Sony WF-1000XM5 vs AirPods Pro: which earbuds should you buy?
The two best premium earbuds in Australia. One wins on sound, the other on ease. Here is which is right for you, and how the delivered prices compare.
By Cartwise · 17 July 2026 · 5 min read
If you want the best wireless earbuds in Australia and you are not fussed about budget, it comes down to two: the Sony WF-1000XM5 and the Apple AirPods Pro. Both are excellent. The right one depends almost entirely on what phone you own.
Sound: Sony wins, clearly
The Sony buds sound noticeably richer and more detailed, and the app lets you tune them however you like. If you actually care about how music sounds, this is the one. The AirPods are good, but they are tuned to be pleasant rather than precise, and there is far less you can adjust.
Sony WF-1000XM5 Wireless Earbuds
| Seller | Price | Shipping | Delivery | Delivered total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
KoganBest value ★ 4.0Lowest priceFastestFree shippingLocal stock | $279.99 | Free shipping | 2–6 days | $279.99✓ checked 23 July | Go to store |
Amazon AU ★ 4.5FastestFree shippingLocal stock | $345 | Free shipping | 2–6 days | $345✓ checked 23 July | Go to store |
JB Hi-Fi ★ 4.6FastestFree shippingLocal stockTop rated | $349 | Free shipping | 2–6 days | $349✓ checked 23 July | Go to store |
eBay AU ★ 4.1FastestFree shippingLocal stock | $499 | Free shipping | 2–6 days | $499✓ checked 23 July | Go to store |
Kogan is the best value at $279.99 delivered, which is $219.01 less than the dearest seller, and it ships in 2 to 6 days from an Australian warehouse.
Lowest of 4 sample sellers: $279.99 delivered. These are indicative figures showing how the comparison works, not current quotes, so check the seller's site before buying.
Ease of use: AirPods win, if you have an iPhone
This is the whole game for a lot of people. On an iPhone, AirPods Pro pair the instant you open the case, switch between your iPad and Mac on their own, and the noise cancelling and adaptive audio just work with no fiddling. That seamlessness is worth a lot day to day.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation)
| Seller | Price | Shipping | Delivery | Delivered total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
eBay AUBest value ★ 4.1Lowest priceFastestFree shippingLocal stock | $265.69 | Free shipping | 2–6 days | $265.69✓ checked 1 Aug | Go to store |
Amazon AU ★ 4.5FastestFree shippingLocal stockTop rated | $379.34 | Free shipping | 2–6 days | $379.34✓ checked 1 Aug | Go to store |
eBay AU is the best value at $265.69 delivered, which is $113.65 less than the dearest seller, and it ships in 2 to 6 days from an Australian warehouse.
Lowest of 2 sample sellers: $265.69 delivered. These are indicative figures showing how the comparison works, not current quotes, so check the seller's site before buying.
Noise cancelling: a close call
Both are among the best you can get in earbuds. The Sony edges it slightly on constant low noise like a plane cabin, the AirPods are excellent too and better at adapting as you move around. For most people this is a tie.
So which should you buy?
- iPhone owner who wants zero hassle: AirPods Pro. The integration is the reason.
- Best sound, or an Android phone: Sony WF-1000XM5. Better audio, more control, and they work fully on any phone.
If you are on an iPhone and torn, look at the two prices above and let the cheaper one win, you will be happy either way. Prices are indicative, ranked cheapest first. We may earn a commission on the links, which never changes your price, here is how.