After trying several high-end headphones over the past few years—Bose, AirPods Max, Sennheiser—I finally caved and bought the Sony WH-1000XM5. Why? Because everyone kept saying they were “the best.”
Well, after 4 months of daily use, I have thoughts. I’ve tested them during work, flights, gym sessions, and Netflix binges. Here’s my real-life user review of Sony’s flagship noise-canceling headphones in 2025.
1. Design & Comfort: Lighter, Sleeker, Softer
Gone are the bulkier arms of the XM4s. The XM5 redesign is minimalistic and futuristic—I actually prefer it.
🪶 Weight: Just 250g
🧠 Smart: Headband auto-adjusts comfortably without pinching
I wore these for 6+ hour work sessions without ear fatigue. The vegan leather ear cups are soft and breathable, even in warmer weather.
👍 Pros:
Sleek, professional look
Fold-flat for storage
Ultra-light and comfy for long sessions
👎 Cons:
Doesn’t fold inward anymore (takes more case space)
Feels delicate—less travel-friendly than XM4
2. Sound Quality: Refined and Rich
Sony didn’t try to reinvent the wheel here—they refined it. The XM5s deliver deep bass, crisp vocals, and wide spatial sound. You notice it most with layered music like classical, jazz, or cinematic scores.
🎧 Audio Testing:
EDM & Hip-Hop: Strong bass with no distortion
Podcasts & Audiobooks: Clean, clear voice focus
Netflix: Fantastic stereo separation and clarity
Pairing them with the Sony Headphones Connect App allowed me to tweak the EQ and activate 360 Reality Audio, which is immersive with compatible tracks.
3. Noise Cancelling: Still the Best in Class
This is where the XM5s shine. Sony upgraded to dual noise sensors and a new NC processor V1—it blocks out almost everything, even human voices.
I tested in:
✈️ Airplane cabins — nearly silent
🏙️ Busy cafés — only faint murmur
🛋️ Home with loud AC — completely blocked
📈 Compared to Bose 700:
Sony cancels low-end hums better
Bose still slightly better at cancelling voices
Ambient Mode is also smarter now. It adapts to your location (via GPS) and lets in just enough external sound for safety when walking outdoors.
4. Battery Life: As Solid As Ever
🔋 Up to 30 hours with ANC on
🔋 Up to 40 hours with ANC off
⚡ Fast charge: 3 hours of use in 3 minutes
I charge them once every 7–8 days with moderate daily use. Battery anxiety = gone.
5. Call Quality & Multipoint: Better, But Not Perfect
Sony promised better mics—and delivered. Phone calls are clearer now, even with background noise. But windy conditions still cause some artifacts.
🎤 Test Results:
Indoors: Clear and crisp
Outdoors with wind: Still a bit muffled
Multipoint works well between my laptop and phone, but switching isn’t always instant. Occasionally it needs manual re-selection.
6. Final Verdict: Still the Noise Cancelling Champ
The WH-1000XM5 isn’t revolutionary—but it’s an excellent refinement of an already great product. If you’re serious about audio quality, comfort, and top-tier noise cancelling, it’s still the headset to beat in 2025.
If you have the XM4 and love it, the upgrade isn’t essential. But if you’re coming from older headphones—or care about call quality and modern design—it’s totally worth it.
TL;DR – Sony WH-1000XM5 Review
| Feature | Score (1–5) |
|---|---|
| Sound Quality | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Noise Cancellation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Comfort & Build | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Battery Life | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Call Performance | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ |
| Portability | ⭐⭐⭐☆ |
FAQs
Q: Are the WH-1000XM5 good for working out?
A: They’re not sweat-resistant or workout headphones. Occasional light use at the gym is okay, but I wouldn’t use them for intense exercise.
Q: Do they work with iPhone and Android?
A: Yes. They pair seamlessly with both platforms. The Sony app is available on iOS and Android.
Q: Better than AirPods Max?
A: Depends. The XM5 wins on weight, comfort, and app control. AirPods Max win slightly in spatial audio and iOS ecosystem syncing.
