The Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds, released in late July 2023 at a price of 319.99 euros, are now available for 199.99 euros. A special offer on Amazon allows customers to purchase them for 165.99 euros on Friday, October 9. This price drop is due to the earbuds' third anniversary and the upcoming release of the newer WF-1000XM6 model in February 2026. The XM5 provides balanced sound by default, which can be adjusted using an equalizer in the companion app, and they offer noise reduction and a battery life that extends to 24 hours when using the charging case. Each earbud has a small touch surface that allows users to control music playback, pause, activate noise reduction, adjust volume, or trigger the voice assistant. The app also lets users customize the sound with eight preset equalizers or a custom setting. The earbuds themselves last up to eight hours on a single charge, which is enough for long trips or workouts, though some users may find them slipping out during intense physical activity. The charging case supports wireless charging and extends battery life to 24 hours. The newer WF-1000XM6 model features more advanced noise reduction, thanks to the QN3e chip and four microphones per earpiece—more than the XM5. Sony has redesigned the earbuds to provide better retention and a more comfortable fit for different ear shapes. The company has also switched from a glossy finish to a matte coating to reduce scratches. The sound quality has been improved with a broader soundstage and better spatialization, while the battery life remains the same as the XM5. However, the XM6 are priced higher, starting at 299.99 euros, and even during a sale in late August, they were still 74 euros more expensive than the XM5 with the current offer. At the time of their release in 2023, the Sony WF-1000XM5 received a score of 8 out of 10 in testing. Despite the introduction of the newer model, the XM5 continues to offer a strong value proposition due to its lower price and proven performance.