Review Review
Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: A Year Later, They’re Still Excellent
The WH-1000XM6 is newer and technically better, but after a year of daily use, Sony’s XM5 remains one of my favorite pairs of headphones — especially at its lower price.
How this review was made
The verdict
XM 5 Headphones
After a year, I’m still using the Sony WH-1000XM5 almost every day.
That probably says more than anything else in this review.
They sound great, noise cancellation remains excellent, battery life hasn’t become an issue, my hinges have survived daily gym use, and they work beautifully across my S25 Ultra, MacBook Pro and iPad Pro.
The XM6 is the better headphone.
Daily listening, gym use, travel and mixed Android/Apple setups.
You want Sony’s latest ANC technology, a folding design or you’re particularly concerned about the reported XM5 hinge failures.
Pros
- Awesome Noise Cancelling Headphones
Cons
- Software has been hit or miss.
MSRP$289.99
I’ve been using the Sony WH-1000XM5 for about a year, and they’ve had a much harder life than most review units.
I wear them to the gym almost every day. They regularly bounce between my Galaxy S25 Ultra, MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, and they’ve accumulated enough hours that I have a pretty good idea of how they hold up beyond the honeymoon period.
The answer: surprisingly well.
The XM5 is a much better value now
The WH-1000XM5 originally launched at $399.99, but today it can often be found significantly below that price. That’s important now that the newer WH-1000XM6 occupies Sony’s flagship position.
The XM6 improves the formula with newer processing, upgraded noise cancellation and a redesigned folding mechanism. If you simply want Sony’s best wireless headphones, the XM6 is the answer.
But the difference isn’t nearly as dramatic as the model numbers might suggest.
The XM5 still gives you excellent ANC, great sound, roughly 30-hour battery life and multipoint Bluetooth. When the XM5 is heavily discounted, I think it’s the better value.
Check the current Sony WH-1000XM5 price on Amazon → XM5
Compare the Sony WH-1000XM6 on Amazon → XM 6
They still sound great
Sound quality is the biggest reason I’ve kept using the XM5.
There’s plenty of bass without completely overwhelming vocals and detail, and Sony’s tuning works equally well when I’m listening casually from my MacBook or trying to drown out an entire gym.
The active noise cancellation remains particularly impressive. Fans, machines, conversations and background music largely disappear.
The XM6 may technically outperform it, but I’ve never put on my XM5 and thought the noise cancellation suddenly felt outdated.
Excellent if you mix Android and Apple
One underrated strength of the XM5 is how well it fits into a mixed-device setup.
I use a Galaxy S25 Ultra alongside a MacBook Pro and iPad Pro, and the XM5 works great with all three.
Multipoint Bluetooth makes switching devices easy, and there’s none of the feeling that you’re buying headphones designed primarily for one ecosystem.
That’s a big advantage if your technology doesn’t all have the same logo on it.
What about the XM5 hinge problem?
Search for the XM5 online and you’ll eventually find complaints about hinges breaking.
Those reports are worth knowing about, but they haven’t matched my experience.
I wear mine to the gym almost every day. They’re constantly being put on, taken off and transported, and after roughly a year my hinges are still completely fine.
That’s obviously one person’s experience, and it doesn’t invalidate failures other owners have reported. But after a year of heavy use, durability has actually been one of the positives of my XM5 experience.
I did have one software issue
My only notable problem came after a previous software update when I started hearing occasional crackling.
It was annoying, particularly because it hadn’t existed before the update.
Fortunately, the problem has since been resolved and hasn’t returned. Today the headphones are working exactly as they should.
XM5 or XM6?
If price isn’t important, buy the XM6. It’s Sony’s newer and more advanced headphone.
If you’re looking for value, I’d watch the XM5 price closely.
The fundamental experience remains remarkably good: excellent ANC, very good sound, long battery life, comfortable everyday use and seamless connectivity across my Android and Apple devices.
A substantial discount makes those compromises versus the XM6 much easier to accept.
Verdict
After a year, I’m still using the Sony WH-1000XM5 almost every day.
That probably says more than anything else in this review.
They sound great, noise cancellation remains excellent, battery life hasn’t become an issue, my hinges have survived daily gym use, and they work beautifully across my S25 Ultra, MacBook Pro and iPad Pro.
The XM6 is the better headphone.
But at the right price, I think the XM5 is the better buy.
Bryan’s.blog rating: 8.5/10
Best for: Daily listening, gym use, travel and mixed Android/Apple setups.
Skip if: You want Sony’s latest ANC technology, a folding design or you’re particularly concerned about the reported XM5 hinge failures.
Check the current Sony WH-1000XM5 price on Amazon → XM5
Compare the Sony WH-1000XM6 on Amazon → XM 6
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Bryan
Independent technology coverage focused on useful context, real-world experience, and honest recommendations.