# Sony WF-1000XM5 Review Roundup: What 8 Experts Say > DataDesign surveys published reviews and manufacturer data. We do not test products ourselves. > Updated 2026-09-23. Source: https://datadesign.one/wireless-earbuds/sony-wf-1000xm5/ **Consensus score: 78/100** (low confidence, from 2 rated reviews) **Bottom line.** The Sony WF-1000XM5 suits buyers who want detailed, analytical sound in a smaller shell than its predecessor: What Hi-Fi? and Tom's Guide both list sound quality among the earbuds' standout strengths [@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5][@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Its most consistent reservation is fit security: Tom's Guide, Digital Trends and What Hi-Fi? each list it as a con [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5][@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5][@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5], and TechRadar and What Hi-Fi? also say the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II still has the edge for noise canceling [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5][@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5]. TechRadar's own testing also turned up intermittent Bluetooth connectivity drop-outs [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5]. ## Who it's for The Sony WF-1000XM5 targets listeners who want Sony's detailed, analytical sound signature in a smaller shell than its predecessor, the WF-1000XM4. It has since been succeeded by the Sony WF-1000XM6, which RTINGS says further improves ANC and microphone performance [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Sony's own announcement describes the earbuds as approximately 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the WF-1000XM4 [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement]. TechRadar calls the resulting fit "very comfortable and secure earpieces" [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5], and RTINGS' pros list separately credits a "well-built and stable fit" [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. That fit isn't universal, though. Tom's Guide's reviewer needed to size up to the largest included eartip to get a good seal, something they didn't need to do with the WF-1000XM4 or the Apple AirPods Pro 2, and lists the smaller earbud size as a con affecting fit [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5]. The same review found footstep vibrations audible through the earbuds even with ANC on, making them a poor match for running — not a fit problem, since the buds themselves stayed in place without slippage [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Buyers who juggle two Bluetooth sources at once are covered: Sony lists multipoint pairing as a feature [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement], and Digital Trends confirms multipoint works alongside the earbuds' LDAC codec support [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Sony rates the WF-1000XM5 IPX4, which the company markets as handling splashes and sweat; the charging case and eartips aren't rated [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement]. Buyers chasing the single best noise canceling on the market should look at the alternatives below, and anyone who runs regularly should weigh the footstep-vibration issue noted above [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5]. ## What reviewers praise Sound quality is a strength across most of what's cited here, though not every reviewer agrees — see the disagreement below. What Hi-Fi? credits it with "class-leading levels of detail and clarity" [@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5], and its review separately calls the earbuds Sony's most accomplished and analytical wireless earbuds to date [@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5]. TechRadar scored sound quality 4.5 out of 5 and describes the listen as lively, full-bodied and enjoyable [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Tom's Guide and Digital Trends both list sound quality among their top pros, calling it outstanding and top-notch respectively [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5][@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Noise canceling also draws consistent praise, even where it isn't rated the very best in class (see the ANC split below). SoundGuys measured the WF-1000XM5 attenuating more than 30 dB of low-frequency outside noise below 1 kHz [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5], and TechGearLab's lab tests scored noise cancellation 8.6 out of 10, the second-highest mark in its five-earbud comparison group, though TechGearLab's own review says its ANC is less powerful than the team would like against noise like an office, airport or subway [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. RTINGS' pros list separately calls out excellent overall noise isolation, which it attributes to the form-fitting memory-foam eartips rather than the active canceling circuitry [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Battery life earns unusually strong marks given Sony's own rating of 8 hours with ANC on [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement]. SoundGuys measured 9 hours and 32 minutes of continuous playback in its own bench testing — over an hour longer than its WF-1000XM4 measurement — though SoundGuys tested a pre-production unit on pre-release firmware and doesn't state whether ANC was on during the test [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5]. TechGearLab measured 14.0 hours with ANC off at 75% volume, two hours past Sony's 12-hour ANC-off rating, and the longest of five earbuds it tested alongside the Apple AirPods Pro 3, Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) and Google Pixel Buds 2a [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Call quality is a standout for two reviewers: Digital Trends lists superb call quality among its pros and reports background traffic, construction and wind noise masked to the point of being inaudible to the other party during testing [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5], and The Verge calls voice-call performance much clearer than the WF-1000XM4's: colleagues on Google Meet calls heard only a small amount of echo even against background noise, and coffee-shop phone calls got similarly positive feedback [@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5]. ## Common criticisms Connectivity is TechRadar's most notable complaint: its reviewers experienced more than one or two Bluetooth drop-outs across different review units and continents during testing, something they say didn't happen with control sets from Bose and Technics — though TechRadar notes most of its testing used an early beta version