Sony WH-1000XM5
The headphones that make a 14-hour flight bearable
Sony's WH-1000XM5 are over-ear wireless noise cancelling headphones using two processors and eight microphones, with Auto NC Optimizer. Battery is rated at up to 30 hours, a 3-minute charge gives about 3 hours, and they weigh about 8.8 oz.
Our take
Jet lag is a time zone problem. Noise is a different one. Fourteen hours of engine drone adds to the fatigue, so you land tired even if you sat still the whole way. Cutting that noise is one of the easiest ways to arrive feeling human.
The XM5 are built for exactly that. Eight mics and two processors drive the noise cancelling, and Auto NC Optimizer adjusts it to your fit and the cabin. The battery is rated at up to 30 hours, so a long-haul and the layover are covered. Forgot to charge? Three minutes gives about 3 hours. Multipoint lets you switch between phone and laptop. At about 8.8 oz they're light enough to wear for hours. The trade-off is space. Over-ears take up more of your bag than earbuds.
If you fly long-haul even once a year, this is the pair we'd buy. Check the price before you book.
Who it’s for
Long-haul flyers, people on overnight trains and anyone working in loud airports or cafés.
Skip it if
Skip it if you only take short flights or pack ultra-light. Good noise cancelling earbuds take far less space.
Sony WH-1000XM5: questions people ask
Are noise cancelling headphones worth it for flying?
For long flights, yes. Cutting constant engine noise makes it easier to sleep or listen at lower volume, and constant noise adds to travel fatigue.
How long does the Sony WH-1000XM5 battery last?
Sony rates it at up to 30 hours. A 3-minute quick charge gives about 3 hours of playback.
Can the Sony WH-1000XM5 connect to two devices?
Yes. Multipoint pairing lets them connect to two devices at once, such as a phone and a laptop.
Where we recommend it
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Prices change often — the price on the retailer’s page is the one you pay.