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The Sony WF-1000XM line has been an innovative and solid series of headphones and earbuds for many years. Right now, the latest version of the Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds are $198 (originally $299.99), a new record-low price, according to price-tracking tools. They are also the best earbuds for audio quality that you can get in 2024, especially if you want to use active noise-canceling (ANC).
You can fully customize the sound of these earbuds with various EQ and personalization options in the accompanying app, but they sound balanced and full out of the box. You also get support for the high-end LC3 and LDAC Bluetooth codecs. Their ANC is great, but what makes them special is that, unlike many other ANC earbuds, their audio quality isn’t hindered by using ANC, as noted in PCMag’s “outstanding” review.
You’ll get an IPX4 rating, meaning you can use them during workouts—just don’t wear them in the shower. The microphones are very clear, making them suitable for Zoom or work calls. The battery life lasts eight hours with ANC and 16 hours without it. The carrying case gives you up to 24 hours with a full charge. The app comes with many high-end features that earbuds at this price point offer, like Ambient Sound (hear your surroundings), Adaptive Sound Control (switch between ANC and Ambient Sound), Speak-to-Chat (your media stops when you speak), voice assistance from Alexa or Google Assistant, and other features that you can read more about in CNET’s review.
