The Sony XM5's superior ANC and sound quality justify the premium, though the Jabra wins on battery life and price.
Score
Sony WH-1000XM5
4.7/5
★★★★★
Jabra Elite 85h
4/5
★★★★☆
Comparison Table
Spec
Sony WH-1000XM5
Jabra Elite 85h
Price
$399
$199
ANC
Excellent (class-leading)
Good
Battery Life
30 hours (ANC on)
36 hours (ANC on)
Sound Quality
Excellent (LDAC)
Good
Call Quality
Excellent
Excellent
Weight
250 g
298 g
Pros
Sony WH-1000XM5
Pros
Class-leading ANC with 8 microphones and 2 processors
LDAC support for hi-res audio streaming
Multipoint Bluetooth connects 2 devices simultaneously
Speak-to-chat auto-pauses when you talk
Jabra Elite 85h
Pros
36-hour battery life leads the price tier
SmartSound auto-adjusts ANC based on environment
Excellent call quality with 8-mic array
Half the price of the Sony XM5
Cons
Sony WH-1000XM5
Cons
$200 more expensive than the Jabra
No 3.5mm headphone jack on the headphones
Smaller earcups than XM4 (less comfortable for big ears)
Jabra Elite 85h
Cons
ANC is noticeably weaker than the Sony
No LDAC or aptX codec support
Jabra Sound+ app is being deprecated
Who Wins?
Frequent air travelSony WH-1000XM5
Long battery life priorityJabra Elite 85h
Budget under $250Jabra Elite 85h
Hi-res audio listener (LDAC)Sony WH-1000XM5
Office video callsTie
FAQ
Is the Sony XM5 ANC really $200 better than the Jabra?
For frequent travelers or noisy environments, yes. The XM5 blocks noticeably more low-frequency airplane and train noise. For office use, the Jabra is good enough at half the price.
Which is better for phone calls?
It is a tie. Both have 8-microphone arrays tuned for voice. The Jabra has a slight edge in windy outdoor conditions, while the Sony is slightly better in noisy offices.
Does the Jabra 85h still get app support?
Jabra is deprecating the Sound+ app in favor of Jabra Direct, but the Elite 85h continues to receive firmware updates. Some advanced features may not migrate to the new app.
Can I use the Sony XM5 wired?
Only via USB-C with the included cable — there is no 3.5mm jack on the headphones themselves. The Jabra includes a 3.5mm cable for wired passive listening.