Call quality falls apart in noisy…
Call quality falls apart in noisy environments — people on the other end can't hear me even in mild background noise despite the bone conduction sensor
Source: Amazon reviewerHome Entertainment
Sony WF-1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
Best ANC Earbuds for Commuters
The Sony WF-1000XM5 are Sony's flagship true wireless earbuds, built around the strongest active noise cancellation in the TWS category and LDAC hi-res audio support for Android users. They're available on Amazon.ca (ASIN B0C33XXS56) at around $299 CAD.
ClearPick Score
8.1 / 10
Good
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Best ANC Earbuds for Commuters
Sony WF-1000XM5 True Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds
~$299 CAD est. on Amazon.ca
View on Amazon.ca →Opens Amazon.ca · Affiliate link✅ Ships to Canada
✅ Prime eligible (most orders)
✅ 30-day Amazon returns
✅ No extra cost to you
✅ What Works
- Best-in-class ANC in the true wireless category — lab measurements confirm 30dB+ low-frequency attenuation, outperforming AirPods Pro 2 in mid and high frequency noise cancellation. Owners who commute by subway or fly frequently consistently rank it above everything else they've tried.
- Significantly smaller and lighter than the predecessor — 25% smaller body and 20% lighter than the XM4, with new flexible foam ear tips that expand and seal better. Long-term wear comfort is consistently praised in owner reviews.
- LDAC support delivers near-lossless audio quality on Android devices — wide soundstage and strong instrument separation make these the best-sounding earbuds in the category for Android users with hi-res audio sources.
- Sony's Headphones Connect app offers full EQ customization, Adaptive Sound Control, and extensive feature access on both iOS and Android — more configurable than AirPods or Galaxy Buds out of the box.
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- Call quality is mediocre in noisy environments — SoundGuys microphone testing shows 37% rated it 'Okay,' and it struggles in reverberant or windy spaces. Bone conduction sensor and AI processing do not compensate well for real-world background noise.
- Default sound tuning is bass-heavy — 30–300Hz is noticeably overemphasized out of the box. App EQ adjustment is needed for balanced listening.
- LDAC mode drops battery to 5 hrs with ANC on, and iOS users are locked to AAC. LDAC requires a compatible Android device and meaningful battery sacrifice.
- This is a 2023 product — a successor is expected and reviewers have begun flagging it as aging. Buy at a discount; full-list purchases near a likely refresh cycle are hard to recommend.
What Real Buyers Are Saying
What buyers love
“"The ANC on these is genuinely life-changing on the subway. I can't hear a single screech or announcement."”
Source: Amazon reviewer
“"Switched from AirPods Pro 2 and the noise cancelling is noticeably stronger on planes. Sony wins on ANC."”
Source: r/headphones
“"The bass out of the box was too much for me. Once I turned it down in the app they became my favourite earbuds."”
Source: Amazon reviewer
“"Microphone quality is just okay. My colleagues always ask me to repeat myself when there's any background noise."”
Source: Amazon reviewer
Common complaints
Default bass is too heavy for…
Default bass is too heavy for office listening — had to dig into the EQ app to make these usable for anything other than the gym
Source: Amazon reviewerBattery drops to 5 hours with…
Battery drops to 5 hours with LDAC on — not practical for a full workday of listening if you want hi-res audio
Source: SoundGuys lab testingThe glossy finish is slippery and…
The glossy finish is slippery and shows fingerprints immediately — feels less premium than the matte XM4
Source: Amazon reviewerClearPick Verdict
The WF-1000XM5 delivers the strongest ANC in the true wireless category — reviewers and lab tests consistently rank it above the AirPods Pro 2 in noise killing, especially in mid and high frequencies. The comfort upgrade over the XM4 is real, and LDAC makes it the best-sounding option for Android users. Where it falls short: calls crumble in background noise, the default bass needs EQ, and at nearly three years old the product is showing its age. At a discount it's the top commuter earbud pick; at full list, wait for the XM6.
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