Customer Ratings & Reviews

My first foray into the XM family has been a great one. These headphones offer great comfort, excellent sound quality, and terrific active noise-cancelling. Battery life can easily last an entire workday and sounds great during Zoom calls. Microphone quality is decent, with no reports from others that my voice quality is poor or is drowned out by ambient noises, whether it be outdoors in windy environments or at a noisy airport terminal. Pass-through works well too, as it lets in (and can magnify) the noise coming from your surroundings so that you are able to be aware of what is around you. Being a set of over-the-ear headphones, weight can be a consideration for some, but I haven't noticed any discomfort due to that. Sometimes I wear them all day through work and play and have no issues with ear/neck fatigue. One drawback that I have heard from others is the fact that these headphones do not collapse and fold up like the XM4s, which is fair, but the cups do pivot so that the headphones are as flat as possible. These live at my desk, unless I'm traveling, so it's not a con in my book.

I’ve enjoyed multiple earlier versions of Sony’s XM series noise-canceling headphones (XM2, XM3, XM4). What originally drew me to them was the excellent noise-canceling performance, especially considering the price point compared to Bose’s airplane-focused models at the time, which were significantly more expensive. Comfort was another big plus. The headband felt good, and I’ve never liked in-ear solutions. The XM5 series is largely the same experience overall. One of my earlier concerns was headband strength, which I believe has been addressed in newer versions. My main issue now is that, in certain situations, speech clarity seems to suffer. I sometimes feel the older models handled voices better. That said, it’s possible my current unit is slightly defective and may need an RMA. Overall, these headsets are excellent when it comes to noise canceling, period. If you can find the XM4 or XM5 at a discount, you won’t be disappointed. Just make sure to register them for the warranty and keep the firmware up to date. One piece of advice: fully charge the headphones before use, and if you’re doing a firmware update, be prepared and patient.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are, simply put, a revelation. After relying on them extensively for both professional use and travel, I can confidently say they set a new standard for wireless audio and noise cancellation. If you are looking for a premium experience that delivers pure, uninterrupted sound, these are the headphones to get. One of the first things you notice about the XM5 is the complete redesign focused on comfort. The new, sleeker profile feels significantly lighter on the head than previous models, and the ultra-soft, smooth-fit leather earcups feel like clouds. I found them incredibly comfortable for all-day use. Whether I was wearing them for a solid 8-hour shift at my desk or during a long-haul flight, the minimal clamping force and plush padding meant no ear fatigue or head pressure, making them perfect for extended listening sessions. The Active Noise-Canceling (ANC) capabilities on the WH-1000XM5 are phenomenal—truly class-leading. Sony uses two processors and eight microphones to deliver an unprecedented level of quiet. For my daily work environment, this meant noisy office chatter, humming air conditioners, and even the sounds of typing keyboards simply disappeared, allowing me to focus deeply. Where the XM5s truly shine is when traveling by plane. The advanced ANC excels at eliminating persistent, low-frequency sounds, which is exactly what a jet engine produces. Putting these on during takeoff transforms the harsh roar of the cabin into a barely perceptible whisper. I was able to watch movies at comfortable volume levels, listen to music, or simply sit in serene silence, turning what is usually a stressful experience into a genuinely peaceful one. For frequent flyers, these headphones are an absolute must-have investment. Beyond travel and personal listening, the XM5 proved to be an indispensable tool for my work. The call quality is crystal clear thanks to Precise Voice Pickup Technology, which uses AI to isolate your voice. I took several video and conference calls in busy environments, and not one person complained about background noise; they only heard me. The ability to connect to two devices simultaneously (multipoint connection) was also a game-changer, allowing me to stay connected to my work laptop and personal phone without having to constantly switch connections. If you need premium comfort, unparalleled noise cancellation, and professional-grade performance, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a purchase you won't regret.

I use these everyday for listening to music at work. Love the noise cancelling. I use a lot of ear piercings and these don’t irritate them so that’s nice. I could go the whole 40 work week without charging them. Only thing I don’t like is the soft to touch plastic material. It makes my headphones look greasy. Otherwise these are great.

