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Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones are no longer the newest model in the company’s lineup, but they remain one of the easiest recommendations if you want strong noise canceling without paying flagship prices. Right now, a refurbished pair is $209.99 on Amazon, compared with $278 for a new set (and the $399.99 launch price in 2022). These are sold as Amazon Certified Refurbished units, meaning they’ve been tested and certified by the manufacturer to work like new. They also come with the original accessories and a 90-day limited hardware warranty.
PCMag named them the best headphones of 2022 and gave them an “outstanding” review, largely for how well Sony balanced sound quality with noise cancellation. The XM5 uses 30mm carbon-fiber drivers paired with Sony’s Integrated Processor V1, and the combination still holds up in 2025. Music sounds full without becoming muddy. Bass-heavy tracks have weight, but vocals remain clear, and instruments don’t disappear into the background. The active noise cancellation is also effective at blocking out low-frequency sounds like airplane engines, traffic, or the general rumble of public spaces. Audio quality remains consistent with ANC enabled, unlike many cheaper headphones. For wireless listening, Bluetooth 5.2 supports AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs, and multipoint pairing makes it easy to switch between devices, such as a laptop and a phone, without reconnecting each time.
The XM5 has a lightweight frame and soft synthetic-leather earcups that stay comfortable during long listening sessions. That makes them practical for commuting, long flights, or simply wearing through a full workday. Controls are handled through touch gestures on the earcups—swipe up or down for volume and tap to pause or play. It takes a little time to get used to the gestures, but they work reliably once you learn them. Sony’s Sound Connect app adds more control, letting you tweak the EQ, adjust noise-canceling levels, and change a few listening settings depending on your environment. Battery life is rated at about 30 hours with noise canceling enabled, which is enough for several days of regular use before needing to recharge.
