Updated 18 Oct 2026
Is the Sony WH-1000XM5 worth it?
Yes — on a deal, if you treat them gently.
The XM6 replaced them in 2025, but these still block noise very well, sound rich and last about 30 hours, the same as the newer pair. You give up a little noise cancelling and call clarity, the XM6's finer EQ and a design that folds up small: these only fold flat, so the case takes room in a bag. They're worth it well below XM6 money, but owners often report the plastic joint above each ear cup cracking.
91%of 1,840 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Excellent noise cancelling for the money
- Rich sound and about 30 hours of battery
- Usually far cheaper than the XM6
We earn a commission from these links.
What owners say
Owners love the noise cancelling, the sound and the comfort. The main complaint is noise cancelling that falls short of the hype, and the plastic hinge cracking comes up again and again.
Good to know
- Owners report the plastic joint between ear cup and headband cracking, often within the first year.
- They fold flat but don't fold up, so the case is bulky.
- Noise cancelling and calls are a step behind the XM6.
- No audio over USB-C, and they aren't made for sweat or rain.
From 1,840 buyer ratings at Currys and Target (US), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Excellent noise cancellingMentioned a lot
- Great soundMentioned a lot
- Comfortable for long wearAlso mentioned
- Long battery lifeMentioned by some
What they complain about
- Unreliable Bluetooth, random pauses or switching off, touch controls misfiringVery rare
- Noise cancelling weaker than expected, often against an older SonyVery rare
- The hinge or headband joint cracked or snappedVery rare
Get it if…
- You want Sony sound and quiet without paying XM6 money.
- You're buying on a deal: they make sense well below the XM6's price.
- You travel and want long battery.
Skip it if…
- The XM6 costs only a little more: it's quieter, better on calls and folds up small.
- Your headphones get thrown in a bag every day: the hinge is the weak point.
More on the Sony XM5
How we reached this verdict
What Hi-Fi and TechRadar both find the XM6 better on noise cancelling, calls, sound and design, but say the XM5 wins on value: battery is the same 30 hours, and they still sound and cancel noise very well. What holds them back is durability: the plastic hinge is the most common complaint among verified buyers.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: What Hi-Fi: XM6 vs XM5, TechRadar: XM6 vs XM5, RTINGS, RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 18 Oct 2026How we decide