Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: Still the Best ANC Headphones in 2026?
The Sony WH-1000XM5 has dominated the premium ANC headphone market for years. In 2026 the competition is getting serious — but Sony still wins. Here's why.
Overall rating
Pros
- Best-in-class active noise cancellation
- Warm, musical sound signature great for long listening
- 30-hour battery with ANC on
- Foldable — great for travel
- Multipoint: connects to 2 devices simultaneously
Cons
- No IP water resistance rating
- Soft case scratches easily
- Sound is colored — not ideal for studio mixing
Who are these for?
The WH-1000XM5 are perfect for:
- Frequent travelers who need silence on planes and trains
- Remote workers in noisy environments
- Anyone who wants premium audio without going audiophile
They're not ideal for music production (too colored/warm) or sports (no IP rating).
Noise Cancellation — The main event
Sony uses 8 microphones (4 per ear cup) with real-time processing. The result is the most effective ANC on the market for low-frequency noise: airplane engine hum, subway rumble, and AC noise almost completely disappear.
vs. the competition: In low-frequency noise (planes, trains), the XM5 outperform both Bose QC45 and Apple AirPods Max. In high-frequency noise (voices), they're roughly equal.
Sound quality
The XM5 sound signature is warm: deep bass, smooth mids, controlled highs. It's tuned to make music feel big and immersive, not for accuracy.
| Range | Description |
|---|---|
| Bass | Deep with punch, no distortion |
| Mids | Slightly recessed — vocals feel distant |
| Highs | Smooth, no listening fatigue |
| Soundstage | Wide for a closed-back headphone |
Battery & connectivity
- 30 hours with ANC on — among the best in class
- Fast charge: 3 minutes = 3 hours of playback
- Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC codec for hi-res audio on Android
- Multipoint: connects to phone + laptop simultaneously, switches automatically
Worth buying in 2026?
At ~$280–320 USD they're still expensive, but nothing in the category matches them cleanly. The Bose QC45 are more comfortable but sound worse. The AirPods Max sound equally good but cost twice as much and don't fold.