This is the question that matters if you're planning to wear these for work, travel, or long gaming sessions. The good news? Sony really listened to feedback and made meaningful improvements.
Weight: At 250 grams, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is noticeably lighter than they feel. I've worn them for 4-hour work sessions without the "headphone fatigue" I get from heavier models.
Padding: The headband padding is much better than the XM4. It's thicker and distributes weight more evenly, so you don't get that pressure point on top of your head.
Ear cups: They made them bigger, which was smart. My ears fit inside completely rather than resting on the edges, which makes a huge difference for comfort.
Here's how they feel during actual use:
2-3 hours: Completely comfortable, no adjustments needed
4-5 hours: Still good, maybe a quick position adjustment
6+ hours: You'll feel them, but it's not uncomfortable—just present
The memory foam ear pads actually get more comfortable after a week or two as they adapt to your specific ear shape.
Glasses wearers: They work fine with most glasses, though really thick frames might break the seal slightly
Hot weather: The synthetic leather can get a bit warm, but it's not worse than other premium headphones
Head size: The adjustment range is excellent—works for small heads and large heads equally well
If comfort during long sessions is a priority, these are among your best options. Sony clearly prioritized wearability with the XM5, and it shows.
Short answer: It's fantastic. The Sony WH-1000XM5's noise cancellation is right up there with the best you can buy.
I've tested these against both Bose and Apple's top models, and honestly, you're splitting hairs at this level. The differences come down to personal preference more than outright performance.
Sony uses 8 microphones and their new V1 chip to constantly monitor what's happening around you. It samples the noise 700 times per second—that's incredibly fast, which means it catches and cancels sounds before you really notice them.
The coolest part? It automatically adjusts to your ears and environment. Put them on, and they learn the shape of your head and how they fit. Change altitude on a plane? They adjust for that too.
Here's how they perform in actual situations:
Airplanes: Engine noise basically disappears. I can sleep on red-eyes now, which never used to happen.
Coffee shops: Chatter becomes a low murmur. You can focus on work without cranking the volume.
Trains/Subway: The rumble and screeching are mostly gone. Way less stressful commuting.
Office: HVAC systems, keyboard clicking, phone conversations—all significantly reduced.
vs Bose QuietComfort: Similar performance, comes down to which sound signature you prefer
vs Apple AirPods Max: Basically tied for effectiveness, but the Sony costs less
vs XM4: Noticeable improvement, especially with voices and irregular sounds
The bottom line? If noise cancellation is your priority, you really can't go wrong with these.
You're probably wondering: "Will these headphones actually last through my day?" The answer is yes, and then some.
With 30 hours of listening time (noise cancellation on), the Sony WH-1000XM5 can handle pretty much anything you throw at it. That's multiple cross-country flights, several full workdays, or a week of commuting without touching the charger.
I've found that with noise cancellation off, you'll get even more time—though honestly, you bought these for the ANC, so you'll probably keep it on most of the time.
Here's the feature that'll save your day: 3 minutes of charging = 3 hours of listening.
Forgot to charge overnight? No problem. Plug them in while you're getting ready, and you'll have enough juice for your commute and then some. It's one of those features that seems small until you need it, then it becomes essential.
The full charge takes about 3.5 hours with the USB-C cable (thank goodness they finally ditched micro-USB).
The power management is surprisingly thoughtful:
Honestly, battery anxiety just isn't a thing with these headphones. They last long enough that you'll probably forget when you last charged them, and when you do need power, that quick charge feature has your back.
If you already have an Apple Watch Series 9, you're probably wondering if the Series 10 is worth the upgrade cost. Let me be straight with you - it's probably not, unless you have specific issues with your current watch.
The big wins are faster charging and a slightly bigger screen. The charging improvement is legitimately game-changing - 30 minutes gets you to 80% instead of waiting around forever. The screen is about 3% bigger, which sounds small but is noticeable when reading messages or using apps.
Sleep apnea detection is cool if you're into health tracking, and the watch is a bit thinner despite the bigger screen. But honestly? Your Series 9 is still excellent.
Upgrade if charging drives you crazy. If you're constantly stressed about battery life or find yourself skipping workouts because your watch is dead, the fast charging alone might be worth it.
Skip it if you're generally happy with your Series 9. The improvements are nice-to-have, not must-have. You're not missing out on anything that would change your daily experience dramatically.
Here's the thing - if you have a Series 7 or older, definitely get the Apple Watch Series 10. You'll see huge improvements across the board. But Series 9 owners? You can absolutely wait for the next generation unless fast charging specifically solves a real problem in your life.
Thinking about upgrading anyway? Compare Apple Watch Series 10 vs Series 9 prices to see current deals and trade-in values. Sometimes a great promotion can make the upgrade math work better.
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