Closest swap
Sony WF-C710N
- Up to 8.5 hours a charge
- Same app, EQ and multipoint
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Catch: Weaker on mid and high noise
About half the price
Cheaper alternatives to the Sony WF-1000XM5
Three pairs for under half the XM5's price, each keeping something different.
Updated 5 November 2026
Most codecs
EarFun Air Pro 4
- aptX Adaptive and LDAC
- Charges on a wireless pad
Lightest buds
Nothing Ear (a)
- Only 4.8 g per bud
- Strong quiet for the money
The original
Sony WF-1000XM5
Worth it if: You want Sony sound without XM6 money
- Discreet buds you forget you're wearing
- Rich, well-judged bass
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Not worth it if: Foam tips never stay sealed for you
Fairly priced
What are you actually paying extra for with the WF-1000XM5?
What the extra money buys
- Discreet buds you forget you're wearing
- Rich, well-judged bass
- Calls stay clear in a gale
- A full working day per charge
Worth it if
- You want Sony sound without XM6 money
- You take calls outdoors a lot
- Your Android phone streams LDAC
Not worth it if
- Foam tips never stay sealed for you
- You want buds for running
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Sony WF-C710N
If you like the XM5's app and how its buds sit, Sony's cheaper pair is the softest landing. Tom's Guide found it light enough to wear all day and its quiet impressive for the money. What Hi-Fi liked the musical tuning but said voices and higher sounds slip past more than with Sony's flagships.
EarFun Air Pro 4
EarFun's pair is one of very few at this price that keeps wireless charging and LDAC, then adds aptX Adaptive as well. Android Central praised the comfort and sound. PC Gamer found it handles wind, fans and engine drone, while sharp sounds get past and the mic on calls is weak.
Nothing Ear (a)
The Ear (a) sits lighter than the XM5 thanks to its stem design. TechRadar rated its noise cancelling among the best in its price range and liked its wide, energetic sound. Expert Reviews found the adaptive mode lets high sounds in and the squeeze controls fiddly, and there's no wireless charging.
Final recommendation: Stay with Sony and save the most hassle with the WF-C710N. If your Android phone does aptX, the EarFun Air Pro 4 keeps wireless charging too. The Nothing Ear (a) suits anyone who finds rounded buds heavy. Keep the WF-1000XM5 for its richer sound and calls that stay clear on windy streets.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Affordable | Budget | Budget | Budget |
| Battery per charge, noise cancelling on (claimed) | Up to 8 hours | Up to 8.5 hours | Up to 7.5 hours | Up to 5.5 hours |
| With the case, noise cancelling on (claimed) | Up to 24 hours | Up to 30 hours | Up to 35 hours | Up to 24.5 hours |
| Weight per bud | 5.9 g | 5.2 g | – | 4.8 g |
| Fit | Sealed, foam tips | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips |
| Water resistance | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX5 | IP54 (buds), IPX2 (case) |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LC3 | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Should I buy the WF-1000XM5 or wait for an XM6 deal?
Look at the gap. The XM6 blocks a bit more noise and adds a mic per bud, but battery is the same 8 hours. When the XM5 costs much less, it's the better buy; when the two are close, the newer pair makes more sense.
Why does my XM5 seal keep breaking?
The foam-like tips need a twist into place and can slip with jaw movement. Reviewers found the fit less secure than Bose buds with wings. Try the extra-small and large tips, and run the fit test in the Sony app.
Will the Nothing Ear (a) last a full working day?
Not on one charge with noise cancelling on. Nothing quotes about 5.5 hours, so you'll top up at lunch. The case holds several refills, so a full day is fine if you can pop them back in.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Sony WF-1000XM5 with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Sony UK: WF-1000XM5, What Hi-Fi?: Sony WF-1000XM5 review, HIFI.DE: Sony WF-1000XM5 im Test, Sony UK: WF-C710N specifications, What Hi-Fi?: Sony WF-C710N review, Tom's Guide: Sony WF-C710N review, EarFun: Air Pro 4, Android Central: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, PC Gamer: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, Nothing: Ear (a), TechRadar: Nothing Ear (a) review, Expert Reviews: Nothing Ear (a) review.