Had this for 2 years, I never have any issues. Physical aspects: pretty light, won’t feel heavy on your head. Sound quality is amazing. You can adjust it (noise cancelling) when you go on walks at night you can turn off noise cancellations (for safety), you’ll find the feature on “scene based listening” on the Sound Connect app. After 2 years it still feels brand new. The battery lasts pretty long and and also charges fast. I highly recommend this over the overpriced fruit brand.

So comfortable wearing this all day, and I love its bass sound and the overall sound quality. My friend has AirPods Max, so I tested both. Yet, Sony XM5 is lighter than Max and its bass is so full. The battery stays all day, and all other functions supported with the app is amazing. This automatically stops playing when I try to speak. Some say that connectivity is what bothers them. But, it only takes a few seconds to connect them. So, I did not feel anything inconvenient.

I'm writing this review under a POV of an average consumer. This is my first time owning a pair of over-ear headphones as well. To start things off, the unboxing experience was nothing too fancy, Sony kept it minimal. My pair came with 60% charged out of the box. The build quality was nice, very little plastic creaking noises. The black color was so prone to smudges (as you can see on my picture). First time putting it on, I was really surprised by the its lightweight and comfy earpads. The clamping force was just right and I've experienced no issues with my glasses on so far. After installing the app and setting up the headphones, I tried them out and the audio was pretty nice with default EQ. However, I felt like the audio was a little muddy, lacked of clarity so I went ahead and messed around with the EQ until I found the settings that I wanted. If you guys have no idea where to start with EQ, you could use one of the available presets to adjust. I tried switching between noise-cancelling and ambient mode. Noise-cancelling was great, I usually have music playing anyway so I experienced no issue. However with ambient mode, unless you have low volume then ambient mode doesn't really work well. I had ambient mode on and 60% volume but I can't hear my mom talk, unlike the AirPods Max which was so clear (compared mine with my friend's pair). The side controls on the headphones was pretty convenient as well, but it's not super accurate. Overall, I am happy with my purchase and I got them on-sale as well so it was a great deal!

Bought a pair of Airpods Max recently and while the sound quality, build quality, and noise cancellation are top notch, the metal used caused uncomfortableness after an hour or so of use. I had to take breaks to give my ears a rest. In sessions of several hours of use my ears would reach the point where I would choose to wait until the next day to use the Maxes again. I gave the XM5 a chance after hearing so much praise for the XM4 and I'm glad I did. They do what the Maxes do without its flaws. IMO the XM5 has no differences in sound quality and noise cancelation from the Max while being lightweight and extremely comfortable - even after hours of use. Throw in an actual carrying case, 10 hour longer battery, and cheaper price and the XM5 is the clear winner. And this is coming from an Apple guy. I ended up returning the Airpods. If I had to note a flaw it would be the XM5's weird quirks when paired with an Apple product. Ex: sometimes when I put them on it randomly opens up the Apple Music app on my Macbook and automatically plays music. Also the inability to be naturally used wirelessly with a PS5 is a bit of a bummer. Sony could learn a thing from Apple about integration.

Thoroughly impressed with these headphones. The bass in music is top notch without muddying the sound. Paired with the app you unlock it's true potential. I'm more of a wired headphones guy but I find myself using Bluetooth more often than wired. Sony has Bluetooth all figured out with their LDAC codecs. I'll quickly add the ANC is bonkers. You can tune anything out .I could go on and on about how great they sound but I can't skip over the build quality. Smoothe as butter adjustments and functionality not to mention THE most comfortable over ears I've ever used. The ear cups are like clouds and if you're like me and have issues with your ears getting too hot wearing over ears mine do perfectly fine in these after 8 hour workday. Which brings me to battery life. I can use them all day Monday thru Thursday at work with a single charge and quickly charge them after getting home and finish out the week and weekend as well.

These Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones exceeded every expectation. The noise cancellation is incredibly effective, the sound quality is rich and detailed, and the comfort is perfect even during long use. Battery life is excellent, and the smart features make daily use effortless. Truly a premium experience — worth every dollar.

Battery life amazing. Used for an entire flight from Philippines on one charge. Sound cancellation is something I never thought would be this good, I was able to sleep on a 12-hour flight for 9-hours while wearing these and playing sleep sounds to help. Sound quality, flexibility is on another level. Application is solid, even on an iPhone. Updates take a hot minute to complete, but worth the effort to ensure proper operation of the headphones. I was seriously considering the Apple AirPods Max due to my other Apple devices, but decided on the Sony WH1000XM5 instead. This decision saved me money and delivered superior value. The build quality feels premium, they're comfortable to wear, and the audio performance exceeds expectations. Even without Apple's ecosystem integration, these headphones proved to be the better choice. Couldn't be happier with my decision.

