Long-term review: 2 years later and nothing beats the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds

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When the Sony WF-1000XM5 debuted in summer 2023, they took the industry by storm, setting standards for active noise cancellation and sound in the true wireless space. Two years later, and very little has changed.

These next-gen buds were given the full brand treatment, which consists of class-leading sound technologies, extended playtimes, and stunning craftsmanship. The results still speak loudly because no new release or rerelease (we’re looking at you, AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C) has dethroned them from the top spot.

Here’s my updated take on the Sony WF-1000XM5 and why they remain some of the best earbuds overall.

Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds specs and setup

The Sony WF-1000XM5 launched with a robust spec sheet that holds up strong against modern competitors. 

See for yourself.

• Speaker Driver Unit: 8.4 mm

• Frequency Response: 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz

• Adaptive active noise cancellation

• Powered by Sony’s Integrated Processor V2

• Multiple proprietary technologies (e.g., 360 Reality Audio, DSEE, LDAC)

• IPX4 sweat and water resistance

• 8 hours of battery with ANC on / 12 hours with ANC off

• Up to 36 hours of additional playtime with wireless charging case

• 3-minute quick charging equals 1 hour of listening time

• Earpiece sizes: XS, S, M, L

• Colors: Black, smoky pink, white

Sony headphones and earbuds easily pair to Android and iOS/macOS devices; the former provides convenient wireless features such as Google’s one-tap Fast Pair and Find My Device. Downloading the Sony Sound Connect app grants access to a variety of features that extend functionality across the board (more on that later). 

The WF-1000XM5s are programmed with multiple smart controls. These include Mark Series headphones staples like Quick Attention and Speak-to-Chat, which lower the volume to 10 percent when performing the long-hold gesture and pause playback upon detecting your voice, respectively. Touch controls and wear detection are on point, seamlessly operating all major functions: call management, digital assistance, listening modes, playback, shortcut actions (e.g., Spotify Tap), and volume. Alexa and Google Assistant voice activation are available for hands-free voice commands. The buds are also compatible with Siri on iOS/macOS. Everything works well.

Other notables worth mentioning are wireless charging and multipoint technology to pair to two Bluetooth audio sources simultaneously.

It’s hard to beat Sony’s audio quality.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Everything the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds do right

These buds are magnificent on so many levels, starting with sound quality. Sony’s soundstage is clear, spacious, and well-balanced. Expect a fine mix of bumping lows, crisp mids, and striking highs that blend beautifully on contemporary tracks. Bass is tamer than on the WF-1000xM4, but still impactful and resonant.

Toying with Sony’s sound features will heighten the listening experience. The customizable EQ can be used to manually adjust frequencies, plus there are numerous presets that produce quality audio for their respective categories. Find My EQ takes all the legwork out of creating a sound profile by automatically tweaking the soundstage to your hearing preferences. LDAC codec support streams music at a high bitrate to hear more detail and nuance on recordings. 360 Reality Audio accurately positions audio based on head movement and makes content more immersive. Then comes the crème de la crème of Sony features, DSEE, a technology that boosts fidelity on low-quality audio files. It’s a game-changer that everyone should be using to enhance sound on their Sony headphones.

The author wearing the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds.
Credit: Alex Bracetti / Mashable

Many experts view the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds as the best noise-cancelling earbuds, but the WF-1000XM5s aren’t far behind. They eliminate close to 90 percent of unwanted noises. Common distractions like chatty pedestrians, household appliances, and the humming sounds from a washing machine go unnoticed. While some high-frequency sounds are audible (e.g., crying babies, sirens), none will break your concentration. Sony’s 20-level transparency mode is a category best that demonstrates remarkable ambient noise and vocal capture for peak awareness. I’m always eavesdropping on loud conversations and keeping an ear out for emergency vehicles in my vicinity. 

Battery life is high. A full charge generates up to 12 hours of playtime, depending on how you use the buds, and a three-minute charge nets you one hour of listening time. The charging case holds an additional 36 hours and supports reverse charging. Speaking of which, the case is lighter, slimmer, and smaller than its predecessor. The buds’ updated design is also magnetizing. Details like the angled nozzles, full matte finish, and small wind-resistant mesh grilles give them a lavish appearance. IPX4 protection keeps the buds safe from sweat and water splashing.

Rounding out the positives are great call quality and versatile connectivity across all Bluetooth-compatible devices.

What the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds do wrong

Despite their pleasant comfort, the WF-1000XM5 often fall out due to the slippery plastic frame. The setup process for 360 Reality Audio is equally annoying, and struggles to scan selfies of your ears and head. Even worse is the head-tracking test that requires several attempts to properly register head movements.

Are the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds worth it?

Every. Single. Penny.

Very few models match the WF-1000XM5s’ sonic prowess, and those that do lack Sony’s multifaceted sound suite. ANC is stellar at minimizing background noise. High playtimes keep you entertained for lengthy periods. The redesign is gorgeous. Lastly, the Sound Connect app gives you a multitude of ways to personalize the buds.

Whatever weaknesses the WF-1000XM5s have are insignificant when compared to their strengths. 

The Sony WF-1000XM5s have been marked up to $329 (originally $299), thanks to the current tariff fiasco. However, you can often find the buds on sale for less than $250.