Listen up: Prime Day 2026 is here, and the Amazon sale has brought with it dozens of incredible deals on wireless headphones and earbuds alike. Whether you want a premium headset from Sony or some budget-friendly buds from JBL, all of my favorite headphones and earbuds deals from Amazon's big sale can be found below.

The headphones and earbuds in this guide are equipped with features like Active Noise Cancellation, customizable EQ settings, and up to 50 hours of battery life on a single charge. Didn't find what you were looking for today? Check back later: I'll keep adding new deals to this list as we move through Prime Day 2026.

Most of the best Prime Day deals are exclusive to Amazon Prime members. Haven't signed up yet? The retailer is offering a 30-day free trial that lets you take advantage of all of the benefits of a Prime membership without paying a dime, and you can cancel at any time.

• Amazon Prime Day is LIVE June 23-26: see the full list of deals

Prime Day headphone deals

Prime Day earbud deals

When is Prime Day?

Prime Day 2026 officially began on June 23rd and will run through June 26th. The sale showcases hundreds of deals on tech, appliances, furniture, and more, with the majority of offers being exclusive to Amazon Prime subscribers. Not a Prime member yet? Don't worry: Amazon is running a 30-day free trial so you can enjoy all of the benefits of a Prime membership without paying a cent.

What are the best wireless headphones for Android users?

We generally consider the Sony WH-1000XM6 to be the best wireless headphones for Android users in 2026. Usually retailing around $369, these premium cans boast cutting-edge noise cancellation with a ton of customizable EQ settings, incredible sound, and up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. Usually priced at $459.99 at full price at Amazon, the XM6 headphones are currently discounted to $378 on Amazon.

What are the best wireless earbuds for Android users?

Our top recommendation for the best wireless earbuds of 2026 go to the Sony WF-1000XM6. These buds are equipped with powerful 8.4mm drivers for impressive sound, plus you get adjustable noise cancellation, LDAC support, and features like 360 Reality Audio.

More Prime Day 2026 - quick links

• Phones: major savings on Pixel, Samsung, and beyond
• Wearables: up to 50% off Garmin, Galaxy Watch, and Fitbit
• Tablets: Galaxy Tab, Kindle, and Amazon Fire tablets from $50
• Chromebooks: discounts on ASUS, HP, and Lenovo
• Smart Home: up to 60% off Alexa devices
• Headphones/earbuds: huge discounts on Beats, Sony, and more
• Smart TVs: cheap smart TVs from $69.99

Tribit makes some of the best budget Bluetooth speakers that money can buy. While I have tested many speakers from the brand, I had not gone hands on with in-ear or over-ear audio accessories from them until recently.

Priced at $49.99, the Tribit QuietPlus 81 over-ear headphones face extremely tough competition against other budget wireless headphones. Tribit tried to pack as much value as possible to compete with alternatives. But is it enough to justify this price tag? Here's what I found out after weeks of testing.

What the Tribit QuietPlus 81 over-ear headphones bring to the table — or to your ears

Tribit released the QuietPlus 81 over-ear headphones in December 2025. There is only one color variant, Black, and it costs $49.99. If you're lucky, you can grab these headphones at a discount during the upcoming Prime Day or during Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales later in the year.

Here are the key technical specifications of the headphones.

The Tribit QuietPlus 81 headphones have an adjustable headband, a foldable design, and soft, cushioned ear cups that can rotate. The ear cups are made of breathable protein leather and memory foam. While they are very comfy, even for someone like me with several piercings per ear, they get really hot and sweaty after a while.

Multipoint connection is available, but the headphones can only connect to two devices. A USB-C to USB-A cable and a 3.5mm audio cable are included in the box.

The battery life is impressive and the touch pad feature is handy

The specs are impressive on paper, with the crown jewel being the 110-hour battery life with ANC off, and 70-hour playback with ANC on. I was astounded at how long these headphones last. If you don't use the Bluetooth mode and stick with the AUX cable, you'll seemingly never run out of charge.

Fast charging puts the cherry on top, delivering five hours of playtime with a quick ten minute charge.

The Tribit app is as handy as ever. Just like with the brand's Bluetooth speakers, the app also has an equalizer for the QuietPlus 81 Bluetooth headphones. Apart from the six presets, you can also fully customize the equalizer to your liking and save it under a name of your choosing.

The trio of buttons are unintuitive and have a learning curve, but they can accomplish a number of tasks. What's really cool is the transparency feature of the touch pad. You can simply touch and hold the touch pad area in the right ear cup to enable a temporary transparency mode. The ANC itself is alright; works well enough but nothing groundbreaking, and some loud noises still seep through.

If you have a feeling someone is calling your name or talking to you in real life, or maybe you want to keep on ear out for a sound for a few seconds, it's pretty handy. There's no need to pause your audio playback or pop the headphones off your ears.

Unfortunately, there's not much more to love about these headphones.

The downsides pile up and drown the good parts

As much as I love most of what Tribit creates, this one's a miss for several reasons.

The buttons can be confusing to use. There's no dedicated pause/play or forward/backward button. Instead, the power button is used for all these actions and it can be very confusing. Also, the power off sound comes after a really long press, to the point that I initially thought there was no audio notification when shutting off.

