Rank #2 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones: 9 Ranked, Where the Battery Numbers Fail
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones
Price and rating as shown on Amazon when we collected them. Both change.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the number 2 pick in this guide to noise cancelling headphones: an over-ear wireless pair with four mics on each earcup, LDAC high-resolution audio support and a hard case in the box, listed at £224.42 with 4.3 out of 5 from 12,040 ratings.
The number to watch here is 30. The listing's specification field headed Battery Charge Time reads '30 Hours', which is the same figure its own bullets give for battery life — charging cannot take as long as listening, so one of those two numbers is wrong on the page. The title's 'Up to 30hr Battery Life' does at least match the bullet's 'huge 30-hour battery', and the quick-charge claim is specific rather than vague: 3 hours of playback from a 3-minute charge, using a USB-PD AC adapter that Sony sells separately. Everything on this page is taken from the Amazon listing for this product, not from any testing of our own.
How those 12,040 ratings break down
An average hides its own shape. This is the spread behind the 4.3 stars.
Specification
Exactly as published on the Amazon listing, field for field.
| Price | £224.42 |
|---|---|
| Customer rating | 4.3 out of 5 from 12,040 ratings |
| Battery life (as stated in bullets) | Up to 30 hours |
| Battery Charge Time (spec field, as listed) | 30 Hours |
| Quick charge | 3 hours of playback from a 3-minute charge, with a USB-PD AC adapter sold separately |
| Noise cancelling hardware | Four mics on each earcup, with Auto NC Optimizer |
| Colour | Black (listing also names Silver, Midnight Blue and Smoky Pink) |
| Best Sellers Rank | 23 in Noise Cancelling Headphones |
What buyers actually say
Quoted from customer reviews on Amazon
Verified purchase“Rather good noise cancelling. Sound quality is 10x better then my old (good on a low budget) lindy headphones. Comfortable to wear and real nice colour. Good battery life 1 charge lasting 2 days ish The case feels a bit flimsy so easy to break other then that all is great 👍🏻 and highly recommend.”
Verified purchase“Impressive wireless headphonesThese Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless over ear headphones sound incredible and are super comfy to wear.I liked how easy they were to connect to my devices.The sound is really clear and crisp making your music and movies sound incredible.Excellent quality and value for money as these feel like they are going to last a long time.They are great for travelling and using on the go as they aren't too bulky.I really like the overall colour and design as they are modern and sleek.5/5 starsHighly recommend”
What it is up against
The rivals it was ranked against in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones: 9 Ranked, Where the Battery Numbers Fail.
Questions people ask
How long does the Sony WH-1000XM5 battery last?
The bullet headed Long Battery Life describes a 'huge 30-hour battery' and the product title also states up to 30hr battery life.
What does the listing say about charging time?
The specification field headed Battery Charge Time reads 30 Hours, which is the same figure the bullets give for listening time.
How fast is the quick charge on the Sony WH-1000XM5?
The bullet states that a USB-PD AC adapter, sold separately, provides 3 hours of playback from a 3-minute charge.
Does the Sony WH-1000XM5 come with a case?
Yes. The first bullet says the headphones are identical to the WH-1000XM5SA but come with a hard case, and the box contents list a collapsible protective carry case.
What colours does the Sony WH-1000XM5 come in?
The comfort bullet lists Black, Silver, Midnight Blue and Smoky Pink; the model on this page is the Black one with a matching hard case.
How is the noise cancelling described?
Sony says there are four mics on each earcup and an Auto NC Optimizer that ensures noise cancelling is optimised for your environment.
Comments
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