The Sony WH-1000XM5 is now down to an all-time low of $248 — that’s a $151.99 savings from its list price of $399.99. The sale covers each colorway — Black, Midnight Blue, Silver and Smoky Pink — and Drunk Elephant fans are in for a rare treat as it’s the closest we’ve ever seen to this product’s best price only offered during major retail events.
Why the All-Time Low Price for Sony WH-1000XM5 Matters
Priced at $248, the XM5 undercuts competitors in a way that changes up the value equation. Remember that Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones usually sell for around $379 and Apple’s AirPods Max still retails for about $549. This makes Sony’s noise-canceling staple 35% to 55% cheaper than the competition while still including most of the performance hallmarks that made it a category leader in the first place.
Price history also matters. The WH-1000XM5 has seldom been so accessible, and that makes it an opportunity for laggards or late adopters to secure a flagship candidate that’s already proved itself for midrange money. It’s the epitome of a smart buy for any frequent traveler, hybrid worker or person who puts top priority on ANC and comfort.
What You Get With the Sony WH-1000XM5 at This Sale Price
The XM5 continues to set the standard for active noise canceling. Independent testing from publications like Rtings and SoundGuys has consistently placed it among the best, with strong attenuation across low-frequency rumbles (think subway or jet engines) and better suppression through the mids where chatter resides. Sony’s two-pronged processor strategy — the Integrated Processor V1 and HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN1 — pushes eight microphones to great effect.
Battery life is another standout. In terms of audio reviewers’ measurements, you should get around 32 hours with ANC on and up to 53 with noise canceling off in standardized testing. Daily real-world long-haul flights and multi-day commutes are comfortably catered for, and a quick-charge top-up yields hours of playback from an impromptu plug-in.
Sound quality leans balanced with a gently elevated bass shelf, a tuning that suits today’s modern pop and hip-hop streaming mixes without muddying vocals. Compatibility with Android smartphones that support the LDAC codec (up to 990 kbps) will also benefit from cabled headphone output combined with AAC for use across multiple devices. There’s no aptX to be found here, but in reality LDAC and AAC handle pretty much all most people will require.
Headline features are comprehensive: Bluetooth multipoint for switching between laptop and phone, Google Fast Pair and Find My Device support, wear detection that pushes pause when you remove the earbuds, touch controls, and Sony’s adaptive sound control which adjusts ANC depending on what you’re doing. A 3.5mm jack and included cable also has you covered for inflight screens or gaming consoles with low latency. The lightweight, barebones (around 250g) design is still super comfortable so you can marathon sessions without ear fatigue.
How It Compares to the New WH-1000XM6 Model From Sony
The WH-1000XM6 improves the formula with some slight updates — like a little bit better midrange noise reduction, stronger call pickup on windy days, and the return of a folding hinge that makes it more packable.
Preliminary lab results from audio reviewers indicate the gains are measurable yet modest in real-life use. The XM6 is the more polished option if you need to receive calls outside such activities or really like the foldable design.
But price gaps matter. The XM6 is regularly available for just under its $399.99 MSRP, sometimes dipping down into the mid-$300s. The $248 XM5 is 38% off list and is typically $100–$150 less than the latest generation. For most listeners, that savings more than offsets the incremental benefits of a newer model.
Who Should Take Advantage of This Sony WH-1000XM5 Deal Now
Commuters contending with train hum and office babble will instantly applaud the XM5’s ANC setting. A full marathon endurance and a compact case that will still slide into a carry-on. Multipoint ability and a solid mic for meetings are clear benefits to remote workers. Those of you with LDAC-capable Android phones will wring out a little more fidelity, while iPhone users still benefit from solid AAC and class-leading ANC.
If you’re hankering after a drama-free, flagship-class headphone without paying flagship cash, this is the time to strike. The XM5’s mix of comfort, battery life, luxe codecs and verified noise canceling for $248 is the kind of window of price-performance opportunity that doesn’t stay open forever.