Customer Ratings & Reviews

Sound n bass is great, muffs are comfortable, battery is excellent and seems to last forever, also has a lot of smart touch features which you can customize or turn off on its personal app

I’ve struggled with headphones for *years*, I dunno if I have really small or large ears but I was always uncomfortable. These are the first headphones I’ve ever had that feel comfortable!! They’re lightweight, the sound quality is ridiculously great as always with Sony, and they don’t put any pressure on my ears. If you’ve been struggling for years like me, I *highly* recommend.

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.

Great sound and comfort. And super customizable in the app. I would appreciate if they made it easier/and offered new ear cuffs to replace after afew

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.

Not super loud but good for noise cancellation And comfortable dont slip

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.

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 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 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.

Great Headphones! Very comfortable and plush on the ears, and also incredibly light. As someone who has owned these and the Apple Airpods Max headphones (a $550 pair of headphones), I would pick these Sony XM5's. The lightness, with the durability, sound quality, and convenient case make these headphones a great purchase. 10/10!

I was delighted to find the headphones on sale during the holidays, so I indulged myself and bought both the Silver and Black colorways. Design & Portability 4/5 - While most people are purchasing these headphones for the overall sound quality and listening experience, I want to briefly touch on the design qualities that I enjoyed and disliked. Compared to the previous iterations of the Wh-1000x series, this generation does not fold into a more compact size. For my lifestyle. this was not an issue. However, if you travel frequently and would like to store these headphones inside a bag, I can attest to their bulk. An appreciated addition that is included with your headphones is a matching case with an inside compartment for cables and accessories. The silver colorway has an incredible, sleek finish compared to the matte black colorway, which will reflect any fingerprints and smears on its surface. This is a minor qualm though, since a quick wipe down with a non-abrasive cloth will get rid of all the marks. After a few weeks of constant use, I noticed minor indentations in the padding from my glasses. Again, this is a minor issue that is purely cosmetic, but I prefer to keep my devices in relative mint condition incase I need to resell them in the future. Software 5/5 - The gesture control features on the right cup of the headphones offer a responsive user experience. You will need to develop muscle memory for the placement of your finger when playing/pausing the audio. The component app allows you to customize the features based on your preferences. The speak to chat feature recognizes your voice which briefly pauses the audio, although I chose to disable this functionality. In the system settings, you have the ability to customize how much ambient sound can penetrate your headphones. If you are in the Apple ecosystem, these connect and handoff to your devices far better than my own set of airpods. I constantly switch between my MacBook and iPhone, and the software is able to accurately reflect without any kinks or issues with disconnection. Sound Quality 5/5 - Sony did a wonderful job developing these headphones, and the sound quality and noise-cancelling components are a testament to that. Upon your first use, it would be ideal to adjust the EQ setting from the app. I found that every user has a specific preference, and for me, the default EQ setting was too mellow. The ANC is a magical experience, white noise is immediately eliminated and any stray frequencies go unnoticed. You are able to hear some of the quieter frequencies in music that would otherwise be unrecognizable. With previous headphones, I found myself on the higher end of the volume spectrum, but with these headphones, the sound is crisp and full enough to keep the volume at a reasonable 40-50 percent. These are absolutely worth the $400 msp. Whether you're using these for consumption purposes, listening/producing music, or sitting in a zoom class, every feature is geared towards longevity. I have never found a problem with discomfort or having to frequently charge the battery, which I know is a deal-breaker for some consumers. I wear them for up to five hours at a time when I need to immerse myself with my work without needing to recharge. You are furnished with a headphone cable that plugs into a regular jack if you don't want the latency associated with Bluetooth audio encoding. Ultimately, these are comfortable, reliable, and some of the most well-designed wireless audio technology on the market from both a sound quality and design-language perspective. If you are looking for a the best of the best in wireless ANC headphones, then these will check all the boxes.

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.

[Employee of bestbuy] 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.

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.

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.

I was incredibly torn betwern the XM5s and XM4s. The latter ate legendary headphones, and I questioned whether the higher price of the XM5s was worth it. I think the 5s justify their highe price for a few key reasons: stronger Acrive Noise Cancellation (ANC), better-than-advertised battery life, larger ear cups, and a noticeably lighter weight. I do still wish the 5s folded up into a more compact carrying size like the 4s, but the superior performance won me over. I also noticed the XM4s sit slightly on the ears. Despite being well padded, they could result in discomfort over time. The XM5s' cups sit fully around my grown man ears and were noticeably more comorrtable. I wore them on a few transatlantic flights and felt fine even after 8+ hours.

