I’ve been a sucker for Sony’s premium earbuds ever since the WF-1000XM3s. But as much as I loved the sound and features, they always felt a bit… chunky. Then came the WF-1000XM5, and it’s like Sony finally listened to every “these are great, but…” comment. And now, at $213 now at Amazon (down from the original $329.99), I think they’re a no-brainer for anyone who cares about sound quality, noise cancelling, and comfort.

Sony’s WF-1000XM5s haven’t been around forever, so seeing them drop more than $115 off is a big deal. Sure, they’ve dipped slightly lower during flash sales (around $198 during Prime Day), but deals like that vanish in hours. At $213, you’re getting near-flagship tech without paying flagship prices, and you’re still way ahead of the average sale price for these.

The first thing I noticed when I tried these was the weight—or lack of it. The XM5s are 25% smaller and 20% lighter than their XM4 predecessors. It might not sound dramatic on paper, but in your ears, that difference is huge. These feel more like a snug in-ear monitor than a clunky earbud, and I can wear them for hours without any soreness.

Sony also switched to Noise Isolation Earbud Tips made from a soft, slightly foamy material that seals out noise and stays comfortable. I’m pretty picky about earbud fit, but these actually passed the “four-hour Zoom meeting” test with no ear fatigue.

I’ve tested a lot of earbuds with ANC (active noise cancellation), and many of them are fine for low hums but crumble when faced with chatter or wind. The WF-1000XM5s don’t mess around.

Sony crammed in dual processors, multiple microphones, and those special ear tips to block noise across a wide range of frequencies. In practice, it means your music, podcasts, or audiobooks don’t have to fight for your attention. On the subway, I could still catch the quiet details in my favorite songs without cranking the volume.

The sound? This is where the XM5s really shine for me. They use Sony’s Dynamic Driver X for rich, clean sound that’s detailed without going overboard on the bass. The XM4s were a bit heavy in the low end, which some people loved, but I prefer the XM5’s more balanced approach.

Vocals sound natural, instruments have separation, and there’s a crispness to the treble that makes acoustic tracks sparkle. Plus, if you use LDAC (Sony’s high-res Bluetooth codec), you can get seriously good wireless audio if your phone supports it.

Battery life is another win here. You get about 8 hours per charge (with ANC on) and up to 24 hours total with the case. If you’re ever caught with a low battery before heading out, a quick 3-minute charge gets you about an hour of playback. That’s saved me more than once when I forgot to charge them overnight.

Sony’s app isn’t just a gimmick. You can customize sound, noise cancelling levels, and even enable Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts settings based on where you are. There’s Speak-to-Chat (music pauses when you start talking) and multipoint Bluetooth, so you can pair to your phone and laptop at the same time.

The way I see it, the Sony WF-1000XM5s tick nearly every box for premium earbuds: comfort, top-tier noise cancelling, balanced sound, strong battery life, and useful smart features. At $213 now at Amazon, they’re one of the best blends of performance and value you’ll find in the true wireless world right now.

I’ve tried plenty of cheaper earbuds, and while some sound good, very few deliver this level of polish and versatility. If you’re already curious about upgrading, this price is the push you need.

If you’ve been holding out for the right time to grab the WF-1000XM5s, this is it. Deals this good don’t stick around for long, and once you try them, you might wonder how you ever put up with anything else.