Our Take
Sony's flagship over-ear wireless headphones, the WH-1000XM5 sit at the premium end of the consumer market and compete directly with the Bose QuietComfort 45 and Apple AirPods Max. Aimed at frequent travellers, commuters, and home listeners who prioritise class-leading noise cancellation alongside long battery life and multipoint Bluetooth connectivity.
Key Features
Industry-leading active noise cancellation using eight microphones and two processors
Up to 30 hours battery life with ANC enabled; quick charge gives approximately 3 hours from a 3-minute charge
Multipoint connection allows simultaneous pairing with two Bluetooth devices
Personalised spatial audio via Sony's 360 Reality Audio, dependent on compatible streaming services
Speak-to-Chat automatically pauses playback when you start talking
30mm drivers with LDAC codec support for high-resolution wireless audio
Our Verdict
The XM5 is the right choice for commuters and frequent flyers who want the most effective noise cancellation available in a comfortable, well-built package. Those already owning the XM4 will find the upgrade hard to justify. Budget-conscious buyers should check whether the XM4 can be found at a meaningful discount first.