Sony Noise-Cancelling Headphones Are Now on Sale for Almost 25% Off.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are no longer the newest model in the company’s lineup , but they remain a highly recommended option if you need effective noise cancellation without the premium price of flagship models. A refurbished pair is currently priced at $209.99 on Amazon, compared to $278 for new (and $399.99 for the starting price in 2022). These headphones are sold as Amazon-Certified Refurbished, meaning they have been tested and certified by the manufacturer to be like new. They also include original accessories and a 90-day limited hardware warranty.
PCMag named them the best headphones of 2022 and gave them an “Excellent” rating , largely for how well Sony balanced sound quality and noise cancellation. The XM5s use 30mm carbon fiber drivers paired with Sony’s integrated V1 processor, and this combination is still relevant in 2025. Music sounds rich without becoming muddy. Tracks with powerful bass have a solid sound, but vocals remain clear, and instruments don’t get lost in the background. Active noise cancellation also effectively blocks low-frequency sounds, such as airplane engines, traffic, or general noise in public spaces. Sound quality remains consistent with ANC enabled, unlike many cheaper headphones. For wireless listening, Bluetooth 5.2 supports AAC, SBC, and LDAC codecs , and multi-point pairing lets you easily switch between devices like your laptop and phone without having to reconnect each time.
The XM5 headphones feature a lightweight housing and soft synthetic leather earpads that remain comfortable even during extended listening sessions. This makes them ideal for commuting, long flights, or simply for use throughout the workday. Control is via touch gestures on the earcups: swipe up or down to adjust volume, tap to pause or play. The gestures take a little getting used to, but once mastered, they work reliably. The Sony Sound Connect app adds even more control, allowing you to customize the equalizer , adjust the noise cancellation level, and change some listening settings based on your surroundings. The claimed battery life is approximately 30 hours with noise cancellation enabled, enough for several days of typical use before needing a recharge.