Sony WF-1000XM5

Small and comfortable Top-notch sound Excellent noise canceling Superb call quality Bluetooth multipoint with LDAC

Fit isn't super secure

“Smaller, sleeker, and with awesome sound, the XM5 are Sony's best buds.”

Class-leading levels of detail and clarity ; Top-notch musicality and timing ; Comfortable, discreet design

Some rivals produce more bass ; Could feel more secure

The excellent WF-1000XM5 are Sony’s most accomplished and analytical wireless earbuds yet

Rich bass response and crisp, detailed highs ; Adjustable in-app EQ ; Excellent noise cancellation ; Top-tier mic clarity ; Case supports wireless charging ; Hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant

Expensive ; Some bloat in companion app

Sony's true wireless WF-1000XM5 earphones offer superb sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and a dizzying array of high-end features.

Balanced, detailed and perky sound ; Thoroughly specified ; Useful, extensive and stable control app ; Small, light and comfortable design

Slightly inhibited dynamics ; Unremarkable noise-cancellation ; Unremarkable-er call quality ; Ordinary battery life

Sony was always on a hiding to nothing with the WF-1000XM5 - get it wrong and it’s a major story, get it right (yet again) and it’s no more than we all expected. But while the company hasn’t got it ‘wrong’ exactly, the WF-1000XM5 aren’t the consummate...

Smaller, more comfortable design ; Upgrades to ANC and sound quality ; Much clearer voice call performance

Glossy texture can make them harder to remove from case ; Sony’s bonus features aren’t as seamless as those of its competitors ; Potential battery longevity concerns

If all you’re after is a great pair of noise-canceling buds that sound rich, immersive, and full-bodied, the $300 1000XM5s won’t leave you wanting for more. But if you’re Sony, the real dilemma is that there might be nowhere left to go from here.

Agile, meaty and fun listen ; Very comfortable and secure earpieces ; Battery life maintained from XM4

ANC can be beaten ; Occasional connectivity issues ; On-ear volume control is a tad hit and miss

Sony has thrown everything it can into these much smaller earbuds, and given us an extra set of foam tips so they fit perfectly. LDAC, the firm's top-tier DSEE upscaler, and Bluetooth 5.3 are all here, battery life is competitive, and the sound is 100%...

Dynamic, musical sound ; Great battery life ; Some genuinely useful features ; Comfortable, improved design

Noise cancelling isn't the strongest at this price ; Call quality can be inconsistent

Sony's flagship true wireless buds remain some of the most musical in-ears you can buy at this price, but the competitors have started to push them on noise cancelling and call quality. They're still a great buy, but its closest competitors are worthy...

Easy to set up and start using ; Several tip sizes included ; Very effective noise cancellation ; Solid battery life even with noise canceling

Mic quality sounds a bit tinny ; Turning off noise cancellation magnifies other sounds ; Calls can disrupt audio connections ; In-ear design gets uncomfortable for extended periods

Exceptional ANC abilities ; Superb sound quality ; Wonderfully comfortable fit

Companion app could be easier to get around ; Some materials don’t feel as luxurious as others

Improves on what were already some of the best noise-cancelling in-ears around, with even better ANC, a more comfortable fit and stellar audio. They’re pricey, but the WF-1000XM5 are absolutely worth it.