Customer Ratings & Reviews
- Model:
- WH1000XM5/S
- SKU:
- 12498516
Rating by feature
- Sound Quality
Rating 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Battery Life
Rating 4.8 out of 5 stars
- Connectivity
Rating 4.7 out of 5 stars
Customers are saying
Customers are positive about the product's exceptional sound quality, comfort, and impressive battery life, also appreciating its lightweight design, good bass, and snug fit. However, customers are negative about its portability, price, and occasional connectivity issues. Some also note that the volume could be louder and express a desire for water resistance.
This summary was generated by AI based on customer reviews.
- Pros mentioned:Battery life
Highly recommend.
||Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great design, innovative features, and wonderful app support. Not my loudest pair of headphones, but definitely the best I've owned. Battery life is ridiculously good; I once used them for about eight hours a day, for threes days before needing to charge them. The headphones are still pretty new, so the battery is fresh, but I couldn’t believe it and this is around my tenth pair of over the ear headphones. A couple of cons are; sometimes I hear static when I’m near a passing train ( near as in waiting for the train on the platform), and I sometimes like to place the headphones above my ears while I listen so that I can hear the sounds around me as well as the music. The headphones with recognize that they are not on my ears and go into sleep mode ( I could easily fix this in the app). All and all, I give them a 9.5/10
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi AzizT, we definitely appreciate your detailed review of our product. Glad you are enjoying your new headphones! We understand your feedback regarding the static noise you hear sometimes. Some devices that emit ultrasonic sound waves designed to repel rodents may occasionally be installed at the entrances of commercial facilities or subway stations. Near such devices, the ultrasonic sound waves may cause noise or unusual sound to be heard from the headset. Leave the place where the noise or unusual sound is heard. Or turn off the noise canceling function/Ambient Sound Mode from the “Sony | Headphones Connect” app. Please follow this link for more information:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/wh1000xm5/v1/en/contents/TP1000534519.html?search=noise%20
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:
Thanks for choosing Sony! ~Earl
- Pros mentioned:Comfort, Sound quality, Weight
Sony Really Let Me Down With These
||Posted . Owned for 1.5 years when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Let me start by saying that I really wanted to like these headphones. As someone who purchased the WH-1000XM2 headphones back in 2017, I was really looking forward to all the upgrades that the XM5 would provide. The upgrades were there, but so too were the problems as well. Let us begin. Pros: Excellent sound, fantastic noise canceling, very comfortable to wear, felt like a premium product to hold, lightweight, and I was a fan of the beige color. I would use these when traveling throughout NYC and commuting to work. The noise cancellation was so good that when standing on the subway platform and waiting for an oncoming train -- if I closed my eyes -- I could forget that I was on a busy platform while listening to my music. Cons: A few months after buying them, there came an issue where the sound would go out for 10-20 seconds at a time. It would happen randomly when walking, sitting, on a bus, or wherever. It didn't matter what type of audio I listened to, be it music or podcasts. It got to the point that I just stopped using the headphones altogether. I'm not sure if this issue is a cold-weather thing, as I began to notice beginning in October of last year when the temperature started to drop (interestingly, I purchased these headphones in December of '22, and there were no problems during that winter). Nevertheless, I went back to using the XM2s. Yes, I've gone back to using the same headphones that I thought would have been retired by now, but the XM5s were inconsistent with maintaining their audio. I'm so disappointed with these headphones and Sony. Perhaps I had a defective product, but for something that's nearly $400, constantly losing sound at any place at any time is incredibly frustrating. So, in the end, despite the excellent sound quality (when it would work) and noise cancellation, I can't in good conscience recommend anyone buy these headphones based on my experience with them. Again, I've had no problems with the XM2s, and they're almost 8 years old at this point. Sony, please get your act together because this was such a letdown.
No, I would not recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Oaktown,
Thank you for reaching out to us with your concern. While we're glad that you like most of the features, we are sorry to hear that you are experiencing issues with your WH-1000XM5 disconnecting from your device randomly. We have taken note of your issues. We'd love to troubleshoot the issue and make this a better experience for you. In the meantime, please make sure that the headphones has the latest software updates (via the Sony Sound Connect app) as this will help improve the overall performance of the WH-1000XM5.