There's no auto pause/play feature when you take the headphones off or put them back on. You also have to press and hold the volume button to reduce the volume, but press to increase, which is not user-friendly.

Also, the headphone jack is a little janky. When plugged into my laptop, there was a moment when only one ear cup was working. I had to twist and turn the cable until it worked. Bluetooth connection is smooth, however.

The touch pad that enables the temporary transparency mode also toggles Tribit's signature XBass preset on and off, and triggers the voice assistant. Although the transparency feature is really useful, the touch pad itself isn't the most accurate and does not always detect the taps correctly.

Honestly, I'd rather have physical buttons for this kind of stuff. Plus, there's no audio notification when XBass toggles on or off, so you lose track of whether it was enabled or disabled.

Naturally, the sound produced by the 40mm dynamic drivers is a significant factor. Despite all my best efforts messing around with the equalizer, the Tribit QuietPlus 81 headphones still sounded a bit murky and flat.

XBass is designed to add a magical bass boost that brings the audio to life, and it works well on Tribit speakers. But on these over-ear headphones, the audio is overwhelmingly bass-ridden, clearly compensating for lack of detail. XBass feels like an artificial enhancer: sickeningly sweet, almost medicinal and bitter if it were a flavor.

Should you buy the Tribit QuietPlus 81 headphones for $50?

The Tribit QuietPlus 81 headphones prove that a brand could do everything right on paper, but shoddy execution could still be their downfall.

Is this the best pair of wireless headphones for $50? The short answer is: no.

Competitors like Edifier, Sony, JBL, JLab, and a few other brands all have superior offerings in this bracket. It is a highly competitive arena, after all.

The Edifier W800BT Pro cost $49.99 too, but come with hi-res audio. Sony's WH-CH520 wireless headphones retail for $69.99 but frequently sell for half off. Even now, you can grab them for just $38 and enjoy incredibly high-quality sound on a tiny budget.

Then there's also the JBL Tune 510BT priced at $49.95 and the JLab Go Lux ANC that's usually $49.99, but currently on sale for $33.24.

Going off of sound quality alone, you're better off with almost anything else within the sub-$50 price segment.

The Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones remain my favorite headphones of all time. If you see me on a flight and I'm not wearing these, that wasn't me you saw. My unhealthy attachment to these incredible over-ear headphones is well justified. They might be expensive, but the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones are a sensory delight, canceling out intimidating turbulence in flights or the loud chatter of crowds outdoors.

Not to mention, the audio quality is an absolute treat, the build is light and airy, you can twist and fold them, and Marshall includes a velvet-lined carrying case to store the headphones. Plus, there's a 3.5mm audio jack with an audio cable included in the box.

Marshall's offering aside, there are plenty of excellent alternatives available. If you've got summer plans and want a brilliant pair of wireless headphones to accompany you, this is the perfect list I have curated just for you. I have prioritized comfort above all, especially to beat the heat. Portability and battery life are also important concerns on the go, and I took that into account too.

Can't forget a Bluetooth headphone adapter for in-flight entertainment

Looking for the right headphones to travel with? Here's how to pick the right ones

Shortage of availability is the least of your concerns when looking at the best headphones or earbuds to take with you on holidays and trips. Over-ear headphones are more popular for people on the go because they offer superior comfort. The cushioned cups are unrivaled in the face of even the most ergonomic wireless earbuds of the highest stature. This also helps with noise cancelation, as the cups seal in the sound and prevent leakages.

I can't recommend the Marshall Monitor III ANC headphones enough. Apart from the many merits of the headphones that I have already mentioned, they also sport an impressive 70-hour battery life. With options for both wired and wireless playback, Auracast support, and fast charging capabilities, these are fantastic headphones for travel.

If you want the very best noise-canceling headphones and will spare no expense in your pursuit, the ultra-premium Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are a staff favorite. Brady Snyder swears by them, having taken the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones on multiple international trips. For Snyder, these headphones beat the AirPods Max. Meanwhile, our reviewer Tshaka Armstrong called them the "all-around best ANC headphones you can buy right now" in his review.

All of the other picks in this collection fit different categories, but they all match the comfort, quality, and battery life requirements for traveling. Each and every pick, from the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Nothing Headphone (a) to the CMF Headphone Pro to the EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus, have been tested thoroughly by our team.

Planning on flying with these headphones? Don't forget to get a trusty Bluetooth headphone adapter to connect and use your own headphones with the in-flight entertainment console.

I’ve reviewed a lot of “mainstream” consumer headphones and some boutique offerings over the years, but Sennheiser’s wired headphones continue to be one of my “go-tos” for reference sound. Recently, I had the opportunity to bask in the sound of their HDB 630 “wireless audiophile-grade” headphones and was impressed by the new parametric EQ in the Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app.

Out of the box, they sounded better than the Momentum 4, so when I heard that, after four years, Sennheiser was updating the Momentum line with a new pair of wireless headphones, I was definitely intrigued!

