Written by Maurits
Edited on
13 October 2025
·
14:57
Expert review of the Sony WF-1000XM5
The Sony WF-1000XM5 is the successor to the popular WF-1000XM4. This model had a good reputation thanks to the balanced sound and strong noise canceling. In terms of looks, the WF-1000XM5 earbuds aren't similar to the WF-1000XM4. For example, the WF-1000XM5 is glossy, black, and smaller. In this review, you can read what I think of these earbuds.
Sony WF-1000XM5
- Thanks to active noise canceling, you can close yourself off from your environment.
- The 24-hour battery life ensures you'll hardly ever be without music.
- Thanks to Fast Pair, the earbuds automatically connect to the playback device they were most recently paired with.
- The earbuds are water-resistant and not waterproof, so don't clean them under the faucet.
179,-
Delivered tomorrow
First impression of the Sony WF-1000XM5
The design of the charging case is almost the same as that of the Sony WF-1000XM4. The difference is that the light in the charging case is now a small round light. The only thing that's changed much is the design of the earbuds. The earbuds have a round finish. Sony incudes 4 sizes of sturdy, foam ear tips. I also find a USB-C to USB-A charging cable in the completely cardboard box.
Strong noise canceling
The noise canceling of these earbuds strongly reduces ambient noise. In a busy environment like on the train or in an office, I don't hear people talking. This allows me to immerse myself in the music. I can also focus on my work thanks to noise cancelling. These earbuds reduce sound better than other noise-canceling earbuds I've tested. I can switch between noise canceling and the transparent mode with a tap on the left earbud. With the transparent mode, I can hear a lot of my surroundings.
Powerful bass
The sound of the Sony WF-1000XM5 is well balanced. With different music styles, the music sounds as the artist intended. In addition, the the bass and drums are powerful and the vocals continue to sound clear. Music also sounds detailed, so I don't miss any of my favorite music. I already think the sound is good on older models, but Sony takes it one step further with the WF-1000XM5.
Sony Headphones App
I can adjust the sound to my liking with the Sony Headphones app. For example, I can adjust the noise canceling and sound reproduction myself. In addition, I can choose to focus on the bass or vocals. I can see the battery life of each earbud and the charging case in the app. With 360 Reality Audio, I can choose spatial audio. This makes me feel like I'm at a concert of my favorite artist.
Great wearing comfort
I have to adjust and twist the earbuds at the beginning to get the right fit. Once I've found the right fit, the earbuds stay firmly in my ears. The earbuds are large and relatively heavy, but they don't feel heavy in my ears. The earbuds also don't stick out far from my ears. The included foam ear tips feel like cushions, which makes them very comfortable to wear. And they stay firmly in my ears.
Conclusion
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are the earbuds for you if you want strong noise canceling and intense sound. Thanks to this noise canceling and the powerful sound, I'm completely immersed in my favorite music. It takes some time to put the earplugs firmly in your ears, they fit well once you do. Because of the noise canceling and good sound, these earbuds are suitable for the office and for on the go.
179,-
Delivered tomorrow