Sony has been making some of the best noise-canceling headphones for years, so when the earbuds came out, expectations were high. I’ve spent a lot of time with previous XM models, both for work calls and everyday listening, and I was genuinely curious whether this version was a meaningful upgrade or just a minor refresh. After using them daily for a while, I can say they feel like a more polished, more refined version of what Sony already did well.
These aren’t earbuds you buy on a whim. They’re priced firmly in premium territory, which means they need to deliver across sound quality, comfort, battery life, and noise canceling. The question most people are really asking is whether they’re the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy right now, or just one of many good options. Let’s break it down in real-world terms, not spec sheets.
Premium true wireless earbuds with industry-leading noise canceling, rich sound quality, a comfortable in-ear fit, and built-in Alexa for hands-free control.
Design and Comfort: Smaller, Lighter, and More Practical
One of the biggest complaints about older Sony earbuds was their size. They sounded great, but they stuck out of your ears more than some competitors. The fixes that in a noticeable way. The earbuds are smaller, lighter, and sit more naturally in the ear, which makes a big difference during long listening sessions.
In my experience, comfort is where premium earbuds either earn their keep or quietly annoy you over time. I’ve worn these for full workdays, including long video calls and music sessions, and they never felt heavy or unstable. The new foam ear tips also seal better without creating that plugged-up pressure some noise-canceling earbuds cause.
Sound Quality: Clean, Detailed, and Easy to Enjoy
Sony tends to tune their earbuds for balance rather than flash, and that’s very much the case here. The delivers a sound that’s clear and detailed without being sharp or tiring. Bass is present and controlled, not boomy, and vocals sit front and center without getting buried.
What stood out to me is how forgiving they are across different types of content. Music sounds rich, podcasts are easy to understand, and even compressed audio from streaming services doesn’t fall apart. If you like tweaking sound, the EQ in Sony’s app gives you plenty of room to adjust things without feeling overwhelming.
Noise Canceling: The Real Headline Feature
This is where Sony makes its strongest case. The noise canceling on the is excellent, especially for earbuds. Low-frequency sounds like traffic, airplane hum, and HVAC noise fade into the background in a way that feels almost unnatural at first.
I’ve used them in busy coffee shops and during travel, and they consistently block out more noise than most true wireless earbuds I’ve tried. They don’t create complete silence, but they reduce distractions enough that you can focus without cranking the volume. For most people, this level of noise canceling is more than enough for daily use.
Call Quality and Microphones: Much Better Than Before
Call quality is one area where Sony has improved noticeably. Voices come through clearly, and background noise suppression works well without making you sound robotic. I’ve taken calls outside and in shared workspaces, and the earbuds did a solid job keeping my voice understandable.
That said, they’re not magic. Extremely loud environments will still bleed through a bit, but compared to older Sony models, this is a clear step forward. For work-from-home users who rely on earbuds for meetings, they’re more than capable.
Battery Life and Charging: Reliable, Not Record-Breaking
Battery life is good but not industry-leading. You’ll get around eight hours with noise canceling on, plus extra charges from the case. In practice, that’s enough for a full workday with breaks, especially if you drop them back in the case occasionally.
The charging case supports wireless charging, which I’ve grown to appreciate more than I expected. Dropping the case onto a charging pad at the end of the day feels effortless. It’s one of those features you don’t miss until you’ve had it.
Controls and App Experience: Powerful but Slightly Busy
Sony’s companion app is packed with features. You get EQ controls, adaptive sound settings, transparency adjustments, and customization for touch controls. Power users will love this level of control, but it can feel a bit busy if you just want something simple.
Touch controls on the earbuds themselves are responsive and customizable, though they take some getting used to. I prefer physical buttons, but once muscle memory kicks in, taps and gestures work reliably. Most people will set them up once and rarely open the app again.
Multipoint and Connectivity: Finally Caught Up
One of the most welcome upgrades is Bluetooth multipoint support. Being able to connect to two devices at once makes a big difference if you switch between a phone and a laptop throughout the day. I’ve found the switching to be smooth and mostly invisible, which is exactly how it should be.
Connection stability has also been solid. Dropouts are rare, and pairing is quick. These feel like mature, well-tested earbuds rather than something rushed to market.
How They Compare to Other Premium Earbuds
Compared to other top-tier earbuds, the holds its own easily. Apple’s AirPods Pro are more seamless for iPhone users, but Sony offers stronger noise canceling and more sound customization. Bose earbuds still compete strongly on noise canceling, but Sony’s smaller size and better overall balance give them an edge for everyday use.
If you value sound quality, noise reduction, and flexibility across devices, Sony’s approach makes a lot of sense. They’re less locked into a single ecosystem, which matters more than most people realize until they switch phones or computers.
Who These Earbuds Are Actually For
These earbuds are best for people who want top-tier noise canceling without giving up sound quality or comfort. If you travel frequently, work in noisy environments, or just want to block out distractions at home, they’re easy to appreciate. They’re also a good fit for users who like to fine-tune their audio rather than rely on default settings.
If you’re on a tight budget or only use earbuds casually, they’re probably more than you need. But for people who live with earbuds in their ears for hours at a time, the premium experience makes sense.
Final Verdict: Are They the Best Noise-Canceling Earbuds?
After spending real time with the ear buds, it’s hard not to be impressed. They combine excellent noise canceling, strong sound quality, improved comfort, and modern features like multipoint Bluetooth into a very complete package. No earbuds are perfect, but these come closer than most.
Whether they’re the absolute best depends on your priorities and ecosystem, but they’re easily among the top choices available today. If noise canceling is your main concern and you want something that works well across devices, they make a very strong case for themselves.