Did my excitement wane once I got my hands on them? Not at all, but there are some things you’ll need to consider if you’re looking to buy. Let’s talk about my week with the new Sennheiser Momentum 5 wireless headphones.

Unboxing: What’s new?

When I unboxed them, I was quite taken aback. At first glance, the case looked significantly smaller than the last pair of over-ear Sennheiser headphones I spent time with, the HDB 630. The case is, in fact, much smaller than the 630’s case and is definitely an improvement over the previous-generation Momentum 4. I’ve included some comparison shots between all three in the gallery below.

You open the case, and inside, the Momentum 5 looks pretty much like the previous generation, except for some microphone placement and a grille redesign. They do, however, have visibly smaller earcups than the HDB 630 headphones. I’ve seen some complaints on the interwebs about alleged “creaking” from the Momentum 4’s earcup yokes, but in my time, I have yet to experience that with the Momentum 5.

Like the previous generation Momentum 4, the included hard case contains a 3.5mm aux cable and a USB-C cable that supports charging and audio. You get the mesh pocket to store small accessories like a BTD 700 dongle for your sources that don’t support aptX Adaptive and Lossless codecs. An accessory you should definitely consider!

A week with the Momentum 5

Compared to the size of the previous-generation Momentum 4 and the gargantuan HDB 630, the Momentum 5’s case feels svelte in my backpack, taking up much less space and allowing me to place it comfortably stacked vertically behind my accessories kit. This is something not even the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra 2nd Gen can do, both of which have released updates with smaller cases.

Easy carry means regular use, and I certainly have that. I used the Momentum 5 with a Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, a FiiO M21 DAP, and an iPhone 16 Pro Max, both on its own and with Sennheiser’s BTD 700 dongle.

I’ve been enjoying the look of the Momentum 5, with its cloth, twill-like headband, though I have the black colorway and would’ve been more partial to one of the more flamboyant colors offered, as it is also available in a gorgeous denim and in white.

Compared to the Momentum 4, HDB 630, and the Sony WH-1000XM6, the Momentum 5 is more comfortable. It has the perfect amount of clamping force on my head, making it easy to wear for long stretches. Around 45 minutes into a listening session on one day, my ears did get warm, but not uncomfortably so.

The Smart Control Plus app makes daily use easy by letting you control much of the sound experience. You can use Adaptive or Custom ANC. You can customize how phone calls will sound. And new for 2026 and the Momentum line: you have greater control over your sonic preferences with an eight-band EQ, compared to the previous generation's five-band EQ.

I have to admit I’m disappointed that the Momentum 5 doesn’t have the parametric EQ the HDB 630 has, but I enjoy the out-of-the-box sound so much that an eight-band graphic EQ has been enough to meet my needs so far.

While the audio from phone callers sounds excellent and the microphones are great indoors in controlled environments, they may have some issues with clarity in noisy urban soundscapes. This is due to the headphones' processing of background noise; the louder the background noise, the more obvious the processing becomes.

While we’re on the subject of processing, the ANC is better this time around, thanks to the addition of four more mics, bringing the total to eight. You get more hushing of sounds in the mid-range frequencies; voice chatter in a cafe, for example. Having tested market-leading ANC headphones from Sony and Bose, Sennheiser’s offering is more of a dampening of background sound than a cancellation of it altogether.

With your music at volume, though, the ANC you get will ease the drone of sounds that may break your immersion. As an avid gym-goer, I can say that, while voices were hushed, I could clearly hear the clanking of metal plates in the background. Even with my music playing.

When I was out and about on the streets, the Transparency mode was very natural-sounding and easily accessible via one of the best companion apps on the market or the capable touch controls. Whether controlling playback or phone calls, the touch controls on the Momentum 5 are responsive, and the earcups have ample surface area for easy use.

As the name implies, Momentum 5 is about being highly mobile without sacrificing a good, enlightening listen. In my time, I could easily stay on the move because the 57-hour estimate, with ANC on, stands up to scrutiny.

Connected to the FiiO M21 (it runs Android 13), streaming audio via aptX HD at 70% of max volume with a bass-forward playlist, I averaged around 18% battery drain over 10 hours of playback with ANC enabled and on-head detection deactivated. That’s roughly 55 hours of playback, using settings and music genres that are heavy battery drains. This places Sennheiser ahead of many wireless ANC headphones on the market!

And if you do, by chance, discharge that battery through too many cycles, you can replace the 700mAh cell with relative ease by removing the left earpad and using a Phillips-head screwdriver to access the speaker assembly, then removing it to get at that battery. That makes the $400 price tag much more palatable since that feature will greatly extend the life of the Momentum 5 headphones. For comparison, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 is $450 unless you catch a sale.

When the beat drops!

For many, headphones tuned to the “Harman Curve” are considered the “one size fits all” sound signature. While the HDB 630 may match that more closely out of the box, the same can’t be said for the Momentum 5, and that is very far from a bad thing. To me. We’ll come back to that comparison in a moment.

I did some A/B testing with Sony, which are my current favorite all-around headphones, and the differences in a few key areas were immediately apparent. Only two areas where Sony is stronger than Sennheiser will come as no surprise: active noise canceling and “smart” features. That strength, though, is the result of a conscious choice on Sennheiser’s part. Sound quality is prioritized over noise-canceling strength.

