Sony WF-1000XM5 The Best Truly Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Earbuds

Pros

• USB-C 4.8 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.8
  USB-C charging is supported on the case, making it easy to use modern cables and chargers.
• Ear tip size options 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.7
  Includes four foam tip sizes including an extra-small option, improving the odds of a good seal; some still wish for broader shapes or an XL, and swapping to third-party silicone tips is possible.
• Android compatibility 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.7
  Excellent on Android with Fast Pair, LDAC, and broad feature support; some extras like head-tracked spatial features skew Android, but there is no aptX.
• Portability/foldability 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.7
  Very portable thanks to smaller buds and a compact case that slips into pockets easily; size reduction versus prior generations is a meaningful daily-use upgrade.
• Multipoint connectivity reliability 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.7
  Two-device multipoint is supported and usually reliable for switching between a phone and laptop; it does not offer three-device multipoint like some similarly priced rivals.
• Noise isolation (passive) 4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.7
  Memory foam tips create a deep physical seal that blocks a lot of outside noise even before the ANC engine starts working.
• Charging 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.6
  Charging options are strong with USB-C and Qi wireless support plus quick-charge modes that can add roughly an hour of playback in a few minutes; overall convenient for travel and workouts.
• LDAC 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.6
  LDAC is available for higher-quality wireless audio on compatible devices, but it may need enabling and can reduce battery life versus AAC.
• Weight comfort 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.6
  Smaller and lighter shells reduce ear fatigue and bulk compared with older models, improving comfort for many listeners.
• Included accessories 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.6
  Box contents typically include four sizes of foam tips, a USB charging cable, and documentation in mostly paper-based packaging; accessory set focuses on fit rather than extras.
• Preset EQ profile quality 4.6 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.6
  Guided preset systems like Your or Find Your Equalizer make it easy to land on a preferred tuning without EQ expertise, offering quick auditions and saving custom profiles.
• Battery 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.5
  Strong battery overall: commonly around 8 hours with ANC, longer with ANC off (often 9–12+ hours, with some tests much higher), and the case adds multiple recharges; runtime varies with codecs like LDAC and features like DSEE.
• Equalizer customization 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.5
  Highly flexible EQ toolkit with a 5–6 band style EQ plus Clear Bass and guided systems like Your or Find Your Equalizer; easy to dial down bass or tame treble without breaking the mix.
• Multi-platform compatibility 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.5
  Works well across iOS and Android with the same app features, but Android tends to get more from LDAC and some spatial features, while Apple offers a more seamless ecosystem experience.
• Sustainability materials 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 4.5
  Packaging and materials show stronger eco focus than prior generations, with paper-based or zero-plastic presentations and recycled materials called out by reviewers.
• Sound quality 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.5
  Overall sound quality is widely praised for detail, clarity, and engagement, with a Sony-leaning signature that can be bassy and occasionally bright; extensive EQ helps reshape it toward balanced or more fun.
• Midrange clarity 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5
  Midrange is a consistent strength with clear, natural vocals and good detail retrieval; even when bass is elevated, most reviews note voices remain intelligible and present.
• Codec support 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.5
  Codec set covers SBC and AAC with Sony extras like LDAC and newer call or LE-audio features noted in reviews; strong overall but missing aptX family support.
• Active noise cancellation effectiveness 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.5
  Top-tier ANC that shines when the foam tips seal well, often rivaling the best for commuting and flights; a few testers still found rivals like Bose cancel a bit more or called it merely good in certain environments.
• App 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5
  Feature-rich companion app for updates, ANC/ambient controls, and sound personalization (including guided EQ); powerful but can feel cluttered, and occasional crashes were noted with some app builds.
• Bluetooth connectivity stability 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.5
  Connection stability is mostly solid, but multiple reviewers reported occasional drop-outs in busy environments; switching the priority to stability may help but isn’t always a complete fix.
• Software/setup simplicity 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.5
  Setup is generally painless via Fast Pair and Swift Pair plus a dedicated case pairing button; day-to-day reconnection is quick, though the app layout can slow finding certain settings.
