Sony WF-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Pro 2

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 15 published reviews

Sony

WF-1000XM5

The WF-1000XM5 are a premium all-rounder with excellent sound, comfort and effective noise cancellation, though call consistency, tuning preferences and price remain potential drawbacks.

Best for: Shoppers prioritizing detailed sound, comfort and effective noise cancellation
Skip it if: You need the lowest price, consistent calls or class-leading ANC

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sony WF-1000XM5

Apple

AirPods Pro 2

Apple AirPods Pro 2 offer top-tier noise cancellation, strong sound, and excellent Apple integration at a premium price.

Best for: Apple users prioritizing noise cancellation, sound quality, and seamless integration.
Skip it if: Android or Windows users needing full features, customization, and lower prices.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Apple AirPods Pro 2

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Specs side by side

Spec	Sony WF-1000XM5	Apple AirPods Pro 2
Fit	In-ear	In-ear
Connection	Wireless	Wireless
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Best for	Music, Travel, Work & calls	Music, Travel, Work & calls
Microphone	Built-in mic	Built-in mic

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Sony WF-1000XM5

Excellent, detailed sound with strong musicality 1 2 3 4
Comfortable, lightweight fit suited to long listening 1 2 4 5
Effective noise cancellation and strong ambient isolation 2 3 4 6
Long battery life with case support and rapid charging 1 2 4 8
Extensive customization, codec support and wireless charging 1 2 4 7
Premium pricing leaves cheaper rivals with similar core strengths 1 2 4 6
ANC and call quality can falter in challenging environments 1 2 8
Bass-heavy or less-punchy tuning may not suit all listeners 4 5 7 8
Apple spatial audio is unsupported, and spatial effects can feel gimmicky 2 7

Apple AirPods Pro 2

Excellent active noise cancellation effectively reduces outside noise. 1 2 3 4
Well-balanced, detailed sound offers improved bass and clear vocals. 1 3 4 5
Comfortable, secure fit supports long listening sessions. 2 3 5 6
Seamless Apple integration adds Find My, Spatial Audio, and switching. 1 2 3 4
Long battery life pairs with USB-C and flexible wireless charging. 1 2 4 6
Premium pricing and limited non-Apple features reduce cross-platform appeal. 2 3 4 5
Limited customization and no built-in adjustable EQ. 1 2
Fit and seal can alter ANC and spatial audio performance. 1 5 6

Ranked in our guides

Guide	WF-1000XM5	AirPods Pro 2
Best noise cancelling earbuds	#8	–
Best wireless earbuds	#7	–

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 15 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.