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Over the years we’ve reviewed many Sony headphones, and so we thought for the Sony fans out there that we should create a list of the best Sony headphones, from over-ears to on-ears, gaming headsets to true wireless.
Each pair of headphones has been rated for its performance in real world settings as we test features such as noise-cancellation, awareness modes, the wireless performance, battery life, call quality, as well as listening to how good the headphones sound, of course.
You can be sure that the headphones that feature on this list past the muster in terms of performance. If you’re looking to upgrade from an older pair of Sony headphones or haven’t tried a pair of Sony headphones and want to know what all the fuss is about; keep reading for a summary of each headphone, along with pros, cons, and links to in-depth reviews.
Of course, Sony isn’t the only brand delivering quality headphones. If you’re open to other brands, we recommend checking our other audio best lists, which include the best headphones, best over-ears, best noise-cancelling headphones, and best wireless earbuds.
For gamers, we have the best gaming headsets, while fitness enthusiasts will want to check out our guide to the best running headphones.
Best Sony headphones at a glance
How we test
Learn more about how we test headphones Not just anybody can review a pair of headphones. You don’t need superhuman hearing to tell what’s good, but you do need to know what to listen out for.Our headphone tests are done by some of the best and most prolific reviewers in the industry, with years of experience listening to everything from the plasticky freebie earbuds that come with your smartphone, to five-figure beasts of glass and marble. We love music and we want your tunes to sound good, too.So we listen every pair of headphones we can get on or in our ears. We use a variety of sources, from basic MP3s playing on a laptop to high-quality tracks on dedicated hi-res audio players.Our test tracks are wide-ranging to give headphones a thorough challenge. They’re also familiar, so we know every track backwards, and we know which bits might trouble the lesser performers.We listen again and again, and we do that for weeks in case the sound changes – because it usually does. Then we’ll listen to similarly priced rivals and come up with a verdict that reflects the performance and features for the money.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Best Sony wireless headphones
Pros
Musical, rich audio performanceImpressively clean and natural noise cancellationSuperb Ambient ModeGreat call qualityLess expensive than Bose
Cons
Non-foldable designChoppy wireless comfort in busy areasNot the best for ANC
The Sony WH-1000XM5 aren’t just our favourite pair of Sony headphones, they’re one of the best headphones you can buy right now.
The headphones are an evolution of the WH-1000XM4. The headphone’s design no longer folds flat like previous generations, a design choice that mirrors the Bose NC 700 and Apple AirPods Max, the reason given is to improve noise cancelling performance by reducing the surface area that could cause wind noise.
Testing out the ANC, we did find that the XM5 were more adept at suppressing high frequency sounds than the XM4 although we didn’t find them be quite as good at dealing with voices. That said, the headphones perform an excellent job, plus with the clear and detailed Transparency Mode you can hear what’s around you in crystal clear clarity.
Features like Speak-to-Chat and Quick Attention mode make it possible to hold conversations while still wearing the headphones, and built-in voice assistance offers convenience for hands-free operation. The Adaptive Sound Control builds custom sound profiles based on the locations you frequent most, and there’s 3D sound support with Sony’s 360 Reality Audio.
The battery life is 30 hours, and we managed to get through a week before needing another charge. Battery life is the same as the older model, so perhaps we’ll have to wait until the WH-1000XM6 for longer battery.
Audio quality offers more texture and depth in the low frequencies, with a richer and more detailed midrange, and a more expressive high frequency performance. Sony’s best-noise cancelling over-ears so far.
Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Sony WH-1000XM5
Sony WF-1000XM5
Best Sony wireless earbuds
Pros
Smaller, lighter designPowerful noise-cancellationMore detailed, balanced audio performancePlenty of smart, convenient features
Cons
Bose a smidge better for ANCSlightly odd call performance
While the audio performance of the WF-1000XM4 was fantastic, the WF-1000XM5 have managed to improve on them by taking a more measured approach.
Featuring the Dynamic Driver X, the bass performance isn’t as powerful or as fun as it was on the WF-1000XM4 but bass carries more detail and clarity. The midrange has a better sense of finer detail, especially with voices, and the high frequencies are sharper, clearer and more detailed.
The noise-cancelling performance is another area where the XM5 improve on the WF-1000XM4, able to suppress voices and general noise better for a much quieter performance. The transparency mode is clear and detailed, although we find the WF-1000XM4 is slightly clearer.
Battery life matches the WF-1000XM4, with 8 hours per earbuds and 24 in total with the charging case. The design is smaller and lighter, making for a more favourable and comfortable fit. With the introduction of an extra small ear-tip size, there’s more room to fit a wider range of ears.
