Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless
Snapshot
The 30-Second Version
The Sony WF-1000XM5s are comfortable, but that's where the good news ends. Battery life is terrible, sound and ANC are mediocre, and call quality is a letdown. Only consider these if you find a deep discount and comfort is your absolute top priority.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Comfort is genuinely good, sitting well above average. 74th
- The smaller, lighter design is a nice upgrade for pocketability.
- Foam ear tips provide a secure, comfortable seal.
- Integrated Processor V2 handles audio processing efficiently.
Cons
- Battery life is abysmal, ranking near the very bottom of our database.
- Sound quality is mediocre, not the premium experience you'd expect.
- Active noise cancellation falls behind most competitors.
- Call quality is a weak spot, despite the triple-mic setup.
The proof
Performance
Let's talk numbers. The sound score lands at the 31st percentile, which is underwhelming for buds that promise 'studio-quality' audio. ANC isn't much better at the 32nd percentile, so don't expect best-in-class silence. The real pain point is battery life, sitting all the way down at the 4th percentile. That's one of the worst results we've seen. Call quality is also rough at the 14th percentile, despite those three mics. On the bright side, comfort is well above average at the 74th percentile, so at least they feel good while everything else is just okay.
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Weight | 0.1 kg / 0.2 lbs |
Audio
| Impedance | 48 |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
vs Competition
Stacked against the competition, the XM5s struggle. The Technics EAH-AZ100 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra will smoke these on ANC and sound quality. Samsung's Galaxy Buds3 Pro offer a more polished experience with better battery life. Even Apple's AirPods Pro 3 run circles around the Sony's call quality. The only area the XM5s hold their own is comfort, but that's not enough when the core features lag this far behind. You're basically paying for the Sony badge and a comfy fit.
| Spec | Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless | Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K | Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro | Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 | Apple AirPods Pro 3 | Soundcore P31i |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | - | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.4 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 6.0 |
| Battery Life Hours | - | 8 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | - | 28 | 26 | 18 | 24 | 50 |
| Water Resistance | - | IPX4 | IP57 | IPX4 | IP57 | IP55 |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | - |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless | 31.8 | 14.2 | 35 | 31.1 | 3.6 | 73.8 | 42.7 | 62.3 |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K Compare | 97.4 | 97.5 | 81.4 | 99.1 | 82 | 73.8 | 99.2 | 81.4 |
| Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro Compare | 97.4 | 97.5 | 98.9 | 93.5 | 76.9 | 94.7 | 99.7 | 90.3 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 Compare | 97.4 | 91.9 | 81.4 | 97 | 48.8 | 94.7 | 98.1 | 90.3 |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 Compare | 97.4 | 83.9 | 98.9 | 91.5 | 79.2 | 94.7 | 99.7 | 99.4 |
| Soundcore P31i Compare | 90.6 | 97.5 | 91.9 | 97.4 | 94.2 | 73.8 | 87.5 | 90.3 |
Price
Value & Pricing
Pricing on these is all over the map, with a wild spread from $129 to over $3000 depending on the seller. Since this is a refurbished unit, the lower end of that range is the only one worth considering. At around $130, you're getting a comfortable pair of earbuds with a famous name. But even at that price, the weak battery and mediocre sound make it a tough sell when you can get better-performing buds for less. If you're paying anywhere near full retail, you're getting fleeced.
Amazon 2 offers From $129
Price History
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Overview
Sony's WF-1000XM5 earbuds are the company's latest shot at true wireless dominance, and they pack some serious tech. You get the Integrated Processor V2, triple mics per bud for ANC, and a redesigned shape that's smaller and lighter than the last generation. On paper, it's a flagship through and through.
But here's the thing. Our database tells a different story than the marketing hype. While comfort is solid, the actual performance scores land in mediocre territory across the board. Sound, ANC, and build quality all sit in the bottom third compared to other earbuds we've tested. For a Sony flagship, that's a bit of a head-scratcher.
Common Questions
Q: How is the battery life on the WF-1000XM5?
It's a major weak point. In our testing, battery performance ranks in the 4th percentile, meaning it's one of the worst we've seen compared to other true wireless earbuds.
Q: Are these good for taking phone calls?
Not really. Despite having three microphones per earbud, the mic quality scores in the 14th percentile. Your voice will likely sound muffled or distant to the person on the other end.
Q: Is the noise cancelling as good as Sony claims?
It's okay, but not class-leading. Our data puts ANC performance at the 32nd percentile, so it falls behind most competitors like Bose or Technics. It'll reduce some hum, but don't expect silence.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you need all-day battery life or take a lot of calls. The battery drains fast, and the mic quality will frustrate anyone you're talking to. If top-tier ANC or sound quality matters to you, look at Bose or Technics instead because the XM5s just don't compete.
Verdict
These are for Sony loyalists who prioritize a comfy fit above all else and can snag them at a steep discount. If you just want the Sony name in your ears and don't care about top-tier sound or all-day battery, the refurb deal might tempt you. For everyone else, there are simply better options out there.
