86
What Hi-Fi?Specialist
“What Hi-Fi? Awards 2024 winner. New design, same result for Sony’s superb premium noise-cancelling…”
Publisher score: 86/100 · 50mo ago
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Open comparison
Noise CancellingWirelessBest value
Sony WH-1000XM5
$399 · Integrated Processor V1 / QN1, LDAC, DSEE Extreme · 4y 2m old
91
Review
Radar
8.8
User score
Image credit: Official product image
Spec sheet
Key features
We only show details we can tie to a product-specific source.
Build and fit
- Weight
- Approx. 8.82 oz / 250 g
- Wearing style
- Over-ear closed-back headphones
- Impedance
- 48 ohm powered via cable; 16 ohm unpowered via cable
- Driver size
- 30 mm
- Driver type
- Closed, dynamic
- Sensitivity
- 102 dB/mW powered via cable; 100 dB/mW unpowered via cable
- Driver material
- Neodymium magnet
- Frequency response
- 4 Hz - 40,000 Hz active operation; 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz Bluetooth; 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz LDAC
Wireless and connections
- Noise control
- Auto NC Optimizer, ambient sound mode, Quick Attention
- Charging
- USB; approx. 3.5 hrs full charge
- Battery
- Max. 30 hrs NC on / 40 hrs NC off
- Connections
- Bluetooth, Stereo mini jack, USB charging
- BT codecs
- SBC, AAC, LDAC
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.2
Review evidence
Audio specialist reviews
85
“The Sony WH-1000XM5 earns its spot among a crowded field of active noise canceling (ANC) headphones by offering a wide range of new features.”
Publisher score: 85/100 · 10mo ago
84
“The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless are the next generation of the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. Released in mid-2022, these over-ears have a new look that stands apart fro...”
Publisher score: 84/100 · 50mo ago
Review evidence
Tech publication reviews
100
TechHiveRead review ↗
“Yes, you can have it all: Sony delivers best-in-class active noise cancellation with virtually no compromise in sonic performance.”
Publisher score: 5/5
100
TechRadar
“Still the best in the business, but the gains for the WH-1000XM5 are more marginal than before”
Publisher score: 5/5
100
Trusted Reviews
“With a new design, improvements to the audio and the ever-reliable ANC and ambient sound modes, Sony's WH-1000XM5 is another great headphone”
Publisher score: 5/5
89
CNETRead review ↗
“Editor's Choice: The redesign and new sound profile of these latest noise-canceling headphones may polarize some long-time Sony fans, but it's ultimately a superlative noise-canceling headphone.”
Publisher score: 8.9/10
85
Tom's Guide
“Stellar performance and features in a sleeker flagship design”
Publisher score: 85/100 · 50mo ago
Best for
commutersfrequent flyersopen officesAndroid hi-res listeners
Buying notes
Value todayStrong buy
High review score for the money. 91/100 at $399. Uses the lowest in-stock retailer price we can see.
Worth checking
ANC performance in windy conditions and multi-device pairing stability.
Score distribution
90–100
3
80–89
5
70–79
0
60–69
0
0–59
0
Quick stats
Highest100
Median89
Lowest84
Reviews8
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Alternatives
