Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5 — is it worth it?
Independently researched by WorthCheck. No affiliate links, no paid placements. Last checked .
Quick verdict
The WH-1000XM5 is the most complete pair of noise-cancelling headphones for most people. Cancellation is excellent, the app gives more control than any competitor, and comfort over long flights is very good thanks to the low weight and soft pads. It is the default recommendation for a reason.
Two design decisions divide opinion. The headphones no longer fold, so the case is larger than the previous model's — a real annoyance for frequent travellers with small bags. And the touch controls, while reliable, are less certain than physical buttons in gloves or cold weather.
At full price it is fair rather than generous. At the discounts that appear several times a year it is one of the easiest recommendations in consumer audio.
What we found
Noise cancelling
Low-frequency cancellation — engines, air conditioning, train rumble — is excellent and among the best available. Where this model distinguishes itself is mid-frequency noise: office chatter and nearby conversation are reduced more than most competitors manage, which matters more in daily life than aircraft performance does. Adaptive modes that adjust to your surroundings work well once configured, though several owners note they prefer to disable automation and switch manually.
Comfort
Light for the category, with wide, soft pads and even clamping pressure. Multi-hour sessions are comfortable for most people, with the usual caveat that glasses wearers experience more pressure at the temples. Warm-weather use produces the heat build-up common to all over-ear designs. Pads are replaceable, which meaningfully extends useful life and is worth checking availability for before buying.
Sound quality
The default tuning is detailed with an elevated bass shelf that suits popular music and travel listening. The equaliser in the app is comprehensive and most owners end up adjusting it, which is a compliment to the flexibility rather than a criticism of the default. Wireless codec support is good, and wired listening is available for situations where latency or connectivity matters. For critical listening at home these are not studio monitors, but nothing in this category is.
Calls and connectivity
Call quality is a clear improvement over previous generations and generally good in quiet and moderately noisy environments; heavy wind remains difficult, as it is for every headset. Multipoint connection to two devices works reliably and is one of the features owners cite most often as the reason they would not go back to a competitor without it. Pairing is fast and connection stability in crowded wireless environments is good.
Build and reliability
The construction feels light rather than premium, and the finish attracts marks. Long-term owner reports are generally positive, with the recurring failure point across this product family being the headband and hinge area after years of hard use — a common weakness in lightweight designs. The non-folding structure reduces stress points but makes the case bulky. Battery life of around thirty hours with cancellation active matches real-world reports, and charging is quick over USB-C.
Price
List price sits at the top of the mainstream market. Discounts of 20–30% appear several times a year, particularly around major sale periods and when a successor is rumoured. Previous-generation models remain excellent and drop further, which is the value option for anyone who can live with slightly weaker mid-frequency cancellation.
What owners like
- Noise cancelling on voices and office noise is repeatedly singled out as better than rivals.
- Very comfortable for long flights and work sessions thanks to low weight.
- The app offers more meaningful control than any competitor's.
- Reliable multipoint pairing between phone and laptop.
- Battery life comfortably exceeds a week of commuting between charges.
What owners dislike
- They do not fold, and the case is noticeably bulkier than the previous generation's.
- Touch controls are less dependable than buttons with gloves or in rain.
- Plastic construction feels less premium than the price suggests.
- Wind noise on calls remains a weakness outdoors.
- Long-term hinge and headband durability is the most common failure theme across this product family.
Price check
Treat roughly €280 as the fair-value threshold. Above that you are paying list price for a product that discounts predictably.
Compare against the previous generation, which folds, discounts further and remains close in overall performance.
Check pad and cushion availability for your region before buying; replaceable pads roughly double the useful life.
Refurbished stock from the manufacturer or a major retailer carries a warranty and is often 25% cheaper — a strong option in this category.
Who should buy it
- Frequent flyers and commuters who want the strongest all-round cancellation and comfort.
- Anyone working in an open office who needs voices reduced, not just engine noise.
- People who switch between a phone and a laptop constantly and want reliable multipoint.
Who shouldn't buy it
- Travellers who pack very small bags — the non-folding case is a genuine problem.
- Buyers sensitive to the pressure sensation some noise cancelling creates; try Bose first.
- Anyone who wants durable, rugged construction over light weight.
Alternatives worth considering
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Calmer, less fatiguing cancellation and a more comfortable fit for many people; a weaker app and less control.
Check today's price
Sony WH-1000XM4
Folds, costs meaningfully less, and remains excellent. The value pick in this category.
Check today's price
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Longer battery life and a more neutral sound signature, with slightly weaker cancellation.
Check today's price
Sources & research
This verdict is based on the following research, reviewed and written by the WorthCheck editorial team rather than reproduced from any single source:
- Manufacturer specifications and firmware release notes
- Independent measurements of noise cancellation and battery life
- Aggregated long-term owner feedback on comfort and durability
- Retail price tracking across several stores to establish the discount pattern
Prices move constantly. Use the checker for a live price and local buying options before you buy.
Methodology
Every WorthCheck verdict answers one question: is this worth buying at today's price? We analyse the product page, research recurring review themes across independent reviews, owner feedback and retailer reviews, compare the current price against its normal street price and against alternatives, and only then assign a buy, wait or skip verdict with a score out of 100.
We use no affiliate links, take no payment from retailers or manufacturers, and never accept money to change a ranking or a verdict. Where evidence is mixed, we say so rather than rounding it into a recommendation. Read the full methodology.
Last checked . We revisit verdicts when prices move significantly or a successor product launches.
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