Sony WH-1000XM5
Exact average 88.7 · 12 printed, 5 estimated · printed scores only: 90
Image: SonyFour years on, the XM5 is still among the most praised noise-cancelling headphones: all 17 reviewers who tested it recommend it for its noise cancelling, comfort and battery life. It doesn't fold flat and has no water resistance. Its successor, the XM6, scores about the same.
Reviewed by The Disconnekt, The Independent, Expert Reviews and 14 more
The catch: Doesn't fold, and no water resistance.
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What 17 critics said
Highest score first · all converted to 0–100- 100The Disconnekt
Among the best travel headphones, with class-leading noise cancelling, great sound and comfort at a now-reasonable price.
Read The Disconnekt review - 95The Independent
Given a perfect score, with praise for sound quality, noise cancelling and call quality.
Read The Independent review - 95Expert Reviews
Superior to predecessors in comfort, sound and noise cancelling and still best in class, though the higher price and non-folding design give pause.
Read Expert Reviews review - 95TechRadar
Top-tier noise cancelling and sound with smart features, but the price rise, loss of folding and modest gains over the XM4 make it a slightly harder sell.
Read TechRadar review - 90Best Products
Called the new gold standard for noise-cancelling headphones thanks to better ANC, sound and calls.
Read Best Products review - 90Android Central
The reviewer finds the XM5 a worthy refinement with top-class noise cancelling, balanced sound and better calls.
Read Android Central review - 90How-To Geek
Scored 9/10 and described as the best version yet, with best-in-class noise cancelling and superb sound.
Read How-To Geek review - 90SlashGear
Rated 9/10, with outstanding noise cancelling, clean sound and long battery life.
Read SlashGear review - 89CNET
Rated 8.9 and called a clear step up, with refined sound, better noise cancelling and best-in-class call quality.
Read CNET review - 86soundguys.com
Lab testing shows strong ANC and solid sound that keep the XM5 among the top noise-cancelling headphones, though the newer XM6 is better at full price.
Read soundguys.com review - 80The Verge
Scored 8 and called damn good headphones with better ANC, tighter sound and much better calls.
Read The Verge review - 79TechGearLab
Tested thoroughly and scored 79 out of 100, ranking fourth of 21.
Read TechGearLab review - 89est.Good Housekeeping
After long daily use the reviewer calls them her best purchase, praising comfort, noise cancelling and sound.
Read Good Housekeeping review - 89est.Reviewed
A refined flagship with excellent noise canceling, lush sound and comfy fit, named the site's best overall ANC headphones.
Read Reviewed review - 85est.Business Insider
In a hands-on guide to Sony headphones, the XM5 is the top recommendation for most people because of its balance of price and performance.
Read Business Insider review - 83est.Trusted Reviews
Still excellent, musical headphones with strong ANC and good calls, now cheaper after the XM6 launch.
Read Trusted Reviews review - 83est.CNN Underscored
Praised for comfort, sound, noise cancelling and battery life, and judged worth the premium for those who want the best.
Read CNN Underscored review
"Est." means the outlet printed no score, so we estimated one from its verdict and checked our estimates against ratings outlets print. How we check estimates
How it compares
Direct comparisons by professional outlets, exact models only, in our words. Shown as evidence; they never change the critic score.
vs Sony WH-1000XM687
- What Hi-Fi? picks the Sony WH-1000XM6. Still choose this one if: price matters and you want very good headphones at a discount without rushing to upgrade.
- Tom's Guide (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you are budget-minded and can catch a discount on a still-capable flagship.
- SoundGuys (2025): it depends. Choose this one if: you prioritize comfort or budget, or already own the XM5.
What critics praise most
What critics dislike most
Other noise-cancelling headphones critics rate highly
Also reviewed, not yet scored
- Focal Bathys MG · 3 reviews so far
- JBL Live 780NC · 3 reviews so far
- Sennheiser HDB 630 · 3 reviews so far
- Soundcore Space One · 3 reviews so far
Common questions
Is the Sony WH-1000XM5 worth it?
Most critics think so: 17 of 17 recommend it. Doesn't fold, and no water resistance.
Do critics agree about the Sony WH-1000XM5?
Broad agreement: scores range from 79 (TechGearLab) to 100 (The Disconnekt), a spread of 21 points across 17 reviews. Most reviewers land fairly close together.
What do critics dislike about the Sony WH-1000XM5?
Case and folding (11 of 17 reviews), Price (9 of 17 reviews), No water resistance (4 of 17 reviews).
What is the best alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM5?
The Dali IO-8 (critic score 93), top pick, narrowly.