Editor's Pick Best Noise Cancelling VERIFIED
Sony
WH-1000XM5
Sony · Headphones
The all-round ANC benchmark: class-leading noise cancelling, rich tunable sound, and excellent call clarity.
4.5 100% recommend$399
9.0 score verified
ComparZone Score
9.0
Excellent
The best all-rounder for most people: superb ANC, customizable sound, and the clearest cal…
$399
best of 3 sellers
Price · trend
▼ $44
Yes
Active Noise Cancellation
Noise Cancelling
30 hr
Battery Life (ANC)
Battery
LDAC / AAC / SBC
Codec Support
Audio
8
ANC Microphones
Noise Cancelling
Over-ear closed-back
Type
Audio
Why it stands out
Reference-level ANC for flights and offices
Reference-level ANC for flights and offices
LDAC hi-res support and tunable EQ
LDAC hi-res support and tunable EQ
Best-in-class call microphones
Best-in-class call microphones
30-hour battery, 3-min charge = 3
30-hour battery, 3-min charge = 3 hours
Category scores
marker = Headphones average
Performance profile
WH-1000XM5 Category avg
Decision snapshot
Best-in-class
Noise
Beats avg by
+0.4 pts
Confidence
96 %
Data sources
3
0%
Data quality0%
Spec coverage0%
Recommend0Specs tracked
0Spec groups
0Class-leading
0%Avg confidence
Noise Cancelling 96% verified
Active Noise Cancellation96%Yes
ANC Microphones96%8
Battery 96% verified
Battery Life (ANC)96%30 hr
Quick Charge96%3 min = 3 hours
Audio 96% verified
Codec Support96%LDAC / AAC / SBC
Driver Size96%30 mm
Type96%Over-ear closed-back
Frequency Response96%4 Hz – 40 kHz
Hi-Res Audio96%Yes
Spatial Audio96%Yes
Design 96% verified
Weight96%250 g
Water Resistance96%None
Connectivity 96% verified
Multipoint96%Yes
Price trend
$399▼ $44
low · $399high · $444
Review sentiment
4.5OUT OF 5
9.0
Expert review score
ComparZone editorial · /10
Pros & cons
Pros
- Class-leading noise cancellation
- Rich, customizable sound with LDAC
- Excellent call clarity
- 30-hour battery with quick charge
Cons
- No longer folds flat
- Premium price
- Not water resistant
C
Claire H. Verified
1 months ago
Silence on demand
On a transatlantic flight these turned the engine roar into a whisper. Calls are crystal clear and I get a week of commuting per charge.
Helpful · 58
R
Raj P. Verified
1 months ago
Superb, but no fold
Sound and ANC are fantastic. I just miss the folding hinge of the XM4 for travel — the case is bulkier now.
Helpful · 23
From the community
QAre they good for the gym?
Not ideal — they have no water resistance and are over-ear. For workouts, look at sweat-resistant earbuds instead.
QHow is wired mode?
You can listen wired with the included 3.5mm cable, useful on planes and to preserve battery, though some processing features are reduced.
Frequently asked
Is the ANC really the best?
It is among the very best — especially on planes and in offices. Bose is comparably strong, with Sony edging ahead on adjustability and calls.
Does it support hi-res audio?
Yes — LDAC enables hi-res wireless streaming on supported Android devices, plus wired listening via the included cable.
Can it connect to two devices at once?
Yes — multipoint lets you stay paired to a laptop and phone and switch automatically when a call comes in.