Head to head
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds
They split the 4 rankable specs evenly, so cost decides it: Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds costs $100 less.
Catalog as of September 1, 2026
Why, in numbers
Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WH-1000XM4$348Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Sony WH-1000XM5$399Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WH-1000XM4$348Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Sony WH-1000XM5$399Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Buying for
Your devices
Straight answer
Overall: 2 to 2
Tied overall. Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds is cheaper.
- The 4 rankable overall specs split 2 to 2.
- Saves $100 at list price.
Deal-breakers
tick what would make you walk away
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · No (swivel earcups)Trips:Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds · No (compact pocket case)
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · 307 g (10.8 oz)Clear:Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds · 11.8 g
- Clear:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · 30 hoursTrips:Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds · 8 hours listening time with ANC on
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · No official IP ratingClear:Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds · IPX4 splash and sweat resistant
At a glance
The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.
Weight
Bowers & Wilkins
307 g (10.8 oz)
Sony
11.8 g (0.42 oz) earbuds total (5.9 g each) / 39 g charging case
Active Noise Cancelling≠
Bowers & Wilkins
Yes (Hybrid Noise Cancellation with 6 microphones)
Sony
Yes (Integrated Processor V2 + HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e with dual feedback mics)
Battery life
Bowers & Wilkins
30 hours (ANC on)
Sony
8 hours listening time with ANC on (12 hours ANC off) / up to 24 hours total with case
The 90-Day Owner Regret Check
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Bowers & Wilkins: What to watch for
- Maintenance
Requires ongoing care to maintain peak out-of-box performance.
Sony: What to watch for
- Maintenance
Requires ongoing care to maintain peak out-of-box performance.
Design
leads 1-0| Type | Over-ear, closed-back | In-ear true wireless earbuds with noise-isolation foam tips |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 307 g (10.8 oz) | 11.8 g (0.42 oz) earbuds total (5.9 g each) / 39 g charging case (wins this row: lower) |
| Foldable | No (swivel earcups) | No (compact pocket case) |
| Carrying case | Slim fabric hard-shell travel case included | Qi wireless charging compatible case with USB-C |
| IP rating | No official IP rating | IPX4 splash and sweat resistant |
Audio
5 differences| Driver | 40 mm dynamic full-range bio-cellulose drivers (angled) | 8.4 mm Dynamic Driver X |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes (Hybrid Noise Cancellation with 6 microphones) | Yes (Integrated Processor V2 + HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e with dual feedback mics) |
| Transparency mode | Yes (Ambient Pass-Through) | Yes (Ambient Sound mode with Quick Attention and Speak-to-Chat) |
| Supported codecs | aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC | LDAC, LC3, AAC, SBC (Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified) |
| Microphones | 4 mics for ANC + 2 mics for telephony | 3 microphones per earbud with bone conduction sensors and AI noise reduction |
Connectivity & Battery
3 differences| Multipoint Bluetooth | Yes (Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint) | Yes (Bluetooth 5.3 multipoint for 2 devices simultaneously) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 30 hours (ANC on) (wins this row: higher) | 8 hours listening time with ANC on (12 hours ANC off) / up to 24 hours total with case |
| Charging time | 2 hours (15 min quick charge gives 7 hours) | 1.5 hours full charge (3 min quick charge gives 60 mins playback); Qi wireless or USB-C (wins this row: lower) |
Ownership
leads 1-0| Warranty | 2 years (wins this row: higher) | 1 year manufacturer warranty |
|---|
Which one should you buy
Pick this one if
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Evolved wireless headphones with 24-bit DSP engine, custom 40mm bio-cellulose drivers, and luxe metal detailing.
- Exquisite musical detail, separation, and stereo imaging
- High-end construction with memory foam earcups and metal arms
- Direct 24-bit streaming support from Bowers & Wilkins Music App
What you give up
- ANC is good but not on par with class leaders Bose/Sony
- Microphone wind reduction in outdoor calls is average
Pick this one if
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds
Flagship true wireless earbuds with Integrated Processor V2, HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN2e, Dynamic Driver X, and LDAC Hi-Res Audio Wireless.
- Dual processors (QN2e + V2) provide stellar active noise cancellation across all frequencies
- Dynamic Driver X delivers wide frequency response and deep rich bass with LDAC Hi-Res support
- Compact 25% smaller and 20% lighter design than previous XM4 generation with polyurethane foam tips
What you give up
- Polyurethane noise-isolation foam tips require a rolling squeeze technique to fit properly
- Glossy edge finish can make earbuds slightly slippery to grip from case
Best for each use
Flights & commutes
Tied on flights & commutes. Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds is cheaper.
Calls & work
Too close to call on calls & work from the spec sheets. Only battery life is rankable here.
Sound quality
Too close to call on sound quality from the spec sheets. Only weight is rankable here.
Done deciding?
Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.
Manufacturer pages: Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e ↗ · Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds ↗
Common questions
Which is cheaper, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e or the Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds?
Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds costs $100 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e or Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds?
Both has this deal-breaker: does not fold. Takes a bigger slot in a carry-on.
Which is better for flights & commutes, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e or the Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds?
Tied on flights & commutes. Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds is cheaper. The 2 rankable flights & commutes specs split 1 to 1. Saves $100 at list price.
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 14 specs tracked here, 10 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.