Wireless performance is good in both AAC and LDAC playback modes, and the WF-1000XM5 is bundled with an array features that make these earphones one of the smartest on wireless earbuds on the market, much like the rest of Sony’s premium headphones. Call quality is decent but it does leak in background noise whenever we spoke but silent when we weren’t. It’s a little strange.
Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony WF-C500
Best affordable Sony true wireless
Pros
Clear, lively audioErgonomic fitVery reasonable price
Cons
No ANCLacks bassBasic materials
It’s taken a while for us to get our hands on the WF-C500, a true wireless that was first released back in 2021, but the wait has been worth it, as these are exceptional value true wireless for the money.
At £55 (they’re not available on Sony’s US store), the C500 are one of the cheapest Sony true wireless earbuds we’ve tested, and while the lack noise-cancellation and the more advanced features of the WF-1000XM5, they boast a clear and lively sound with plenty of detail in the mid- to high frequency range.
Where they (ironically) fall flat is with their bass performance, with low frequencies not having much presence within the frequency range. If you’re a bass-head, you may want to consider at JBL’s cheaper true wireless earphones.
And if you want to be isolated from the world around you, the lack of ANC on these earphones does mean that external sounds filter through.
Battery life is 10 hours per charge and 20 hours in total with the charging case, with fast-charging support if you’re in need of a quick top up. Bluetooth 5 support covers SBC and AAC streaming, so you won’t be hearing any wireless Hi-Res audio quality with these headphones. An IPX4 rating means they’re protected against some sweat and water, so you could consider taking them for a run or wearing them to the gym.
Cheap, chearful, and with exceptional sound for the price, the WF-C500 are the best budget Sony earphones you can get.
Reviewer: Henry St LegerFull Review: Sony WF-C500
Sony WH-1000XM4
Best mid-range Sony headphones
Pros
Superb audio Impressive noise cancellationLightweight and comfortableUseful smarts
The WH-1000XM4 over-ears were replaced by the WH-1000XM5, but they’re still around as a more affordable mid-range option.
They look similar to the WH-1000XM3, but Sony tightened up the design and improved on the already great sound. From a design perspective, we found that small tweaks reaped big benefits. While they weight a gram lighter, they feel comfier with softer earpads and a headband structure redesigned to distribute weight better. The pressure they exert is minimal, which makes them perfect for both casual wear and long-distance travel. One advantage over the XM5 model is that these can be folded up and collapsed for travel.
The noise-cancelling was the strongest we’ve heard from a Sony headphone until the WH-1000XM5, but they still manage to hold their own against newer ANC headphones from other brands. We found they reduced outside sound effectively, hushing voices more effectively than the XM5, although it does do this with a slight noise-cancelling tone.
Combined with its smart features that allow you to speak to other people without taking the headphones off, as well as Adaptive Sound Control that learns the places you frequent most often and tailors the ANC performance, these Sony headphones remain one of the smartest on the market.
The sound improved immeasurably over the XM3: more refined, less noisy and as confident as ever. They’re more musical in their approach, adding an extra layer of refinement and detail for a more articulate performance. They extract more detail from mid-range, with instruments better defined, and the separation of elements within a track is clearer, the result is a performance with greater fidelity than the XM3. We also found the DSEE Extreme feature was impressive in how much noise it removed from older tracks.
The WH-1000XM4 still impresses and remains one of the finest noise-cancelling headphones on the market. While we do think the WH-1000XM5 are slightly better in terms of noise-cancelling and sound quality, if you’re after a more affordable Sony noise-canceller, we’d highly recommend this pair.
Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Sony WH-1000XM4
Sony LinkBuds S
Best mid-range Sony wireless earbuds
Pros
Rich, expressive soundImpressive noise cancellation for the priceGood comfort levelsCompact, lightweight design
Cons
Average battery lifeMixed call quality performance
The LinkBuds S are the Sony earphones that are more for the casual / lifestyle crowd who want a smart pair of wireless earbuds that are easy to use, but still provide excellent audio. The current price of the LinkBuds S puts them in the £120 / $120 range, cheaper than the WF-1000XM5.
They are one of the lightest true wireless on the market at just 4.8g per bud. We found their compact design easy to get a good fit with. Made from recycled plastics, the LinkBuds S’ build quality is tough enough, though a drop on concrete did result in a small chip in our review sample. IPX4 protection against sweat and water is included, which makes these earphones a good choice if you need a pair for exercise or gym.
The portable case actually stores less battery life than the LinkBuds, but battery life per charge is slightly more at six hours. We found that with real-world use, the battery is more towards five hours with the high-quality LDAC codec. We also found the strength of its wireless connection to be mostly good aside from a few jitters in busy places.