of the companion app, which it says could account for some of the issues [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Digital Trends separately reported Bluetooth, noise-canceling and call-quality weaknesses on the pre-production units it first reviewed, and says its current review reflects the production hardware, which it rates highly for noise canceling, call quality and connection stability [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5]. TechGearLab reports no notable connectivity issues [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. RTINGS calls the microphone mediocre, noting that recordings lack depth while loud, sustained background noise overwhelms the mic's noise handling [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. TechGearLab's lab testing scored call quality just 5.1 out of 10, the lowest of the five earbuds in its comparison group, and says a subway-noise call test produced audio that cut in and out, even though quiet-room and office calls fared better [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Fit complaints appear in three reviews: Tom's Guide lists the smaller earbud size as hurting eartip seal for some ears [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5], Digital Trends' sole listed con is that the fit "isn't super secure" [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5], and What Hi-Fi? also lists fit as a con, saying it wanted grippier tip material for a more secure seal [@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5]. TechGearLab adds that while it found the foam eartips comfortable, they proved less durable than silicone, showing wear after repeated insertions and collecting dirt quickly on waxy ears [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. The Verge's reviewer describes the glossy earbud finish as a genuine day-to-day frustration because it's harder to grip out of the case than the matte finish of the WF-1000XM4, especially with sweaty or greasy fingers [@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5]. The same review lists Sony's companion-app extras as less polished than competitors' equivalents [@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Tom's Guide separately reports that 360 Reality Audio personalization repeatedly failed to recognize its reviewer's ears during setup, though it notes this may be tied to a beta version of the companion app [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5]. The Verge flags an unresolved concern carried over from the WF-1000XM4: widely reported battery-reliability complaints on Reddit. It cites a large, well-maintained Reddit thread on WF-1000XM4 battery issues and says Sony had not responded to its request for comment on whether the issue was addressed for the WF-1000XM5 as of publication, adding that it will be watching WF-1000XM5 battery longevity over time [@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5]. ## Where reviewers disagree Reviewers split on how the WF-1000XM5's noise canceling stacks up against Bose. TechRadar found ANC fine rather than eyebrow-raising and says the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II beats it for noise cancellation outright [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5]. What Hi-Fi? agrees Bose still has an edge, describing the Sony's effect as noticeably softer and less intrusive than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds [@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5]. The Verge, Digital Trends and RTINGS reach a different conclusion: The Verge rates the WF-1000XM5's ANC as good as the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II and the second-generation AirPods Pro, calling the subjective gap "like flipping a coin" [@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5]; Digital Trends found the two just as capable for day-to-day use, once fitted with the best-matching eartip [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5]; and RTINGS says the WF-1000XM5's overall noise isolation is on par with the Bose, crediting the memory-foam eartips more than the ANC for it [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Sound quality is another point of disagreement with the praise above: TechGearLab's lab-based comparison scored the WF-1000XM5's sound quality 7.4 out of 10 — the lowest of the five earbuds it tested alongside the Apple AirPods Pro 3, Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) and Google Pixel Buds 2a — finding the out-of-the-box tuning "pleasant, if a little flat" and the bass lacking power and warmth [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Battery life looks like a split between measurement and expectation, but the two don't actually conflict. Tom's Guide lists battery life as a con because it remains the same as the predecessor's rated 8 hours with ANC on, with no generation-over-generation improvement [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5] — that's a complaint about Sony's unchanged rating, not a measurement [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement]. SoundGuys' own bench testing measured 9 hours and 32 minutes on a single charge, about 90 minutes longer than that rating, though SoundGuys doesn't state the ANC condition for that test [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5]. One source describes the spec; the other measured the hardware, and beat it. The earbuds' weight also isn't settled. Sony's Help Guide lists 5.9 g per earbud including a size-M eartip, and TechGearLab independently measured almost the same, 5.95 g [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-specs][@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. TechRadar's own spec table instead lists 4.2 g per earbud, disagreeing with both Sony's figure and TechGearLab's independent measurement [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5]. ## Alternatives Reviewers considering the WF-1000XM5's closest noise-canceling rival broadly point to the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II. TechRadar and What Hi-Fi? both say Bose still has an edge in noise canceling [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5][@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5], though The Verge and Digital Trends rate the two as close to even, the latter once fitted with the best-matching eartip [@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5][@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Against the Apple AirPods Pro 2, SoundGuys found the WF-1000XM5 reduces noise better, especially in the mid and high frequencies, but rates the AirPods Pro 2's out-of-the-box sound closer to its own target curve [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Digital Trends independently rated the WF-1000XM5's ANC as comparable