I have wanted headphones over the ear head phones for a long minute, I did my research which ones I liked aesthetically the best, which ones I felt were the best value for my money, which ones had long lasting battery life, which ones had good reviews on tiktok but also reddit threads, I just fell in love with the Sony XM5's I specifically did not want the XM4's because they folded and I had like trauma from the early 2010s when beats made crap headphones that folded and broke easily I'm sure those are good too though. But I get great battery life on these, they fit my head personally really well / comfortable to wear, the sound is amazing, the one downside is they don't like auto pair well with apple devices which they aren't apple headphones but I know people with Bose headphones who don't have autopair sync issues like I do it's just a niche issue if you know you know, also the app is a bit meh and I turned "adaptive sound control" in the app off so fast it was the most annoying feature where it auto turned noise cancelling off to adjust you to ambient sound and kept turning talk to speak on even after having turned it off which would pause my music just an irritating feature. That aside I love the headphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones offer an exceptional listening experience, building on the strengths of their predecessors with even better noise cancellation and sound quality. The design is sleek and comfortable, making them ideal for long listening sessions. Battery life is impressive, with up to 30 hours of playback on a single charge. The headphones also feature intuitive touch controls and seamless integration with voice assistants. Overall, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are a top choice for anyone seeking premium audio performance and comfort.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a fantastic upgrade for anyone seeking high-quality audio and exceptional noise cancellation. From the moment you put them on, the soft, cushioned ear cups provide a comfortable fit, even during long listening sessions. Sound Quality: The audio quality is simply outstanding. The sound is well-balanced with crisp highs, clear mids, and deep, rich bass. Whether you're listening to music, podcasts, or taking calls, everything sounds impeccable. Noise Cancellation: Sony has outdone itself with the noise cancellation on these headphones. They effectively block out almost all external noise, allowing you to immerse yourself fully in your audio experience. Whether you're on a noisy flight or in a bustling café, the WH-1000XM5's noise cancellation will keep you focused. Battery Life: The battery life is impressive, offering around 30 hours of playtime on a single charge. Plus, with quick charging, you can get a few hours of use from just a few minutes of charging, which is a huge plus for those always on the go. Design: The design is sleek and modern, with a minimalist aesthetic. They're lightweight and foldable, making them easy to carry in the provided case. The touch controls on the ear cups are intuitive and responsive, making it easy to adjust volume, skip tracks, or take calls without needing to reach for your device. Additional Features: The headphones come with several smart features, such as adaptive sound control, which adjusts the noise cancellation based on your activity, and speak-to-chat, which pauses your music when you start talking. These small but significant features make the user experience even better. Conclusion: The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a premium product with a premium price tag, but they are worth every penny. The combination of stellar sound quality, industry-leading noise cancellation, long battery life, and thoughtful design makes them a top contender in the wireless headphone market. Whether you're a frequent traveler, a music enthusiast, or someone who just wants a great pair of headphones for everyday use, the WH-1000XM5 won't disappoint.

These are fantastic headphones and there are only a few small things (nothing that have to do with how they sound) that make the difference between 4 and 5 stars for me. Get all the good stuff out of the way: they sound positively amazing, one of the best in their class (these and AirPods Max are pretty much equal to me in sound quality). They have the absolute BEST noise cancelling I have tried. They're very light and comfortable, and the battery life is great. They paired no problem with whatever Bluetooth devices I had handy. Here's why they're 4 and not 5 for me: - They slide on my head. I know this is very different depending on a lot of factors, but I have the adjust them pretty regularly when I'm wearing them. Your mileage may vary. - They don't fold flat for travel - For some reason on two PC's in my house they sounded terrible when paired via Bluetooth. On other PC's and every other device I tried (including a Steam Deck), they sounded fine. No idea what is happening there. Overall a very worthy option if you're in the market for premium noise cancelling headphones.

These Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are fantastic! I use them at the gym, and the noise cancellation is amazing, it really helps me focus. They’re very comfortable, look sleek in black, and feel great to wear for long periods. The sound quality is excellent, and I highly recommend this color and model.

Absolutely amazing headphones. The noise cancelling is almost otherworldly. I walked through a busy airport and I could not hear a thing other than my music. They're also comfortable and the batteries last awhile. I'm no audiophile but the audio quality is very good, the best I've personally tried.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones continue the legacy of Sony's acclaimed noise-canceling technology, offering an outstanding listening experience that combines comfort, premium sound quality, and advanced features. For anyone in search of a top-tier pair of headphones, the XM5s set a new standard. Design and Build Quality The WH-1000XM5 features a sleek and modern design that is both stylish and functional. The ear cups are elegantly shaped, and the soft-touch finish adds a premium feel. The ear cushions are plush, providing a snug fit that isolates outside noise while remaining comfortable for hours of use. Noise Cancellation Performance The WH-1000XM5 boasts best-in-class Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) capabilities. While it effectively blocks a significant amount of ambient noise, it is still not groundbreaking during flights, as some ambient noise may still come through. Don’t expect dead silence; it’s designed to reduce distractions but won’t completely eliminate all background sounds. This makes it ideal for casual listening and environments like cafes or offices, but be aware that complete isolation isn’t guaranteed. Sound Quality When it comes to sound quality, the XM5s excel. The headphones deliver a rich, balanced audio profile, with clear highs, warm mids, and deep bass that doesn’t overwhelm. However, this is not an audiophile's headphone; rather, it serves as a great travel and everyday headphone that offers a colored sound profile, making it enjoyable and uplifting for casual listeners. Whether you’re listening to classical music, hip-hop, or podcasts, the sound remains detailed and immersive. Battery Life and Connectivity The battery life of the WH-1000XM5 is impressive, offering up to 30 hours of playback time with ANC activated and even more without it. A quick charge feature provides up to 5 hours of playback from just a 10-minute charge, making them perfect for users on the go. The headphones also support Bluetooth 5.2, ensuring a stable connection with a wide range of devices. Touch Controls and Features The touch-sensitive controls on the earcups are intuitive and responsive, allowing you to adjust volume, skip tracks, and take calls with ease. While the Sony app is not particularly polished, it does include all the essential features and controls needed to customize your listening experience. Final Thoughts Overall, the Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC Headphones are a remarkable choice for anyone seeking high-quality sound, exceptional noise cancellation, and comfort in a sleek design. Whether you’re using them for work, travel, or leisure, these headphones provide a listening experience that is hard to beat. However, the price is high, which may not align with every budget. If you're in the market for a solid set of headphones, the WH-1000XM5s are undoubtedly worth considering, but be mindful of their cost.

If you take with you anything from my review just take away this: If you want one of the best noise cancellation experiences TRY THESE! With a bump in microphones from last year's model, you now have 8 microphones that enhance the noise cancellation experience and call quality. The audio optimizer really helps to detect the environment that you are in and your conditions in order to give you the audio quality that you are looking for in a premium set of headphones. Sound, is without a doubt one of the best take a ways from these headphones. It is magic, the way they make the 2 processors work to detect noise and provide your ears with crisp and magnificent sounding audio. You even have an optimizer within the headphones app that you can control to your liking. I personally think the default "Bright" is a great setting to get a well rounded sound. When taking calls you can hear your caller well and the 4 microphones used to detect your voice do a great job to focus in on your voice and cancel out any other ambient noise so your caller can clearly hear your voice. Other things of note: - 30 hours of battery life is great but what is even crazier is that with just 3 minutes of charging you can get 3 HOURS of playback if you need to go on say a flight and want to carry these headphones along. - I HATE that these headphones do not flip the ear phones inward but instead flip outward when you hang them around your neck. This is pretty awkward being that you are exposing your ear phones out. - I've noticed that the auto pause when you take off the headphones is hit or miss sometimes. - Storing these headphones flat isn't bad but I wish they could fold in to minimize their space a bit more.

I absolutely love these. They are very light and easy to use. They have great noise canceling, especially on airplanes. The bass on these is better than any other headphones i've ever tried. Ive had them for months and the battery lasts so long. I've charged them probably 3 times. They are amazing for the price and totally worth it.