First things first, I’d characterize the Sennheiser Momentum 5 as warm and detail-revealing, with smooth treble and sub-bass that’s a bit hyped, but not at the expense of mid-range frequencies.

“Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes” by Paul Simon had a bigger soundstage and was more immersive, with richer, more impactful mids. The Roots' “Do You Want More?!!!?” is where you’ll really feel a more haptic sub-bass extension than Sony delivers, and Charles Mingus’ “Moanin’” is probably the de facto differentiator between the two!

The Momentum flat-out handles the dynamics of that frenetic Jazz romp much better! In its most sonically dense sections, the Momentum 5 maintains a distinct sense of instrument separation where the WH-1000XM6 jumbles the busy mix, losing fidelity.

Using the Sennheiser BTD 700 or connecting via 3.5mm aux or USB-C audio, the sound only gets better. Better detail retrieval. Soundstage expanded. All my notes about the sound, literally amplified.

Coming back to the HDB 630, it has a more neutral tuning, with slightly less sub-bass hype than the Momentum 5. The HDB 630 also feels noticeably heavier on the head, though not uncomfortable.

My biggest gripe with the Momentum 5 is that the parametric EQ (PEQ) wasn’t carried over from the HDB 630. I like the Momentum’s out-of-the-box tuning more, but with the parametric EQ, one can really get in there and shape the sound. At $100 less, I’d say the Momentum 5 is for listeners who are more casual than full-fledged audiophiles, or for frequent travelers who want a smaller footprint.

Final Thoughts

The Momentum 5 has a lot of competition in 2026. There’s Sony, Bose, the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, Dali IO-8, and the Sennheiser HDB 630, but the Momentum 5 undercuts most of those in price, while sounding better than some and competitive with others. The sound is a delight, and for those who find the sub-bass too much, the new eight-band EQ handily resolves that.

If you prize sound quality over ANC, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 is an easy option to recommend over the ANC leaders, but it gets a bit more complicated when going head-to-head with the Px7 S3 and Dali IO-8. They all have different strengths, but all sound great, and only your ears can decide which is the better option.

The latest rumors have suggested that Prime Day 2026 will occur some time in late June, but if you don't want to wait, I just uncovered a Sony headphones deal that might make Amazon's big sale completely unnecessary. 

The Sony WH-1000XM6, our top pick for the best wireless headphones that money can buy, just scored a 13% discount at Amazon, knocking the cans back to their lowest price ever recorded. 

Will the premium headphones get even cheaper once the Prime Day sale begins in earnest? It's hard to say, but I wouldn't blame you for jumping on the current Sony deal while it's active.

• See the full list of top deals at Amazon today

✅Recommended if: you want to experience some of the best wireless headphones ever built, with loads of customizable EQ settings, cutting-edge active noise cancellation, and incredible sound quality. 

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for a cheap pair of headphones or something suitable for working out; you'd rather wait and see what Prime Day 2026 has in store next month. 

Just like their predecessors, Sony's flagship WH-1000XM6 headphones pack the latest in noise-cancelling technology into a sleek, comfortable design that you can wear all day. 

The headphones are equipped with some ultra-clean 30mm drivers and 12 built-in microphones, while Sony's companion app ensures that you can fine-tune your audio experience to your own specific tastes. The headphones also deliver up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge, plus you get lightning-fast charging capabilities (via USB-C) that will give you up to three hours of listening in as little as three minutes of charging.

Of course, even with this 13% Amazon discount, the Sony WH-1000XM6 aren't exactly cheap. If you're not a stickler for sound quality or fancy noise cancellation, you can get a nearly-as-good experience by going with cheaper headphones from manufacturers like Bose or Beats by Dre. Other folks may want to wait and see what Sony headphones deals go live during Prime Day 2026, which is (allegedly) set to kick off next month. But if you want a pair of premium headphones at a great price today, you can't go wrong with this deal from Amazon. 

Headphone deals are arriving just in time for summer, and those in the market for new over-ears may want to consider this next entry. Best Buy's Memorial Day sale is ongoing, and it includes a $150 discount on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones, which are the last-gen version of our favorite headphones overall.

While there were some improvements made to the Sony WH-1000XM6 model, the WH-1000XM5s are still a great pair, and they'll definitely save you some extra money. They offer a high-quality audio profile, active noise cancellation, clear call quality, and a long-lasting battery. The headband and speaker cups offer a comfortable, adjustable fit that makes them perfect even for longer listening periods.

This deal is available for all four of the model's colors, including Black, Blue, Silver, and Smoky Pink.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a pair of headphones with a powerful, high-quality sound profile, as well as ANC, app customization, and more; you want to go with the best wireless Android headphones but would rather save a little extra money going last generation; battery life is important to you when it comes to buying wireless headphones.

❌Skip this deal if: you specifically need a pair of headphones with support for the aptX codec; you'd rather go with a cheaper device, even if it means compromising a little on audio quality; you're looking for a highly durable pair of headphones.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are a solid pair of wireless headphones, boasting up to 30 hours of battery life with ANC turned on, or up to 45 hours without. Purchase comes with a useful travel case and a USB charging cable that Sony says will deliver up to three hours of listening time with a three-minute charge.