to the AirPods Pro 2's for day-to-day use, once fitted with the best-matching eartip [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Against the Technics EAH-AZ80, a similarly priced rival, TechRadar gives the Technics the edge for treble sparkle but calls the bass comparison too close to call, framing the choice as refined hi-fi sound with the Technics versus bass and enthusiasm with the Sony [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Buyers weighing the WF-1000XM5 against Sony's own lineup have two comparisons to consider. Against its direct predecessor, the WF-1000XM4, TechRadar reports battery life is maintained rather than improved [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5], while What Hi-Fi? describes a shift toward more clarity and detail at the expense of the WF-1000XM4's richer, fuller bass — a change its reviewers say grew on them with extended listening [@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5]. RTINGS notes the WF-1000XM5 has since been succeeded by the Sony WF-1000XM6, which the outlet says further improves ANC and microphone performance [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. Price has shifted since launch. The WF-1000XM5 launched at an MSRP of $299.99 in July 2023 [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement], and What Hi-Fi? notes UK street price has since dropped as low as £149 during sales events like Prime Day and Black Friday [@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5]. ## Questions **Does the Sony WF-1000XM5 cancel noise as well as Bose's earbuds?** Reviewers are divided: TechRadar and What Hi-Fi? say the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II still has an edge for noise cancellation [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5][@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5]. The Verge calls the gap close enough to be a coin flip [@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5], Digital Trends found the two just as capable for day-to-day use once fitted with the best-matching eartip [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5], and RTINGS says the WF-1000XM5's overall noise isolation is on par with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, crediting the memory-foam eartips more than the ANC for it [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. **Is the Sony WF-1000XM5's battery life better than the WF-1000XM4's?** It depends who measured it and under what conditions. Tom's Guide lists unchanged battery life as a con, matching the WF-1000XM4's rated 8 hours with ANC on [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5]. SoundGuys' own bench test found 9 hours and 32 minutes on a single charge, over an hour longer than its WF-1000XM4 measurement, though SoundGuys doesn't state the ANC condition for that test [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5]. TechGearLab measured 14.0 hours with ANC off at 75% volume, two hours past Sony's 12-hour ANC-off rating [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. **Does the Sony WF-1000XM5 support Bluetooth multipoint?** Yes. Sony lists multipoint pairing as a feature [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement], and Digital Trends confirms it works alongside the earbuds' LDAC codec support [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5]. RTINGS' pros list also credits multi-device pairing support [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. **How is call quality on the Sony WF-1000XM5?** Reviewers disagree sharply. Digital Trends and The Verge both call call quality a standout strength, with The Verge reporting colleagues on Google Meet calls heard only a small amount of echo even against background noise [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5][@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5]. RTINGS calls the microphone mediocre, saying recordings lack depth and loud sustained noise overwhelms its noise handling [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5], and TechGearLab's lab testing scored call quality just 5.1 out of 10, the lowest of the five earbuds in its comparison group [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5]. **Has the Sony WF-1000XM5 been replaced by a newer model?** Yes. RTINGS notes it has since been succeeded by the Sony WF-1000XM6, which the outlet says further improves ANC and microphone performance [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5]. **What's the Sony WF-1000XM5's water resistance rating?** Sony rates the WF-1000XM5 at IPX4 for splashes and sweat; the charging case and eartips are not rated [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement]. ## Sources - [@whathifi-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 review — whathifi: https://www.whathifi.com/reviews/sony-wf-1000xm5 - [@tomsguide-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 review: Best-ever wireless earbuds — tomsguide, 2023-07-24: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/sony-wf-1000xm5 - [@digitaltrends-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds review: smaller is better — digitaltrends, 2023-07-24: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/sony-wf-1000xm5-review/ - [@techradar-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 review: smaller and sonically special, but rivals are gaining — techradar: https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sony-wf-1000xm5 - [@rtings-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Review — rtings: https://www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/sony/wf-1000xm5-truly-wireless - [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-announcement] Sony Electronics Unveils WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless Earbuds "For The Music", The Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds — sony, 2023-07-24: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sony-electronics-unveils-wf-1000xm5-truly-wireless-earbuds-for-the-music-the-best-noise-canceling-earbuds-301883612.html - [@soundguys-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 review — soundguys: https://www.soundguys.com/sony-wf-1000xm5-review-95465/ - [@techgearlab-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 Review — techgearlab: https://www.techgearlab.com/reviews/audio/wireless-earbuds/sony-wf-1000xm5 - [@theverge-sony-wf-1000xm5] Sony WF-1000XM5 noise-canceling earbuds review: better in every way — for now — theverge: https://www.theverge.com/23803374/sony-wf-1000xm5-earbuds-review - [@sony-sony-wf-1000xm5-specs] WF-1000XM5 | Help Guide | Specifications — sony: https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000783926.html Licence: prose © DataDesign; the structured data at https://datadesign.one/data/ is CC BY 4.0.