Sony

Sony WF-1000XM5

Ranked #6 in Earbuds

593 LP on the category ladder what's LP?

The discounted ex-flagship is now a smart buy, offering near-current performance at mid-range money.

Consolidated from 44 cited sources across 36 outlets

Where the cited sources landed, as we read them

3 enthusiastic sources
21 positive sources
12 neutral sources
4 unconvinced sources

See the sources

Check price

We may earn a commission if you buy through this link.

Pros & cons

✓ Near-XM6 performance
✓ Now sells at deep discounts, often well below the XM6
✓ Still placed second in a YouTube expert roundup behind only an ultra-premium B&O model
✓ Remains a mainstream recommendation

✗ Previous-generation flagship rather than the current model

The sources behind this ranking

We searched the web and YouTube for what has been published about this product, then read the articles, video transcripts and comments we found.

Evidence 15 articles, 28 video reviews and 1 community source

3 enthusiastic sources

SoundGuys Christian Thomas · reviewer · Oct 2025

The microphones of both the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and Sony WH-1000XM5 are excellent, though they have minor differences. This is not one of those things that should make or break your buying decision simply because they perform so similarly. You may notice that the Sony WH-1000XM5 fares slightly better in windy conditions, but that’s about it.

Read S

SoundGuys Christian Thomas · reviewer · Sept 2025

Sporting an eight-microphone array and an AI (I can only assume it’s actually “machine learning”) noise rejection algorithm, the Sony WH-1000XM5’s call quality is quite good. While it’s not going to stand in for a dedicated condenser mic or anything, this is going to knock the socks off any Zoom call or phone meeting.

Read M

Mashable Alex Bracetti · reviewer · Sept 2025

When the Sony WF-1000XM5 debuted in summer 2023, they took the industry by storm, setting standards for active noise cancellation and sound in the true wireless space. Two years later, and very little has changed.

Read

21 positive sources

HomeTechnologyReview Article

The Sony WF-1000XM5 generally provides better audio quality with more detailed sound reproduction, thanks to their Dynamic Driver X technology and support for high-quality LDAC codec. The Bose QuietComfort Wireless Earbuds offer a more bass-heavy, immediately engaging sound that many users prefer for casual listening. Both deliver excellent music quality, but Sony edges ahead for audiophiles.

Read T

Tim Schofield Tim Schofield · 971K subscribers · Jul 2023

These have the potential to be the BEST noise cancelling earbuds you can get.

Watch B

Business Insider Tyler Hayes · reviewer · May 2026

When I recommend a pair of Sony headphones in this guide, it's because I've put them through the wringer at home, on trips, and in busy areas to see how they actually sound day to day. I even pipe in vacuum cleaners and revving engines to test noise canceling and compare them head-to-head with other brands to see how Sony stacks up.

Read W

WorldofTech WorldofTech · 921K subscribers · Jan 2025

Sony WF-1000XM5 The Best Truly Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds, Made from Recycled Plastic Materials, Clear Bluetooth Signal, Adaptive Sound Control with AI, Xm5 Headphones: https://geni.

Watch T

Tech Sportskeeda Adith Pramod · reviewer · May 2026

Sony’s earbuds focus heavily on high-resolution audio and longer battery life, making them ideal for listeners who care about detailed sound and advanced features. Bose, on the other hand, leans into comfort and top-tier active noise cancellation, making it a strong option for frequent travelers and commuters.

Read M

Mike O'Brien Mike O'Brien · 659K subscribers · Jul 2023

Sony buds are warmer, more powerful, more detailed, and lively

Watch M

Major HiFi Alex Schiffer · reviewer · Feb 2026

In daily use, both models feel premium and well-constructed. The difference isn’t dramatic, but the XM5 prioritizes compactness, while the XM6 balances slightly increased size with improved performance hardware.

Read M

Mike O'Brien Mike O'Brien · 659K subscribers · Jul 2023

These earbuds have the best ANC, fantastic transparency, audio, features, and more. There is so much to like about these!

Watch R

RecordingNOW.com Odi Productions · reviewer · Feb 2026

The Sony WF-1000XM5 is still one of the best all-arounders today on the strength of its effective noise cancelling performance, audiophile-friendly tuning, and daily practicality of its superior mic quality.

Read T

This is Tech Today This is Tech Today · 503K subscribers · Apr 2024

It doesn't replace the Sony WH-1000XM5 but is a more affordable option with great ANC, Transparency, mics, and tons of bass. In this review, I compare the Sony WH-ULT900N and WH-1000XM5, provide objective audio tests, and compare the ANC, Transparency, Mics, and Sound from the perspective and experience of an Audio Engineer.

Watch M

Mark Ellis Reviews Mark Ellis Reviews · 304K subscribers · Sept 2023

BEST EVER noise cancelling?

Watch A

Aaron X Loud and Wireless Aaron X Loud and Wireless · 163K subscribers · Aug 2023

Replacement ear tips for Sony WF-1000XM5 that I have the berries to recommend!

Watch A

Aaron X Loud and Wireless Aaron X Loud and Wireless · 163K subscribers · May 2024

Legit Sony WF-1000XM5 here - https://amzn.

