Sony WH-1000XM5 review: Long live the king

Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony’s flagship WH-1000XM5 headphones offer excellent ANC and convenience features to make for the overall best noise-cancelling headphones you can get.

In the world of headphones, only a few companies’ new releases are actually worth paying attention to, and chief among those is Sony. Today we’re looking at the most recent update to the company’s flagship active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones: the Sony WH-1000XM5. With a complete redesign, these are some of the best ANC headphones on the market — even at an eye-watering $400. We got to spend some time getting to know the Sony WH-1000XM5 in rainy Vancouver, and we’re happy to share our notes with you.

Who are the Sony WH-1000XM5 for?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are for anyone who finds themselves listening to music in varied conditions during the day, such as commuters, office workers, city-dwellers, and students. They’re especially good for those who spend a lot of time on calls, and those wanting higher-bitrate Bluetooth audio.

This Sony WH-1000XM5 review comes from the audio experts at our sister site SoundGuys. Check out their in-depth take on the Sony WH-1000XM5.

What are the Sony WH-1000XM5 like to use?

Top-down view of the Sony-WH1000XM5 with the ear cups folded flat and upwards