Sony WH-1000XM5 Reviews: Worth An Upgrade?

It can be tricky for a manufacturer to push the sound performance of a product consistently from generation to generation; but that is what Sony has managed to do with the WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones. Not only that, it has been achieved while executing a major redesign.

The Sony XM5 headphones might feel a little less premium than before, but the jump in sound quality from the previous generation is a big one, and rivals could once again have their work cut out. If you are looking for a new pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones, your auditioning should start here.

The WH-1000XM5s have a wonderfully comfortable new design that looks more modern but doesn’t quite rise up to their $400 price tag. The already best-in-class noise cancellation has been stepped up even further. These headphones sound clearer and more natural but also very different from their predecessors, which could prove divisive.

If you’ve got a pair of 1000XM4s and are happy with them, there’s zero reason to run out and upgrade. Those headphones can do everything these can. But if you’re on an older pair of Sony cans — say the 1000XM2s or M3s and your battery is starting to give out, then these are a much better buy. You’re getting multipoint and the best ANC Sony has achieved yet.

I don’t love that the price has gone up, and the case is a miss. For those reasons, you should do your own side-by-side comparisons with the M4s and potentially save some money.

The range may have plateaued a bit with the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, but they’ve plateaued at the top of the pile. These newest Sony over-ear ANC headphones remain the best that money can buy at the moment – even if they cost more money than previous iterations in the line up.

Whether it’s recognising the headphones have been removed from your head and pausing your music, noting you’re having a conversation and dialling down the volume, or switching off noise cancelling features when you’re out on a busy road, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones can anticipate exactly what you want them to do without you needing to touch a button yourself. These smart features feel snappier and more responsive than with previous versions, too.

Charging quickly, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones want to get you back to your music as quickly as possible, while their app also does a good job of making you aware of the damage loud music can do to your ears if not kept in check. Likewise, the construction of the headphone enclosure and packaging has been done with an eye on sustainability.

Sony giveth and taketh away with the new design but ultimately, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. The latest iteration of the 1000X Series maintains Sony’s position as the best noise cancelling headphones on the market. They sound better, are well stocked with smarts and features, the noise cancellation and ambient modes remain impressive, and they are very comfortable to wear over long periods.

As an all-rounder, there isn’t another wireless pair of noise cancelling headphones that reach the same peaks. There’s still some room for improvement, though, which should give Sony’s rivals some food for thought.

Expectations have been high for the arrival of Sony’s next-gen XM-series over-ear headphones, and in terms of overall performance, those expectations have been maintained.

That’s particularly true where ANC performance is concerned, showing rivals that they need to up their game, as well as in the frankly laudable eco credentials Sony has managed to bring with its use of materials in the headphone and packaging.

Whatever you make of the understated design aesthetic and the price increase, the combination of audio quality, noise-cancelation and interaction is impressive across the board, and the next-gen Sony WH-1000XM5 are a good step forward.

I was truly impressed by the sound quality and noise cancellation in the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. As someone who primarily listens to music through AirPods Pro, the noise cancellation on the Sony headphones is a game-changer. I found myself reaching for these headphones over my AirPods and Sennheiser PXC 550-IIs.

If you have an older model of headphones and are looking to upgrade, it should be to the Sony WH-1000XM5s. But if you already have the WH-1000XM4s, you can probably wait until Sony’s next release.