Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds Review: Would Owners Buy Them Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test these earbuds in person. This verdict is based on our analysis of expert reviews, long-term retests and owner complaint reports, all listed at the end of this article. We found no large owner failure survey for these earbuds, and say so below. Our method.
Great earbuds if they fit your ears, and best bought on sale
Reviewers agree the WF-1000XM5 have top-tier noise cancelling, a detailed sound and small, light buds. The recurring problem is fit: the redesigned stock ear tips fail to seal or become uncomfortable for a noticeable group of owners, and noise cancelling depends on that seal. A long-term retest found the battery holding up well, unlike the battery drain issue seen on the older XM4. With Sony's successor, the WF-1000XM6, now announced and newer rivals improving on calls and features, the XM5 makes the most sense at a discount, and only if you are willing to try different tips.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- want strong noise cancelling in small, light earbuds
- use an Android phone with LDAC for the best sound
- are happy to swap ear tips to get a good seal
- can find them at a solid discount
Skip it if you…
- have ears that struggle with in-ear tips
- make a lot of calls in noisy places
- want swipe controls or head-tracked spatial audio everywhere
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are premium true wireless noise-cancelling earbuds. They are smaller and lighter than the WF-1000XM4, use 8.4 mm drivers, and connect to two devices at once. Sony has since confirmed a successor, the WF-1000XM6, so the XM5 is now often sold at a discount.
We focused on our core question: after months of use, are owners still happy with them?
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Type | True wireless in-ear, active noise cancelling |
|---|---|
| Battery | About 8 hours with noise cancelling on (AAC), plus about 16 more from the case |
| Water resistance | IPX4-equivalent |
| Drivers | 8.4 mm dynamic |
| Connections | Two devices at once, LDAC and LC3 support |
| Case charging | USB-C and wireless |
What owners love
What owners complain about
How they hold up over time
We found no large owner survey of hardware failures for the XM5, so evidence here is thinner than for Sony's over-ear headphones. The most useful long-term data point is a retest after about two years on the market, which found the battery still healthy. Most lasting complaints are about fit and comfort rather than breakage. SlashGear also had one episode where a call disrupted the connection and needed a reset.
Tips from owners
- Try every tip size first, and twist the tips into place for a better seal.
- Consider third-party silicone or foam tips if the stock ones feel wrong.
- Run the app's seal test and use the EQ to tune the sound.
- Turn off auto talk-to-chat if humming or singing keeps switching on transparency mode.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Top-tier noise cancelling
- Small, light buds
- Detailed sound, especially with LDAC
- Battery still healthy in a long-term retest
- Wireless charging case
What owners complain about
- Stock ear tips fail to fit many ears
- Call quality trails newer rivals
- Tap-only controls
- Successor already announced
Other options owners compare
These are the premium noise-cancelling earbuds most often compared with the XM5.
| Model | Strength | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WF-1000XM5 (this review) | Noise cancelling, LDAC sound | You use Android and can get a good seal | See on Amazon |
| Apple AirPods Pro 3 Read our review | iPhone integration | You are deep in the Apple ecosystem | See on Amazon |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Comfort, noise cancelling | You want a shallower, more comfortable fit | See on Amazon |
Want strong noise cancelling in a small earbud?
Check the current price and colors on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
Why do my WF-1000XM5 keep falling out?
It is the most common complaint. The stock tips do not seal for some ears. Try every size, twist them in, or switch to third-party tips.
How long does the battery last?
PhoneArena measured about 8 hours with noise cancelling on over AAC, plus roughly 16 more hours from the case.
Do they have the XM4 battery drain problem?
A long-term retest found the XM5 battery still performing well after multiple updates, so it does not appear to share that flaw.
Are they waterproof?
They are rated IPX4-equivalent, which covers sweat and splashes, not submersion.
Is the Bose more comfortable?
RTINGS found the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) more comfortable, with a shallower fit, while both have top-tier noise cancelling.
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Sources we analyzed
- Tom's Guide: The XM5 are great once you ditch the included tips — stock tip fit problems
- PiunikaWeb: WF-1000XM5 stock ear tips uncomfortable — owner discomfort and seal reports
- Loud and Wireless: WF-1000XM5 long-term review — battery retest, mic grade, fit
- Techlusive: WF-1000XM5 long-term review — comfort, ANC, case size
- PhoneArena: WF-1000XM5 review — battery, IPX4, controls
- SlashGear: WF-1000XM5 review — mic and connection notes
- RTINGS: WF-1000XM5 vs Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) — comfort and ANC comparison
- PhoneArena: Sony confirms new premium earbuds launch — WF-1000XM6 launch
Figures reflect each source as of October 11, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.