You can also customize the audio using the Sony mobile app, offering preset audio profiles or the ability to EQ them yourself. Additionally, they've got multi-point connection, Speak to Chat, and an enhanced Precise Voice Pickup technology for crisp, clear phone calls.

All in all, this is a good price point if you were thinking about picking up some new headphones, and it should remain active through the holiday weekend.

Finding cheap headphones that won't compromise on modern features can be tricky, but you can usually find regular price drops if you know what models you're looking for. For example, Amazon has launched a limited-time discount of 43% off on the Anker Soundcore Q20i headphones, bringing their price down to just $40.

The Q20i headphones go on sale somewhat regularly, which makes them a nice pick for anyone with a budget around this price point.

While buyers shouldn't expect them to offer premium-level audio quality, they do still feature active noise cancellation, compatibility with high-res audio codecs, mobile app customization, and a long-lasting battery. Notably, there aren't a lot of other headphones around this price point with so many of today's most utilized features, making these a standout pick for those with a small headphone budget.

This particular deal is available for two out of four of the headphones' basic colorways, including Black and Almond White. If you were hoping for something a little bit more expressive, you can spend an extra $5 to go with the Navy and Pink options instead.

✅Recommended if: you need a budget-friendly pair of wireless headphones that also come with ANC and mobile app EQ customization; battery life is important to you when it comes to buying headphones, and you want something that can easily make it through a full day's worth of listening; you prefer headphones with physical buttons to those that use touch gestures.

❌Skip this deal if: you're in the market for the best wireless headphones available, and you don't mind spending a little more for certain upgrades; you're looking for wireless headphones that also come with true spatial audio; you prefer a smaller pair of over-ear headphones to those with large, immersive speaker cups.

The Anker Soundcore Q20i wireless headphones are a great pick for anyone on a budget, and they've dropped to this price point quite a few times in the past.

We like them for their up to 40 hours of playback time per charge when using ANC, or up to 60 hours with the mode toggled off. They also feature fast-charging for an extra four hours of listening per five-minute charge.

In addition to Bluetooth connectivity, buyers can access the benefits of higher-res codec listening with the use of a headphone cable, while they also sport EQ customization via the Soundcore mobile app, along with 22 audio presets.

In a battle of two heavyweights, what determines the outcome? Especially when they may seem evenly matched? Many times it comes down to the little things. A comparison between the two that highlights the not-so-obvious features that could be defining factors in determining a winner.

Such a battle can be found when comparing the top two active noise-canceling champs in the earbuds space: the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).

Everyone’s hearing differs a bit, so I can tell you that one cancels out certain frequencies better than the other, but that doesn’t matter so much if your ears don’t pick those up well anyway. Read on, and I’ll dig into both the big and the subtle feature differences between them so that you can make the best purchasing decision for you!

The rundown

Build quality & comfort

Cracking open the packaging, the first thing you’ll notice is that the Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen)’s case is a bit more compact than the Sony WH-1000XM6’s case. It isn’t a monumental difference, but it is easily observable. This also translates to the headphones themselves.

While Sony has new metal hinges that let it store more compactly than before, Bose still takes the cake for how small it folds up in its case. If you need to “ball them up” and stuff them into a bag, they’ll have a slightly smaller footprint.

I appreciate the build quality of both pairs of headphones. I review a lot of high-end headphones, and by comparison, these are “plasticky,” but that’s because they’re meant for travel with long hours of wear. They don’t feel cheap, though. The springs, hinges, and friction sliders all feel durable and like they’ll last over time.

Sony’s headphones feel tighter in their hinges’ swivel and in the springs that press the cups against your head, while Bose’s friction slider for vertical adjustments on your head has more friction, so it feels like it will stay in place better.

Overall, Bose feels more comfortable to me over long periods of wear due to it’s noticeably lighter clamping force. That also means you probably won’t like these if you wear them in the gym.

On the other hand, Sony’s offering feels more locked into your head, which you'd think would make them great for workouts. I wouldn’t recommend that with either pair, though, as they don’t have any IP rating against water ingress. That said, a quick search of Al Gore’s internets shows that there are users who’ve utilized earlier models in the gym for years without issue. It’s hit or miss, though, so use them in the gym at your peril, or check out our roundup of the best headphones for the gym.

Controls

I’ve said before that I prefer mechanical controls over touch controls, but that’s more for products I’ll regularly use for workouts. Both headphones have two buttons for power, pairing, and ANC control, but Bose’s multifunction button also controls media playback and phone calls. Additionally, Bose has a volume slider that makes it easy to adjust volume without acquiring new muscle memory beyond getting used to its location.

Sony, on the other hand, utilizes high-quality touch controls for media playback and phone calls, but with a caveat: they’re smarter. With Sony, you also get the ability to simply nod or shake your head to answer phone calls. I definitely prefer that to any physical interaction, especially when it works as reliably as Sony’s implementation.

