TechAudioHeadphonesEarbudsSony WH-1000XM5 vs. Apple AirPods Max: which ANC wireless headphones are best?Sony’s brilliant new headphones raise the bar, but do they have Apple’s best AirPods beat?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
TechAudioHeadphonesEarbudsSony WH-1000XM5 vs. Apple AirPods Max: which ANC wireless headphones are best?Sony’s brilliant new headphones raise the bar, but do they have Apple’s best AirPods beat?When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
Sony’s brilliant new headphones raise the bar, but do they have Apple’s best AirPods beat?
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
There’s a new king in town:Sony’s brilliantWH-1000XM5headphones are thebest noise cancelling headphonesyou can buy right now, replacing the previous best:Sony’s WH-1000XM4.
But the new model is more expensive than before, and that means it’s closer in price toApple’sAirPods Max– especially now we’re seeing lots of discounting on Apple’s most expensiveAirPods. So which pair delivers headphone heaven?
Let’s see how these two pairs of premium active noise cancelling wireless headphones compare.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. AirPods Max: price and street price
The WH-1000XM5 are $399 / £379 / AU$649, and that means they’re more expensive than many high-end rivals – but not Apple. TheAirPodsMax are $549 / £549 / AU$899. However the AirPods Max have been around for a while now and that means there’s more discounting: at the time of writing I can see some respectable retailers offering them for £368 in the UK and $469 in the US. It’ll be a while before the new Sonys start being discounted so in the short term at least the prices are quite similar.
Be very, very cynical if you see discounts that seem too good to be true, especially if you can’t verify the source: there are some very convincing-looking fake AirPods Max coming out of China.
(Image credit: Apple)
(Image credit: Apple)
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. AirPods Max: design and comfort
The AirPods Max are very comfortable headphones but the Sonys are slightly better, and they’re lighter too – something you’ll appreciate if you’re wearing them for long periods. Design-wise it really comes down to personal preference: I really love the AirPods Max colours and think they resemble giant Apple Watches; other people hate the AirPods Max colours and don’t want to strap giant Apple Watches to their heads. They’re certainly making more of a statement than the Sonys, which are considerably less look-at-me. And their carrying case, which resembles some kind of headphone bra, looks stupid and barely offers any protection.
The design of the Sonys has been changed significantly with this version: they’re slimmer, simpler and with a narrower headband. I don’t think anyone would call them pretty, but as they’re for listening to rather than looking at that’s hardly a problem. They look like what they are: premium headphones.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
We’re expecting to see new AirPods Max later this year, but reports so far suggest that they’ll be new colours rather than new models.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. AirPods Max: sound quality
These are both incredible-sounding headphones no matter what genre of music you’re listening to, but only Sony lets you adjust their EQ; with Apple, you have Adaptive EQ instead. That analyses the fit and seal of the ear cups and optimises the sound accordingly. I can’t say I’ve ever wanted to change the EQ with well recorded tracks on Apple Music, but I do miss it when I’m listening to lower quality tracks or too-boomy podcasts.
Before the new Sonys came along, AirPods had the edge with their inclusion of Spatial Audio, which is fun in music and really great in movies. Sony now offers its own 360 Reality Audio, but it only works with certain streaming services. Both headphones support the standard SBC codec and the better sounding AAC codec, and Sony also supports its own LDAC for even higher quality streaming from compatible phones.
(Image credit: Future)
(Image credit: Future)
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. AirPods Max: smart features
The Sonys haveAlexaandGoogleAssistant while the AirPods Max have Siri. Apple’s headphones have Apple’s H1 chip inside for instant pairing and effortless switching between devices, and they also work with the Find My app if you misplace them. The Sonys aren’t as fancy but they do pair easily to bothiOSandAndroiddevices, although there’s no equivalent for Find My.
One of the best features in the Sonys is Speak To Chat. This detects when you’re talking and automatically pauses your music so you can chat.
