When earbuds seamlessly integrate into your daily routine, it’s easy to forget to review them. The Sony WF-1000XM5s have become just that for me. After nearly a year of consistent use, here’s my in-depth look at these impressive earbuds.

As a reminder, I am not affiliated with Sony. I did not receive any monetary or other incentives for providing this review. My opinions are solely based on my personal experience.

Charging Case

Let’s kick things off with the charging case. Compared to the WF-1000XM4, the WF-1000XM5’s case is noticeably smaller while maintaining the same impressive battery life. It resembles the case of the Linkbuds S but includes Qi wireless charging. A new physical button on the back makes entering pairing mode a breeze, eliminating the awkward method of using the earbuds’ touch panel. However, some may find the button placement a bit tricky to access if they use a protective case.

Comfort

Comfort can be subjective, but for me, the WF-1000XM5s have hit the mark. While some users have reported discomfort compared to the WF-1000XM4, the redesigned eartips—available in four sizes (SS, S, M, and L)—have worked wonders for my fit. The smaller body design reduces pressure on my ear cartilage, allowing for longer listening sessions without fatigue. They also stay secure during workouts, which is a significant win. My wife, in particular, found the smaller eartips crucial since many true wireless options are often too large for her ears.

Sound

When it comes to sound quality, the WF-1000XM5s perform just as well as their predecessor. I didn’t notice any significant differences between the two models. A standout feature is “Find my EQ,” which simplifies the EQ tuning process. Instead of adjusting knobs, the earbuds play music with various EQ settings and ask for your preferences, making it a personalized experience. For power users, the previous EQ adjustment options are still there.

Features

The WF-1000XM5 is packed with features. Alongside standard EQ and ambient sound controls, you’ll find sound pressure monitoring and 360 Reality Audio, enhancing your listening experience significantly.

Service Link

A noteworthy addition is the Service Link feature. The feature adds integrations with third-party apps like Spotify and Amazon Music. With Spotify, the earbuds can automatically play your music, adding convenience to your listening experience.

Another integration is Auto Play. This is an app that Sony developed that allows you to customize how the earbuds react in different situations. One of my favorite aspects is the time announcements, which gently remind you of the hour—perfect for maintaining focus during deep work sessions.

Additionally, the earbuds support other integrations, such as Endel, which offers nature soundscapes, and Ingress Prime, an AR game from the creators of Pokémon Go. While I haven’t tried these, they could be appealing for users of those services.

Active Noise Cancellation

While the active noise cancellation (ANC) is solid, it doesn’t quite reach the level of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. I’ve noticed that the effectiveness of ANC heavily depends on how well the ear tips fit, suggesting that passive noise isolation plays a significant role. This makes sense, as relying on passive noise canceling conserves battery life while still delivering decent active noise cancellation.

Bluetooth LE

Bluetooth LE was introduced in early 2024, but it comes with some limitations. For instance, multipoint connection and voice assistant features are unavailable when using this mode. The Service Link options I mentioned above are also unavailable. This has been a disappointment for me, as I often find myself disabling Bluetooth LE to regain access to features like Auto Play and voice commands.

Battery

Battery life on the WF-1000XM5s is commendable, offering around 6 hours of listening time with features like Google Assistant, ANC, LDAC, and Auto Play enabled. You can expect closer to 7-8 hours if you turn off most features.

Final thoughts

Ultimately, the Sony WF-1000XM5s have become my go-to earbuds. They strike an impressive balance between size, battery life, sound quality, features, and ANC. Priced at an MSRP of $300, they can often be found closer to $250, making them a worthwhile investment for anyone in the market for premium true wireless earbuds.