• Sensors 4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.5
  Sensors enable auto pause/resume when removing an earbud and can support head-gesture call controls; gesture reliability varies but the core wear detection is convenient.
• Comfort during long use 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.4
  Improved comfort versus older models thanks to smaller, lighter shells, with many able to wear them for hours; comfort still hinges on foam-tip sizing and insertion, and some users report pressure fatigue or an invasive feel.
• Instrument separation 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.4
  Separation and organization are usually excellent, helping complex tracks stay intelligible; a few comparisons still place layering or spaciousness behind the very best true-wireless rivals.
• Carry case quality 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.4
  Compact, pocketable case that feels sturdy with strong magnets and helpful touches like a pairing button; flat-bottom stability is nice, but the smooth finish can make grabbing the buds tricky for some.
• Treble clarity 4.4 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.4
  Treble is detailed and often more refined than prior models, yet it can still lean sizzly or fatiguing on bright recordings; EQ makes it easy to smooth peaks.
• Design and Aesthetics 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.3
  Modern, compact stemless design that looks premium and sits more flush in the ear; mixed matte and glossy finishes look sharp but can feel slippery during handling.
• Noise cancellation adjustability 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.3
  Plenty of adjustability via adaptive sound control, ambient sliders, and quick toggles; some users dislike automatic mode changes, but manual tuning in the app is flexible.
• Bass performance 4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.3
  Bass is generally punchy and well controlled with adjustable Clear Bass, though the stock tuning can sound bass-forward; a minority felt the low end lacked warmth or slam compared with richer rivals.
• Maximum volume clarity 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 1 review 4.2
  At higher volumes, the sound generally stays composed with clear bass and non-shrill treble; clarity is good, though some listeners raise volume more than expected due to lower output.
• Transparency mode quality 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 8 reviews 4.2
  Ambient/transparency mode is adjustable and useful, but it can still sound slightly processed or filtered next to the most natural-sounding rivals; directional cues and loudness are generally handled well.
• Spatial audio 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.2
  Sony 360 Reality Audio can be impressively immersive (with dynamic head tracking on supported setups), but it requires compatible services and track masters; the ecosystem and catalog remain less universal than Apple’s approach.
• Build quality 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.2
  Build feels premium and well assembled with a sturdy case, but glossy surfaces can reduce grip and some reviewers worry about foam tip durability and cleanliness over time.
• Microphone noise reduction 4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 6 reviews 4.2
  Noise reduction for calls is often strong, especially against wind and moderate background noise, but performance can be inconsistent in very loud scenes where AI separation may struggle.
• Stability 4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.1
  When the foam tips fit correctly, stability is very strong even for workouts; fit can still be finicky for some ears, and occasional tip or seal quirks (or very small shells) can reduce security.
• Frequency response accuracy 4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 4 reviews 4.1
  Out-of-box tuning often emphasizes bass, but overall tonality is clean and can be made quite accurate with EQ; some listeners also note ANC can subtly change perceived balance.
• Soundstage width 4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 9 reviews 4.1
  Soundstage is improved over older generations and can feel open and well layered, but it often stays more focused or in-head than the widest competitors; perceived space varies with fit and ANC mode.
• Voice assistant integration 4.1 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 2 reviews 4.1
  Supports popular assistants such as Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri with hands-free options; activation can be slightly inconsistent depending on setup and environment.
• Water/sweat resistance rating 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 5 reviews 4.0
  Sweat and splash resistance is adequate for workouts, though it lacks the dust protection of higher IP54 style ratings.
• Microphone quality for calls 4.0 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 7 reviews 4.0
  Call quality ranges from very good in typical conditions to poor in certain harsh tests; many note clear speech and improvements over prior models, but consistency is not best-in-class.
• Smudge resistance 3.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 3 reviews 3.9
  Matte areas and case finishes generally resist fingerprints well, though some glossy sections can still be slippery even if they don’t show smudges much.