These earbuds are the real deal. The WF-1000XM5 tighten up what we loved about the XM4: better fit, lighter weight, and ANC that shrugs off subway rumble and jet engines. Sony’s tuning leans warm, but the detail is still there—kick drums hit with authority and vocals stay clear.
Call quality finally catches up: bone-conduction sensing plus beamforming mics kept my voice steady during a windy park walk. Multipoint is stable, and the Sony app gives granular EQ plus adaptive sound if you like automation.
Battery life landed at ~7 hours with ANC on in our tests, plus two full recharges in the case. Wireless charging and USB-C both onboard. IPX4 keeps sweat at bay for workouts.
Pros
- Class-leading ANC with natural passthrough
- Comfortable, lighter fit than XM4
- Rich, detailed sound with strong sub-bass
- Multipoint + solid call clarity
Cons
- Pricey at $299
- Foam tips wear faster
- App still a bit busy for new users
Should you buy it?
If you want the strongest mix of ANC and sound quality in truly wireless earbuds, this is the set to beat. If budget matters, the XM4 now drops in price and stays competitive. For Apple users deep in the ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 2 still win on seamlessness—but the XM5 sound better to our ears.