off a couple months in, sad because I’m still paying them off. Best Buy will give you the runaround tell you to come in, only to give you Sony’s contact who then says they can’t do anything about it and to call United Radio who will flat out be rude expecting your call is because Sony gave you the run around and say there’s nothing they can do about it even with their 1 yr warranty.

I bought the WH-1000XM5 looking to add an additional set of headphones to my kit. On paper and from reviews of previous versions, they seemed like they had some attractive features compared to my usual go to IEMs (which I love). These have been FANTASTIC. I have used them nearly every single day since I've bought them. These are extremely well rounded headphones. You'd think they'd be a jack of all trades and master of none, but they are not mediocre in any category. Sound quality is great (maybe not audiophile quality, but you can tune them to your liking quite easily). The bass isn't dialed up to 11 like many mainstream headsets, I would say it's tuned to be balanced but fun out of the box, tasteful. Codec selection is good, you can use SBC (with up to 2 devices), AAC or LDAC giving them broad compatibility and bitrate depending on the quality of your files. I use them with AAC codec with no issue, sounds great for a standard streaming service (YT music). Features are great, companion app is easy to use. Switching between noise cancelling and ambient mode is great. The ambient mode is nearly transparent to wearing headphones at all. Noise cancelling is class leading, leagues ahead of what I've experienced in the past. It's not as good isolation as my IEMs, but very good. Talking detection and hand on earcup for awareness are great features. This is very handy on airplanes. Focus on voice and noise cancelling on phone calls are great. I don't use digital assistant features so I can't comment on that, but I'll just say the feature set makes the so versatile in many situations, they are my go-to at work or at home. Fit and finish is great, they are lightweight and easy to fit. I've worn them for long periods of time, including just to use the noise cancelling feature (on flights). I have developed pain on the top of my head from the headband after longer periods, but my advice is to wear them a little bit looser than you think you need to, they should be resting on your head from gravity, not tightened to your head. Doing so relieved the pain I was experiencing and the fit was still secure. They are primarily made from plastic and have a rubberized coating, that being said the don't feel cheap at all. I was worried about the rubberized coating as I've had products with such a coating that have worn off in the past. Time will tell, but I've bumped and scuffed them a few times and they've survived without any noticeable cosmetic damage. Battery life is phenomenal. I use them for hours every day and I don't even think about the battery charge and it gets me through the week. I travel a lot for work and I get through a whole week without even thinking about a charger, it's great. When it comes to charge, they charge FAST. If you forgot to charge them and you only have 10 minutes before getting out the door, great, that's easily all-day battery for you. Other Thoughts: I haven't tried the 360 audio feature. These work well when wired, although I wish you could mix a wired and BT at the same time. I also wish you could use the microphone wired as well as these would be a killer gaming headset without the latency! CODECS: For those who don't know a lot about the BT audio codecs available to you, here's a quick rundown: SBC: An adequate quality codec meant for power saving and stable connection. Early versions of this sounded pretty bad, but the newest versions can get up to good quality with enough bitrate. Use this if you want the highest battery life, most stable + longest distance connection or want to connect to more than one device at once. AAC: This codec has been around a long time and is superior to MP3. If you want a higher quality sound than SBC, this is a good compromise and your only option for higher quality on iOS. This codec is adequate for "High" streaming quality from streaming services LDAC: Use this if you have a "Lossless" quality level in your music streaming service. It's the only one on the list that will push the bitrate beyond CD quality. That being said, you may experience more connection dropouts in congested wireless areas (I have experienced some) and less battery life due to the data transport requirements. My suggestion, use the lowest one on the list that sounds good to you and skip LDAC all together if you don't have high-resolution or lossless files. Different phones handle SBC and AAC very differently, so your mileage may vary. BOTTOM LINE: These are pricey, but well worth price. From what I hear the XM4's offer 90% of the functionality at a cheaper price, so those may be a great option if you're looking for more bang for your buck. I thought these would be a "nice to have" for certain scenarios for me and I ended up using them every single day for everything. I like them so much I've gone out of my way to write this review.