Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony WH-1000XM5
Last updated -- hours ago | Report incorrect information
MUSIC: Very Good—8.2/10
CALLS: Poor—5.5/10
GAMING: Poor—5.6/10
TV: Poor—5.8/10
PODCASTS & AUDIOBOOKS: Fair—6.0/10
EXERCISE: Fair—6.2/10
AIR TRAVEL: Very Good—8.7/10
NOISE REDUCTION: Excellent—9.1/10
BUILD QUALITY: Very Good—8.8/10
BATTERY: Best in Class—10.0/10
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a premium option, offering very good overall sound quality and excellent active noise cancelling, making them ideal for air travel and in noisy environments. They are over-ear, closed-back design, providing good soundstage for an immersive experience. These headphones are wireless but also come with a detachable cable for wired use. They have a comfortable fit and are foldable for portability, though they are on the larger side. Battery life is strong, with over 40 hours of typical use. They also feature an app that allows for equalizer and controls customization and support Sony's 360 Reality Audio for a more enveloping sound. However, they have a poor performance score for gaming and TV, likely due to latency issues. If you plan to use headphones for music listening or during flights and are not intending to game or watch TV frequently, these could be a solid choice. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Evaluation
Pros
- Excellent active noise cancelling
- Great build and comfort
- High quality overall sound
- Effective app controls customization
- Supports LDAC for high-resolution audio
Cons
- Poor performance for gaming
- Not sweat or dustproof
- Larger carry size
- No wireless charging
Ratings by Category
Battery Life:5.0
The Battery Life rating is based on hours of typical, actual usage.
Air Travel:4.6
This score evaluates the product for use on airplanes and other similar kinds of travel. It takes into account noise reduction and portability, including case shape, case size, and weight. It also incorporates the battery life of the product, long-haul comfort, noise reduction (both active and passive), and sound quality. We generally consider wireless products to be more suitable for air travel.
Music:4.5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are highly regarded for music listening due to their overall very good sound quality with a closed enclosure that enhances audio privacy and noise isolation. Additionally, they support the LDAC codec for high-resolution audio streaming over Bluetooth, providing a better wireless listening experience where compatible.
Portability:4.1
The Portability score is based on an overall assessment that includes volume and maximum dimension of the product (and case, if relevant), and its weight. Special features like foldability for headphones are also taken into account.
Exercise:3.3
This score evaluates the product when used for exercise and physical activity. It mainly takes into account comfort, whether or not the products are sweatproof and how secure are the earbuds or headphones while wearing them. We also consider products with wireless capabilities to be more suitable for this particular scenario
Podcasts & Audiobooks:3.0
This score evaluates the product when used solely to listen to podcasts or audiobooks. It takes into account sound quality and sound signature, to be able to keep voices clear and intelligible. It also considers battery life, when available, and comfort.
Full Specs
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
| Price | $398 | ||
Brand | Sony | ||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | ||
Form Factor | Headphones | ||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | ||
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score  | 8.3/10 | ||
Phone Calls Score | 5.6/10 | ||
Gaming Score | 5.6/10 | ||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | ||
Exercise Score | 6.3/10 | ||
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | 40.3 Hours | ||
Wireless charging | No | ||
Charging time | 3.5 Hours | ||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | ||
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | ||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | ||
Virtual Surround | Yes | ||
Android App | Yes | ||
iOS App | Yes | ||
Mic Quality | 8.5/10 | ||
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | 8.8/10 | ||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | ||
Weight | 249.4 Grams | ||
Microphone style | Integrated | ||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | ||
Sony WH-1000XM5
See more
Dig into reviews and images
Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Comparison charts
Give feedback
We're constantly perfecting our model
Earbuds or Headphones guides you may be interested in
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 to similarly priced alternatives
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bowers and Wilkins PI7
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bang and Olufsen Beoplay EX
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Sennheiser Momentum 4
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Bose Quiet Comfort Ultra Headphones
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Sennheiser HD600
VS
Compare Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. Sennheiser Momentum Sport
VS
FAQs
Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
99,200
Recommendations made
14,880
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
Featured in