The noise-cancellation isn’t as comprehensive as either WF-1000XM4 or XM5, but we found the fit and seal created by the LinkBuds S helped to minimise traffic noise and heavily reduce the impact of environmental sounds. The transparency mode picks up a little noise, but nothing that becomes a bother. There are smart features in Spotify Tap and Endel, the latter offers personalised soundscapes for relaxation and sleep though you have to pay for the full service.
We felt that the sound quality was very reminiscent of the WF-1000XM4. The midrange is rich in tone but well detailed, the soundstage described in wide and spacious terms. Bass carries more of an impact than it does on the original LinkBuds. The top end of the frequency spectrum isn’t as bright or as defined as we’d like, though.
Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Sony LinkBuds S
Sony WH-CH720N
Best affordable Sony ANC headphones
Pros
Lightweight, comfortable designAffordable priceSolid noise-cancellingFun, punchy audio Long battery life
Cons
Sound profile is a bit bassyCould benefit from extra lashings of detail and clarityAverage call quality
The WH-CH720N are Sony’s most affordable noise-cancelling headphones, putting in a performance we feel is strong for its sub-£100 / $100 price.
The headphones are mostly constructed from recycled plastic, and the quality with no noticeable creaks or groans when we bent the frame. The use of plastic keeps the headphones lightweight at 192g, and the CH720N felt comfortable to wear thanks to the padding on the headband and earcups.
When we tested the battery life we found it could go as far as 40 hours with noise-cancelling on. Features for a headphone of this price are surprisingly extensive, with features includes active noise-cancellation and transparency mode, as well as Bluetooth multipoint, app support (for more customisation) and voice assistant support in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Noise-cancellation is rarely stronger than more expensive headphones, but it’s solid at this price. It focuses on reducing low frequency sounds and clearing away ambient noise, making the daily commutes and journeys more tolerable.
The sound quality is similar to the WH-CH520 on-ears with it’s smoothness with an emphasis on bass. The bass performance is punchy, the midrange described with clarity and detail, while treble is bright and clear enough to impact. They’re certainly not in the same league as the WH-1000XM4, but these headphones were never going to be. For those whose budget can’t stretch to a purchase of these headphones, the CH720N is our recommendation for the best affordable ANC headphones from Sony.
Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Sony WH-CH720N
Sony Inzone H7
Best Sony gaming headphones
Pros
Immensely comfortableSuperb passive noise isolationDetailed audioGreat battery life
Cons
ExpensiveMiddling mic performanceFiddly softwareNo option for a wired connection
If you’re in the market for a wireless gaming headset, we suggest you look no further than Sony’s Inzone H7. InZone is a new range of peripherals from Sony, a range made up of three pairs of gaming headsets, with the H7 sitting in the middle.
The design borrows cues from the WH-1000XM5, with a smooth and clean appearance that also borrows from the aesthetic of the PlayStation 5. At 325g, they’re lighter than the Turtle Beach Stealth 700 Gen 2 Max and we found them to be very comfortable to wear during our gaming sessions.
The headphones offer some of the best passive noise isolation we’ve experienced on a gaming headset, blocking out music from a room over and loud neighbours with ease, though anyone after noise cancellation should look at the more expensive H9 model.
The playback controls are thoughtfully placed on the headphone and compatibility is good as you’re able to connect to a PC or PS5 using Bluetooth or the bundled USB receiver. Unsurprisingly there’s no Xbox Wireless compatibility, nor is there a headphone jack to support wired connections.
The InZone H7 offered refined and detailed audio with good tonal balance. The soundstage is wide, which makes it possible to pinpoint enemies based on their speech, though we did think the low end could be more tightly defined as it occasionally drowned out more subtle sounds in horror games.
At $229 / £199, the H7 isn’t among cheaper gaming headsets but the design is comfortable, the sound is detailed and the battery life is great.
Reviewer: Reese BithreyFull Review: Sony Inzone H7
Sony WH-CH520
Best affordable Sony headphones
Pros
Lightweight designVery good call performanceGood feature set and customization optionsRobust wireless performance
Cons
On-ear design can pinchSoundMagic pair offers greater clarity and detail
The WH-CH520 are one of the cheapest pairs of Sony headphones we’ve reviewed in recent years. At just £50 / €70, they’re in the impulse buy column if you’re looking for a new pair of on-ear headphones.
We found they were comfortable to wear, though the on-ear design can pinch on the earlobes and passive noise isolation isn’t as good as the true wireless and over-ear pairs, so external sounds mesh with music. The build quality is predominantly plastic, but it does keep the weight down to just 147g, making them rather light to wear on our heads. There’s no carry case so you’ll either need to wear them around your neck or stuff them in a bag when you’re not using them.
Of all the headphones on this list, the WH-CH520 doesn’t have access to the same level of features through the Sony Headphones Connect app, but what it does offer is very good for its price and for on-ears in general. Battery is rated at 50 hours and in our testing we found that the battery can indeed go for a very long time. A nine-hour battery drain didn’t result in any loss of battery whatsoever, which is impressive.