There’s also more customization available to users through Sony’s Sound Connect app. You can customize playback and ANC in the app based on geotagged locations or your activity/movement, such as walking or running.

Active noise canceling

This is an easy one. They both have market-leading noise-canceling functionality, but the Sony WH-1000XM6 cancels slightly more sound at both ends of the frequency spectrum.

The difference, though, is marginal, considering far too many people can’t tell the difference between a middling MP3 and a FLAC file played back with high-end headphones. Trust us. We tested that with a small sampling of users via a blind “taste test.”

Sound quality

This is where we really get into preference. I’ll summarize the difference between the sound quality of the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) in this way:

• Sony = warm and dark with delightful dynamics
• Bose = neutral with some sparkle at the top

Sony’s have more presence and more weight to their sound. They are tuned warmer than the Bose QC Ultra 2, but both headsets do a strong job of retrieving nuanced detail.

Despite these tunings, when listening to “Do You Want More?!!!??!” by The Roots, Black Thought’s lyrics had more presence with Sony than with Bose. That difference didn’t sound artificial or stilted, but a byproduct of the differing dynamics of the two pairs of headphones.

Bose is more neutral and reproduces audio closer to how it was recorded, while Sony's tuning gives more weight to lows and highs. The good thing about Sony, though, is that the Sound Connect app offers excellent EQ options via its 10-band equalizer, so you can get the sound out of the XM6’s that you’re looking for.

On the other hand, if you don’t like the more neutral reproduction of the QC Ultra 2, you have only a 3-band equalizer to attempt to get your preferred sound dialed in. Both headphones have preset EQ options as well, though Sony offers twice as many as Bose.

With Spotify lossless and hi-res music being a thing these days, Bose is more future-proof as it allows for both audio over USB-C and 3.5mm connections. With Sony, you get only the 3.5mm analog audio option. When listening to the XM6, the sound is darker with the headphones powered down, but brighter and more energetic with them powered on. That DAC has solid power output, as I didn’t have to crank it as much as I did the Bose when connected to Fosi Audio’s excellent ZH3 headphone DAC/Amp.

The Bose QC Ultra (2nd Gen) must be powered on during wired playback and is brighter over wire, giving the perception of better detail retrieval. Immersion mode with some Jazz tracks makes listening even more fun.

Sounds like a winner!

For me, this is tough because I really like both pairs of headphones. I prefer Sony’s stock sound profile to Bose's, and its customizability as well. With Bose, the lighter clamping force, slightly more travel-friendly size, aesthetics, and mechanical controls suit me better.

The ANC of either pair of headphones has the market cornered, but if you’re a frequent flyer, you’ll probably prefer Sony over Bose for its ability to correct for pressure differences at altitude. That is, unless you find Sony’s clamping force a bit too aggressive for those long-haul flights, then Bose is your Huckleberry.

I’d have a tough time choosing which to spend my money on, but I think I’d go with Sony because music is the most important aspect for me, and, out of the box, I prefer Sony’s stock sound as well as its superior smarts.

Android users typically flock to smartphone brands or traditional audio brands when choosing their next pair of earbuds or headphones. Products from Samsung, Google, Sony, or Bose are common among Android users. They usually don't grab AirPods because Apple's earbuds and headphones don't play nice with Android or Windows devices. Beats, being owned by Apple for over a decade, unfairly has a similar reputation.

Yes, Beats is an Apple company, but the brand's headphones and earbuds work superbly with Android phones. In fact, you'll find that most Beats products support more Google-exclusive features than some dedicated Android audio products. For example, there are Beats headphones and earbuds with Google Find Hub, Google Fast Pair, and Audio Switching support. The integration runs deep, and it makes Beats a joy to use on any Android device.

These are the four Android features you probably didn't know Beats products had, and how to use them.

Google Fast Pair

Google's Fast Pair system is one of the best parts of using a pair of Bluetooth headphones or earbuds within the Android ecosystem. Simply power on a set of supported wireless headphones or open the case of a pair of wireless earbuds, and they'll automatically enter Bluetooth pairing mode. Tap the pop-up on your Android device, and the headphones or earbuds will instantly connect.

Better yet, the Bluetooth device will be registered to your Google account. That means it'll automatically connect with any device signed in to your Google account using the Fast Pair feature. Sure enough, many Beats headphones and earbuds support Google Fast Pair. That list includes the Solo Buds, Studio Buds Plus, Solo 4, and Studio Pro.

All you need to do is open the case for supported Beats earbuds or turn on Beats headphones, and you'll be able to use Fast Pair to quickly connect and seamlessly switch between Android phones and tablets.

Find My Device (Find Hub)

The same list of Beats headphones and earbuds will work with Google's Find My Device network, now known as Find Hub. It's a unified way to locate lost devices within the Google ecosystem using crowdsourced location data.

When the Fast Pair pop-up opens for supported Beats audio products, you'll see a card asking you to add the headphones or earbuds to the Find Hub network. If you agree, you'll be able to track your Beats earbuds, headphones, or speaker in the Google Find Hub app.

Alternatively, you can download the Beats app for Android and navigate to the Locate My Beats button to start tracking your products.

