Headphones · Model guide · Maker specs
Sony WH-1000XM5
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 at a discount, or keep yours, if you can live without a fold; the WH-1000XM6 folds and adds LC3 and the QN3 chip.
Product images
Sony WH-1000XM5, from its Amazon listing.
Credit: Amazon.com (Associates Program). Amazon listing
Product image from the Amazon listing.
In short
Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 at a discount, or keep yours, if you can live without a fold; the WH-1000XM6 folds and adds LC3 and the QN3 chip. The battery ratings match the XM6's, 30 hours of music with noise cancelling on and 40 off, and at about 250 grams the XM5 is 4 grams lighter. It pairs 30 mm drivers with LDAC and eight noise-cancelling microphones run by two processors.
Who it is for
- People who already own one. The XM6 doesn't add battery life, so keep the XM5 unless you want a fold, LC3 or the QN3 processor.
- Bargain hunters who find it well below the $399.99 launch price and don't mind a case that holds the cups flat instead of folded.
- LDAC users chasing high-resolution wireless sound. Sony rates the XM5 for Hi-Res Audio Wireless over LDAC.
- People who spend hours on calls. Sony rates call time at up to 32 hours with noise cancelling off, more than the XM6's 28, and uses beamforming microphones with AI noise reduction.
Who should skip it
- Travelers short on bag space. The XM5's cups swivel flat but don't fold, while the XM4 and XM6 both fold.
- Anyone who wants LC3. The XM5 lists only SBC, AAC and LDAC; LC3 comes with the XM6.
- Anyone who wants the XM6's newer noise cancelling, built on QN3 and 12 microphones. The XM5 runs QN1 and V1 with eight.
What sets it apart
- The same music battery ratings as the XM6, 30 hours with noise cancelling on and 40 off, in a body 4 g lighter: about 250 g (8.82 oz).
- Two processors, QN1 and Integrated Processor V1, run eight microphones for noise cancelling, with four beamforming mics and AI noise reduction handling calls.
- LDAC with Hi-Res Audio Wireless, plus AAC and SBC over Bluetooth 5.2, and two-device multipoint.
Caveats
- Quick charging needs an optional USB-PD adaptor: Sony UK says 3 minutes then gives about 3 hours. A complete charge runs about 3.5 hours.
- Multipoint has to be switched on in the Sound Connect app, and LDAC priority can get in its way.
Key specs
In the same order on every headphones page, so you can compare pairs.
| Spec | Value | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear, closed-back, dynamic | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Drivers | 30 mm dynamic driver; neodymium magnet | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Frequency response | 4–40,000 Hz wired (JEITA); over Bluetooth, 20–20,000 Hz (44.1 kHz) or 20–40,000 Hz (LDAC at 96 kHz, 990 kbps) | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Impedance | 48 ohms (1 kHz) on the cable with the unit on; 16 ohms (1 kHz) with it off | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Sensitivity | 102 dB/mW (1 kHz) on the cable with the unit on; 100 dB/mW with it off | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Noise cancelling | Noise cancelling with Ambient Sound Mode, run by QN1 and Integrated Processor V1 | Sony WH-1000XM5 specifications; Sony WH-1000XM6 product page |
| Ambient sound | Ambient Sound Mode | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | Sony WH-1000XM5 US and UK specificationsNo LC3; that arrived with the WH-1000XM6. |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.2 | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Multipoint | Yes, the 1000X two-device connection, switched on in the Sound Connect app; LDAC priority can conflict | Sony Sound Connect app |
| Battery life | Music: up to 30 hours (NC on), 40 hours (NC off). Calls: up to 24 hours (NC on), 32 hours (NC off) | Sony WH-1000XM5 US and UK specificationsSony rates the XM6 for 28 hours of calls with noise cancelling off, four fewer than the XM5. |
| Charging | USB, about 3.5 hours to full. Sony UK: 3 minutes gives about 3 hours with an optional USB-PD adaptor | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications and product page |
| Wired listening | Detachable 1.2 m cable with a gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug; works passively | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Weight | About 250 g (8.82 oz) | Sony WH-1000XM5 US and UK specifications |
| Folding and case | Doesn't fold; the cups swivel flat into the carrying case (a pouch on some regional models) | Sony WH-1000XM5 Help Guide, package contents |
| App | Sony | Sound Connect (formerly Headphones Connect) | Sony support; Sony app |
| Microphones and calls | Eight microphones and two processors for noise cancelling; four beamforming microphones with AI noise reduction for calls (Sony, 12 May 2022). The XM6 has 12, or 1.5× as many | Sony Media Room, 2022-05-12; Sony WH-1000XM6 product page |
| Voice assistant | Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, set up in the app (varies by region) | Sony WH-1000XM5 features; Sound Connect |
| Colors | Black and Silver (Platinum Silver) at launch; more colors later in some regions | Sony WH-1000XM5 product pages |
| Compatibility | Bluetooth audio devices; LDAC needs a compatible source | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| US launch price | $399.99 (12 May 2022) in Black and Silver; US pre-sale from 20 May 2022 | Sony Media Room, 2022-05-12 |
| Price band | Previous flagship ($400 at launch) | Based on the $399.99 launch price |
| Announced | 12 May 2022 | Sony Media Room, 2022-05-12 |
| Availability | US pre-sale from 20 May 2022 at Sony.com, Amazon and Best Buy; still on sale as Sony's previous 1000X as of 19 September 2026 | Sony Media Room, 2022-05-12; Sony support specifications |
Sony WH-1000XM5 extras
Specs only this model has.