In some cases, such as when you wear the headphones over a cap, a scarf, hair, etc., the sensors may not detect that you are wearing them and may turn them off. Be sure to set the earpads over the ears. Also, check the proximity sensor. If the proximity sensor part inside the left unit housing gets fogged up, or if there are water droplets on it due to condensation or humidity (from changing temperatures or sweat, for example), the Wearing Detection function may not work properly. If this happens, leave the proximity sensor part facing up until the moisture disappears. Please note that the WH-1000XM5 model is designed to function optimally between the temperatures of 0°C and 40°C (32 °F to 104 °F). Although it can and will function beyond this temperature range, performance may be impaired.
If the connection is unstable, such as when producing only intermittent sound, switch the sound quality mode to Prioritize Stable Connection. If the behavior continues, restore the unit to factory default. Doing so may resolve the issue. To reset the headphones, follow the steps from the link below.
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/wh1000xm5/v1/en/contents/TP1000541012.html
If the issue persists, a separate article is available if there is no sound, or sound is only heard from one side of the headphones on this link here: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-headphones/wh-1000xm5/articles/00204552
If this does not resolve the problem, please let us know so we can turn your experience around. You may send us an email at socialsupport@am.sony.com with the following details:
Name:
Best Buy Username:
Model Number:
Issue:
Telephone Number
We value your feedback and aim to restore your trust in Sony.
Sincerely,
Jess
- Pros mentioned:Battery life, Comfort, Sound quality
Great buy
||Posted . Owned for 6 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Adaptive noise cancelation is amazing. I took these on a trip they helped me get through the lay over and entirety of the flight. Comfortable flexible durable. Battery life is amazing. Had them playing for 7 hours a day 5 days out of the week and Battery life was still at 70 percent !
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi CarlosO, Awesome! We're glad that you are enjoying your new headphones. The WH-1000XM5 headphones have 2 processors that control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation and exceptional call quality. With a newly developed 30mm driver, DSEE – Extreme and Hi-Res audio support they provide awe-inspiring audio quality. Our Voice Pickup Technology uses 4 microphones that are calibrated to only pick up your voice, resulting in crystal clear calls. The automatic Speak to Chat feature will stop your music once you start talking and let in the ambient sound. With up to 30 hours of battery life and a quick charge feature. The new lightweight WH-1000XM5 headphones provide all day comfort in an elegant design. Thanks for choosing Sony. Erin
- Pros mentioned:Battery life, Comfort, Sound quality
Top notch noise cancelling and comfort
||Posted . Owned for 9 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.These are very nice headphones with exceptional noise canceling. They are quite comfortable and the battery lasts a long time. They sound very good, but audiophiles may be disappointed. When I need to block out the noise around me, I reach for these.... otherwise, it's my Grados.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Aarothan, Great! We're thrilled to hear that you like the WH1000XM5. Your feedback is greatly appreciated. Thank you for choosing Sony. Erin
- Pros mentioned:Battery life, Comfort, Sound quality
Wife's favorite present
||Posted . Owned for 1 year when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.My wife fell in love with this headset after the first use. it is very comfortable and last a long time between charges. she loves the noise cancellation. especially for planes. she uses this headset more than her airpods.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JohnH, This is great! We're delighted to hear that your wife fell in love with this headset. We also appreciate that she likes the noise canceling and comfortable to use. Thank you for choosing Sony. Erin
- Pros mentioned:Battery life, Sound quality
Quality So Good It’ll Make You Cry
||Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Switched from the Beats Studio Series to these, and I don’t regret it. The battery life on these is easily better, the sound quality and noise cancelling on these headphones are so good, you can hear each individual instrument in your music. These shine in comparison to many other headphone brands, and for good reason.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello bananaFish7,
Thank you for choosing Sony!
We're ecstatic to learn that the WH1000XM5 headphones have impressed you with their outstanding battery life, detailed sound quality, and powerful noise cancelling. Thank you for sharing how they stand out compared to other brands—it’s wonderful to hear they’re enhancing your listening experience!
Best regards,
-Fred
- Pros mentioned:Comfort, Sound quality
Great gift
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Got these for my son and he’s loving them! He says the sound quality is good and they are comfortable with glasses.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Thank you for the wonderful review, Luna!
