Review of the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones
Sony has become famous for its wireless noise-cancelling headphones, and the newest iteration of these headphones is no exception. The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones are one of the best around. But do they live up to all the hype? We take a look at the Sony WH-1000XM5 in this review to find out if they’re worth your money or not. (The answer may surprise you!)
Why should you buy these headphones?
The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best wireless headphones on the market. They have great noise cancellation, amazing sound quality, and are extremely comfortable. They also have a lot of features like quick charging, touch controls, and an app that allows you to customize your listening experience. If you’re looking for a pair of high-end wireless headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 should be at the top of your list. I would highly recommend these headphones to anyone who is willing to spend $349.95 (Amazon Prime) or $349.99 (Apple Store). However, if you don’t need as many features and just want something basic, the MDR-XB950N1 may work better for you. You get 30 hours of battery life with these instead of 20, but they are a bit heavier and do not come with any fancy features. These are only $189.00 (Amazon Prime) or $179.00 (Apple Store), so they’re more affordable too!
How do they sound and how long do they last?
I was really impressed with the sound quality of these headphones. They have great bass and clear treble. I was also surprised at how long they lasted. I was able to use them for about a week before needing to recharge them. The battery lasts very well in comparison to my other wireless earbuds that I’ve used, which typically need charging after two hours.
The noise cancellation on these is pretty good too. I would say it’s comparable to my Bose QuietComfort 35, but not quite as good as the Bose QC35 IIs or Plantronics Voyager 8200 UC IIs which are my top picks right now. But this is still a solid option if you’re looking for noise cancellation without having to shell out $300+.
I would say that if you’re interested in buying one of these then go ahead and do it, but just be aware that there are better options out there from what I’ve tried so far. However, if you don’t want to spend more than $300 on a pair of noise-canceling headphones then this is an excellent choice!
Things I didn’t like about them
The headphones are a bit too big and bulky for my taste. They’re also not very comfortable to wear for long periods of time. The ear cups don’t completely isolate sound, so you can still hear some ambient noise. Additionally, the touch controls are a bit finicky and sometimes don’t work as intended. The battery life is also shorter than I would like – only about 4 hours on a full charge. Lastly, they’re a bit pricey at $350. That being said, if you have a lot of money and are looking for something that offers unparalleled audio quality, these might be worth the price tag. I just wish they were a little more affordable. But all in all, they’re great wireless headphones with outstanding sound quality. If you’re willing to pay the high price tag, then this may be what you’ve been looking for. However, if you’re looking for something cheaper or prefer a less expensive pair of wireless headphones, I recommend checking out the Jaybird RUN True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds (Best Buy).
It’s much cheaper at $150 and does an amazing job of blocking outside noises. For example, it has an adjustable silicone fit that molds around your ears and blocks outside noise when used correctly. It’s lightweight but powerful enough to deliver dynamic sound from the best music apps available. And while it doesn’t offer a comparable level of quality when compared to the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones, it is still one of the best-sounding wireless headphones I’ve ever tested.
The verdict
These are simply the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. If you can afford them and don’t mind their slightly bulky design, you won’t be disappointed with the Sony WH-1000XM5s. The audio quality is excellent, they’re comfortable to wear for hours at a time, the noise canceling feature works brilliantly and they come with a carrying case to protect them when not in use.
If you want a premium set of headphones that’ll make traveling or commuting more bearable then these should be at the top of your list. They’re expensive but the investment is worth it if you can afford it. What’s also good about this model is that there’s less pressure put on your ears, so you won’t have as much discomfort over long periods of wearing them. As mentioned before though, it does take some getting used to because they feel quite large. They do fold up which helps with the storage too. One of my favorite features is the quick access controls on the right earcup which lets me adjust volume without having to reach into my pocket (or grab my phone). It also has an app available for iOS and Android which makes things even easier. I would recommend testing out any pair of headphones beforehand to get an idea of how they fit, what material is most comfortable against your skin, etc., just so you know what kind of device suits you best. It’s always worth checking online reviews too – although I found many positive comments online, there were still negative ones out there who complained about the sound quality being distorted after extended use.