Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: Premium Noise Cancelling

Rating: 4.6 / 5.0

Pros

• Excellent active noise cancellation that is especially effective against airplane, train, and office hum
• Warm, detailed sound with clear vocals and adjustable EQ settings in the Sony Headphones Connect app
• Very comfortable for long listening sessions thanks to low weight and well-padded earcups
• Strong call quality, with multiple microphones designed to reduce wind and background noise
• Long battery life of up to around 30 hours with noise cancellation enabled
• Useful smart features including multipoint pairing, Speak-to-Chat, and adaptive sound controls

Cons

• Premium price compared with many capable noise-cancelling headphone alternatives
• The fold-flat design does not fold inward as compactly as the previous WH-1000XM4
• No official water-resistance rating, so they are not ideal for workouts or heavy rain
• Touch controls can occasionally be triggered accidentally when adjusting the headphones

Key Features

• Industry-leading active noise cancellation with Sony's Integrated Processor V1
• 30mm drivers tuned for detailed, full-bodied wireless audio
• Up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC on, plus quick charging support
• Bluetooth multipoint connection for switching between two paired devices
• LDAC support for compatible high-resolution Bluetooth audio devices
• Eight-microphone system for voice pickup and noise reduction during calls
• Adaptive Sound Control and customizable EQ through the companion app

Final Verdict

Sony's WH-1000XM5 remains one of the best premium wireless noise-cancelling headphones, combining exceptionally effective ANC, comfort, battery life, and a feature-rich app experience. The high price and less-compact design are real trade-offs, but they are easy to recommend if quiet travel and daily listening are your priorities.