| Spec | Value | Source and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Processors | QN1 and Integrated Processor V1; Sony compares the XM6's QN3 with this QN1 | electronics.sony.com WH-1000XM6 (QN3 against the XM5's QN1) |
| DSEE Extreme | Yes | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| In the box | Headset; USB-A to USB-C cable (about 20 cm); 1.2 m headphone cable; carrying case (WH-1000XM5) or pouch (some XM5SA models) | Sony WH-1000XM5 Help Guide, package contents |
| Bluetooth profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
| Hi-Res Audio | Hi-Res Audio, and Hi-Res Audio Wireless via LDAC (Sony UK) | Sony WH-1000XM5 UK specifications |
The XM5 next to the XM6
Sony announced the XM5 on 12 May 2022, and the WH-1000XM6 has since taken its place as the current 1000X. On music battery they’re level. The changes are in how the newer model packs, what runs its noise cancelling and one extra codec.
| Spec | WH-1000XM5 | WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Folds | No, swivels flat | Yes |
| Noise-cancelling processor | QN1 and Integrated Processor V1 | QN3, which Sony calls 7× faster than QN1 |
| Microphones | 8 | 12 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | Adds LC3 |
| Music, noise cancelling on and off | Up to 30 and 40 hours | Same |
| Calls, noise cancelling off | Up to 32 hours | Up to 28 hours |
| Weight | About 250 g | About 254 g |
If you already own an XM5, none of those changes is urgent unless your bag needs headphones that fold. Buying one now makes sense at a real discount from the $399.99 launch price, since you get the same music battery ratings. Pick the XM6 if you want the fold, LC3 or Sony’s newest processor.
Sound
The 30 mm dynamic driver uses a neodymium magnet. Wired, Sony measures 4 to 40,000 Hz (JEITA). Bluetooth covers 20 to 20,000 Hz at a 44.1 kHz sampling rate, stretching to 40,000 Hz when LDAC runs at 96 kHz and 990 kbps. On the cable, impedance is 48 ohms and sensitivity 102 dB/mW when powered, or 16 ohms and 100 dB/mW unpowered. Sony lists Hi-Res Audio and DSEE Extreme.
Battery and charging
| Battery | WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|
| Music, noise cancelling on | Up to 30 hours |
| Music, noise cancelling off | Up to 40 hours |
| Calls, noise cancelling on | Up to 24 hours |
| Calls, noise cancelling off | Up to 32 hours |
| Full charge (USB) | About 3.5 hours |
| 3-minute charge | About 3 hours, with an optional USB-PD adaptor (Sony UK) |
In the box and colors
The XM5 comes with a USB-A to USB-C cable about 20 cm long, the 1.2 m headphone cable and a carrying case; some XM5SA models get a pouch instead. Launch colors were Black and Silver, which Sony also calls Platinum Silver, and more followed in some regions.
Price
Sony set the XM5 at $399.99 on 12 May 2022, with US pre-sales from 20 May 2022 at Sony.com, Amazon and Best Buy. It’s still on sale as the previous 1000X as of 19 September 2026, and street prices sit below that launch figure, so look up today’s price before you buy.
Sources
- Amazon product listing — accessed 2026-09-20
- Sony Media Room — WH-1000XM5 announcement, 12 May 2022 — accessed 2026-09-19
- Sony USA — WH-1000XM5 specifications — accessed 2026-09-19
- Sony UK — WH-1000XM5 specifications — accessed 2026-09-19
- Sony Electronics — WH-1000XM5 product page — accessed 2026-09-19
- Sony Help Guide — WH-1000XM5 package contents — accessed 2026-09-19
- Sony Electronics — WH-1000XM6 product page (QN3 and microphone comparison) — accessed 2026-09-19
Frequently asked questions
Is the WH-1000XM6 worth the upgrade from the XM5?
Only if you want cups that fold, LC3 or the QN3 processor with its 12 microphones. Sony gives both the same music battery ratings, and the XM6 is 4 g heavier.
Does the WH-1000XM5 fold?
No. Its cups swivel flat and the headset lies in the carrying case, or a pouch on some models. The XM4 before it and the XM6 after it both fold.
Which app does the XM5 use?
Sony | Sound Connect, the new name for Headphones Connect. It's where you switch on multipoint and set up Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, where your region supports them.
Can I use the XM5 with a cable?
Yes. The box includes a detachable 1.2 m cable with an L-shaped, gold-plated plug, and passive operation means it plays over the cable even with the headphones switched off.
Official product page: Sony WH-1000XM5. Tech specs: Sony WH-1000XM5 specs.