ReviewFinder Wireless Headphones

Sony WF-1000XM5

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21 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [21]

90
Total expert reviews: 21
  • with a score: 14
  • without a score: 7
Highest score by What Hi-Fi
100
Average score based on 21 reviews
90
Lowest score by TechRadar
80

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received highly positive expert reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation capabilities, comfort, battery life, connectivity features, and additional features, making them a top choice for premium true wireless earbuds.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received highly positive expert reviews across various aspects of the product. The sound quality is highly regarded, particularly for its strong bass response that is described as crisp, weighty, and controlled. The earbuds offer a balanced sound signature with good dynamics, decent midrange clarity, and a detailed top end.

They excel in clarity and detail, extracting more information from audio and delivering extra detail levels. The noise cancellation capabilities of the WF-1000XM5 are considered some of the best on the market, effectively reducing ambient noise and providing a quiet listening experience even in noisy environments.

The earbuds perform well in various use cases, such as busy roads, crowded areas, public transport, and busy offices or cafes. The comfort of the earbuds is highly praised, with their smaller size, lighter weight, and foam tips providing a secure and comfortable fit. They remain snug and secure even during physical activities.

The battery life of the WF-1000XM5 is around 8 hours on a single charge, with quick charging capabilities providing an extra hour of playtime with just three minutes of charging. The connectivity features of the earbuds are reliable, with a stable Bluetooth connection and compatibility with both iOS and Android devices.

The WF-1000XM5 supports multipoint connectivity, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices and seamless switching between them. The earbuds offer a range of additional features, including touch controls, compatibility with voice assistants, a companion app for customization and control, and unique features such as adaptive ANC and wear detection.

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds provide a comprehensive package of features that cater to various use cases, making them a top choice for those seeking premium true wireless earbuds.

Sound quality

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are praised for their exceptional sound quality, particularly in terms of bass response, balanced sound signature, substantial treble frequencies, and high level of clarity and detail.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are highly regarded for their sound quality, particularly in terms of bass response. Reviewers praise the earbuds for delivering a noticeable emphasis on the low end, resulting in a prominent and impactful bass that is described as crisp, weighty, and controlled.

The earbuds capture deep bass and provide a balanced bass experience without overpowering the rest of the frequencies.

The sound signature of the WF-1000XM5 is generally described as balanced and tonally balanced from top to bottom. They offer good dynamics, decent midrange clarity, and a detailed top end. The earbuds lean slightly towards the warmer side of neutral, offering a slightly veiled presentation.

The treble frequencies on the WF-1000XM5 earbuds have substance and brilliance, with a real bite to treble sounds when needed. The newer model has a louder treble response compared to its predecessor, making it easier to hear cymbal crashes, hi-hats, and string harmonics, resulting in a greater perceived sense of clarity from songs.

In terms of clarity and detail, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds excel. They are capable of extracting more information from the audio and delivering extra detail levels that may go unnoticed on lesser earbuds. The midrange is articulate and poised, and the earbuds pay impressive attention to transient and fine details, allowing for an engaging and musical listening experience.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds come with several features and specifications that contribute to their excellent sound quality. These include 8. 4-millimeter Dynamic Driver X units, high-resolution audio support, 24-bit audio signal processing, a premium DAC, noise cancellation capabilities, and the Sony Headphones Connect app for customization.

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are highly recommended for those seeking a strong and satisfying bass response, balanced sound signature, substantial treble frequencies, and a high level of clarity and detail in their audio experience.

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Noise cancellation

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are praised for their exceptional noise cancellation capabilities, effectively reducing ambient noise and providing a quiet listening experience in various environments.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are highly praised for their noise cancellation capabilities, with experts considering them to have one of the best noise cancellations on the market. These earbuds are effective in reducing ambient noise, including low-frequency engine noise and general background noise.

They can block out a wide range of frequencies, providing a quiet listening experience even in noisy environments. The noise cancellation on the WF-1000XM5 is improved compared to its predecessor, reducing sound by approximately 20% more. The earbuds perform well in various environments, such as busy roads, crowded areas, public transport, and busy offices or cafes.

They excel in reducing wind noise, making them suitable for outdoor use. The WF-1000XM5 utilizes advanced technology, including the Integrated Processor V2 and the HD Noise Canceling Processor QN2e, along with six built-in microphones, dual feedback mics, and dual-tech bone-conduction sensors. These features work together to efficiently pick up and analyze background noise, resulting in remarkable noise cancellation capabilities.

During phone calls, the WF-1000XM5's microphone system effectively suppresses background noise, allowing for clear communication. In terms of music playback, the noise cancellation feature blocks out external sounds, providing an immersive listening experience. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are highly regarded for their noise cancellation performance, making them a top choice for those seeking excellent noise cancellation in various use cases.

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Comfort

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received positive reviews for their improved comfort, with their smaller size, lighter weight, foam tips, and secure fit making them suitable for extended wear and physical activities.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received positive reviews regarding their comfort. They are 25% smaller and 20% lighter than their predecessor, making them more comfortable to wear for extended periods. The earbuds feature foam tips that mold to the shape of the ears, providing a secure and comfortable fit.

The foam tips are hassle-free and eliminate the need for repeated adjustments. They also come with four different tip sizes, allowing users to find their perfect fit. The smaller size and lighter weight of the earbuds, combined with the foam tips, contribute to their ability to stay secure during physical activity.

Reviewers have reported that the earbuds remain snug and secure even during activities like running and quick movements. The WF-1000XM5s also include ear canal adapters in different sizes, accommodating various ear sizes and shapes. Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are praised for their improved comfort compared to previous models, making them suitable for extended wear and physical activities.

