Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 crush it with a 97th percentile microphone and 96th percentile sound. But battery life is just 27th percentile, which is a bummer. You'll get incredible call clarity and hi-res audio, but plan to charge often.

The 8.4mm dynamic drivers pump out sound that's stunningly detailed, from 20Hz to 40kHz. Our test bench puts them in the 96th percentile, ahead of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 and right up there with the Technics EAH-AZ100-K. Vocals are crisp, bass is punchy without muddiness, and the LDAC codec lets you stream hi-res wireless audio without compression. It's the kind of sound that makes Tidal Max worth it. For calls, the six-microphone array with bone conduction sensor nails voice pickup. We measured call clarity in the 97th percentile, meaning you'll sound better than on 97% of earbuds we've tested. ANC is top-notch too, though not class-leading: in the 88th percentile, it's excellent but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra still edges it out for absolute silence. Still, the AI-based noise cancelling adapts well to environments, cutting down airplane hum and office chatter effectively.

Stacked against the competition, the XM5 shine where it counts: sound and calls. The Technics EAH-AZ100-K come close in audio but can't match the XM5's mic clarity. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra deliver slightly better ANC (likely in the 90th+ percentile) and a longer battery life, but their sound signature isn't as refined. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 are a strong alternative for sound purists, though their comfort and call quality lag. If battery life matters most, the EarFun Air Pro 4+ at a much lower price point give you more playtime, but won't touch the XM5's audio fidelity.

Pricing for the XM5 is all over the map. We've seen them as low as $220 and as high as $384, a $164 spread. At the low end, they're a steal for this sound and mic quality. But at the full retail of $384, they're competing with the Technics EAH-AZ100-K and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, which offer better battery life and stronger ANC, respectively. If you're paying top dollar, you'd expect more endurance. Shop carefully and you can snag a great deal.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 land in the top tier for audio, with a sound score in the 96th percentile and a mic that hits the 97th. In our database, that makes them among the absolute best for calls and music. But there's a catch. Battery life is a real weak spot, sitting in just the 27th percentile. That means you'll be reaching for the case more often than you'd like.

Sony redesigned these for comfort, and it shows in the 93rd percentile comfort score. The compact 6g earbuds and memory foam tips make them easy to forget you're wearing. With LDAC, hi-res audio, and AI-based ANC that's still strong at the 88th percentile, they deliver a premium experience. Just know you might be charging mid-day.

Skip the XM5 if battery life is a priority. With 6 hours per charge and only 16 hours from the case, they're not great for long flights or forgetting to charge overnight. Fitness enthusiasts should also look elsewhere: the 71.3 fitness score indicates they aren't secure enough for vigorous workouts, and while they're IPX4 rated, they lack the stability of dedicated sports buds. If you need all-day endurance or a gym companion, consider something like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra with longer battery or a set of true wireless sports earbuds.

If you prioritize sound and call quality above all else, the XM5 are among the best earbuds you can buy. The 96th percentile sound and 97th percentile mic are elite. Just accept that battery life is the trade-off. For long-haul flights or all-day listening without a charge, look elsewhere. But for the office commuter or home listener who can top up at lunch, these are a joy. At the $220 sale price, they're an easy recommendation. At $384, think twice.