I’ve been quietly lusting after the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds since launch — like, the type of lust where you casually “forget” you checked the price yesterday and check it again today. They’ve always felt like that fancy toy you rationalize in your head but never quite click “buy” on… until Black Friday comes flying in like, “Surprise! Here’s $100 off.”

And now they’re sitting at $229.99, officially entering that sweet little zone where your brain stops yelling “too expensive!” and starts whispering “go on, treat yourself.” If you’ve been looking for a true premium upgrade, this is absolutely the kind of drop you wait for.

Sony’s noise-canceling tech is basically legendary at this point. Their over-ear headphones (like the WH-1000XM5 or the latest XM6) already dominate the category, and the WF-1000XM5 earbuds bring a lot of that same magic to a smaller package.

Personally, I wear earbuds everywhere—on commutes, while working, sometimes even just to drown out the chaos of dishes clanging or dogs barking in the background. The WF-1000XM5’s active noise canceling is designed to block out all of that. And from everything I’ve seen, it actually works. Not just in an “okay, it’s a bit quieter” way, but in a “where did the world go?” way. That’s pretty rare for true wireless earbuds.

Noise canceling is one thing, but I also care a lot about sound. I don’t need every song to feel like I’m in a recording studio, but I do want something more than flat, compressed audio. The WF-1000XM5 uses custom dynamic drivers, and from all the reports I’ve seen, the sound is both rich and detailed — with a warm low end, clear mids, and sparkly highs.

There’s also an EQ in the companion app, which is perfect if you like to tweak things. I’d probably pull the bass down just a touch for acoustic tracks or podcasts, but for electronic or hip-hop, I’d leave it right where it is. Sony clearly tuned these with music lovers in mind.

One of my biggest issues with earbuds — especially premium ones — is fit. Either they’re too bulky, or they fall out when I’m walking, or they start to feel uncomfortable after an hour. Sony seems to have learned from past feedback with the WF-1000XM4, because the XM5 version is noticeably smaller and lighter. That’s a big win in my book.

They come with four sizes of foam ear tips, including an extra-small size, which I think is underrated. Foam tips create a better seal and help with both comfort and passive noise isolation. If you’ve ever had earbuds that never quite “locked in,” this could be your solution.

We’ve hit a point where most high-end earbuds come loaded with features, but honestly, a lot of them are just fluff. With the WF-1000XM5, though, the extras are things I’d actually use. For example:

• Multipoint connection: lets me pair to my phone and laptop at the same time. No more fumbling with Bluetooth menus when switching devices.
• Speak-to-chat: automatically pauses the music when I start talking. Great for ordering coffee without taking an earbud out.
• Adaptive sound control: changes ANC modes based on my location and activity. That’s the kind of automation I appreciate.
• Head tracking and spatial audio: okay, this one’s a little more niche, but it’s cool that it’s even an option for immersive content.

Also, battery life is solid — up to 8 hours with ANC on, plus two full charges in the case. That’s more than enough for a full day out, with some to spare.

If I’m nitpicking, the one area where the WF-1000XM5 might fall short is in voice calls. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good — just not best-in-class. If you take tons of phone or Zoom calls in noisy environments, the mic might pick up more background noise than you'd like. It’s not a dealbreaker for me, but it’s something to note if you use earbuds for work calls every day.

If you’ve had your eye on these, this is probably the best time to get them. At $229.99, they’re still not “cheap,” but they’re definitely a better value. You’re getting top-of-the-line noise canceling, great sound, a comfortable fit, and enough smart features to make you feel like your earbuds are actually working with you, not just playing audio.

If I didn’t already own a decent pair of midrange earbuds, I’d be hitting “Add to Cart” already. And even as someone who does own a pair, I’m still tempted. That’s how good the WF-1000XM5 looks — and sounds.