Sony WH-1000XM5 Review — A legendary headphone lineage takes two steps forward in performance but one massive step backward in portability, leaving reviewers recommending the older model

Sony's newest flagship headphones sound incredible, but a controversial design change ruined their best travel feature. If you’ve spent any time in the world of premium audio, you know the Sony WH-1000 series has been the gold standard for commuters and office workers for years. The XM5s arrive with the promise of perfection, yet they leave you wondering if Sony’s engineers have ever actually tried to pack a carry-on bag.

What you're actually getting

After using these daily, it’s clear that the XM5s are a masterclass in refinement. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is genuinely world-class; it handles higher-frequency sounds—like office chatter or the clatter of a keyboard—better than almost anything else on the market. As Marques Brownlee put it, "This is the most comfortable pair of noise cancelling headphones I've ever tried." The weight distribution is spot on, and the "vegan leatherette" feels soft enough for eight-hour work marathons without causing that dreaded pressure-point fatigue.

However, the experience is marred by a design choice that feels like a betrayal of the product's heritage. Sony ditched the folding hinge that made the previous generations so portable. Instead, you get a rigid, non-folding frame that requires a carrying case roughly the size of a small dinner plate. Mark Ellis didn't mince words, noting, "Ironically the case is probably the worst aspect of the Sony XM 5s." It’s a massive footprint in your backpack that makes you question why you didn't just stick with the older model.

Performance-wise, the call quality is a massive leap forward. If you’re taking Zoom calls in a noisy environment, the eight-microphone array does a stellar job of isolating your voice. But don't expect perfection everywhere; the transparency mode remains a weak point. It sounds muffled and unnatural, making your own voice feel like it’s trapped behind a wall. It’s a strange oversight for a pair of headphones that otherwise feels so premium.

Performance — what reviewers actually measured

Where it actually wins

The primary victory here is pure, unadulterated comfort. Sony managed to shave off weight and refine the headband pressure, making these disappear on your head. If you work in an open-plan office or a noisy home environment, the ANC performance is a genuine productivity tool. It creates a vacuum of silence that allows you to focus, and the fast-charging capability is a lifesaver. Being able to plug them in for three minutes while you grab a coffee and get three hours of playback is the kind of feature that changes how you use a device daily.

Where it falls short

The lack of a folding mechanism is the elephant in the room. By removing the hinge, Sony has effectively demoted these from "ultimate travel companion" to "desk-bound accessory." If you are a frequent flyer or someone who values space in your bag, the sheer bulk of the carrying case is a dealbreaker.

Furthermore, there is the issue of value. The XM4s are still widely available, they fold down into a compact package, and they sound nearly as good. Unless you are a professional who absolutely requires the improved microphone array for daily conference calls, the price premium for the XM5s is hard to justify. You are paying for a design refresh that, in many ways, makes the product less functional for the average user.

Should you buy it?

Buy if you

• Work in a noisy office and need the best ANC currently available.
• Prioritize long-term comfort for 8+ hour listening sessions.
• Need high-quality microphone performance for constant video calls.

Skip if you

• Travel frequently and have limited space in your carry-on.
• Already own the XM4s (the upgrade isn't worth the cost).
• Want a compact, portable headphone solution.

The WH-1000XM5s are spectacular headphones trapped in a bulky, non-folding design that makes their cheaper predecessor the better buy for most.

Sources consulted

• Marques Brownlee — Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back!
• ShortCircuit — I've been SPOILED! - Sony WH-1000XM5
• Mike O'Brien — Sony WH-1000XM5 (Problems & Best Features after 1 Month Daily Use)
• Mark Ellis Reviews — Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones - 3 months later | Mark Ellis Reviews

Synthesis combines independent reviews above. Verdicts and quotes attributed to original creators. Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases via Amazon links.