Sony
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Premium Active Noise Cancelling with personalized Spatial Audio, Up to 30hr Battery Life, Bluetooth Headphones, Black
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View Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Premium Active Noise Cancelling with personalized Spatial Audio, Up to 30hr Battery Life, Bluetooth Headphones, Black on AmazonYou pay the same either way.Specifications
| Type | Wireless over-ear headphones |
|---|---|
| Noise cancelling | Eight microphones with the HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 |
| Battery life | Up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on |
| Audio | Personalised Spatial Audio |
| Folding | Cups do not rotate flat, less packable than the XM4 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth |
Pros & cons
Pros
- Eight microphones and the QN1 processor combine for strong, steady isolation
- Up to 30 hours of battery with noise cancelling on covers a week of commutes
- Personalised Spatial Audio widens the soundstage for everyday listening
Cons
- The cups do not rotate flat, so it is less packable than the folding XM4
Skip it if
Skip it if packing small is your priority — the earcups do not rotate flat, so it takes more bag space than the folding XM4.
How we assessed it
We synthesized this
The WH-1000XM5 is built to make noise disappear. Eight microphones feed the QN1 processor, and that hardware is what gives these over-ears their strong, steady isolation on a train carriage or across an open-plan office. Battery runs up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on — a week of commutes between charges — and Personalised Spatial Audio widens everyday listening. For anyone who wants quiet as a daily tool rather than an occasional treat, this is the one to reach for.
The honest trade-off is packing. Unlike the older XM4, the cups don't rotate flat, so the case takes up more room in a bag. If you travel light and space is tight, that matters. Our read is a synthesis of Sony's documented microphones, processor, battery and audio features rather than a hands-on ANC test — see how we test.