Sonos Ace vs Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the safer pick for most people: stronger noise cancelling, a lighter 8.8 oz build, multipoint Bluetooth and voice assistant support, backed by a much larger pool of owner ratings. The Sonos Ace has the better design story, magnetic earcups and TV Audio Swap with a Sonos soundbar, but its best trick only works if you already own Sonos home theater gear, and reviewers call its ANC merely average. Buy the Sony for commuting, flights and calls; buy the Ace if you watch TV through a Sonos soundbar and want private listening.

• Choose the Sonos Ace if you own a Sonos soundbar and want to swap TV audio to your headphones, and you value design and comfort over the strongest noise cancelling.
• Choose the Sony WH-1000XM5 if you want the best noise cancelling of the two, a lighter fit for long wear, and multipoint pairing across phone and laptop.