Sony WH-1000XM5

Anyone thinking about upgrading from the fourth-generation can probably sit tight until generation six arrives, while Apple's AirPods Max still have the edge in premium feel (even if they're considerably heavier and more expensive in the process). Road warriors looking for the tidiest bag might want to stick with the old WH-1000XM4 for their compact folding, but if active noise cancellation is — understandably — your primary concern, then the Sony WH-1000XM5 have the edge.

It seems like Sony got confused with what it wanted the 1000XM5s to be: they’re a strange half-step between the 1000XM4s and luxury headphones like the AirPods Max. There’s no major new feature or big headlining thing about them. But they’re still damn good noise-canceling headphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are absorbing. Too many headphones with “premium” pretensions lose sight of what music is supposed to be for. In their desire to be accurate and informative, they forget that we came here to be entertained. There’s nothing dispassionate about the way the XM5 sound, and as a result they’re an absolute pleasure to listen to.

The only gripe is the price, which is $50 more than the previous model at $400. But when considering the entirety of what you’re getting, the cost is perfectly reasonable. Sony was already on top, but with the WH-1000XM5, the company put even more distance between itself and the rest of the pack.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the big upgrade we’ve been waiting for from Sony’s flagship wireless headphones. The new design and AI makes the noise-canceling stronger while the ambient listening mode is splendidly natural. Audio quality is impeccable too – whether you want to listen to intricate classical music or a rocking action movie, these headphones can do it all.

Redesigning its premium noise-cancelling headphones wasn’t without risk, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 are a sonic triumph.

As I said, there's going to be some debate over single-hinge vs. dual-hinge designs and whether the XM4 or XM5 sounds better (I think the XM5 does). But beyond those discussions, the XM5 has some clear upgrades, including a voice-calling experience that's arguably best-in-class. For those of you who already own the XM4, that's really the biggest reason to upgrade to the XM5.

Still the best headphones in the world thanks to their class-leading noise-cancelling features and well-balanced audio, a steeper price point and similar functionality to earlier models make the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones an ever-so-slightly tougher sell than before.

Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones pair top-notch noise cancellation with class-leading audio quality in a comfortable, attractive design.

Sony demonstrates across-the-board expertise in the XM5 with a great-sounding pair of headphones that has exceptional ANC performance and eco credentials.