Android Audio Switching

After you set up your Beats with Google Fast Pair, you can use Android's built-in audio switching feature to let the headphones or earbuds automatically move between devices signed in to your Google account. For example, your Beats can switch between your Android phone and tablet as the connected device based on which is currently playing audio.

To start using the feature with your Beats, open the Settings app on your Android phone and tap Connected devices. Then find your Beats product in the list and tap the Settings icon. Finally, tap Audio switch and flip the toggle beside Use audio switch. After that, your Beats headphones, earbuds, or speakers will automatically switch between Android devices signed in to your Google account.

Android widgets

Unfortunately, not every Beats product will work with the aforementioned features. The beloved Powerbeats Pro 2 and Powerbeats Fit are notable exceptions. However, even those earbuds offer great Android features through the Beats app. You can change settings and manage ANC modes with the Beats app for Android.

The app also supports Android home screen widgets, which are great for keeping tabs on battery life or changing modes. For instance, the Powerbeats Pro 2 widget shows the battery life, ANC modes, or heart-rate monitoring status. It also lets you change the ANC mode or activate the inbuilt HRM without leaving your Android home screen.

While it's a bummer that not every Beats product offers the same level of Google integration, it's nice to see many of them fully support Android features. I wish the Powerbeats Pro 2 and Powerbeats Fit had better Android support, but that seems to be a consequence of using Apple H-series chips rather than proprietary Beats chips.

Alas, it's neat that the overwhelming majority of Beats headphones and earbuds — including the Beats Solo Buds, Beats Studio Buds Plus, Beats Solo 4, and Beats Studio Pro — work with these Google exclusives.

Another big headphone deal has landed, this time with 38% off the price of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones at Amazon.

While Sony has also launched a newer-generation, slightly improved version of these with the WH-1000XM6s, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are still a great choice, and they come at a lower price even before the discount.

These wireless headphones also feature a long battery life, quick charging, eight microphones for high-level noise cancellation, and high-resolution listening. These also make it easy to access hands-free calling and voice assistants like Alexa for playback, volume, or smart home control. The purchase also comes with a carrying case and a USB-C charging cable, and this 38% discount is available for all four colors: Black, Silver, Midnight Blue, and Smokey Pink.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a powerful pair of noise-cancelling headphones that are wireless, comfortable to wear, and relatively minimal in terms of design; you value having a long-lasting battery, and fast-charging via USB-C; you want a pair of headphones with high-resolution audio quality and other adaptive sound features.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't mind spending extra on an upgrade to the newer-gen Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones; you'd prefer a smaller pair of headphones than those with large speaker cup; you like headphones that are easy to fold up and stow.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are the brand's second-best premium-level headphones, right behind the higher-powered WH-1000XM6s. They include up to 30 hours of battery life, three-hour listening time with just a three-minute charge, ANC, and AI-enhanced cancellation optimization.

Users also like the touch controls for controlling playback and volume, as well as the overall design of the headphones. They also come with automatic wearing detection when users put them on and take them off, along with multi-point connection and hands-free calling and voice commands.

The speaker cups are large and well-sealing for an immersive listening experience, while they're also considered pretty comfortable for long-term use. They aren't the easiest to store given their large size, though the included carrying case definitely offers enough protection while in transport. All in all, this is a pretty solid price drop on these headphones, which normally retail at $400.

Prime Day is still months away, but if you want a great deal on wireless headphones, there's no need to wait. Whether you're a traveler in need of a cheap pair for an upcoming flight or an audiophile looking for the best listening experience imaginable, you'll be shocked at the number of headphone deals currently on display at Amazon.

Wireless headphones from Sennheiser and Sony to Beats and Anker have been dropping to near-record lows all week, and it's hard to tell whether these Amazon discounts are going to stick around for a while or if they'll vanish overnight. Needless to say, if you're looking to jump on the opportunity, you'll find some of the best headphone deals from the sale below. 

• See the full list of deals available at Amazon this weekend

Score up to 50% off noise-cancelling headphones at Amazon

• Headphone deals: Walmart | Best Buy | Amazon | Dell

I'll never forget the first time I pressed the transparency button on the side of the Nothing Headphone (a). I swore a real person was breathing into my ear as the distinct transition sound played, peeling back the layer of noise cancellation and revealing everything around me.

It was this moment that made me realize that over-the-ear headphones were back. I no longer had to deal with irritating earbuds sitting in my ear canals for hours on end. Now, I could enjoy fuller audio with even better noise cancellation and transparency modes, all with better battery life and greater long-term comfort. And I could get all this without blowing $600 on a pair of overpriced Apple headphones, too.

Nothing Headphone (a) aren't a revolution, and they may not even be the best headphones you can buy to date (you need to spend much more to get that). But they symbolize a change in the audio market that caught my attention, and I'm not going back to earbuds ever again.

Quality for the masses

Nothing Headphone (a) are loud and proud. I don't just mean the audio volume, which is substantially louder and fuller than any pair of earbuds I've ever worn, either. These headphones look as unique as they feel, with trademark Nothing style that'll turn heads on the subway or in the office.

