Head to head
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e vs Sony WH-1000XM5
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e leads 2 to 1 on the 3 rankable specs. Most of the 14 attributes tracked here are descriptive rather than numeric.
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 WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Sony WH-1000XM4$348Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Bose 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 WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Sony WH-1000XM4$348Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429Sonos Ace$449Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)$549Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Buying for
Your devices
Straight answer
Overall: 2 to 1
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e.
- Leads 2 of 3 rankable overall specs; Sony WH-1000XM5 takes 1.
- Charging time: 2 hours vs 3.5 hours full charge
- Warranty: 2 years vs 1 year
- Same list price, so the spec lead is the whole story.
Deal-breakers
tick what would make you walk away
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · No (swivel earcups)Trips:Sony WH-1000XM5 · No (swivels flat into case)
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · 307 g (10.8 oz)Clear:Sony WH-1000XM5 · 250 g (8.8 oz)
- Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · No official IP ratingTrips:Sony WH-1000XM5 · No official IP rating
At a glance
The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.
Weight
Bowers & Wilkins
307 g (10.8 oz)
Sony
250 g (8.8 oz)
Active Noise Cancelling≠
Bowers & Wilkins
Yes (Hybrid Noise Cancellation with 6 microphones)
Sony
Yes (Dual Processor V1 + HD QN1 with 8 microphones)
Battery life≠
Bowers & Wilkins
30 hours (ANC on)
Sony
30 hours (ANC on) / 40 hours (ANC off)
Comfort, Clamp & Travel Fit Check
Ergonomic factors that affect daily comfort, glasses wearers, and luggage space.
Folding & Travel Packability
Standard folding earcups
Swivels flat only (larger case, does not fold inward)
Clamp Force & Glasses Comfort
Standard headphone clamp
Balanced clamp force (~4.4 N, synthetic leather)
Weight & Crown Pressure
Standard headphone weight
250g (featherweight on crown)
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
- Ergonomics
Non-folding headband takes up significantly more backpack space.
- Software / Apps
Auto-NC Optimizer cannot be manually locked to maximum.
- Hardware Quirk
Matte plastic coating shows greasy finger smudge marks easily.
Design
leads 1-0| Type | Over-ear, closed-back | Over-ear, closed-back |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 307 g (10.8 oz) | 250 g (8.8 oz) (wins this row: lower) |
| Foldable | No (swivel earcups) | No (swivels flat into case) |
| Carrying case | Slim fabric hard-shell travel case included | Collapsible hard-shell zip travel case included |
| IP rating | No official IP rating | No official IP rating |
Audio
5 differences| Driver | 40 mm dynamic full-range bio-cellulose drivers (angled) | 30 mm Carbon Fiber composite dome |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes (Hybrid Noise Cancellation with 6 microphones) | Yes (Dual Processor V1 + HD QN1 with 8 microphones) |
| Transparency mode | Yes (Ambient Pass-Through) | Yes (Ambient Sound mode with Quick Attention) |
| Supported codecs | aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Microphones | 4 mics for ANC + 2 mics for telephony | 4 beamforming mics with AI noise reduction |
Connectivity & Battery
leads 1-0| Multipoint Bluetooth | Yes (Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint) | Yes (connects up to 2 Bluetooth devices simultaneously) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 30 hours (ANC on) | 30 hours (ANC on) / 40 hours (ANC off) |
| Charging time | 2 hours (15 min quick charge gives 7 hours) (wins this row: lower) | 3.5 hours full charge (3 min quick charge gives 3 hours) |
Ownership
leads 1-0| Warranty | 2 years (wins this row: higher) | 1 year |
|---|
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 WH-1000XM5
Flagship wireless noise-cancelling headphones with 8-microphone ANC system and LDAC support.
- Industry-leading active noise cancellation with Auto NC Optimizer
- Exceptional 30-hour battery life with ANC enabled
- Lightweight, pressure-relieving soft fit leather design
What you give up
- Headband does not fold into compact ball (swivels flat only)
- Touch sensor gestures can occasionally misfire in rain
Best for each use
Flights & commutes
Too close to call on flights & commutes from the spec sheets. Only weight is rankable here.
Calls & work
Too close to call on calls & work from the spec sheets.
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 WH-1000XM5 ↗
Common questions
Which is cheaper, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e or the Sony WH-1000XM5?
Both list at the same price.
What is the biggest catch with the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e or Sony WH-1000XM5?
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 WH-1000XM5?
Too close to call on flights & commutes from the spec sheets. Only weight is rankable here. Active Noise Cancelling: Yes vs Yes Transparency mode: Yes vs Yes
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 14 specs tracked here, 11 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.