Sony Sony WF-1000XM5 True Wireless Noise-Canceling Review

The Sony WF-1000XM5 have the best sound in wireless earbuds, period. Buy them for the incredible audio, but look elsewhere if all-day battery is your top concern.

The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the best-sounding wireless earbuds you can buy right now, full stop. That's the one thing you need to know. They're a masterclass in audio tuning, with rich, detailed sound that makes everything from lo-fi beats to orchestral scores sound incredible. Sony finally nailed the comfort and size with this redesign, too. They're smaller, lighter, and sit in your ears without feeling like you're wearing two tiny satellites. If your top priority is pure, unadulterated sound quality, these are your earbuds.

The sound quality is what blew us away. Our database puts it in the 94th percentile, and that tracks. The 8.4mm drivers deliver a warm, balanced profile with crisp highs and a bass that's punchy without being muddy. The surprise, honestly, is how good the microphone is for calls. It's in the 96th percentile, and in our tests, callers said we sounded clear even in moderately noisy environments. That's a huge win for a product that's primarily focused on music.

Worth it? If sound is your religion, absolutely. You're paying for the best-in-class audio experience and top-tier comfort. If you just want good noise cancellation and decent sound for your commute, there are cheaper options that make more financial sense.

This is a three-way fight. The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have slightly better noise cancellation and a more secure fit for the gym, but they sound muddier and are bigger. The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) offer seamless integration for iPhone users and a more compact case, but their sound profile is flatter and less engaging. The Sony's sit in the sweet spot: the best sound, great mics, and now, finally, good comfort. You choose Bose for ANC, Apple for ecosystem, and Sony for audio fidelity.

If you need earbuds that last through a full workday and then some without a charge, skip these. The battery life is their Achilles' heel. Go get the Jabra Elite 10 or the latest Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless instead for a better balance of sound and stamina.

We're giving these a strong recommendation for audiophiles and anyone who values sound quality above all else. The comfort fix from the XM4 model is a game-changer, and the audio performance is untouchable in the wireless earbud world. Just know you're not getting class-leading battery life, and be prepared to pay for the privilege.