Sony WH-1000XM4 vs WH-1000XM5

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

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Sony

WH-1000XM4

A top-tier travel-friendly headset with excellent noise cancellation, strong sound, and long battery life, though touch controls and tuning remain polarizing.

Best for: Travelers prioritizing top-tier noise cancellation and long battery life.
Skip it if: You need neutral sound, reliable touch controls, or a compact design.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony

WH-1000XM5

The XM5 excels at noise cancellation, refined sound, and call quality, but its price, bulk, and fit trade-offs may limit its value.

Best for: Travelers and commuters prioritizing top-tier noise cancellation and call quality.
Skip it if: Skip if you need foldability, lower cost, or neutral tuning.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sony WH-1000XM5

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Specs side by side

Spec	Sony WH-1000XM4	Sony WH-1000XM5
Fit	Over-ear	Over-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
Ear cups	Closed-back	Closed-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Sony WH-1000XM4

Excellent noise cancellation suppresses travel and environmental noise effectively. 1 2 3 4
Rich, detailed sound works well across most genres. 1 2 5 6
Around 30 hours per charge; ten minutes adds five hours. 1 2 7 8
Comfortable, lightweight fit works well for long sessions. 3 4 5 6
Multipoint, EQ, touch controls, and wired listening add flexibility. 1 2 3 4
High price and aging design may weaken value. 3 5 7 8
Touch controls and Speak-to-Chat can trigger inconsistently. 2 3 6
Non-neutral tuning may disappoint listeners seeking flat sound. 1 5 6 7
Bulky fit may hinder portability, walking, or sleeping. 5 6 8

Sony WH-1000XM5

Class-leading active noise cancellation excels across travel and commuting. 1 2 3 5
Balanced, detailed sound is repeatedly praised by reviewers. 1 2 3 7
Call quality improved substantially, including in noisy settings. 1 3 4 7
Comfort suits many listeners over extended sessions. 1 3 4 5
Long battery life supports commuting and extended listening. 2 3 4 5
The high price and modest upgrade weaken value. 1 2 3 6
Nonfolding design and bulky case reduce travel portability. 1 2 4 6
Some listeners find tuning bass-heavy with recessed midrange. 5 6
Fit can cause pressure or discomfort during long sessions. 6 7

Ranked in our guides

Guide	WH-1000XM4	WH-1000XM5
Best noise cancelling headphones	–	#9
Best soundproof headphones	–	#5

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.