Worth buying WF-1000XM5 in 2024?
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2024 is going to be a challenging year for the Sony WF-1000XM5 because of the bad rep that its predecessor the WF-1000XM4 got due what happened to its battery, something which I covered extensively. As far as I know, that battery issue is not happening on the newer XM5, and it is still one of the most feature rich earbuds you can buy in 2024 that you can customize in so many different ways.
Now that I’ve used XM5s for 6 months, and having gone through several firmware updates, I’m going to give you a long-term summary of what are the XM5’s biggest pros and cons, and whether you should buy them in 2024 given what’s available right now from other brands.
Do note that this article only includes the pros and cons I think are worth highlighting. If you guys have anything to add, let me know in the comments. And before I continue, if you found this video helpful, give it a thumbs up and subscribe at the end for more.
Cons
First let’s talk about the 3 things I don’t like about them, and the first one is their slippery, glossy surface. This is numero uno because having such a glossy surface affects its fit. It’s not for everyone. Let me explain.
The XM5’s very small and has foam tips, so if you have small ears you might feel that it’s more snug and stable, and easier to wear compared to its predecessor the Mark 4. But for people with big ears like mine, this glossy surface is a problem. Because if my ears get oily or sweaty it slips out of position more easily.
This is actually why there are people saying the XM5’s noise canceling is weak. It’s not actually weak, it’s just not sealing well because some people can’t get a good, snug fit. So the way I get them to sit properly is to jam the foam tips deep, so that it grips my ear canal properly. Contrast that with the LinkBuds S, which is smaller than the Mark 5s but feels snug even without foam tips because it’s got a non-slip surface.
And since the XM5’s got a slippery surface, it’s actually a bit tricky getting them out of their case. If you try to pinch and pull them out they’ll slip from your fingers and you might even drop them. It’s even tougher when you’re wearing gloves. So the trick is to push them to the side and clutch, that’s how I remove them safely.
The Sony WF-1000XM5’s Spatial audio with head tracking is rather limited. It only works with certain devices that support Android 13 and above, and on certain video streaming apps.
When you can get it to work, it’s great, but I would rather have a pair of buds that can support spatial audio regardless of platform. The most popular ones that do that are the Elite 8 Active and Elite 10 from Jabra, and the QuietComfort Ultra from Bose. So if you want that 360 degree surround audio experience in 2024 without the restrictions, the XM5 is not a good choice for that. Would have been okay in 2023 when spatial audio’s not that common. In 2024, not so.
Pros
The first reason you should buy the WF-1000XM5 in 2024 is it’s petite size. It is currently one of the smallest, most compact earbuds now. The AirPods Pro 2 are the smallest, but these come really close and it’s something that other major brands can barely compete at, apart from Apple.
If you want a smaller case so it’s easier to slip in your coins pocket, something you can just grab and go, you really can’t go wrong with this. Alternatively, if you do want something just as small and less expensive, you can consider the Sony LinkBuds S which I’ve covered in this review.
Second reason? Its great sound quality and noise canceling performance.
I wouldn’t say they are the best sounding earbuds at the moment, there are others that I’ve grown to like better. But these are currently one of the better sounding earbuds, great for its crispness and clarity in the mids. They’ve got tight bass response, they do reveal details in the soundstage quite well, and they’ve got technologies like DSEE Extreme which improves their sound further with cleaner separation.
Not to mention, if you’re on Android, it’s possible to stream over LDAC which brings out that extra bit of detail and air when listening to lossless files. In terms of noise canceling, it’s easily one of the best out there in 2024 if you can get a good seal.
And finally, there’s a high chance it could support Auracast.
The WF-1000XM5 supports streaming with LE Audio over LC3 codec. While it’s still in beta, and not very useful at this moment (watch this video to find out why) the fact that this supports LC3 also means it could possibly receive Auracast streams to the XM5 when Auracast becomes widespread in future.
So, what is Auracast?
While traditional bluetooth connections are one device to one receiver, Auracast allows a single device to stream to an unlimited number of Bluetooth earbuds and headphones. It’s a game changer with many different applications like being able to catch airport gate announcements while listening to music on your phone. You can learn more about Auracast in this video. If you want to get some Sony earbuds in 2024, know that both the XM5 and the LinkBuds S supports LC3.
Conclusion
I think the WF-1000XM5 is a great product. It’s easy to recommend it in 2024 based on its sound quality, its cutting edge noise canceling and its compact size. It’s also one of the most feature rich and customizable, and supports LC3.
The trickiest part about the XM5 for me is the fit. So what I recommend doing is to try them in the stores first. See if you can get a good fit before buying. Otherwise, a great alternative is the LinkBuds S. This is an older, less expensive product, and it’s not as feature rich (it doesn’t have wireless charging), but it fits my ears better despite using silicone eartips AND being smaller than the XM5s.
Those are very popular even today, and there are also great alternatives from other brands which I’ve covered in this roundup (below) of what are the best earbuds for different requirements which are still relevant in 2024, do check it out.