We’re so happy to hear that your son is loving his WH-1000XM5 headphones! It’s great to know they are providing both the high-quality sound he enjoys and the comfort he needs while wearing glasses.
Thank you for choosing Sony!
Best regards,
Gus, Sony Social Media Team
- Pros mentioned:Battery life, Sound quality
Smooth Listening
||Posted . Owned for 10 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I really have enjoyed using these headphones so far. Excellent noise cancellation, which is my primary use for it. SO convenient for planes and trains -- and any travel in general. The battery is great, lasts very long. Sound quality is pretty great as well, though I always want it to be just a little bit louder. The microphone seems to work pretty well, I've used it for multiple conferences and work things and haven't had any complaints. A couple things that have gotten a bit annoying: 1 - Speak to Chat. For some reason, it always activates by itself and it's very annoying when you're singing along to a song and it thinks you're having a conversation with someone so it'll just pause your music? Might be a problem with the app, but it happens a lot more often than I would like it to. 2 - Heavier on the top of my head then I would like. I found my Sennheiser's to be a lot more comfortable on the head when wearing for long periods of time. After more than a couple of hours on my head it does give me a bit of a headache. Otherwise I've been really enjoying these!
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .HI shelly, Thanks for your feedback and insights. Sony values the opinions of customers and is always striving to provide the best experience possible. The WH-1000XM5 headphones have 2 processors that control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation and exceptional call quality. With a newly developed 30mm driver, DSEE – Extreme and Hi-Res audio support they provide awe-inspiring audio quality. Our Voice Pickup Technology uses 4 microphones that are calibrated to only pick up your voice, resulting in crystal clear calls. The automatic Speak to Chat feature will stop your music once you start talking and let in the ambient sound. With up to 30 hours of battery life and a quick charge feature. The new lightweight WH-1000XM5 headphones provide all day comfort in an elegant design. Thanks for choosing Sony. Erin
- Pros mentioned:Sound qualityCons mentioned:Portability
pretty amazing headphones!
||Posted . Owned for 6 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.litetwlly the best headphones ever!! the noise cancelling is amazing and they BARELY leak sound, only if you’re playing really loud music at high volume. i would recommend to anybody. i think the only cons are that they were sort of loose on my head since my head is small and that they are not foldable.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi jayisawesome,
That's awesome to hear! We're so happy you're loving your WH-1000XM5 headphones and their noise-canceling. We appreciate your feedback regarding the fit and foldability – it helps us improve. Enjoy your music! Thanks for choosing Sony.
-Eliab
- Pros mentioned:Battery life, Comfort, Sound quality
Great Headphones - Superb Noise Cancellation
||Posted . Owned for 4 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Purchased for work and travel. A great companion especially during long flights. Sound quality is excellent and the most impressive feature is the noise cancellation. Very comfortable and battery life is impressive. Highly recommended.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi tarek, Awesome! We're glad that you are enjoying your new headphones. The WH-1000XM5 headphones have 2 processors that control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation and exceptional call quality. With a newly developed 30mm driver, DSEE – Extreme and Hi-Res audio support they provide awe-inspiring audio quality. Our Voice Pickup Technology uses 4 microphones that are calibrated to only pick up your voice, resulting in crystal clear calls. The automatic Speak to Chat feature will stop your music once you start talking and let in the ambient sound. With up to 30 hours of battery life and a quick charge feature. The new lightweight WH-1000XM5 headphones provide all day comfort in an elegant design. Thanks for choosing Sony. Erin
- Pros mentioned:Comfort, Sound quality
Sony WH-1000 XM5 Review
