The Sony WH-1000XM5 Premium Noise Canceling Headphones use 8 microphones and dual processors for industry-leading active noise cancellation, deliver up to 30 hours of playback per charge, and support High-Resolution Audio over both wired and LDAC wireless connections. The earcups use soft-fit leather over a lightweight frame, and touch controls on the right earcup handle playback, calls, and volume without reaching for a phone.
Over-ear headphones with excellent noise cancellation and audio
The WH-1000XM5’s noise cancellation capabilities are one of the biggest reasons to buy these headphones. They have two processors that control eight microphones (four per side) to capture ambient sound. The Auto NC Optimizer adjusts noise cancellation in real time based on fit and atmospheric pressure. So even less noise will bleed through than on a typical pair of noise-canceling headphones.
The 30-hour battery life is on the high end for premium ANC headphones, and a quick 3-minute USB-C charge buys about 3 hours of playback for when you forget to charge before heading out the door. The quick-charge spec requires a USB-PD-compatible AC adapter, though; a standard 5V charger will take noticeably longer. Swift Pair handles one-tap pairing on Windows, Google Fast Pair does the same on Android, and standard Bluetooth works for iOS and other devices.
Sony dropped the foldable hinges from the WH-1000XM4 design in favor of a smoother, lighter frame on the XM5, which means the included case is wider than the previous generation’s. The soft-fit leather earpads and lightweight headband make long listening sessions comfortable, with no hotspots on the temples or pinch points around the ears, but the trade-off is that the headphones don’t pack down quite as small for travel as the XM4 did.
Four beamforming microphones plus AI-based noise reduction isolate your voice during calls, which makes outdoor or windy calls usable in a way previous over-ears struggled with. The touch panel on the right earcup also handles playback through gestures: swipes forward and back change tracks, swipes up and down adjust volume, and a double-tap answers calls. Speak-to-Chat pauses music when you start talking, which works well for short interactions but takes some getting used to if you talk to yourself.
$198 is the lowest prices on the XM5 in a while. With the newer WH-1000XM6 still at full retail, this is a great value for Sony’s flagship ANC if you can live with last year’s model instead of the absolute newest. Most listeners won’t hear a meaningful difference between the two.
