Sony WF1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
3.5 out of 5 rating
95 Reviews
Immerse yourself in your favorite tunes with the True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds. These compact, lightweight Bluetooth® earbuds are made in part from recycled plastics and are water-resistant to stand up to the elements. Adaptive sound control and noise cancelling works with an AI-based algorithm for better call quality and a premium listening experience. Speak-to-Chat pauses music when you start talking so you can focus on what's happening around you. And, it works with your voice assistant hands-free.
Fast Pair
With one tap, you can quickly and effortlessly pair with your Android devices. And, Swift Pair makes it quick and easy to pair your headphones with your Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptop, desktop or tablet.
Long-lasting battery.
The earbuds hold up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 24 hours with the charging case.¹ And, with quick charging, you can get up to 1 hour of listening from a 3-minute charge.¹
¹ Battery life and charge cycles vary with use, settings, and other factors; actual results will vary.
All specsFast Pair
With one tap, you can quickly and effortlessly pair with your Android devices. And, Swift Pair makes it quick and easy to pair your headphones with your Windows 11 or Windows 10 laptop, desktop or tablet.
Long-lasting battery.
The earbuds hold up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge and up to 24 hours with the charging case.¹ And, with quick charging, you can get up to 1 hour of listening from a 3-minute charge.¹
¹ Battery life and charge cycles vary with use, settings, and other factors; actual results will vary.
Reviews
3.5
3.5 out of 5 rating
95 reviews
49% of reviewers recommend this product.
Excellent Sound, Poor Reliability: Issue With Mic
2 out of 5 rating
gustavoMiguelAlcantara . 1 month ago
I purchased the Sony WF-1000XM5 expecting the premium experience associated with Sony's flagship earbuds. While the audio playback quality has been excellent, my ownership experience was ultimately disappointing due to reliability concerns.
From the time of purchase, the microphone performance was consistently poor. Call quality was significantly worse than expected for a product in this price category and remained unchanged despite firmware updates, resets, and testing across multiple devices.
In addition, the original charging case experienced a charging-related failure within approximately eight months of normal use, requiring replacement in order to continue using the earbuds.
Because these issues occurred during ordinary ownership, I contacted Sony and provided proof of purchase. Sony reviewed my case multiple times through Customer Relations. Although I understood the product was outside the standard warranty period by one month when the time the case was reviewed, I hoped the overall circumstances would qualify for some form of goodwill accommodation. Unfortunately, none was offered.
The sound quality is genuinely excellent, which makes the reliability issues all the more disappointing. My experience suggests that prospective buyers should consider not only audio performance but also long-term reliability and post-purchase support when evaluating premium earbuds.
Sony North America Customer Support - 1 month ago
Hi Gustavo, Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback. We're really sorry to hear about the trouble you've had with your WF-1000XM5 earbuds. We completely understand your disappointment. We want to look into this again and see how we can best support you. Please send an email to socialsupport@am.sony.com with the information below so we can take a closer look at your case: Full Name: Sony.com Username: Telephone Number: Model Number: Issue/Concern: Case number provided by support: Thanks for considering Sony and sharing your thoughts. Warm regards, Estefanysony.com Originally posted on sony.com
Not a lot of bang for a lot of your buck
3 out of 5 rating
2 months ago
The Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers quality sound at the expense of multiple aggravating issues and a significant hole in your wallet.
The touch controls are incredibly sensitive and an accidental brush of the earbud easily causes a pause/skip/restart. The buds do not agree with long hair. Trying to wear these buds after a shower will cause the buds to execute touch commands the moment a wet hair touches them.
The buds are quite large and uncomfortable and do not work for long use. Your ear will be sore after and extended wear.
The charging prongs for the earbuds are very inconsistent and require regular cleaning. Failing to do will lead to the buds not charging properly or even connecting to your phone while in the case.