Watch J

J. Williams J. Williams · 152K subscribers · Aug 2023

So, this is uh probably going to be one of Sony's best offerings. Um I appreciate Sony sending these out to me, by the way. Want to go ahead and shout that out first. But, here's the They've gone with this kind of packaging here to save the planet. So, uh yeah. Okay, we're going to save the planet. We're going to get rid of this. Uh so, same thing here uh as the other buds that you get from Sony.

Watch B

Best Buy Canada Product Videos Best Buy Canada Product Videos · 44.2K subscribers · Jan 2024

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earphones offer exceptional audio performance, ease of use, and a newfound comfort and fit—perfect for daily listening.

Watch M

Moon Audio Moon Audio · 43.2K subscribers · Sept 2023

It just does all that better. The fact that they cram so much of the technology from the WH full sized headphone lineup into these tiny buds is astounding. The WH-1000XM5 full size headphones are our top noise canceling headphones here at Moon Audio, and you'll find a lot of the tech and sound enhancements in the WF-1000XM5 earbuds, too. Let's talk about noise canceling.

Watch T

The French Glow The French Glow · 38.3K subscribers · Aug 2023

Compared to other Sony earbuds like the wh-500n, Linkbud type S, and 1000xm4, the xm5s are better.

Watch R

RTINGS Audio RTINGS Audio · 23.8K subscribers · Mar 2024

They feature a balanced default sound profile and an improved noise isolation performance thanks partly to their memory foam ear tips, which help create a tight seal. They're compatible with LDAC for high-quality, lossless audio streaming, and there are many customization options for both the sound and the ANC via the companion app.

Watch F

Fredo Heavy Fredo Heavy · 8.4K subscribers · May 2024

This latest upgrade to Sony's flagship earbuds includes several enhancements and upgrades including a redesigned ear bud and charging case that's smaller and lighter, as well as an adjusted eartip angle and foam eartips for the ultimate in comfort.

Watch F

Fredo Heavy Fredo Heavy · 8.4K subscribers · Nov 2023

The WF-1000XM5 features cutting-edge technology to deliver premium sound quality and the best truly wireless noise-cancelling performance on the market1. With a specially designed driver unit, for wide frequency production, deep bass and clear vocals, these headphones are designed to immerse you in a sound so good, it feels like you’re in the studio with your favorite artists.

Watch T

TechCircuit TechCircuit · 4.7K subscribers · Feb 2026

The XM5 was already considered one of the best true wireless earbuds on the market, offering excellent active noise cancellation, impressive sound quality, strong call performance, and a compact design.

Watch

12 neutral sources

HomeTechnologyReview Article

Both offer excellent noise cancellation, but with different strengths. The Sony WF-1000XM5 provides more consistent, refined ANC that's particularly effective in steady environments like planes and trains. The JBL Tour Pro 3 features more adaptive noise cancellation that quickly adjusts to changing environments, making it better for walking between different noise levels.

Read T

Tech Spurt Tech Spurt · 1.4M subscribers · Jul 2023

That's my review of the Sony WF-1000XM5, but the price here in the UK is a little.steep. If you're after true wireless earbuds on a smaller budget, check out the likes of the Soundcore buds I recently tested.

Watch T

Trusted Reviews Jessica Gorringe · reviewer · Apr 2026

It’s frustrating, but fortunately doesn’t seem to impede the ANC too much – but more on that later.

Read M

Matthew Moniz Matthew Moniz · 939K subscribers · Jul 2023

They have incredible sound but there's two things slightly holding it back.

Watch H

HomeTechnologyReview Article

For most Android users, the ATH-TWX9 offers better compatibility.

Read S

SoundGuys SoundGuys · 324K subscribers · Jul 2025

With Bose’s latest QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), they’re facing off against Sony’s aging but still formidable WF-1000XM5 from 2023. While the Sony earbuds were impressive when they launched nearly two years ago, Bose’s fresh iteration brings new features and refinements to challenge their reign.

Watch R Results Will Surprise You! Facebook post

Choose SONY if you need:

View post G

GYMCADDY GYMCADDY · 176K subscribers · Sept 2023

So these are the Sony WF-1000XM5’s and overall these earbuds have a lot of important upgrades over their Predecessors, the Sony WF-1000XM4’s, both inside and out. And in general, I am very excited to talk about these earbuds today because Sony’s last batch of products ranging from their speakers, to headphones and earbuds have all been improving very nicely.

Watch B

Brian MacDuff Brian MacDuff · 170K subscribers · Sept 2023

Sound quality remains a strong point, benefiting from Bluetooth 5.3 and LDAC codec support but, out-of-the-box, the EQ settings aren't balanced.

Watch T

Tech Bandicoot Tech Bandicoot · 129K subscribers · Sept 2024

Well.it's complicated.

Watch O

OASTHAR OASTHAR · 45.4K subscribers · May 2025

On the other hand, the Sony XM5 is a premium flagship known for its exceptional active noise cancellation, support for highquality audio codecs, and a sleek, pocket-friendly case with wireless charging.