||Posted . Owned for 1 month when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Great pair of headphones!! Nice, light and comfortable for wearing for long periods of time. Sound wise, a great balanced sound. The bass is a bit less than their predecessors the WH-1000XM4’s. These are my go to headphones for listening to rock, metal and country. If you prefer to listen to rap/hip hop music or just prefer heavy bass in general, then I would recommend the Sony WH-XB910N’s or their predecessors the Sony WH-XB900N’s. Where the XM5’s really excel is their noise canceling ability. The phone calls come through crystal clear as well. It’s almost like the person who you are talking to is right there. I also like that these headphones come with a nice hard carrying case to protect your headphones if you have them in your backpack or duffel/gym bag. I have owned several pairs of Sony Headphones over the years and this pair along with my XM4’s are 2 of my favorites ever. Like I said, very comfortable as well.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi TBROWNIE72, Thanks for your feedback and insights. We're also glad that you like the noise canceling and call quality. The WH-1000XM5 headphones have 2 processors that control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation and exceptional call quality. With a newly developed 30mm driver, DSEE – Extreme and Hi-Res audio support they provide awe-inspiring audio quality. Our Voice Pickup Technology uses 4 microphones that are calibrated to only pick up your voice, resulting in crystal clear calls. The automatic Speak to Chat feature will stop your music once you start talking and let in the ambient sound. With up to 30 hours of battery life and a quick charge feature. The new lightweight WH-1000XM5 headphones provide all day comfort in an elegant design. Thanks for choosing Sony. Erin
- Pros mentioned:Comfort, Sound quality, Weight
Sony
||Posted . Owned for 5 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.comfortable, good weight, excellent sound and noise cancellation
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi EdwinG, thanks for sharing your wonderful experience! We're immensely pleased to hear that you're loving the magnificent sound of your new Sony - WH1000XM5. Their industry-leading noise canceling technology and comfortable design make them a perfect option for all-day listening. Thank you for choosing Sony and enjoy the music! Regards, -Dominick
- Pros mentioned:Sound qualityCons mentioned:Connectivity
Randomly Disconnects
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Sound is great just like the WH1000XM3 model that I had BUT...the more features that are enable the more likely that the headphones start acting erratic. Sometimes the noise cancellation would stop and you would hear the entire outside world and then it would go back into noise cancellation mode. Sometimes it simply disconnects from your device for no reason at all. I tried to connect to my laptop and phone at the same time and I was able to do so but it didn't switch back to the phone very well. I had to turn bluetooth off of my laptop so that I could keep it exclusively on my iphone and then manually disconnect from the phone, re-enable bluetooth on the laptop, and reconnect on the laptop to use it for meetings through the laptop. Even with bluetooth off on the laptop and the "Connect 2 devices simultaneously" turned off on the headphones, the headphones will randomly disconnect from my phone. No other wireless headphones have done this with my iphone, not even the WH1000XM3 set I had before. Not randomly power down, randomly disconnect. All firmware and apps are up-to-date too. At the 299 (US dollars) price point, I can put up with the connection frustration when having to switch and its random disconnections because the sound quality is awesome. Just frustrating to deal with. iPhone 13 btw.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi Matt,
Thanks for sharing such a detailed review and for comparing your experience with the XM3s. We're glad to hear you're enjoying the sound quality, that's something we work had to deliver. At the same time, we apologize for the issues with the connection and unexpected behavior with noise cancellation, especially the inconsistent switching between devices
To address these concerns, even with the latest firmware update, try restarting them. The steps are listed in the link below:
https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/wh1000xm5/v1/en/contents/TP1000541012.html
If the issue persists, perform factory reset by following the instructions in the link: https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/wh1000xm5/v1/en/contents/TP1000541013.html
We hope the information helps. Thanks for choosing Sony.
-Eliab
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality, Weight
Worth the money!
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.It’s overall great quality! The sound is very clear and the controls are accurate. I don’t have many accidental control changes that are not intentional. Being lightweight makes them perfect for weightlifting and running. All of my technology has been Apple so I was nervous to step out. I do not regret my decision in the slightest!
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi NatalieH,
What incredible feedback! It's fantastic to hear you're loving the overall great quality of your WH-1000XM5 headphones, especially the clear sound and accurate controls that prevent accidental changes. We're particularly pleased to know their lightweight design makes them perfect for activities like weightlifting and running. Thanks for choosing Spny.
