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Sony WH-1000XM5 Review (2026): Still Worth Buying vs. the XM6?

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The Sony WH-1000XM5 launched in 2022 as the flagship of one of the most successful noise cancelling headphone lines. Sony has since released the WH-1000XM6, so the question is no longer whether the XM5 is good. It is whether it is still the smarter purchase today. This Sony WH-1000XM5 review pulls together what professional reviewers found, what Sony’s spec sheets confirm, and what US shoppers are actually paying, so you can decide quickly.

Quick verdict: The XM5 remains a top-tier noise-cancelling headphone, and at its discounted price it is the better value for most people. Spend extra on the XM6 only if you want a foldable design, stronger call-mic performance, or newer Bluetooth features.

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This review is based on research of expert tests, Sony’s specifications, and current US pricing, not on our own hands-on testing.

Sony WH-1000XM5 at a Glance

SpecDetails
TypeClosed-back, over-ear, wireless
Driver30 mm dynamic, neodymium magnet
BluetoothVersion 5.2
CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC
Battery (ANC on)Up to 30 hours
Battery (ANC off)Up to 40 hours
Full charge timeAbout 3.5 hours (USB)
Quick charge3 minutes gives about 3 hours (USB Power Delivery charger required)
WeightAbout 250 g
Wired optionDetachable 3.5 mm cable, about 1.2 m
ColorsBlack, Midnight Blue, Silver, Smoky Pink

Sony WH-1000XM5 Price in the US

Sony’s launch price for the XM5 in the United States was $399. Discounts have since become routine. During Prime Day in June 2026, the headphones dropped to $198 at Amazon, which reviewers described as half the list price and the lowest they had tracked. A later deal report put them at the same $198 again, noting they had mostly sat at $248 through the summer.

For comparison, the XM6 was reported at $398 in the same deal coverage, and Prime Day listings showed it around $378. In practical terms, the older flagship currently costs about half as much as its successor.

Deal prices change and can sell out, so always confirm the current price on the retailer’s page. At roughly $200 to $250, the XM5 is far easier to justify than it was at launch.

Design and Comfort

Sony redesigned the XM5 with smoother, softer curves in place of the angular look of earlier models, and used recycled plastic in the earcups. Several reviewers noted that the new look is more minimalist and, to some eyes, plainer than the XM4. The practical benefit is comfort. Laptop Mag judged the lighter build more comfortable than the XM4, and What Hi-Fi? placed the XM5 among the lighter premium over-ear headphones. Sony lists the weight at about 250 g.

The design has a few trade-offs worth knowing before you buy:

  • They do not fold flat. TechRadar called the XM5 rigid and less practical for travel, and noted the XM6 can be folded into a new magnetic case. The older XM4, by contrast, folds into a more compact shape. If you pack headphones in a small bag, this is the XM5’s biggest drawback.
  • No water resistance. One review points out that the XM5 has no water-resistance rating, so keep them away from rain and sweaty workouts.
  • Some owners report hinge wear. Users on a tech discussion forum said the hinges can break with rough handling. That is anecdotal rather than a verified failure rate, but it is a good reason to take them off gently and use the included case.

The XM5 ships with a zipper-style carrying case, a USB-C charging cable, and a 3.5 mm audio cable.

Sound Quality

The XM5 uses a 30 mm driver paired with Sony’s V1 processor. Laptop Mag credited that combination with more clarity and definition than the previous generation, and Stuff said the improvement was striking given how good the XM4 already sounded. Another review described a tuning that leans toward vocals and treble, which suits podcasts, acoustic music, and pop.

On the connection side, the XM5 supports SBC, AAC, and Sony’s LDAC codec for high-resolution audio over Bluetooth. At launch you had to turn off multipoint in the Sony app to use LDAC. A later update changed that, adding advanced multipoint so LDAC can stay on while the headphones are connected to two devices. The same update brought spatial audio with head-tracking.

Other audio features include DSEE Extreme, which upscales compressed music, and support for Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format on services that offer it. If you prefer a wired connection, the detachable 3.5 mm cable lets you listen with the headphones off or when the battery runs out.

Noise Cancelling Performance

Noise cancelling is the main reason to buy these headphones. Sony paired its QN1 noise-cancelling processor with the V1 chip to improve on the XM4, and Expert Reviews counted eight microphones, up from five on the previous model. That reviewer concluded that Sony’s noise cancellation remains among the best in the business.

What Hi-Fi? reported that the XM5 can handle almost any outside sound short of a large truck pulling away from a traffic light. Sony also includes an Auto NC Optimizer that adjusts cancellation to your wearing conditions and surroundings. An ambient sound mode lets voices and announcements through when you need to stay aware.

