Sony spared no expense making the WF-1000XM5 earbuds a true wireless gem. The company added more features, doubled the processing power, made active noise cancellation smarter and updated what was already a stunning design. The inclusion of award-winning sound technologies, along with head tracking for spatial audio and a new ear-tip kit for optimal fit, have deservedly earned them the title of our best true wireless earbuds overall.
I’ve been using the WF-1000XM5 every day for several weeks and can’t stop raving about their best qualities. At the same time, it’s been hard not to complain about their worst. Hear me out.
These are the five things I love about the Sony WF-1000XM5, followed by the three things I hate.
Love: The perfect marriage between audio and ANC
Sony’s wide array of audio features blesses the WF-1000XM5 with dynamic, spacious, well-rounded sound that’s enjoyable on all media formats. The newly created Dynamic Driver X unit widens frequency response to experience banging lows, clean mids and striking highs. DSEE upscales fidelity on lo-fi and poorly engineered recordings. The Equalizer setting in Sony’s companion app adjusts sound performance in various ways. Bluetooth 5.3 with LDAC codec support generates smooth, clear-sounding streams. Lastly, 360 Reality Audio is great for immersive listening on Tidal-optimized tracks.
Active noise-cancellation also plays a pivotal role in the WF-1000XM5’s sound quality. The latest V2 and QN2e chipsets create smarter and stronger noise cancellation that adapts to environments and suppresses frequencies more precisely. Sony’s technology removes about 95% of ambient noise from the soundscape, allowing the buds to sonically thrive without background interference.
Hate: Sony’s 3D audio setup
To be fair, every spatial audio feature has a frustrating setup process. That includes Apple’s version on the AirPods Pro 2. Sony’s is the most unbearable to deal with. I don’t know if it’s the motion sensors or software, but the feature does a terrible job of capturing ear selfies and registering movements. Multiple attempts are required to complete it.
Love: A cornucopia of features
Those who own Sony wireless headphones know the importance of the Headphones Connect app. It has many performance-enhancing tools that boost nearly every aspect of the WF-1000XM5, from audio to connectivity to usability. Most of the previously mentioned sound features can be enabled via toggle. Smart controls like Speak to Chat come in handy when you want to automatically mute audio to chat with people. You can turn on practical features like Bluetooth multipoint to pair the buds with two devices simultaneously, as well as assign Spotify Tap to your control scheme for instant access to the streaming service.
I could list several more features, or you can read the rest in our Sony WF-1000XM5 vs. Beats Fit Pro comparison. The point is that Sony fully stocked these buds with their absolute best functionality.
Hate: Not merging the companion apps
Sony’s Headphones Connect app has everything you need to personalize your Sony headphones and earbuds in a multitude of ways. So, why did the company introduce a second app called Auto Play? Beats me. All I know is that managing two apps to gain the full Sony true wireless experience is one too many, especially when the latest app is unfinished.
Auto Play offers a few features that could have easily been integrated into Headphones Connect. These include audio notifications for important events, scheduling music to play at preferred times and linking to popular music streaming services like Apple Music, Endel and Spotify. It makes little sense for Sony to have introduced a beta app when their primary companion app currently promotes beta features (e.g., Find Your Equalizer).
Love: An innovative design made even more beautiful
I thought the WF-1000XM4 had a stunning look, but Sony figured out how to make their successor even sexier. The flush mesh grilles are a nicer touch than the protruding mic housings. An all-matte finish gives these buds a more premium appearance. Even the new charging case has been reduced in size and weight and looks handsome resting on any surface.
Love: The company’s best calling buds to date
Call quality had been Sony’s Achilles’ heel until the company fixed it on the WF-1000XM4. Performance has only gotten better on the WF-1000XM5, which deliver loud and crisp-sounding voice and video calls. The mics demonstrate superb vocal capture and block out a high number of unwanted noises. A newly installed noise-reduction structure and mesh wraps also result in excellent wind resistance.
Hate: Still no NFC
Sony continues to neglect its most serviceable wireless feature to date: Near Field Communication (NFC). Tapping your buds’ charging case or headphones’ right earcup on the back of a compatible Android phone for instant pairing is very convenient. Some of Sony’s earlier true wireless models supported NFC, including the sporty WP700N and the terrifically underrated WF-1000XM3. It’s been missing ever since, which is a tragedy because it’s a more reliable pairing solution than the Headphones Connect app.
Love: Super-quick charging
Battery life is a hallmark on all Sony wireless audio products. The WF-1000XM5 is rated high at eight to 12 hours, depending how you use the buds, and the wireless charging case holds up to 36 hours. However, it’s their quick-charging technology that steals the show. A three-minute charge gets you one hour of listening. By comparison, the AirPods Pro 2 nets you the same listening time on a five-minute charge. Need I say more?