Sony WH-1000XM5: a long-term review after six months of travel
Still the benchmark for travel noise cancelling? We look at comfort, call quality, battery ageing and the compromises that show up after months of use.
Six months is long enough for a headphone review to get honest. The WH-1000XM5 impresses in the first week; the useful questions are about the tenth flight, the hundredth call and the day the ear pads start to flatten.
What still holds up
Noise cancelling remains excellent on aircraft and in open-plan offices. The eight-microphone array adapts quickly, and the 250 g frame stays comfortable through a long working day. Battery life has held close to the original 30-hour figure in our use, with heavy ANC and calls taking the expected toll.
Where it frustrates
The headband does not fold into the compact shape of older models, so the case is wider than it needs to be for a carry-on. The earcups cannot be used passively with the headset switched off, which matters if the battery dies mid-flight. And the touch panel is easy to trigger accidentally when you adjust the headband.
Calls, multipoint and software
Call quality is genuinely good: voices stay intelligible in wind and traffic. Multipoint pairing holds a laptop and a phone without drama, though switching can take a second or two. The companion app is optional, which we prefer — the important controls are on the headset.
Should you buy it?
If noise cancelling on long journeys is the priority, it remains one of the strongest choices. If you mostly listen at a desk and want a smaller case, compare it with the Bose alternative before committing. Our product page lists current offers and check dates across merchants.
Disclosure: this review is editorial. We do not accept payment for a rating, and the rating shown on the product page is labelled sample data until a verified feed is connected.