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs. AirPods Max: noise cancelling
This is the big one. The AirPods Max’s noise cancelling is really good. But the Sony’s noise cancelling isgreat. It learns your locations and can automatically adjust the noise cancelling according to where you are, and its ambient sound feature can help you hear external sounds more clearly. And as we said in ourSony WH-1000XM5 review, “Sony has delivered a pair of headphones that can deal with virtually any external sound short of an HGV moving off from the lights. And it can do so without affecting the audio performance, without leaving any artificiality or impression of counter-signal in its wake, without introducing that ‘cabin pressure’ sensation into the earcups”.
(Image credit: Sony)
(Image credit: Sony)
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max: which ones should you buy?
These are both exceptional noise cancelling headphones that deliver incredibly good sound, and as much as I love my AirPods Max I have to say that the Sonys are the better buys. Their noise cancelling is better, they can stream even higher quality audio (provided you have a device that supports LDAC), they’re less likely to attract muggers and they’re cheaper too. They’re also more compatible: some of the AirPods Max’s features, such as proximity sensing and quick pairing, doesn’t work if you’re connected to a Windows or Android device.
I don’t regret buying my AirPods, and if you’re an Apple user you won’t regret it if you buy them either: they’re really great headphones. But they’re also very expensive headphones unless you get a big discount, and I think for the vast majority of people the new Sonys do more for less money.
Today’s best Sony WH-1000XM5 deals144 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$399.99$279.95ViewLow Stock$348$298View$329.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sony WH-1000XM5 deals144 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆$399.99$279.95ViewLow Stock$348$298View$329.99ViewShow More DealsWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Today’s best Sony WH-1000XM5 deals
144 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
144 Amazon customer reviews☆☆☆☆☆
☆☆☆☆☆
$399.99$279.95ViewLow Stock$348$298View$329.99View
$399.99$279.95View
$399.99$279.95View
$399.99$279.95View
$399.99$279.95
$279.95
Low Stock$348$298View
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
Low Stock
$348$298View
$348$298View
$348$298
$298
$329.99View
$329.99View
$329.99View
$329.99
$329.99
Show More Deals
Show More Deals
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices
Vollebak pushes the limits of outerwear with Double Graphene Puffer and Shielding SuitThe company continues to weave innovation into every thread
The company continues to weave innovation into every thread
Bowers & Wilkins Pi6 review: sensational sound, ordinary ANCBowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Bowers & Wilkins' step-down true wireless earbuds sound amazing and are well-priced – so what’s the catch, if anything?
Sony’s best headphones and earbuds now come in a gorgeous new colourWe want a pair immediately
We want a pair immediately
Apple just unveiled a load of new AirPods features – here’s everything you need to knowThis is a new era for your ears
This is a new era for your ears
Secret Apple sale has big savings on Apple Watch Ultra 2, iPhones, iPads and moreGrab a bargain on Apple devices for a limited time
Grab a bargain on Apple devices for a limited time
With Sonos Ace on the horizon, Apple’s AirPods Max are at their lowest price yetGet $100 off Apple’s premium wireless headphones
Get $100 off Apple’s premium wireless headphones
AirPods tips and tricks: how to get the most from your Apple headphonesApple’s AirPods are easily some of the best wireless earbuds – here’s how to get the best out of them
Apple’s AirPods are easily some of the best wireless earbuds – here’s how to get the best out of them
Sony’s best noise-cancelling headphones ditch one beloved feature – but it’s for the bestSony WH-1000XM5 can’t fold like their predecessors, but all-new design promises reduced wind noise for noise-cancelling use
Sony WH-1000XM5 can’t fold like their predecessors, but all-new design promises reduced wind noise for noise-cancelling use
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: Which are best?Battle of the best active noise-cancelling over-ears: Sony’s 2022 update, the WH-1000XM5, give Bose’s 2019 NC 700 a run for their money. So which wins?
Battle of the best active noise-cancelling over-ears: Sony’s 2022 update, the WH-1000XM5, give Bose’s 2019 NC 700 a run for their money. So which wins?
Sony WH-1000XM5 review: the perfect headphones?Want the best active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones money can buy? Sony’s WH-1000XM5 do a superb job
Want the best active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones money can buy? Sony’s WH-1000XM5 do a superb job
