During the decade-plus that I have been testing products and writing product reviews, I have tried hundreds of different headphones. From cheap wired earbuds to the best wireless over-ear headphones in the world, I’ve tried them all. With that in mind, it’s fairly easy to understand why it would be pretty tough to wow me at this point. And yet, the only thing that came to mind the first time I tried Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC headphones was a single word: Wow.
In my expert opinion, Sony’s latest wireless ANC headphones are among the best noise cancelling headphones that have ever been made at this point. That being said, I can’t wait to try the new Sonos Ace headphones that were recently announced. I have Sonos speakers throughout my house, and I’m really looking forward to testing the company’s first ANC headphones. But just like my colleague Joe Wituschek, I think the Sony XM5 headphones will still be a much smarter buy than Sonos Ace for most people — especially while they’re on sale for $328 brand-new or just $229.99 renewed.
Even if Sonos Ace headphones end up being just as good as Sonos says, it’ll be tough to recommend them at $449 when class-leading Sony XM5 headphones cost over $120 less right now.
If you’re in search of the very best of the best when it comes to wireless noise cancelling headphones, Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC headphones certainly fit the bill. And it goes without saying that I’m not the only person who thinks so.
Reviewers around the world were blown away when Sony released its next-generation flagship ANC headphones. You can read our Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones review to learn all about what makes them so special.
To really oversimplify what makes these headphones the best, it all boils down to two things: they have the best overall sound quality and the best noise cancelling technology on the market. Period.
The previous-generation Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones were already contenders for the crown, and they’re currently on sale for $248, down from $350. But they had stiff competition from the likes of AirPods Max and Bose UltraQuiet headphones.
That’s why Sony went to work and made sure that Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC headphones were a big upgrade.
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones feature all-new custom 30mm carbon fiber drivers that deliver deeper bass response and better overall clarity. There’s also a new dedicated V1 chip and enhanced microphones for improved active noise cancelling as well as better sound quality on calls.
Also of note, battery life is still a huge plus despite all the enhancements. Even with ANC enabled, you’ll still get 30 hours of listening time. They’re worth every penny at full retail, so Amazon’s Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC headphones deal just sweetens the pot. Definitely grab a pair while they’re on sale for $328.
Or, if you want to spend much less money, you can pick up a pair of renewed Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones in “Excellent Condition” for just $229.99. That’s $170 off the retail price for headphones that are guaranteed to look and function like new. If you’re not happy with them for any reason, you have 90 days to get a full refund, no questions asked.
As I mentioned earlier, other Sony headphones are also on sale today.
Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are down to $248, and they’re as close to the WH-1000XM5 model as you can get in this price range. I used a pair for years and had no interest in upgrading until I tried the next-gen model.
You’ll also find a discount on my go-to ANC earbuds, the Sony WF-1000XM5. They retail for $300, but they’re currently on sale for $248. Or you can spend much less on Sony WF-C700N earbuds while they’re down to just $96 on sale.