[Employee of bestbuy] Quick take aways: Without an EQ, the headphones have a very very dark sound signature (I was not a fan) Sound very good for Bluetooth headphones with EQ, sound okay when wired ANC seems to be decent, lot of customisability in the app ANC works well in standalone mode (without pairing) Battery life is good No form of sweat/water resistance is a minus but can be worked around High noise floor (if you care about that sort of thing) Optional pause with take off and resume with put on feature is amazing! As a preface, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are my first set of ANC headphones. I would consider myself a mild audiophile (I have a DAC, AMP, and too many headphones). With that said, everyone's ears are different so take this with an extra pinch of salt. Out of the box experience: The packaging was quite nice. It included a hard-shell carrying case, USB-C to USB-A charging cable, 1.2m long 3.5mm cable, and the headphones. The connection process for new devices is wonky and leaves a bit to be desired. The initial pairing did not work until I installed the Sony Headphones Connect app from the appstore. After this, you have to power off the device then power on and hold the power button for 5 seconds to enter pairing mode (confirmed by a vocal "pairing" from the headphones). The sound signature left a lot to be desired. For a bit of background, my favourite type of headphone is flat/neutral with a balanced sound signature. I enjoy heavy bass in electronic music and am sensitive to loud highs/mids (I get listener fatigue quite fast from it). I enjoy a lot of variety when listening to music an will try most things out. In particular I regularly listen to Classical, Avant-garde, Experimental, Easy listening, Electronic, Contemporary folk, Latin, Jazz, Rock, and some Traditional folk. I don't tend to listen to much Blues, Rap, or Hip Hop. I occasionally listen to mainstream-Pop and Country. Without EQ, the sound signature is very very dark. The bass is very punchy and present, the mids are recessed, and the highs have their edge taken off. I was not a fan of it for anything but electronic tracks with no vocals and heavy bass. Even then, it wasn't particularly amazing. Anything with vocals will sound horrendous (again, with no EQ) as the bass frequencies in voices will be very pronounced. The ANC worked well for me out of the box. For the open mode, I set it to let near voices through and ambient noise out. I use them with eyeglasses but the ANC still seems to work well. They do a particularly good job of filtering out A/C noises, the electronic whine that appliances generate (not all people can hear this), and running water. The ANC tends to struggle with erratic high pitched noises (as I understand it, most ANC systems do). However, it will dull the noise a tad through both the closed back headphone and ANC component. Adaptations Since I was not a fan of the sound profile out of the box, I set up an EQ profile with these headphones. The Sony Headphones Connect app includes an EQ but I found it to be extremely limited in terms of customisability (I did not like any of the presets that were offered) and not very user friendly. Due to this, I set up my own external EQ using AutoEq (on github) as a starting point. After fine tuning it to my preferences, using the headphones became a much much better experience. They sound very good for Bluetooth headphones. For genres where I like more bass, I strongly prefer the Sony headphones over my Sennheiser and prefer the Sony to my Bose. In wired mode, the headphones definitely sound better but no where near as good as my other wired headphones. If I'm attached to a wire, I would rather just switch to another pair of headphones. With that said, they do sound better if you leave the headphones on while connected with a cable. The ANC works well for me. If I use them for noise canceling without music, it can get unsettlingly quiet in the mornings (which is a great thing). Around others, particularly in the kitchen, the headphones do a very good job of dulling and eliminating noises. The pass through function works well in the event of conversation. I am a very quiet eater but these headphones did a great job canceling out all noises while I ate. I don't use these headphones outside, so I do not know how well they perform with nature's noises. The gesture controls included are useful but a bit too involved to be my go to. If I have physical access to my device, I prefer to use that to control the music. However, the pause on take off feature is amazing! It consistently pauses my media any time I have to take my headphones off and resumes right where it left off and soon as I put it on. Simply magic is the only way I have to explain it (the function can be turned off if you don't like/want it).

The Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones in Black are a game-changer for audio enthusiasts. With exceptional noise cancellation, premium sound quality, and a comfortable fit, they deliver an immersive listening experience. Intelligent features like Adaptive Sound Control and Quick Attention mode enhance usability, while the sleek design adds a touch of sophistication. With long battery life and a stylish black finish, these headphones are a must-have for anyone seeking top-notch audio performance on the go.

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.