Sony WH-1000XM5 Review: The Honest Truth After 6 Months of Daily Use

Pros & Cons

Detailed Review

First Impressions

When I unboxed the XM5s, the first thing that struck me was how much lighter they felt compared to my old XM3s. Sony has gone for a cleaner, more minimalist design this time – no more folding mechanism, which honestly made me nervous about portability. The carrying case is now larger, and that’s a genuine trade-off you’ll need to consider if you commute with a packed bag.

How I Tested This

I’ve been using these daily for about six months now – Mumbai local trains during rush hour, Bangalore airport lounges, countless Zoom calls from my noisy society, and late-night music sessions when the family’s asleep. The real test? Trying to focus on work while my neighbour’s kids were bursting Diwali crackers. Spoiler: the ANC handled it surprisingly well, though not completely.

Performance

The noise cancellation is genuinely impressive. On flights, it blocks out most of the engine drone. On metro rides, you’ll still hear announcements if you want to (there’s an ambient mode), but the chatter disappears. What I really appreciate is the multipoint connection – I keep it paired with my MacBook and Android phone simultaneously, and switching between a Spotify playlist and an incoming call is mostly smooth.

Sound quality is where Sony shines. The bass isn’t overwhelming like some competitors, and vocals come through crystal clear. I listen to a lot of Arijit Singh and classical stuff, and the detail retrieval is fantastic. However, if you’re into heavy EDM or Punjabi bass-heavy tracks, you might want slightly more thump – the XM4 was actually punchier in comparison.

Call quality is decent but not perfect. In quiet rooms, people say I sound clear. But when I took calls while walking on a busy Bangalore road, the other person complained about wind noise despite Sony’s claims about improved mics.

Comfort & Battery

These are easily the most comfortable over-ear headphones I’ve worn. The new synthetic leather ear cups don’t make my ears sweat as much during Chennai summers, though three-hour sessions still get warm. Battery life is solid – I charge maybe once a week with moderate use.

Value for Money

Here’s my honest take: at the Indian MRP of ₹34,990, these are overpriced. But I grabbed mine during Amazon’s sale for ₹26,990, and at that price, they’re excellent. Flipkart reviews echo this – most complaints are about pricing, not performance. If you can wait for a sale, do it.

Score Breakdown

Key Specifications

Our Verdict