These issues do not warrant the high price tag. While possibly enjoyable for brief uses these buds fail to be a multiple hour earbud
Sony North America Customer Support - 2 months ago
Hi there, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback regarding your experience with the WF-1000XM5 earbuds. We are very sorry to hear that, despite the quality sound, issues with the touch sensitivity, comfort, and charging contacts have made them frustrating to use. We want our customers to enjoy a seamless and comfortable listening experience, so we truly appreciate you taking the time to highlight these specific pain points. Please rest assured that your comments have been shared with our product development team to help us improve future designs and software updates. In the meantime, we wanted to offer a few quick tips that might help improve your daily use: - Touch Sensor Sensitivity: You can actually customize or entirely disable the touch sensors via the Sony | Sound Connect app. Disabling them temporarily during workouts, after showers, or when your hair is down might help prevent those frustrating accidental pauses and skips. - Charging Contacts: Because the earbuds form a tight seal in the ear, sweat, skin oils, or moisture can sometimes transfer to the charging pins. Giving the contacts a quick wipe with a dry, soft cloth (like a microfiber cloth) before placing them in the case can help prevent connection issues. Thank you again for your valuable review, and for considering Sony! Regards, Dominicksony.com Originally posted on sony.com
Features
- Premium sound quality
- High-resolution audio
- AI-based noise reduction algorithm
- Control with voice assistant
- Bluetooth connectivity
- Fast pair
- Easily pairs with your computer or tablet
- Small, light design
- Adaptive Sound Control
- Speak-to-Chat
- Water resistant design
- Made in part from recycled plastic materials
- Up to 24 hours of battery life plus quick charging¹
Specs
- Dimensions: 1.36 x 1.57 x 0.83 in.
- Weight: 5.9 oz.
SKU#
SKU#
WF1000XM5/B
What's in the box
- Sony WF1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
- Charging case
- USB cable
- Noise Isolation earbud tips
- Warranty card
Sony WF1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds Reviews
3.5
3.5 out of 5 rating
95 reviews
49% of reviewers recommend this product.
Excellent Sound, Poor Reliability: Issue With Mic
2 out of 5 rating
gustavoMiguelAlcantara . 1 month ago
I purchased the Sony WF-1000XM5 expecting the premium experience associated with Sony's flagship earbuds. While the audio playback quality has been excellent, my ownership experience was ultimately disappointing due to reliability concerns.
From the time of purchase, the microphone performance was consistently poor. Call quality was significantly worse than expected for a product in this price category and remained unchanged despite firmware updates, resets, and testing across multiple devices.
In addition, the original charging case experienced a charging-related failure within approximately eight months of normal use, requiring replacement in order to continue using the earbuds.
Because these issues occurred during ordinary ownership, I contacted Sony and provided proof of purchase. Sony reviewed my case multiple times through Customer Relations. Although I understood the product was outside the standard warranty period by one month when the time the case was reviewed, I hoped the overall circumstances would qualify for some form of goodwill accommodation. Unfortunately, none was offered.
The sound quality is genuinely excellent, which makes the reliability issues all the more disappointing. My experience suggests that prospective buyers should consider not only audio performance but also long-term reliability and post-purchase support when evaluating premium earbuds.
Sony North America Customer Support - 1 month ago
Hi Gustavo, Thanks for taking the time to leave your feedback. We're really sorry to hear about the trouble you've had with your WF-1000XM5 earbuds. We completely understand your disappointment. We want to look into this again and see how we can best support you. Please send an email to socialsupport@am.sony.com with the information below so we can take a closer look at your case: Full Name: Sony.com Username: Telephone Number: Model Number: Issue/Concern: Case number provided by support: Thanks for considering Sony and sharing your thoughts. Warm regards, Estefanysony.com Originally posted on sony.com
Not a lot of bang for a lot of your buck
3 out of 5 rating
2 months ago
The Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers quality sound at the expense of multiple aggravating issues and a significant hole in your wallet.
The touch controls are incredibly sensitive and an accidental brush of the earbud easily causes a pause/skip/restart. The buds do not agree with long hair. Trying to wear these buds after a shower will cause the buds to execute touch commands the moment a wet hair touches them.
The buds are quite large and uncomfortable and do not work for long use. Your ear will be sore after and extended wear.
The charging prongs for the earbuds are very inconsistent and require regular cleaning. Failing to do will lead to the buds not charging properly or even connecting to your phone while in the case.
