Sony WF-1000XM5 Review: Great Things Come In Small Packages

High notes: Comfortable design, compact form factor, impressive battery, great ANC.Low notes: Pricey buds, call performance could've been better.

Sony's latest premium wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, are smaller in comparison to its predecessors and focus on active noise cancellation.

Sony's latest premium wireless earbuds, the WF-1000XM5, are smaller in comparison to its predecessors and focus on active noise cancellation. Sony is known for making great headphones and earbuds and giving longtime rival Bose and other premium TWS makers a run for their money. Sony has followed a formula to make the world sit up and take notice, by making quality noise-cancelling earphones and also cementing its position in the segment. The Japanese tech giant claims that its new earbuds surpass previous-gen models in terms of audio quality, call performance and noise cancellation. Launched for Rs 24,990 in India, this is how the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds fared in my review.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Design, Looks, Display And Build

Available in Black and Platinum Silver, the earbuds feature a glossy finish on the sides. Since Sony is betting big on the smaller size of the earbuds, let's delve deeper into the weight and size of the buds: Each earbud weighs 5.9 grams and with the case, the Sony WF-1000XM5 is under 40 grams, which is quite light. It is pretty easy to slip it into pockets and forget. The buds themselves are 25 per cent smaller and 20 per cent lighter than the predecessor, the Sony WF-1000XM4. The buds are also smaller than the size of closest rival Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2. Sony is giving four sets of foam ear tips, including a new ultra-small SS option, and it is easier than ever to find the perfect fit via the insert and twist technique, which the audio giant recommends.

The design language of the case is quintessentially Sony, courtesy of the gold accents for the Sony logos, on the lid cover of the charging case and the microphone mesh cover. The buds themselves come with a nice and glossy finish, but there is a matte texture on the outer surface where the touch controls are located. The glossy area is where the buds can attract smudges, but it will obviously be more prominent in the black colour variant. The platinum silver variant which I reviewed, beautifully complemented the gold accents and rendered a posh look to the buds and charging case. The charging case itself was quite compact and also has a matte finish.

The case has a pairing button, a USB-C port, an indicator and a Qi wireless charging support. The silver model is also not prone to fingerprint smudges and scratches. The earbuds feature IPX4 splash resistance and customisable tap actions as well as tap and hold functionality.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Sound Output

The ANC performance of the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds surpasses most premium TWS buds. It is safe to say that this pair comes with outstanding ANC capabilities and ear tips for a secure fit and increased comfort. In fact, the buds excel in isolation, which is key to blocking out high-frequency noises such as traffic noises. These earbuds bless the listener with a well-balanced audio profile, incorporating the right amount of bass that does not overshadow treble in the audio spectrum. I experienced smooth transition between mid-range higher and lower frequencies during my usage.

The buds come equipped with three microphones each and an AI-ML noise reduction engine and bone conductor sensors, improving voice pickup during calls. However, I found the call performance inconsistent during my usage. It should be noted that the buds can be effortlessly paired to the devices, courtesy of Google Fast Pair on Android. The buds can be linked with Sony Headphones proprietary app which is available for both iOS and Android devices. The app would let you configure a range of features, such as a five band equalizer, talk to chat and select noise cancellation levels.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Battery Life

Moreover, these earbuds achieve nearly eight hours of usage with ANC feature enabled, as marketed by Sony. The charging case provides an additional 16 hours or two charges, all while benefiting from size reductions in both the buds and the case. The case can be charged through an USB Type-C charger.

Sony WF-1000XM5 Verdict

The WF-1000XM5 stands as an outstanding addition to Sony's great lineup of headphones while setting the benchmark very high for other premium earbuds manufacturers out there. The improved design ensures comfort, while the superior noise-cancellation with great audio performance make it a top choice.