Sony WF-1000XM5 Review
Buy it for the sound and battery. Tolerate the app.
As an Amazon Associate, Karen Verified earns from qualifying purchases. That never changes our verdict.
Verdict: Worth It
Worth ItThe short answer: Better sound, better battery and a real EQ. The price of admission is Sony's app, which wants an account and your attention.
- Buy it if
- Listeners who tune their sound, use Android or mixed devices, and want the longest battery in the class.
- Skip it if
- You want zero-thought pairing across Apple devices, or you find setup apps that ask for an account annoying.
- Best feature
- Excellent noise cancellation, a full EQ, and battery life that comfortably beats the AirPods Pro.
- Biggest annoyance
- The companion app wants an account and pushes prompts, and multipoint connections can be finicky.
- The catch
- The foam-style tips seal brilliantly but wear out faster than silicone and are a proprietary replacement.
- Evaluation
- In use since spring 2026
- Model
- Sony WF-1000XM5
The 20-second verdict
Buy it for the sound and battery. Tolerate the app. Better sound, better battery and a real EQ. The price of admission is Sony's app, which wants an account and your attention. Best for: Listeners who tune their sound, use Android or mixed devices, and want the longest battery in the class. Skip if: You want zero-thought pairing across Apple devices, or you find setup apps that ask for an account annoying.
What we loved, and what annoyed us
What we loved
- Excellent noise cancellation
- Full EQ and sound customization
- Longer battery than the AirPods Pro
- Works equally well on Android and iPhone
- Multipoint pairing
What annoyed us
- The app asks for an account and pushes prompts
- Multipoint can be finicky
- Foam tips wear faster than silicone
- Touch controls are easy to trigger by accident
What We Loved
The sound: rich, detailed, and yours to tune. The noise cancellation is at least a match for Apple's and better on voices. Battery life is the best in our group.
What Annoyed Us
The Sound Connect app. It works, but it wants an account, it nags about updates, and it buries useful settings. Multipoint occasionally chose the wrong device.
The Catch
The foam-style tips are part of why the seal and cancellation are so good, and they compress and wear faster than silicone. They are a proprietary replacement.
Who it is for
- Sound tinkerers
- Android or mixed-device users
- Long-session listeners
Who should skip it
- People who want zero-thought Apple pairing
- Anyone who dislikes app-managed hardware
How we evaluated it
- Evaluation period
- In use since spring 2026
- Where
- Commutes, flights, office
- What we did with it
- Daily listening, calls, ANC on transit
- Compared against
- Apple AirPods Pro 2
- What we looked at
- Connection stability, EQ usefulness, call clarity, battery against the claim
- Limitations
- Subjective ANC comparisons
- Product source
- Purchased at retail
- Dates
- Ongoing since March 2026
Read how we evaluate products and our editorial standards.
Performance
Superb sound and cancellation. Calls are good, though wind noise is audible to the other party outdoors.
Ease of use, design, and build quality
Ease of use
Setup requires the app. Touch controls are customizable but sensitive.
Design and build quality
Small buds, small case. Sealed batteries. Tips replaceable.
Privacy and connectivity
The app requests an account and location permission for some features; you can decline most of it.
Safety notes
Nothing notable.
Cleaning, maintenance, and ongoing costs
Replace foam tips as they compress. Keep the case's charging contacts clean.
What it keeps costing you
| Consumables | Foam tips |
|---|---|
| Expected life | A few years, limited by battery |
Value
Fair. You get more sound for the money than the AirPods, and more friction.
Alternatives
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) — Karen Verified
Less sound control, no friction.
Also in Tech
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Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Comfortable, dependable, and the easiest recommendation for iPhone owners who travel.
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Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB)
Weeks of battery, a screen you can read in sunlight, and no notifications. Bliss.
Specifications
| Brand / model | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|
| Noise cancellation | Active, adaptive |
| Battery | Manufacturer states up to 8 h (ANC on), 24 h with case |
| Water resistance | IPX4 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Only specifications that affect the buying decision are listed. Figures marked “manufacturer states” are the maker's claims, not our measurements.
Warranty and returns
One year from Sony.
Reader questions
Do they work with iPhone?
Final verdict
Verdict: Worth It
Worth ItWorth It. Buy it for the sound and battery; tolerate the app.
- Best for
- Listeners who tune their sound, use Android or mixed devices, and want the longest battery in the class.
- Skip if
- You want zero-thought pairing across Apple devices, or you find setup apps that ask for an account annoying.
- Main strength
- Excellent noise cancellation, a full EQ, and battery life that comfortably beats the AirPods Pro.
- Main weakness
- The companion app wants an account and pushes prompts, and multipoint connections can be finicky.
As an Amazon Associate, Karen Verified earns from qualifying purchases. That never changes our verdict.
Update and correction history
- Routine re-check.Why: Routine.Verdict unchanged
- Published.Why: Initial evaluation.Verdict unchanged
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As an Amazon Associate, Karen Verified earns from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this site we may receive a commission. You do not pay more because of this. Affiliate relationships do not determine which products we evaluate, recommend, criticize, or reject. Brands cannot buy a Karen Verified verdict. Full affiliate disclosure. Photographs on this page illustrate the product in use and are not test evidence; see our image policy.