These issues do not warrant the high price tag. While possibly enjoyable for brief uses these buds fail to be a multiple hour earbud
Sony North America Customer Support - 2 months ago
Hi there, Thank you for sharing your detailed feedback regarding your experience with the WF-1000XM5 earbuds. We are very sorry to hear that, despite the quality sound, issues with the touch sensitivity, comfort, and charging contacts have made them frustrating to use. We want our customers to enjoy a seamless and comfortable listening experience, so we truly appreciate you taking the time to highlight these specific pain points. Please rest assured that your comments have been shared with our product development team to help us improve future designs and software updates. In the meantime, we wanted to offer a few quick tips that might help improve your daily use: - Touch Sensor Sensitivity: You can actually customize or entirely disable the touch sensors via the Sony | Sound Connect app. Disabling them temporarily during workouts, after showers, or when your hair is down might help prevent those frustrating accidental pauses and skips. - Charging Contacts: Because the earbuds form a tight seal in the ear, sweat, skin oils, or moisture can sometimes transfer to the charging pins. Giving the contacts a quick wipe with a dry, soft cloth (like a microfiber cloth) before placing them in the case can help prevent connection issues. Thank you again for your valuable review, and for considering Sony! Regards, Dominicksony.com Originally posted on sony.com
Frustrating & annoying
2 out of 5 rating
meliss . 2 months ago
I tried to like these, I really did. I’ve given them 5 months & I HATE these. They are so frustrating , they do not let
me connect to more than one device (i get an error in the app so that’s useless) , the way they sit in your ear is stupid. my left ear canal is a different size than the right I guess bc The left ear never is comfortable , It’s like half a size too small even with the smallest one on. It’s so frustrating to use these things on my left ear & while i’m fumbling trying to twist them , my fingers are hitting the sensor spot on the headphones changing my music. I literally want to throw them out the window but I payed ALOT more money than I would airpods which i should have just gotten in the first place 😭😭😭😭
Sony North America Customer Support - 2 months ago
Hello Meliss, Thank you for considering Sony products. We’re truly sorry to hear about the difficulties you’ve experienced with the WF-1000XM5 earbuds, especially with the connection errors and discomfort in your left ear. We understand how frustrating it can be when technology doesn’t work smoothly or fit comfortably. For the connection issue, you might find helpful troubleshooting steps in this article: https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000780014.html. Regarding the fit problem, we would like to assist you personally to find a better solution. Please feel free to reach out to us by phone through this link, so we can provide more tailored support: https://us.esupport.sony.com/support/s/support-contact?language=en_US&category=headphones. Best regards, -Fredsony.com Originally posted on sony.com
Constant drop outs
1 out of 5 rating
Jfdrums . 2 months ago
These drop out CONSTANTLY! It's completely unacceptable for earbuds at this price point. I have a pixel 10, everything is updated, and they just drop out all the time. I'm very upset I bought these and spent all that money. It's actually infuriating.
Sony North America Customer Support - 2 months ago
Hi Jfdrums, Thank you for sharing your feedback regarding the WF-1000XM5 earbuds. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience you've experienced with connectivity issues on your device. To help resolve this problem, please follow these troubleshooting steps: 1. Test with a different device: Try pairing the earbuds with a different smartphone, tablet, or computer. If the connection is successful, the issue likely lies with your original playback device. In this case, we recommend contacting that device's manufacturer for troubleshooting. If the earbuds fail to pair with the other devices as well, please proceed to the next step. 2. Reset and re-pair: reset and initialize the earbuds, then attempt the pairing process again. You can find detailed instructions for each procedure at this link: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-headphones/wf-1000xm5/articles/00298364 If these steps do not resolve the issue, we recommend reaching out to our support team for further assistance. You can contact them through our Support Page: https://www.sony.net/support-contact Thanks for considering Sony and bringing this issue to our attention. Warm regards, Estefanysony.com Originally posted on sony.com
BUYERS BEWARE - THERE IS TRUTH TO THE SONY BATTERY DRAIN ISSUE
1 out of 5 rating
Ned87 . 3 months ago
Writing this review to save potential buyers from running into the same issue.
