AirPods Pro 2 vs Sony WH-1000XM5 2026: Which Headphones Win?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers better active noise cancellation overall, superior audio quality, longer battery life (30 hours vs 6 hours stem-only), and a foldable design for travel — at $279–$349. The AirPods Pro 2 excels within the Apple ecosystem with seamless device switching, Conversation Awareness, and deeper iOS integration — at $249. For pure audio and ANC, Sony wins. For Apple users who value integration, AirPods Pro 2 wins.