For commutes, flights, open offices, and noisy homes, this is still among the strongest options at any price. If noise cancelling is your only priority, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra line is the main rival, though Tom’s Guide has noted that the gap between Sony and Bose has been narrowing in the other direction on sound.

If you’re comparing more affordable options, see our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones under $200 to find a model that fits your budget and listening needs.

Front view of black over-ear wireless headphones on a white background, featured in a guide to the best wireless headphones.

Battery Life

According to Sony’s specifications, the XM5 delivers up to 30 hours of music playback with noise cancelling on and up to 40 hours with it off. For calls, the figures are up to 24 hours with noise cancelling on and 32 hours with it off. A full charge takes about 3.5 hours.

For emergencies, three minutes of charging gives roughly three hours of playback, but you need a charger that supports USB Power Delivery. One reviewer reported getting almost exactly the claimed 30 hours in use, and another found the claim almost entirely accurate.

There is one limitation: unlike the XM6, the XM5 cannot be used while it is charging over USB-C. If you often run out of battery mid-flight or mid-workday, that may be worth weighing.

Call Quality and Controls

The XM5’s eight-microphone array handles calls well for an over-ear headphone, and the earcups use touch controls for playback and volume. Wear detection can pause music when you remove the headphones, and Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair make connecting to Windows and Android devices quick. They also work with Google Assistant and Alexa.

The XM6 improves on call performance. What Hi-Fi? found its microphones clearer and more audible, almost as if you were speaking alone in a quiet room. If you take many calls in noisy places, that difference could matter more than any other upgrade.

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs XM6

FeatureWH-1000XM5WH-1000XM6
Battery (ANC on / off)30 h / 40 h30 h / 40 h
Travel designDoes not fold flatFolds into a magnetic case (per TechRadar)
Use while chargingNoYes
Bluetooth LE Audio and AuracastNoYes
HeadbandStandardWider and asymmetrical
Recent US sale price (reported)$198 to $248$378 to $398

The XM6 adds Bluetooth LE Audio (LC3) and Auracast support, a wider, flatter headband, and the ability to use the headphones while charging. Both models support multipoint, SBC, AAC, and LDAC, and both include a wired mode. Tom’s Guide concluded that you cannot go wrong with either pair, and SoundGuys noted that the two look nearly identical at a glance.

The XM6 is the better headphone on paper. At close to double the price, though, the XM5 is the better deal. If you already own the XM5, there is little reason to upgrade unless the folding case or call quality matters to you.

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs XM4

If your priority is price and portability, the XM4 is worth a look. It is much cheaper than the newer model and frequently goes on sale, and it folds into a more compact shape. In exchange, you give up the XM5’s lighter design and its incremental gains in noise cancelling and clarity. The XM4 is the cheaper, more portable pick, while the XM5 is the more comfortable, more capable one.

Pros and Cons

Pros

  • Excellent noise cancelling
  • Light, comfortable design
  • Strong, clear sound with LDAC support
  • Up to 30 hours of battery with ANC on
  • Multipoint, spatial audio, and a wired option
  • Large discounts since the XM6 launched

Cons

  • Does not fold flat
  • No water resistance
  • Cannot be used while charging
  • Some owner reports of hinge wear
  • No LE Audio or Auracast

Is the Sony WH-1000XM5 Worth It in 2026?

Buy the XM5 if you want flagship noise cancelling and sound quality for roughly $200 to $250, mostly listen at home, at work, or on commutes, and do not need a foldable case.

Choose the XM6 if you travel often, take many calls, or want to listen while charging, and the extra cost fits your budget.

Choose the XM4 if you want the lowest price and a more compact fold.

FAQ

Do the Sony WH-1000XM5 work with iPhone and Android? Yes. They connect over standard Bluetooth. Some features, such as LDAC, depend on your phone’s support.

Do they have a headphone jack? The headphones accept a wired connection through the included 3.5 mm cable.

Are they waterproof? No. Reviewers note there is no water-resistance rating.

What colors are available? Black, Midnight Blue, Silver, and Smoky Pink. The XM6 is sold in Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver.

Can I use them while charging? No. This is one of the features the XM6 added.

Is the XM5 still being sold? Yes. Retailers continue to sell it alongside the XM6, usually at a lower price.

Final Verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is no longer the newest flagship, but it remains one of the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy, and recent discounts make it a strong value. Its weaknesses are portability, the lack of water resistance, and no use-while-charging mode. If those do not bother you, the XM5 delivers most of what the XM6 does for about half the price.

Sources

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