Recently moved from Apple to Sony as I was tired of spending $100+ on earbuds just for the battery to lose half its capacity after 3-4 years. Turns out the warning other owners who posting about throughout many forums were true. By the 2nd year of ownership, my headphones went from only holding 20 minutes of charge to now just 4 minutes of charge after a full day of charging.
I reached out to Customer Services anticipating they would be understanding that this has to be a battery defect, especially since there are numerous and endless posts over the internet about Sony batteries losing all capacity after only 18 months of use, but instead Sony did not even offer any accommodation - they would only immediately state it's out of warranty and there is nothing they can do - this is despite numerous outreaches.
In addition, Sony will try to defer you to support links that do nothing to address you issue. They will consistently try to defer their responsibility for the defect.
To spend $100+ on premium earbuds to only last 2-3 years (there is absolutely no useful life of an earbud that lasts only 4 minutes), is completing unacceptable. Who would spend that type of money knowing upfront that the shelf life of their headphones are only 2-3 years. Please don't take for granted to reviews out there warning you of what is to come, and unfortunately Sony will be there to assist. Learn from my experience.
Hope this helps all of you out there. I would consider other brands (example: Bose or even going back to Apple).
Instant regret
1 out of 5 rating
Marlowww . 4 months ago
I've been using lower to mid tier earphones since forever. I remember hearing about these in every review/forum when I was shopping for my previous ones, and this time decided to get these on sale.
Instant regret as soon as I put them in and noticed zero difference in audio quality from my previous ones that were a third of the price. That's it?
The ear tips are ridiculous. As you could guess, most of the NC comes from its foam material, but their solution to cleaning them for hygiene purposes is straight up "you don't." Sure, you could give them a couple of wipes with water, which is about as affective as nothing, but just know that anything else (washing, alcohol) is going to destroy the material and give you an ear infection as it degrades and becomes more porous and bacteria-trapping. C'mon, engineers?
No replacement tips. Even though the whole NC comes from their special foam tips, I guess they'd prefer consumers to purchase another pair of earphones instead. 10/10 profit, Sony.
I decided to get their silicone tips (there's a hidden secret button you have to press in the app after failing a bunch of tests, to request them) and they... don't come with protective nets? The foams tips had them so where'd they go with these ones? I guess it's a free-for-all for earwax and dust.
Now here's the worst part. Everyone's ears are different, and unfortunately this was the case for me. Unless your shoes have perfect shock absorption, every step makes the earphones rattle and sends a little hit to your eardrums. Maybe it's the bad weight distribution cause they're little balls hanging upward, but I could not walk on concrete with these, let alone run. That's gonna give me permanent hearing damage.
Every touch to the earphone feels like a punch to the eardrum. Tapping or popping them in or out.
Little nitpick but it would be nice if there were a more tactile indicator of the front/back of the case so I can put them in without taking my eyes off the street or whatnot.
I could not imagine buying these things at regular price. Absolutely not on par with what you pay for.
Sony North America Customer Support - 4 months ago
Hello there, Thank you for considering Sony products. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and dissatisfaction you have experienced with your WF-1000XM5 earbuds. We appreciate your detailed feedback and want to assist you in improving your experience. Please try the following troubleshooting steps: Firmware Update: Make sure your earbuds are updated to the latest firmware version 6.1.0, which may help enhance audio quality, noise cancellation, and overall performance. You can download and install the update here: https://www.sony.com/electronics/support/wireless-headphones-bluetooth-headphones/wf-1000xm5/software/00296561 Cleaning and Maintenance: For hygiene, gently wipe the foam or silicone ear tips with a dry or slightly damp cloth. Avoid using alcohol or immersing the tips in water to prevent damage. We understand your concerns about replacement tips and protective nets; please contact our support team to inquire about available options and guidance on ear tip care. Fit and Comfort: Since ear shapes vary, fitting can affect noise cancellation and comfort. Try different sizes of ear tips included in the package to achieve a secure fit. Our support team can assist you with personalized fitting advice to reduce rattling or discomfort. Case Orientation: We appreciate your suggestion about tactile indicators for the charging case. Your feedback will be shared with our product development team for consideration in future designs. For additional troubleshooting details, please refer to this support article: https://helpguide.sony.net/mdr/2963/v1/en/contents/TP1000780014.html We’re committed to helping you resolve this issue. If the problem persists, please reach out to our dedicated support team for further assistance and advanced troubleshooting. You can find all the contact options and helpful resources here: https://us.esupport.sony.com/support/s/support-contact?language=en_US&category=headphones Best regards, -Fredsony.com Originally posted on sony.com
Very disappointed!
