The Headphones I’ve Been Using for a Year
I’ve had these as my daily drivers for close to a year now. Figured I’d share my thoughts since they’re on sale.
If you work in an open office, travel regularly, or just want to block out the world sometimes - these are probably the best noise cancelling headphones you can buy right now.
Why I Actually Like These
Let me break it down based on real usage:
The noise cancellation is scary good. I work from coffee shops pretty often, and when I put these on, it’s like someone turned down the volume on reality. Background chatter, espresso machines, that guy having a loud phone call - gone.
Battery life is no joke. I charge these maybe once a week, sometimes less. Sony says 30 hours and that tracks with my experience.
They’re lighter than the XM4s. I had the previous version and these are noticeably more comfortable for long sessions. I can wear them for 4-5 hours without my ears getting sore.
Multipoint connection actually works. I bounce between my laptop and phone constantly, and the switching is seamless. This was hit or miss on older headphones I’ve owned.
Calls sound professional. I’ve taken client calls from noisy environments and nobody has complained about the audio quality.
XM5 vs XM4 - Honest Comparison
| Feature | WH-1000XM5 | WH-1000XM4 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 250g | 254g |
| ANC Quality | Better | Great |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Call Quality | Excellent | Good |
| Price | $328 | ~$248 |
Here’s my honest take: if your XM4s work fine, you probably don’t need to upgrade. The improvements are nice but not dramatic.
But if you’re buying your first pair of high-end noise cancelling headphones? Get the XM5s. The better call quality alone is worth it for remote workers.
Who These Are For
You’ll probably love them:
- Remote workers who need to focus in distracting environments
- People who fly regularly (the ANC on planes is incredible)
- Commuters who want some peace
- Anyone who does a lot of video calls
You might want to skip:
- If you need headphones that fold flat for travel (these don’t)
- If you’re on a tight budget - the XM4s are still really good
- If you prefer earbuds to over-ear headphones
Color Options
| Color | Notes |
|---|---|
| Black | The safe choice, hides wear |
| Silver | Looks clean but shows fingerprints |
| Midnight Blue | Limited edition, looks premium |
I went with black because I knew I’d be throwing these in bags constantly. No regrets.
My Take
The only real complaint I have is that they don’t fold flat anymore. The XM4s folded down nice and compact, and these just… don’t. It’s annoying if you travel a lot, but the carrying case still protects them fine.
Otherwise, these are the headphones to beat for noise cancellation. After a year of daily use, they still work perfectly and the ear cushions haven’t worn out.
About This Deal
At $328 (down from $399) this is a decent discount. They’ve gone lower during Black Friday and Prime Day - I’ve seen them hit around $280. But if you need headphones now, this is a fair price.
Tip: sometimes Amazon bundles these with a carrying case or airplane adapter. Worth checking.
Prices change frequently - always verify before buying!