Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

Design and Build Quality

Sony has finally cracked the design code with the WF-1000XM5. Gone are the chunky, protruding earbuds of previous generations – these are properly compact at 5.9g per bud, sitting flush in your ears without the awkward stem design that makes you look like a cyborg. The matte black finish feels premium enough, though the case itself is surprisingly large given how much smaller the actual earbuds have become.

The IPX4 rating provides decent splash protection, but this feels conservative compared to Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro, which offer superior water resistance. Build quality is solid throughout, with a satisfying magnetic snap when the buds dock into their charging case. However, the touch controls can be overly sensitive – I've accidentally paused music more times than I care to count simply by adjusting the fit.

Performance: Where Sony Truly Shines

The noise cancellation here is genuinely impressive, arguably the best you'll find outside of Apple's ecosystem. Sony's Integrated Processor V2 does exceptional work at crushing low-frequency rumble – London Underground journeys become blissfully quiet, and even busy coffee shops fade into near-silence. The adaptive sound control adjusts cancellation levels based on your environment, though it can be a bit aggressive in switching modes.

Sound quality is where these earbuds truly justify their £219 price tag. The 8.4mm Dynamic Driver X delivers punchy bass without overwhelming the mids, and the 20Hz-40kHz frequency response provides genuine detail in the upper registers. LDAC codec support means Android users get genuinely high-resolution audio, something Apple's ecosystem still can't match. Classical music sounds spacious and detailed, while electronic genres get the bass presence they deserve.

Call quality benefits from Sony's AI-based noise reduction, which does an admirable job of isolating your voice from background noise. However, in truly windy conditions, the AirPods Pro 2 still edge ahead thanks to Apple's superior microphone array design.

Key Features Deep-Dive

The 24-hour total battery life (8 hours from the buds plus 16 from the case) is competitive but not outstanding. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro manage similar figures, while the Jabra Elite 10 Gen 2 actually exceed this with up to 27 hours total.

Multipoint connection works reliably, switching between my iPhone and MacBook without the stuttering issues that plagued earlier Sony models. The transition isn't quite as seamless as the AirPods Pro 2 within Apple's ecosystem, but it's genuinely useful for anyone juggling multiple devices.

Speak-to-Chat is clever in theory – music automatically pauses when you start talking – but in practice, it's overly sensitive. Singing along to music or even clearing your throat can trigger it, which becomes annoying quickly. Thankfully, you can disable it in Sony's Headphones Connect app, which offers extensive customisation options that put most competitors to shame.

Bluetooth 5.3 provides stable connectivity, though I did experience occasional dropouts in busy areas like train stations, something that rarely happens with the AirPods Pro 2.

Value vs Competitors

At £219, the WF-1000XM5 sits in premium territory but offers genuine value for money. They're £10 cheaper than the AirPods Pro 2, which remain the gold standard for overall polish and ecosystem integration. If you're an iPhone user, Apple's offering still makes more sense – the seamless device switching, superior spatial audio implementation, and more reliable connection make the extra tenner worthwhile.

Against Android-focused competition, the picture is more complex. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro at £179 offer better value for Samsung phone users, with deeper integration and superior water resistance. However, Sony's superior noise cancellation and sound quality justify the £40 premium for serious listeners.

The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 at £249.99 target audiophiles specifically, offering marginally better sound quality but weaker noise cancellation. For most users, Sony strikes a better balance.

Jabra's Elite 10 Gen 2 at £199.99 provide excellent call quality and longer battery life, making them better suited for business users who spend hours on video calls.

The Verdict

Sony has created genuinely excellent wireless earbuds that excel in the areas that matter most: sound quality and noise cancellation. The dramatic size reduction compared to previous generations makes them actually wearable for extended periods, while the comprehensive app customisation appeals to users who like tweaking their audio experience.

However, they're not perfect. The overly sensitive touch controls, occasional connectivity hiccups, and the somewhat gimmicky Speak-to-Chat feature show that Sony still has room for improvement in the user experience department.

For Android users who prioritise audio quality above all else, these are an easy recommendation. iPhone users should seriously consider whether the AirPods Pro 2's superior ecosystem integration is worth the extra £10 – in most cases, it probably is.

These earbuds prove Sony can compete with the best, but they're still chasing Apple's overall refinement rather than leading the pack.