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Sony WF-1000XM5
Superb sound and strong quiet, as long as they fit you
Loupe's take: Experts and owners agree on this one. Who's Loupe?
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Updated October 26, 2026
All 11 expert reviews we read were hands-on, and they rate these earbuds clearly higher (expert score 87) than owners do (71), across 506 owner comments, 462 of them first-hand. Sound is the standout: 34% of owners praise it and nearly every reviewer calls it excellent, while 19% of owners praise the noise cancelling, yet at least four reviewers say Bose's rival blocks more noise. Fit is the recurring catch, with at least six reviewers raising seal, pressure or small-ear problems and 4% of owners complaining about comfort. Failure mentions are low at 8%, but long-term durability is untested, and the brand-store rating rests on only 19 votes, so that number is thin.
What each expert concluded
A strong flagship pair of noise-canceling earbuds that improves on the previous generation with better comfort, excellent ANC, longer battery life, and pleasing sound, though the glossy finish and high price hold it back slightly.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A highly accomplished pair of noise-cancelling earbuds that trade some of the predecessor's bass richness for class-leading detail, clarity and timing, with comfortable design and strong features, though fit security and bass quantity are minor weaknesses.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A comfortable, long-lasting pair with decent but unspectacular sound and ANC, held back by weak call quality and fast-wearing foam tips at a premium price.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗Earbuds with excellent noise cancelling and excellent sound that is slightly bassy, hazy and warm, very close to the previous XM4 model but a bit more neutral, with only minor flaws in sound and fit.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A premium, well-built pair of earbuds with excellent noise isolation, accurate warm sound and a stable fit, held back by foam tips that some will find uncomfortable and a mediocre mic; since succeeded by the WF-1000XM6.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A very well-rounded flagship pair of noise-canceling earbuds with standout sound, strong ANC and rich features, held back mainly by a fit/seal problem from the smaller design and unchanged battery life.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A strongly positive review: the writer found the XM5 earbuds the ones to beat for sound, features and noise cancelling, with a smaller design and long battery life, held back mainly by a slippery case and earbud finish.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗~8.5/10A smaller, more refined flagship earbud with modestly better noise canceling, sound and call quality than its predecessor, held back mainly by its high price and a few missing extras, but still among the best earbuds available, especially for Android users.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗The WF-1000XM5 are excellent-sounding, well-featured noise-cancelling earbuds that earn an Editors' Choice nod for audio quality, with strong ANC that trails Bose's best but edges out Apple's AirPods Pro.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗A very capable, comfortable and great-sounding true-wireless earbud with strong noise cancelling, long battery life and excellent call quality, held back mainly by a clumsy head-tracking setup.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗4/5A very comfortable, compact and great-sounding flagship earbud with strong bass, features and battery life, but it loses a star because its noise cancelling is beaten by rivals and the team hit repeated connectivity drop-outs.
Hands-on review · open the review ↗Verdicts paraphrased; open a card to read the original. How we score
The verdict in 10 seconds
A great fit if
- You commute or fly often and want the drone of engines and traffic quieted
- Sound quality matters most to you and you like adjusting the sound in an app
- You use an Android phone and switch between two devices
May not suit you if
- You have small or sensitive ear canals that dislike snug foam tips
- You want the very strongest noise cancelling available in earbuds
- You're deep in the Apple world and want the smoothest iPhone experience
What owners love and complain about
What they love
What they complain about
Share of 506 owner reviews and comments that mention each topic.
The short version
These are small, light earbuds that sound detailed and rich and quiet the world around you, especially low rumble on planes, trains and buses. Sound quality is their biggest strength, with a deep app for tuning it. The main catch is fit: the foam tips need a good seal to work well, and some ears find them tight, slippery or tiring. They suit commuters, travelers and Android users who care most about sound.
We researched 11 expert reviews, analyzed 7,008 owner ratings and
comments across 15 sources, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
Ratings across the web
AmazonGoogle ShoppingRedditYouTubeShop ratings lean positive (happy buyers, brand-moderated stores); forums lean critical (people post problems). Our owners score weighs both equally.
Quick answers
How do the Sony WF-1000XM5 noise cancelling earbuds work?
They combine a snug seal with electronic noise cancelling. The foam tips physically block sound, and the cancelling then removes much of what gets through, especially steady low rumble.
Based on: Several reviewers credit both strong passive isolation and active cancelling.What is noise cancelling in the WF-1000XM5 earbuds?
It is a feature that quiets steady background noise, like engines and traffic, so you can listen at lower volume. It works without the stuffy, plugged-ear pressure some earbuds create.
Based on: Forbes, What Hi-Fi and Headphonecheck note no vacuum-like pressure effect.How does noise cancelling on the WF-1000XM5 handle different sounds?
It works best on deep, steady noise and less well on sudden or changing sounds. Some train, car, office and subway noise can still get through, and you can't adjust how strong it is.
Based on: Consumer Reports praises low-frequency cancelling; TechGearLab and Headphonecheck note leftover noise.How do the WF-1000XM5 noise cancelling earbuds work with your ears?
It depends on your fit. The cancelling only works well with a good seal, so you may need to try different tip sizes and twist the tips in carefully.
Based on: Tom's Guide, CNET and Forbes report seal trouble weakening noise cancelling.What are noise cancelling headphones like the WF-1000XM5 good for?
They are made for blocking out daily noise while commuting, flying or working. These ones also add a hear-through mode, so you can let your surroundings in when you need to.
Based on: Most of 11 reviewers name commuters, travelers and office workers as best fit.How much does the Sony WF-1000XM5 cost?
Usually $248–$330 in the US. Prices move with sales, so check the current price.
Based on: Prices quoted in expert reviews and at Amazon.com.What does the Sony WF-1000XM5 cost to run?
Mostly replacement parts and supplies
- Foam ear tips wear out and get dirty quickly and may need replacing (price not stated)
- 360 Reality Audio and spatial audio require a paid streaming subscription such as Tidal (price not stated)
Has the Sony WF-1000XM5 been recalled?
No. We found no U.S. safety recalls for this model.
Based on: U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recall records.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.
Head to head
Alternatives
All alternatives →- 01
EXPOWNREL82Apple AirPods Pro 3
Superb noise blocking and comfort, best enjoyed with an iPhone
- 02
EXPOWNREL81Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Best-in-class quiet in a bulky earbud with only average battery life
- 03
EXPOWNREL79Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Supremely comfortable everyday quiet, but calls and battery lag behind