There is Sony’s 360 Reality Audio format for immersive audio, and Bluetooth support equates to SBC and AAC codecs. The wireless connection with our phone was great during testing with no stutters or dropouts even in busy areas. Call quality is also very good in terms of clarity, though in busy areas it can become harder for the other person to hear what’s said.
In terms of their sound quality we found these headphones to be a smooth listen, but they don’t offer as finessed a performance as other similarly priced headphones, with a slight lack of definition and sharpness to instruments and voices not helped by a soundstage that sounds small. Bass is decent for an on-ear and there’s some nice brightness to high frequencies, while the midrange is handled in a smooth, clear manner. A solid, enjoyable pair of headphones.
Reviewer: Kob MonneyFull Review: Sony WH-CH520
We also considered…
Sony LinkBuds
A true wireless earphone unlike any you’ve seen before
Sony WF-XB700
Fun sound and long battery life make the Sony WF-XB700 a true wireless hit
Sony WH-CH710N
Active noise cancellation headphones for those on a budget
FAQs
Why don’t the Sony WH-1000XM5 fold anymore? Sony has taken away the foldable design to improve the noise cancelling performance on its flagship headphones series. How waterproof are the headphones in this list? The WF-1000XM4 are water resistant up to IPX4. The other headphones in this list have no IP rating. What is Sony 360 Reality Audio Sony 360 Reality Audio is an audio format that places you in the midst of the audio, making it sound more immersive. You can read more about it in our guide.
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UK RRP
USA RRP
EU RRP
CA RRP
AUD RRP
Manufacturer
IP rating
Battery Hours
Wireless charging
Fast Charging
Weight
ASIN
Release Date
First Reviewed Date
Model Number
Audio Resolution
Driver (s)
Noise Cancellation?
Connectivity
Colours
Frequency Range
Headphone Type
Sensitivity
Voice Assistant
Sony WH-1000XM5
£379.99
$399.99
€420
CA$499.99
AU$549.00
Sony
No
30
–
Yes
250 G
B09Y2MYL5C
2022
–
WH1000XM5B.CE7
SBC, AAC, LDAC
30mm neodymium dynamic
Yes
Bluetooth 5.2
Silver, Black
4 40000 – Hz
Over-ear
–
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Sony Inzone H7
£199
$229.99
–
–
–
Sony
No
40
–
–
325 G
B0B466SCKP
2022
24/07/2022
–
–
40mm
–
Bluetooth, USB receiver
White
5 20000 – Hz
–
–
–
Sony WH-CH520
£49.99
–
€70
–
–
Sony
No
50
–
–
47 G
B0BTJ8ZXG5
2023
–
WHCH520L.CE7
SBC, AAC
30mm
–
Bluetooth 5.2
Black, Blue, Beige, White
20 20000 – Hz
On-ear
–
–
Sony WH-1000XM4
£349
$349
€379
CA$498
AU$499
Sony
No
30
–
Yes
254 G
B08C7KG5LP
2020
–
WH1000XM4
24-bit/96kHz
40mm neodymium dynamic
Yes
Bluetooth 5.0
Silver, Black
4 40000 – Hz
Over-ear
105 dB
Alexa/Google
Sony LinkBuds S
£180
$199.99
€200
CA$299
AU$268
Sony
IPX4
20
–
Yes
44.6 G
B09Y2M4DD3
2022
–
WFLS900NW.CE7
SBC, AAC, LDAC
5mm dynamic
Yes
Bluetooth 5.2
Black, White, Ecru
20 40000 – Hz
True Wireless
–
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Sony WH-CH720N
£99.99
$149.99
€119
CA$249
AU$249
Sony
No
35
–
–
192 G
B0BTDX26B2
2023
–
WH-CH720N
SBC, AAC
30mm dynamic
Yes
Bluetooth 5.2, 3.5mm jack
Blue, Black, White
20 20000 – Hz
Over-ear
–
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Sony WF-1000XM5
£259
$299.99
€320
–
–
Sony
IPX4
24
Yes
Yes
–
B0C4TLFZSZ
2023
–
WF-1000XM5
SBC, AAC, LDAC
Dynamic Driver X
Yes
Bluetooth 5.3
Black, White
20 40000 – Hz
True Wireless
–
Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant
Sony WF-C500
£49.99
$70
€99
CA$129.99
AU$129
Sony
IPX4
20
–
Yes
46.3 G
B09FKGJ1CB
2021
–
–
SBC, AAC
5.8mm
–
Bluetooth 5.0
White, Black, Orange, Green
20 20000 – Hz
True Wireless
–
–
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