Headphones / Tour One M2 vs WH-1000XM5
Tour One M2 vs WH-1000XM5
WH-1000XM5
The value pick in the XM line now that the XM6 has launched.
Wins overall by 0.4 points
Quick Verdict
The WH-1000XM5 is the stronger all-around pick, beating the Tour One M2 by 0.4 points overall. The value pick in the XM line now that the XM6 has launched.
The Tour One M2 and WH-1000XM5 are both closely matched headphones, and the Tour One M2 is $78.10 cheaper than the WH-1000XM5 ($249.95 vs $328). On noise cancelling, the WH-1000XM5 leads (9.3 vs 8.3/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On comfort, the WH-1000XM5 leads (8.8 vs 8.2/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. On sound quality, the WH-1000XM5 leads (9.1 vs 8.5/10) — driver performance, tuning, and detail. Overall, the WH-1000XM5 scores 8.7/10 across our 10 test categories versus 8.3/10 for the Tour One M2. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | Tour One M2 | WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $249.95 | $328.00 |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2022 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30 | 30 |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 45✓ | 40 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 5 | 3✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Weight (g) | 236✓ | 250 |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 30 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 8 | 8 |
| Foldable | Yes | No |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Blue, Tan | Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue |
Category Scores
Battery Life
The Tour One M2 is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on (45 hours with ANC off), while the WH-1000XM5 is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on (40 hours with ANC off). Quick charge gets the Tour One M2 roughly 3 hours of playback from a 5-minute top-up, versus a 3-minute top-up for the WH-1000XM5.
Noise Cancelling
On our noise cancelling score, the Tour One M2 rates 8.3/10 versus 9.3/10 for the WH-1000XM5. WH-1000XM5 carries the ANC edge overall in this matchup based on the combined scoring above — see the Scores section for the full category breakdown.
Comfort
The Tour One M2 weighs 236g and scores 8.2/10 for comfort; the WH-1000XM5 weighs 250g and scores 8.8/10. Lighter weight generally means less clamp fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
Sound Quality
Sound quality scores: Tour One M2 8.5/10, WH-1000XM5 9.1/10. Driver size is 40mm on the Tour One M2 versus 30mm on the WH-1000XM5 — larger drivers don't guarantee better sound, but they're one input into tuning.
Calls & Microphone
The Tour One M2 uses a 8-microphone array and scores 8.3/10 for calls, while the WH-1000XM5 uses 8 microphones and scores 8.9/10.
Travel
For travel we weight battery life, ANC, and foldability together. The Tour One M2 scores 8.6/10 and folds flat; the WH-1000XM5 scores 8.7/10 and does not fold flat.
Gaming
Neither model is a dedicated gaming headset, but relative gaming scores are 7.1/10 for the Tour One M2 and 7.2/10 for the WH-1000XM5. For latency-sensitive games, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Best For
Choose the WH-1000XM5 if…
- • Noise cancelling is your top priority — the WH-1000XM5 scores 9.3/10 for blocking ambient noise.
- • You wear headphones for hours at a time and need superior comfort.
- • Sound quality matters most to you — the WH-1000XM5 is tuned for detail and clarity.
- • You're on calls constantly and need clear mic pickup with background noise rejection.
- • You want the most durable build quality for daily heavy use.
Pros & Cons
Tour One M2
Pros
- +Lightest headphone in this comparison set
- +Strong feature set for the price, including Personi-Fi tuning
- +Long battery life with ANC on
- +Detailed, adjustable app EQ
Cons
- −Build quality feels less premium than Sony/Bose/B&W
- −Brand has smaller resale/support ecosystem
- −ANC good but not class-leading
WH-1000XM5
Pros
- +Excellent ANC for the price, especially now discounted
- +Very comfortable for long listening sessions
- +Mature, reliable app ecosystem
- +Strong resale/second-hand value given how common it is
Cons
- −Does not fold flat, bulkier to pack than the XM4
- −Fewer mics than the XM6, so calls are a step behind
- −No wear-detection auto pause improvement over predecessor
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the Tour One M2 or WH-1000XM5 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the WH-1000XM5 comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which has better battery life, the Tour One M2 or the WH-1000XM5?+
The Tour One M2 lasts longer, rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on versus 30 hours for the WH-1000XM5.
Is the Tour One M2 worth the price difference over the WH-1000XM5?+
The Tour One M2 is the cheaper option at $249.95 versus $328. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in noise cancelling.
Which is better for travel, the Tour One M2 or the WH-1000XM5?+
For travel, we weight battery life, ANC performance, and foldability. The WH-1000XM5 scores higher here (8.7/10).
Which has better noise cancelling?+
The WH-1000XM5 has the stronger ANC, scoring 9.3/10 versus 8.3/10.
Can I use the Tour One M2 and WH-1000XM5 for gaming?+
Both support standard Bluetooth audio, but neither is purpose-built for competitive gaming latency. Between the two, the WH-1000XM5 scores better for gaming use (7.2/10). For latency-critical gaming, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Do the Tour One M2 and WH-1000XM5 support multipoint Bluetooth pairing?+
Yes, the Tour One M2 supports multipoint. Yes, the WH-1000XM5 supports multipoint too.
Which is more comfortable for long listening sessions?+
The WH-1000XM5 scores higher on comfort (8.8/10), largely due to clamp force, padding, and weight — the Tour One M2 weighs 236g and the WH-1000XM5 weighs 250g.
What's the warranty on the Tour One M2 vs the WH-1000XM5?+
The Tour One M2 ships with a 12-month warranty; the WH-1000XM5 ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Studio Pro — $179.95
Premium Option
QC Ultra Headphones — $429.00