Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: Premium ANC, Premium Price

Rating: 4.6 / 5.0

Pros

• Excellent active noise cancellation, especially for steady low-frequency noise like planes, trains, and office HVAC
• Detailed, warm sound with an EQ in Sony's Headphones Connect app for easy tuning
• Very comfortable for long listening sessions thanks to low weight and well-padded earcups
• Strong battery life of up to 30 hours with noise canceling enabled
• Clear voice pickup for calls in reasonably quiet to moderately noisy environments
• Useful multipoint Bluetooth pairing lets you switch between two devices

Cons

• High price compared with many capable noise-canceling headphones
• The earcups do not fold inward, making the included case larger than older Sony models
• No aptX codec support, which may matter to some Android listeners
• Call quality can still struggle in strong wind or very loud outdoor environments

Key Features

• Industry-leading active noise cancellation with Sony's Integrated Processor V1 and HD Noise Canceling Processor QN1
• Up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC on, or up to 40 hours with ANC off
• USB-C fast charging provides roughly 3 hours of playback from a 3-minute charge
• Bluetooth multipoint connection for two paired devices at once
• LDAC support for compatible high-resolution Bluetooth audio devices
• Adaptive Sound Control adjusts ambient sound settings based on activity and location
• Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses music when you begin speaking
• Includes a 3.5 mm audio cable and a protective carrying case

Final Verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM5 remains one of the best all-around premium noise-canceling headphones, combining excellent ANC, comfort, battery life, and flexible app-based controls. Its price and non-folding design are real drawbacks, but it is an easy recommendation for buyers who want a polished travel and work headphone experience.