Looks like it can't be folded anymore so it won't be as compact in the bag but the overall build may benefit.
Comparison
Headphones
Sony WH-1000XM5
Best for Commuting
The Sony WH-1000XM5 sets the bar for noise cancellation in 2026 — its new 8-mic system with Auto NC Optimizer adapts to your environment in real time, making it the best commuter headphone money can buy in Canada. The 30-hour battery, multipoint Bluetooth, and speak-to-chat feature make daily use genuinely effortless.
6 mentions · 4 threadslast mention Nov 2024ClearPick Score
8.5 / 10
Very Good
Score informed by 6 owner mentions across 4 Reddit threads · see every quote ↓
3 positive1 mixed2 negative
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Best for Commuting
Sony WH-1000XM5
~$399 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
Every mention, sourced
Real comments from Reddit, linked to the original thread. Nothing paraphrased.
I like how Beats has been going on the route being closer to Harman curve over the past few years, yet Sony is going on the opposite and trying really hard to replica what Beats sounded 10 years ago.
Complaint
I've had mine for over a year and they are fine, I've fallen asleep with them, used them on multiple flights, grocery shopping, walking the dog, etc and have no issues at all.
Praise
XM5 sounds more balanced and clearer. XM5 has slightly better ANC in the upper frequencies. XM5 has vastly superior call quality. XM5 has longer battery life when ANC and Transparency mode is disabled. XM5 can charge faster with 3 mins providing 3 hours of playback if you are using a USB-C PD charger. XM5 feels a bit more comfortable due to the slightly less weight and larger cavity within the ear cups.
Praise
Hate how the headband was already thin in width and they made it thinner just for looks
Complaint
all things considered, these do have good resolving capabilities, agreeable FR, better than average soundstage, etc.
Praise
✅ What Works
- The ANC genuinely stands out on busy transit — Canadian commuters consistently report the 8-mic system handles subway rumble and open office noise better than anything else at this price
- 30-hour battery with 3-minute quick charge means most people charge it once a week and never think about it mid-trip
- Glasses wearers get a rare win here — the redesigned ear cups create enough clearance that stems don't dig in after an hour, which is a real differentiator over Bose
- Multipoint Bluetooth handles phone-to-laptop switching without re-pairing, which daily hybrid workers call out as genuinely useful
⚠️ Worth Knowing
- The hinge and slider arm have a documented durability concern — multiple buyers report the plastic swivel point snapping under normal daily use, sometimes within months. It's worth knowing before you buy at full price
- The flat-fold design doesn't collapse as compactly as the XM4 — if bag space is tight, that matters
- Better for commuters and focus workers than audiophiles — sound quality is excellent but the XM4 still has a small edge in raw audio performance for dedicated listening
ClearPick Verdict
The XM5 is the right call for Canadian commuters who spend real time on transit, in open offices, or on flights. The ANC is legitimately the best you can get at this price and the battery outlasts almost every trip. The hinge durability concern is real and worth factoring in — if you're rough on gear or want something built to last years of daily abuse, the XM4 at a lower price point is worth a look. But if noise isolation is your priority, nothing beats the XM5 for the money.
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