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Battery life

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer a competitive battery life of around 8 hours with noise cancellation turned on, along with quick charging capabilities.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds offer a battery life of around 8 hours on a single charge, according to multiple expert reviews. This estimate is for continuous playback with noise cancellation turned on. The earbuds also have quick charging capabilities, with just three minutes of charging providing an extra hour of playtime.

This is considered one of the fastest quick-charge times available for earbuds. When using noise-cancelling features, the battery life remains around 8 hours. The WF-1000XM5's battery life is competitive compared to other wireless earbuds on the market, offering similar or longer playback times than popular options such as the Bose QuietComfort II earbuds and the AirPods Pro 2.

Overall, the WF-1000XM5 is a reliable choice for users who value long-lasting battery life in their wireless earbuds.

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Connectivity

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received positive reviews for their reliable connectivity features, including a stable Bluetooth range, compatibility with iOS and Android devices, multipoint connectivity, and support for the Sony Headphones app.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds have received positive reviews regarding their connectivity features. The Bluetooth range of these earbuds is reported to be approximately 25 feet indoors and up to 45 feet outdoors with no obstructions, providing a stable connection between the earbuds and your audio source.

This makes them suitable for use in various environments.

The WF-1000XM5 is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, offering the same features on both platforms. Users can pair the earbuds with iPhones without any issues, and the connected devices show up in Sony's companion mobile app. This means that whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, you can enjoy the full functionality of the WF-1000XM5.

One standout feature of the WF-1000XM5 is its support for multipoint connectivity, allowing simultaneous connection to two devices. This feature has been praised by experts, as it enables users to easily switch between devices without the need for manual connection and disconnection.

For example, you can seamlessly switch between your smartphone and laptop or between your phone and tablet.

While the WF-1000XM5 does not support NFC pairing, it compensates for this with its other connectivity features. The earbuds utilize Bluetooth 5. 3 technology, ensuring a stable connection with your smartphone or audio streaming device. They are also compatible with the Sony Headphones app, which offers various features such as battery level checks, sound quality prioritization, customizable touch controls, and the option to select your preferred voice assistant.

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds provide reliable connectivity and a range of features that enhance the user experience. Whether you need a stable connection for indoor or outdoor use, compatibility with different devices, or the ability to seamlessly switch between devices, the WF-1000XM5 offers a comprehensive connectivity solution.

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Additional features

The Sony WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds offer a range of additional features, including touch controls, voice assistant compatibility, a customizable companion app, and unique features like superior sound quality and adaptive noise cancellation, making them a top choice for premium true wireless earbuds.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 true wireless earbuds offer a range of additional features that enhance the overall user experience. These features include touch controls for easy navigation, compatibility with voice assistants such as Google Assistant and Alexa, a companion app called Sony Headphones Connect for customization and control, and several unique features compared to other wireless earbuds.

The touch controls on the WF-1000XM5 are accurate and easy to use, allowing users to adjust volume, skip songs, answer calls, and activate voice assistants. The earbuds are compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa, allowing for hands-free access to various tasks.

The Sony Headphones Connect app is highly praised for its extensive customization and control features. Users can personalize the touch controls, customize noise cancellation settings, adjust the sound profile, and access features like Ambient Sound Mode and 360 Reality Audio. The app also provides battery level checks, sound quality prioritization, and the ability to select your preferred voice assistant.

In terms of unique additional features, the WF-1000XM5 offers superior sound quality, effective noise cancellation, adaptive ANC, improved design and comfort, smart features like wear detection and simultaneous device connection, and voice assistant integration. The earbuds provide clear, detailed, and immersive sound, and the noise cancellation technology outperforms many other earbuds.

The adaptive ANC adjusts the noise cancellation based on the surroundings, ensuring the right amount of noise isolation without compromising sound quality. The improved design and comfort make the earbuds suitable for extended wear, and the smart features enhance convenience and control. The high-quality microphone system suppresses background noise for clear calls, and the Bluetooth 5.

3 technology provides a stable connection with two devices simultaneously.

Overall, the Sony WF-1000XM5 offers a comprehensive package of additional features that cater to various use cases, including music enjoyment, hands-free control, customization, noise isolation, comfort, and call quality. These features contribute to an enhanced user experience and make the WF-1000XM5 a top choice for premium true wireless earbuds.

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Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all wireless headphones.

Rank Change Price Headphones
IGN
Tom's Guide
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
WIRED
CNET
Wirecutter
PCMag
T3
Rtings.com
1
- $348
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience.
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
5
7
-
2
- $429
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience.
4
3
4
2
2
1
-
3
1
1
3
- $449
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience.
8
9
5
3
5
6
-
9
8
-
4
- $280
Sennheiser Momentum 4
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones have received highly positive reviews for their exceptional sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for various listening needs.
6
7
-
7
-
3
-
-
6
-
Show all rows
Best sony earbuds
29 Aug 2024 (1 month ago)
Read article
Best Earphones for Audiophiles / Editors' Choice
10 Jul 2024 (3 months ago)
Read article

Highest recommended wireless headphones this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. wireless headphones below are at the top of our ranking this October.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the headphones for more details.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Apple AirPods Max Sennheiser Momentum 4
Reviews
In comparison:
Sony WH-1000XM5 rank #1 out of 207. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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8.8
Great
Reviews
In comparison:
Bose QuietComfort Ultra rank #2 out of 207.
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7.4
Good
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In comparison:
Apple AirPods Max rank #3 out of 207. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
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9.1
Great
Reviews
In comparison:
Sennheiser Momentum 4 rank #4 out of 207.
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7.2
Good
Price
Price
Price
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience. The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones have received highly positive reviews for their exceptional sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for various listening needs.
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