True Wireless
Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max
78Great
$185
Full review dataAnker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max vs Sony WF-1000XM5: which should you buy?
On aggregated review scores the Sony WF-1000XM5 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.
Our pick: Sony WF-1000XM5 - Outstanding overall at around $249.
True Wireless
Sony WF-1000XM5
88Outstanding
$249
Full review dataScore breakdown
Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.
Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max
Sound8.0
Noise cancelling8.0
Battery8.5
Calls7.5
Value8.0
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sound9.0
Noise cancelling9.0
Battery8.0
Calls8.0
Value7.0
Specifications
| Spec | Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max | Sony WF-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | True Wireless | True Wireless |
| Price (USD) | $185 | $249 |
| HearWiki score | 78 / 100 · Great | 88 / 100 · Outstanding |
| Released | 2026 | 2023 |
| Audio | ||
| Driver | dynamic | 0.33" |
| Driver size | 9.2 mm | 8.4 mm |
| Drivers per side | - | 2 |
| Frequency response | 20 Hz - 20,000 Hz | 20 Hz - 40,000 Hz |
| Impedance | 17 Ω | 32 Ω |
| Sensitivity | - | 102 dB/mW |
| Wireless | ||
| Bluetooth | 6.1 | 5.3 |
| Bluetooth version | 6.1 | 5.3 |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 12 h | 12 h |
| Battery life (ANC on) | - | 8 h |
| Battery incl. case | 28 h | 24 h |
| Full charge time | - | 90 min |
| Quick charge | 5 min = 4 h | 5 min = 1 h |
| Wireless charging | Yes | Yes |
| Features | ||
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Companion app | Yes | Yes |
| Custom EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Wear detection | - | Yes |
| Controls | both | touch |
| Voice assistant | - | Yes |
| Design | ||
| Weight | 11 g | 11.8 g |
| Case weight | - | 39 g |
| Water resistance | IP55 | IPX4 |
| USB-C | Yes | Yes |
| Calls | ||
| Microphones | 8 | 6 |
What reviewers said
Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max
The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are feature-packed wireless earbuds with adaptive noise cancellation and a robust 12-hour single charge, extending to 28 hours with the case. They support modern Bluetooth 6.1, multipoint pairing for three devices, and offer solid IP55 water resistance for workouts and light rain. With LDAC and LDHC codecs, plus a customizable EQ, they aim to deliver both versatility and high-quality sound.
- Pro:Long 12-hour battery per charge, 28 with case
- Pro:Adaptive ANC and transparency mode for flexible listening
- Pro:Multipoint connects to up to three devices
- Con:Pricey at around $230
- Con:No wireless charging despite premium cost
- Con:Bass may overpower for some listeners
Sony WF-1000XM5
These are high-end true wireless earbuds that focus on adaptive noise cancellation and detailed audio, supporting LDAC for high-resolution streaming. They offer a solid battery life of up to 12 hours without ANC, plus a comfortable fit and IPX4 sweat resistance for daily use. The touch controls and companion app add convenience, though the price reflects their premium status.
- Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
- Pro:Long battery life (12 hours without ANC)
- Pro:Supports LDAC and AAC codecs
- Con:Premium price point
- Con:No higher water resistance rating than IPX4
- Con:Touch controls may take time to master
Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.
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