-Eliab
- Pros mentioned:Battery life, Comfort, Sound quality
A+
||Posted . Owned for 8 months when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Amazing sound quality and noise cancellation. The battery life is crazy good as well. I use them 6+ hours on an almost daily basis and they are very comfortable and charge fast.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi ErikH, That's great! We're so happy to hear you like the amazing sound, excellent noise canceling, long battery life, comfortable fit, and quick charging of your new Sony WH1000XM5. Thank you for choosing Sony! -Sam
- Pros mentioned:Comfort, Sound quality
Best headphones hands down!
||Posted . Owned for 3 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I travel for work and spend a lot of time on commercial airlines. These headphones were the best purchase I could've made in order to make short or long flights more enjoyable. I recently had 5-hour, 7-hour, and 11-hour flights and cannot say enough about how these headphones made the trips better. They are extremely comfortable for hours of wear. The sound quality for music and videos is fantastic. The noise cancelling is best in class - even silenced the chatty passengers near me. I even napped in pure silence with just the nose cancelling on - no music, just silence. It was blissful! Are they expensive? Yes. Are they worth it? Every. Single. Penny.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi JefferyL We appreciate your feedback and we're glad that you're enjoying your WH1000XM5. Thank you for choosing Sony. Erin
- Pros mentioned:Battery life
Great
||Posted . Owned for 1 week when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.These were my first full over-the-ears pair of wireless headphones so i dont have much to compare it to, however i love these so far. I’ve had them for about 2 weeks and the battery life is amazing specially with the fast charging. The noise cancellation works really well i use it at work when im on my breaks and it works great at reducing almost all noise apart from some faint voices but im perfectly fine with that. The ambient noise setting also works extremely well i use it when im outside walking or in transit and i can hear all ambience and my surroundings while still listening to my music. The microphone quality is also not bad its not the greatest but it gets the job done and the hands free calling is really convenient and useful. Overall I’m very happy with it and id recommend it.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hi fazo1and, Great! We're thrilled to hear that you are enjoying your headphones. The WH-1000XM5 headphones have 2 processors that control 8 microphones for unprecedented noise cancellation and exceptional call quality. With a newly developed 30mm driver, DSEE – Extreme and Hi-Res audio support they provide awe-inspiring audio quality. Our Voice Pickup Technology uses 4 microphones that are calibrated to only pick up your voice, resulting in crystal clear calls. The automatic Speak to Chat feature will stop your music once you start talking and let in the ambient sound. With up to 30 hours of battery life and a quick charge feature. The new lightweight WH-1000XM5 headphones provide all day comfort in an elegant design. Thanks for choosing Sony. Erin
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Overall excellent product
||Posted . Owned for more than 2 years when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I have owner for over a year and would recommend, great noise cancelation functionality. Nice app features for different sound setting and to easily turn off and on different features.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Hello LanceM,
Thank you for choosing Sony!
We're elated to hear that your WH1000XM5 headphones have been a reliable companion for over a year. Your positive remarks about the noise cancellation and the app’s user-friendly features truly highlight the effort we put into crafting an exceptional audio experience. Knowing that these aspects have made a difference for you encourages us to continue innovating and supporting your journey with great sound.
Best regards,
-Fred
- Pros mentioned:Comfort
Sony WH-100XM5
||Posted . Owned for 2 weeks when reviewed.This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.Very comfortable, decent noise cancelling in loud environments. Only downside I see becoming an issue later on is the hinge, it doesn't really seem all that sturdy, be very careful and never drop these.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Thank you for the feedback, JACKL!
We are happy to hear that your XM5 is keeping things very comfortable and giving you decent noise cancelling even in those loud places!
We also really appreciate your note about the hinge. While they are built to hold up well to normal daily use, you are totally right that taking a little extra care and avoiding drops is always the best way to keep them in great shape for the long run.
Thank you for choosing Sony!
Best regards, Gus, Sony Social Media Team
- Pros mentioned:Sound quality
Good Sound Quality
||Posted .This reviewer received promo considerations or sweepstakes entry for writing a review.I love these headphones. They have a noise canceling option and an ambient sound option too. If you download the app, you can adjust the sound too. The only reason I took one star off is because I feel like these might break if I were to mishandle them. I try to take care of my things though so it’s not really a problem for me.
I would recommend this to a friendBrand response from SonyListens
Posted .Thank you for the great review, user777467!
We’re thrilled you're enjoying the noise canceling and the custom sound options via our app—it really makes a difference! We appreciate your feedback on the build; while the WH-1000XM5 features a lightweight, "noiseless" design, it is engineered for durability during daily use. Since you take such good care of your gear, they should serve you well for a long time!
Thank you for choosing Sony!
Best regards,
Gus,
Sony Social Media Team