Soundcore Space One Pro vs Sony WH-1000XM5: is the Sony premium worth it in NZ?
Be honest about what you are buying. The Sony XM5 still has the better noise cancelling, the better microphones for calls, and a more natural, wider soundstage — it is the benchmark for good reason. The Space One Pro gets you perhaps 85% of the way there for roughly half the money, and beats Sony outright on two practical things: a 60-hour battery against 30, and a flat-fold hinge that actually fits in a carry-on where the XM5 does not fold at all. For a daily commuter or a student, the Soundcore is the sharper buy. For someone on long-haul flights or taking calls all day for work, the Sony premium is defensible.
Spec by spec
| Spec | Soundcore Space One Pro | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| ANC | Adaptive hybrid | Dual-processor hybrid✓ |
| Battery | Up to 60h (ANC on 40h)✓ | Up to 30h |
| Codecs | LDAC, AAC, SBC | LDAC, AAC, SBC |
| Folding | Flat-fold slim design✓ | Does not fold |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Multipoint | Yes | Yes |
A tick marks the stronger spec on that row — not necessarily the one that matters to you.
Which one should you buy?
Buy the Soundcore Space One Pro if…
You want most of the flagship experience for half the price, and you value battery life and packability.
Prices & specsBuy the Sony WH-1000XM5 if…
You take calls professionally, fly long-haul often, or simply want the best noise cancelling on the market.
Prices & specsCommon questions
Do both support hi-res audio on Android?
Yes. Both carry LDAC, so on an Android phone you can stream at higher bitrates than standard Bluetooth allows. On iPhone both fall back to AAC.
Does the Space One Pro really get 60 hours?
That figure is with ANC off. With noise cancelling running expect closer to 40 hours, which is still above the Sony's 30-hour ANC-on rating.