Watch N

NextTech Reviews NextTech Reviews · 821 subscribers · May 2025

These are still some of the best sounding wireless earbuds I’ve ever used — but they’re not perfect. If you’re shopping for premium true wireless earbuds this year, you need to know what you’re getting into.

Watch

4 unconvinced sources

Android Central Article · Feb 2026

I didn't love the look and feel of the WF-1000XM5 earbuds; the shape was oversized, the matte finish didn't look right, and they didn't sit securely or comfortably in my ears. It looks like Sony went back to the drawing board for the WF-1000XM6 earbuds, and that effort paid off. The newer model sports a pill-shaped design that Sony says is 11% smaller than the WF-1000XM5 earbud chassis.

Read I

InsideTech InsideTech · 125K subscribers · Aug 2023

If you (like me) find that the Sony ear tips don’t fit very well, try these instead:

Watch M

Migliaccio & Rathod Bruno Ortega · reviewer · Sept 2025

Consumers across Reddit, Sony’s own forums, and the Better Business Bureau report cracked hinges and headbands within months of normal use. Many warranty claims are denied as “cosmetic damage,” forcing consumers to pay steep repair fees.

Read B

Brutal Reviews Brutal Reviews · 2.5K subscribers · Aug 2025

The Sony WF-1000XM5 is Sony's flagship noise-cancelling earbuds — loved by many, but also hated by plenty. With over 4500+ reviews, almost 13% of buyers gave it 1 star and 10% gave it only 2 stars. That means nearly 1 in 4 customers regret their purchase.

Watch

4 stance not read sources

TechRadar Article · Feb 2026

Now that the WF-1000XM5 are priced at a serious discount, Sony needs to justify the XM6’s higher price with a significantly better overall experience, and I’m not sure that’s the case.

Read S

SoundGuys SoundGuys · 324K subscribers · Nov 2025

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are over two years old now. But are they still a good pair of flagship earbuds? I ditched my AirPods and switched back to Sony's earbuds to find out, and the results surprised me.

Watch T

TREBLAB SEO Treblab · reviewer · Sept 2025

The WF-1000XM5 delivers exceptional noise isolation, perfect for gym environments, while providing audiophile-quality sound for motivational workout music.

Read U

Ulmer Washington Ulmer Washington · 4.3K subscribers · Feb 2026

The battle between the Sony WF-1000XM6 and the WF-1000XM5 is less about revolutionary change and more about refinement versus maturity. The WF-1000XM5 arrived as a significant evolution over the XM4, introducing a more compact design, stronger noise cancellation, and improved microphones, quickly earning a spot as one of the top premium true wireless earbuds.

Watch

Frequently asked questions

It ranks #6 (B tier) on our consolidated earbuds board, drawn from 44 cited sources across 36 outlets.

Previous-generation flagship rather than the current model.

On our earbuds board, Sony WF-1000XM6 ranks #2 (A tier) ahead of Sony WF-1000XM5 at #6 (B tier). Sony WF-1000XM6: The consensus 2026 benchmark across What Hi-Fi?, SoundGuys and Android Central, with Sony's mature firmware support and global warranty network; the XM5's battery issues appear addressed, so nothing blocks it from the top.

On our earbuds board, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) ranks #4 (B tier) ahead of Sony WF-1000XM5 at #6 (B tier). Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen): The 2nd Gen fixes the first generation's connectivity and case problems, and Bose warranty handling is strong; class-leading ANC with the early hardware bugs ironed out.

The value buyer who wants flagship performance without paying flagship money. It is the discounted ex-flagship, now selling at deep discounts, often well below the Sony WF-1000XM6, and the board says its performance is near-XM6. It still placed second in a YouTube expert roundup behind only an ultra-premium B&O model and remains a mainstream recommendation, which earns it B tier at rank six. If you want the current model and the battery fix, buy the Sony WF-1000XM6 instead.

Yes, at the discounted price. The verdict calls it a smart buy: near-current performance at mid-range money. The only con is that it is the previous generation rather than the current one, and the board is clear that the Sony WF-1000XM6 is better, not that the XM5 is bad. The case for the XM6 is the fix for the XM5's uneven battery drain and a longer remaining support life. The case for the XM5 is the price gap.

Uneven battery drain. The XM5 generation suffered widely reported cases of one bud running down faster than the other, which is the problem Sony addressed in the XM6 generation. If you buy an XM5, keep the firmware current, and buy from a seller who honors Sony's warranty so a bad pair can be swapped. Sony's global warranty network and multi-year firmware support make that a realistic path.

Put both buds in your ears with the case nearby. On first use they enter pairing mode on their own. To pair a second device, touch and hold both earbud touch sensors for a few seconds until you hear the pairing prompt, then select the earbuds in the device's Bluetooth list. The Sony app does the same job with on-screen steps and is also where firmware updates arrive, so install it.

Sony has a multi-year firmware support history, and the board counts that support as one of the reasons its earbuds rank well. A previous-generation flagship is normally still inside that window, though the remaining tail is shorter than it is for the Sony WF-1000XM6. Updates come through the Sony app, which is also the route to the battery and ANC settings.