1 out of 5 rating
Tree45 . 5 months ago
My experience with the headphones was bad. It was the opposite of what I saw in that videos. I had high expectations but it didn't work how it was supposed. It does have goos noise cancelation but when I talk the people on the other line couldn't hear a word I would say. It all came out muffled. It isn't practical to raise and lower volume, and what makes irritated is that I cant track them if they were to get lost which happened already once. I downloaded three different apps just to see which one was compatible with it and a way to track it but nothing worked. Overall, since they were sony i thought they'd be good but it looks like apple and Samsung are way better then the Sony wf-1000xm5
Sony North America Support - 5 months ago
Hi Tree45, We are sorry to hear that the WF-1000XM5 did not meet your expectations, especially regarding call quality and tracking. To ensure the best microphone performance, we recommend checking that the earbud tips provide a secure, airtight seal using the "Determining the Optimal Earbud Tips" test in the Sony | Sound Connect app. Additionally, please ensure your firmware is updated to the latest version, as we frequently release improvements for voice clarity. For volume control, the WF-1000XM5 uses a "continuous tap" system: quickly tap the right earbud four or more times to increase volume, or the left earbud to decrease it. Regarding tracking, these earbuds support Google's Find My Device on Android; once paired via Google Fast Pair, they should automatically appear in that app for location tracking. We would like to help you resolve these issues—please reach out to our support team so we can assist you further. Thanks for choosing Sony. Best regards, Eliabsony.com Originally posted on sony.com
The best earbuds ive ever used
5 out of 5 rating
Swaglord4000 . 6 months ago
Yes, I'd recommend this product.
I bought my wf-1000xm5's almost 3 years and I have yet to be disappointed by them. The sound connect app is seamless and very well made with so many useful settings and features. The earbuds themselves have very good build quality, amazing sound quality, a great fit/feel, and amazing features. I have recommended them to multiple people!
Sony North America Support - 6 months ago
Hi Swaglord4000, We’re thrilled to hear you’re enjoying your WF-1000XM5s! We appreciate the support and are glad we could meet your expectations. Thanks for choosing Sony. Best regards, Eliabsony.com Originally posted on sony.com
The best.
5 out of 5 rating
Amilin . 7 months ago
Yes, I'd recommend this product.
I liked it so much ..wow super..supreme built quality ...
Sony North America Customer Support - 7 months ago
Hi Amilin, Thank you so much for the glowing review! We are thrilled to hear that the WF-1000XM5 exceeded your expectations. We put a lot of work into ensuring the build quality feels as premium as the sound, so it’s wonderful to know that stood out to you. Thank you for choosing Sony and happy listening! Regards, Dominicksony.com Originally posted on sony.com
WF‑1000XM5 is the best noise cancelation earbuds
5 out of 5 rating
Frish . 7 months ago
Yes, I'd recommend this product.
The Sony WF‑1000XM5 deliver a level of noise cancellation that genuinely feels a step ahead of everything else on the market. Sony has managed to shrink the size, improve the comfort, and still push the performance even further a combination that makes these earbuds stand out in a crowded field. If you want the best noise‑canceling earbuds available today, with premium sound and comfort to match, these are the ones to get.
Sony North America Customer Support - 7 months ago
Hi there! We are delighted to hear that you consider the WF1000XM5 to be a step ahead of the market! It is wonderful to know that you are enjoying the combination of improved comfort, compact design, and top-tier noise cancellation that we worked so hard to achieve. Thank you for trusting Sony. Regards, Dominicksony.com Originally posted on sony.com
Sony WF1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds FAQs
Gary . Feb 23, 2025
Can the batteries be replaced in these once they stop holding a charge?