Apple AirPods Pro 2 VS Sony WF-1000XM5

Published October 12, 2025 • 10 min read • 2 views

Head-to-Head Comparison

Apple AirPods Pro 2
Apple AirPods Pro 2
$199
Price at launch or current MSRP
Overall Winner
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony WF-1000XM5
$349.99
Price at launch or current MSRP

Both Apple AirPods Pro 2 and Sony WF-1000XM5 offer premium audio experiences with advanced noise cancellation, but they differ significantly in terms of price, design, and features.

Quick Specs Comparison

Specification Apple AirPods Pro 2 Sony WF-1000XM5
Noise Cancellation Proactive Noise Control (ANC) HD Noise Cancelling
Battery Life Up to 4.5 hours of listening time, up to 30 hours with the case Up to 8 hours of continuous use, up to 24 hours combined with charging case
Transparency Mode Yes, with multiple levels of transparency Yes, with adjustable ambient sound control
Water and Sweat Resistance IPX4 water resistance IPX5/IPX8 water and sweat resistance
Charging Time Up to 30 minutes charging for up to 1 hour of use Up to 6 hours full charge in the case
Wireless Charging Support Yes Yes
Connection Protocol Bluetooth 5.3 Bluetooth 5.3
Price $199 $349.99

Overall Scores

Apple AirPods Pro 2

8.5
WINNER
Noise Cancellation 9/10
Battery Life 7.5/10
Design & Build Quality 8.5/10
Features & Ecosystem 9.2/10
Value for Money 9/10

Sony WF-1000XM5

8.3
RUNNER-UP
Noise Cancellation 9.1/10
Battery Life 9.5/10
Design & Build Quality 8.7/10
Features & Ecosystem 7.5/10
Value for Money 6/10

Detailed Analysis

Noise Cancellation

Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2

The Apple H2 chip in the AirPods Pro 2 offers advanced noise cancellation through its proactive ANC feature, which can anticipate and mitigate external noises before they become disruptive.

Battery Life

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 provides up to 8 hours of playback and can extend this time significantly with its robust charging case, making it a better choice for extended listening sessions.

Design & Build Quality

Winner: Sony WF-1000XM5

The Sony WF-1000XM5 offers a more comfortable and secure fit with its ergonomic design, which is particularly appreciated during extended wear.

Features & Ecosystem Integration

Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2

The integration of the Apple ecosystem, including features like Personalized Spatial Audio and seamless connectivity with other Apple devices, makes AirPods Pro 2 stand out in terms of user experience.

Value for Money

Winner: Apple AirPods Pro 2

Considering its feature set and price point, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 offers a better value proposition compared to the Sony WF-1000XM5.

Final Verdict

Despite the Sony WF-1000XM5 offering superior battery life and build quality, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 wins due to its advanced noise cancellation features and seamless integration into the Apple ecosystem.

Choose Apple AirPods Pro 2 if:

  • Advanced Noise Cancellation
  • Seamless Integration with Apple Ecosystem
  • Strong Value for Money

Choose Sony WF-1000XM5 if:

  • Superior Battery Life
  • Comfortable Design and Build Quality
  • Robust Ambient Sound Control

Where to Buy

Apple AirPods Pro 2

$199

Price at launch or current MSRP

Sony WF-1000XM5

$349.99

Price at launch or current MSRP

Prices may vary by retailer and configuration