Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones reach their lowest price ever at $198, prompting buyers to consider the superior all-rounder now, as Sony prepares for a phased retirement and the introduction of refreshed models amidst regulatory changes.
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 have fallen to $198 at Amazon, matching their lowest price to date and sharply undercutting their original $399 launch price. For shoppers who want premium noise-cancelling headphones without paying flagship money, the discount makes the older model far easier to justify than Sony’s newer alternative.
The XM5 remain one of Sony’s strongest all-round pairs. Reviews from TechRadar and Tom’s Guide have consistently singled out their comfort, detailed sound, strong call quality and class-leading active noise cancellation. The main compromise is portability: unlike the previous XM4, the XM5 do not fold inwards, which makes them a little less compact in a bag.
That trade-off matters less at this price. Amazon is currently listing the WH-1000XM6 at $398, so the gap between the two generations is substantial. TechRadar says the newer model is only a modest step forward in practical use, which leaves the XM5 looking like the smarter buy for most listeners unless they specifically want the latest version.
There is also a broader product shift in Sony’s headphone range. What Hi-Fi reports that the company has introduced the WH-1000XM4C, a refreshed version of the older XM4, with retuned sound and updated compliance for forthcoming EU battery rules. The same report says the XM5 is expected to be phased out in early 2027 because it does not meet those rules, adding an element of urgency for buyers who still want this model while it remains widely available.
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