We once called them the 'headphones to beat' - now the Sony WH-1000XM5 are cheaper than they've EVER been

If you're in need of a good headphone deal for the holidays, there are a few good places to look. Amazon, for example, has cut 38% off the price of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, marking a $152 discount on our top pick for the best wireless headphones there are. Not only is this the lowest price these headphones have ever reached, but the price cut also brings them to under $250, a price range where they're super competitive amongst rivaling options.

To be sure, these are last-generation headphones, but between their price point being substantially lower than the Sony WH-1000XM6 model, and their powerful audio quality, they still hold up quite well. With the WH-1000XM5s, you'll get active noise cancellation, a long battery life, several onboard mics for optimal call quality, and a large set of speaker cups that most buyers love.

This deal is available in Black, Midnight Blue, or White, while they all include a powerful processing module for adaptive noise cancellation using the microphone suite. They also feature fast charging, touch controls, and easy customization via Sony's mobile app.

If you don't need the pricey upgrades included on the next-gen WH-1000XM6 headphones, these are a worthy contender for the discounted price point, with multiple immersive listening modes, wear detection, an included case, and more.

38% off

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones: $399.99 $248.00 at Amazon

Just ahead of the holidays, Amazon has slashed 38% off the price of our favorite wireless headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. This brings the price of these hi-res-capable over-ear headphones to just $248, substantially outpacing the value proposition of most other headphones around this price point.

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✅Recommended if: you're looking for a good price on a powerful pair of noise-cancelling headphones, and you don't mind that they're last-generation; you need a robust ANC profile that will adapt to your surroundings using a wide range of built-in speakers; you're looking for a pair of over-ear headphones with comfortable speaker cups for long-term listening, as well as a long battery life and fast charging.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd prefer to upgrade to the latest-generation option for access to even more microphones, and an updated audio profile, and you have the budget to do so; you prefer a pair of headphones with smaller speaker cups; you prefer headphones that you can use for listening while they charge.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are our top pick in the wireless headphones category for multiple reasons. First and foremost, even their normal price point is a little more doable for most than the newer WH-1000XM6s, while they still offer powerful, adaptive ANC, spatial audio, and easy touch controls that make them a pleasure to use.

Sony says these will offer up to 30 hours of playback time per charge, while fast charging via the USB-C port can refill up to 3 hours of battery life in just a 3-minute charge. They also include easy customization and EQ settings via the Sony Sound Connect app, as well as 360 Reality Audio, and seamless access to digital voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant.

Honestly, it seems pretty hard to go wrong with these, especially at the current price point.