Sony WH-1000XM5 review: the all-rounder travel ANC pick

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the headphone we recommend first in our best noise cancelling headphones guide, and it is the pair most flyers should look at before anything pricier. This review covers exactly what you get, the spec details people get wrong, and where it wins or loses against the alternatives for travel.

Who it is for

This headphone fits one buyer especially well: the traveler who wants a single proven pair for flights, video calls, and everyday listening without overthinking it. The low-frequency noise cancellation is the headline, and on a plane it is where the XM5 earns its reputation, turning constant engine hum into a faint background you stop noticing. At 250 grams with soft leatherette earcups, it does not clamp or fatigue across a transatlantic leg, and the 8-microphone call system with machine-learning noise rejection means the same pair that quiets the cabin also keeps you clear on a work call from a noisy gate.

It is less ideal if your top priority is packing the smallest possible bag. The XM5 does not fold flat, so it takes a wider case than rivals that collapse at the hinge. If that matters more to you than ANC, read how to sleep on a plane for the wider kit picture, then weigh the trade against the folding alternatives below. For most flyers the ANC wins, but it is a real consideration for carry-on minimalists.

Full specifications

Spec	Detail
Kit Score	8.3 / 10 (researched, not lab-tested)
Battery life (ANC on)	Roughly 30 hours
Weight	250 g (8.8 oz)
Microphones	8-unit array with dual processors
Bluetooth	5.2 with LDAC, AAC, and SBC
Charging	USB-C; 3-minute charge gives about 3 hours
Design	Over-ear, closed-back, does not fold flat
Price	$230–$280 depending on color and retailer

The single spec people get wrong: the XM5 is now the previous generation following the XM6 launch in May 2025, and that status is a feature for buyers, not a flaw. Street prices have dropped well below the original launch figure, frequently into the $230 to $260 range, so you get near-flagship ANC at a mid-range price.

Pros and cons

What it does well:

• ANC reduces engine and ambient rumble to roughly one-eighth perceived loudness, among the best both passively and actively in the class, which is exactly what a long flight needs.
• The 8-microphone call system with machine-learning noise rejection earns strong owner marks for clarity on calls and video conferences, so one pair covers the flight and the meeting after.
• About 30 hours of battery with ANC on covers most transatlantic round trips on a single charge, and the 3-minute quick charge for roughly 3 hours of playback is a real travel-day backup.
• Previous-generation status has pushed street prices down significantly, making the performance-per-dollar ratio very strong against current flagships.

Where it falls short:

• Does not fold flat, which limits packing efficiency compared with rivals like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 (and the newer XM6, which does fold).
• The default sound tuning is bass-heavy and benefits from a quick EQ adjustment in the Sony app, which most owners do once and forget.

How it compares

Against the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, the trade is character rather than capability. Bose leans toward a softer, slightly more forgiving fit and a famously gentle ANC profile that some flyers prefer for all-day wear, and it is the closer comfort and ANC rival. The XM5 counters with a lighter frame, the stronger call system, and a price that has dropped further since launch. For most travelers who want one do-everything pair, the XM5 is the safer all-rounder.

Against the Sennheiser Momentum 4, the trade is endurance and tuning versus packability and ANC. The Momentum 4 runs noticeably longer on a charge and leans toward a more neutral, audiophile-friendly sound, which makes it the pick for very long trips and for listeners who chase detail over thump. The XM5 gives up some battery headroom but answers with stronger active noise cancellation and a more refined call experience, which is why it stays our default travel pick. Note that neither the XM5 nor the Momentum 4 is the smallest in a bag; if packing size is your deciding factor, that is the spec to weigh first.

For sleep specifically, our how to sleep on a plane guide goes deeper on comfort and cabin noise, and the XM5 is a pick there too. If you want the full field, including budget and premium alternatives scored the same way, the roundup below covers them all.

Frequently asked questions

Are the Sony WH-1000XM5 good for flying?

Yes, and it is where they shine. The 8-microphone array and dual processors target low-frequency noise specifically, cutting aircraft engine rumble to roughly one-eighth of its perceived loudness. Combined with 250-gram comfort and about 30 hours of battery, they are built for long-haul cabins, which is why they are our top overall travel pick.

How long does the Sony WH-1000XM5 battery last?

About 30 hours with noise cancellation on, which covers most transatlantic round trips on a single charge. If you do run low on a travel day, a 3-minute USB-C charge gives roughly 3 hours of playback, enough to get through a connecting leg.

Do the Sony WH-1000XM5 fold up for travel?

No. The XM5 does not fold flat, so it needs a wider case than headphones that collapse at the hinge. This is its main knock for carry-on minimalists. The newer XM6 folds, and rivals like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 pack smaller, so if bag size is your priority, weigh that against the XM5's ANC advantage.

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra: which is better for travel?

Both are excellent. The Bose leans toward a softer fit and a gentle ANC profile that some flyers prefer for all-day wear. The XM5 is lighter, has the stronger call system, and has dropped further in price since launch. For one do-everything travel pair, the XM5 is the safer all-rounder; choose the Bose if comfort feel is your single priority.

Are the Sony WH-1000XM5 still worth buying after the XM6?

For most travelers, yes. Now that the XM5 is previous-generation following the XM6 launch in May 2025, street prices have fallen into the $230 to $260 range, while the ANC, comfort, and call quality remain class-leading. That makes the performance-per-dollar ratio one of the strongest in the category. The main reasons to spend more are if you specifically need a folding design or the latest tuning.

For the full field, including budget and premium alternatives scored the same way, see our best noise cancelling headphones guide.