Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.
Sony’s WH-1000XM series has long been the gold standard fornoise-canceling headphones, and whilethe new WH-1000XM6 has taken the spotlight, theWH-1000XM5remains a standout, especially at a lower price. Right now, they’re down to $284.99 at Walmart, a notable drop from their usual $399.99 list price and lower than Amazon’s current $328 listing.
These are the sameaward-winning headphonesthat were lauded when they launched in 2022, withPCMag giving them 4.5 out of 5 starsfor their sound, noise cancellation, and comfort. They still rank among thebest wireless headphonesavailable, and this discount makes them a smarter buy than ever for anyone who doesn’t need the very latest model.
TheWH-1000XM5uses 30mm carbon fiber drivers powered by Sony’s Integrated Processor V1, and that combo still sounds excellent in 2025. Music has depth and balance, with enough punch to handle bass-heavy tracks without losing detail in vocals or instruments. What’s impressive is how little the audio quality changes when ANC is turned on, something cheaper models often struggle with. The noise cancellation itself is among the strongest you’ll find, easily cutting out low-frequency hums from engines or chatter in public spaces. As for connectivity, these headphones connect over Bluetooth 5.2 and support AAC, SBC, and LDACcodecs(meaning you get high-resolution audio over Bluetooth, provided your device supports it), plus multipoint pairing if you juggle between devices.
Comfort and design are other strengths. The lightweight frame and soft-fit leather earcups make long sessions easy, whether you’re working, commuting, or zoning out on a flight. That said, the touch controls on the earcups can take some getting used to—swipes for volume, taps for play/pause—but you can fine-tune them in the Sony Sound Connectapp, which also lets you tweakEQsettings and ANC sensitivity. Battery life is solid at around 30 hours with ANC on, and they charge quickly through USB-C. There’s also a 3.5mm audio jack for wired listening when you don’t want to think about battery life.