But this style isn't just for looks, although it'll keep you from looking like a tool by wearing a pair of overpriced headphones. These pack in massive audio drivers for rich sound, a huge battery that lasts up to five days, plenty of padding for comfort, and tactile buttons that feel great to press.

Personally, I hate capacitive buttons on things like headphones or earbuds. They're too easy to accidentally press when you're just trying to adjust them or wear them, and they're often clunky and unresponsive when you need them.

Nothing Headphone (a)'s buttons are easy to find, easy to use, and are unmistakably built for a specific function. Click the transparency button to switch between noise-canceling and transparency modes, or flick the volume switch left or right as needed. The on/off switch is great because you know exactly when they're on, and since these have epic standby time, you can leave them on while walking around, even if you're not actively listening to anything.

Now, I'm no audiophile, but even I can tell the difference between a good pair of speakers and a bad one. These are the former, and they eclipse the sound quality from any pair of earbuds I've ever worn. These are also far more comfortable in the long term than earbuds. I've always found buds to wear on long flights, and while headphones do make my head sweat a little, they're a much better alternative to inner-ear discomfort.

The top headband adjusts by about an inch on each side, accommodating head sizes ranging from adults to children. I think this slide mechanism could be longer, but it fits everyone in my household, so I didn't have an issue with it. People with larger heads will have issues with fit, though.

The headphones connect via Bluetooth or a 3.5mm cable, so they work with a wide variety of devices and connection types. These support the best-quality audio codecs, including LDAC, so lossless formats will sound great here.

Don't be a tool, save your money

I can't get over how much I love Nothing Headphone (a). These are the headphones I was waiting for without even realizing it, and they look good doing it, too. I'm always blown away when I see people walking around with headphones that cost over $500 and simply cannot understand it. Instead of looking like a tool, save $400 and grab a pair of Nothing Headphone (a).

The Nothing app ensures you get the best quality sound, no matter what device you use, and they're easy to pair with any device that supports your Google account, thanks to Google's Quick Pair technology. That, plus the combination of week-long battery life and ample padding, means these can be worn for a long time without a problem. Do yourself a favor and grab a pair; you won't regret it.

What kind of headphones can you get for under $100? We've normalized spending hundreds on over-ear headphones, but CMF and Nothing make you think twice if paying that much on a new pair of cans is worth it. I tested the CMF Headphone Pro, a pair of over-ear ANC headphones that cost just $99 at full price. Despite coming from much more expensive headphones, I switched to the CMF Headphone Pro without a hitch.

They're arguably the best headphones you can get for under $100. During the final minutes of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, you can save another $32 on the already-affordable headphones. That brings the cost of a pair of CMF Headphone Pro headphones to just $67, and you'll be surprised at how much you get for that price.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale - ends March 31st

✅ Recommended if: you want cheap ANC headphones with solid build quality; you value battery life above almost everything else; you need hi-res LDAC support and a multi-band EQ.

❌ Skip this deal if: you want the best sound quality; you need better transparency mode performance.

The design of the CMF Headphone Pro might look funky, but they're incredibly light and flexibly. They'll fit on any head shape with comfortable, and modular, ear cushions. On-headphone controls are stellar, with two buttons, a slider, and a roller. The headphones support an equalizer, but in a rare move, you can adjust EQ strength directly on the CMF Headphone Pro using the onboard slider.

These headphones also offer a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack for connectivity. Sound quality is handled by 40mm drivers equipped with nickel-plated diaphragms. On the technical side, there is a 16.5 mm copper voice coil, precision bass duct, and dual-chamber design inside the CMF Headphone Pro to ensure audio sounds rich and crisp.

If you need hi-res audio, the CMF Headphone Pro uses the optional LDAC codec at up to 990kbps over Bluetooth. Battery life lasts up to 100 hours with ANC on, and half that with ANC off.

I'm an audiophile, so I see the value in paying for more expensive options like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones. However, if you just need the basics, you won't find more for less than the CMF Headphone Pro.

Sony's WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones recently launched to great success, but they're expensive in every sense of the word. At full price, a pair of WH-1000XM6 headphones will run you about $460. That's firmly in the premium segment. You might not know that Sony still sells the last-generation Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones at a much more palatable price point, and they're still an outstanding set of cans.

For the final day of Amazon's Big Spring Sale, the retailer is dropping the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones to their lowest price ever. You can snag them for just $243, which is 39% off the typical price of the WH-1000XM5 and is more than $200 cheaper than the WH-1000XM6. If you're in the market for a new pair of active noise-canceling headphones, don't miss this deal — only hours remain.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale - ends March 31st

✅ Recommended if: you want high-quality ANC performance at a budget price; you need a full-size 3.5mm headphone jack; you want LDAC hi-res audio support.

❌ Skip this deal if: you'd rather pay more for the Sony WH-1000XM6; you need headphones with support for USB-C audio.

When we reviewed the Sony WH-100XM5, we called the headphones "the ones to beat." Sure, things have changed in four years, and new releases like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones have elevated the experience. At the end of the day, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are still great for the reasons they were beloved at launch, especially thanks to their discounted price.

Sony offers LDAC support for hi-res audio listening, and it's a much more compatible format than LHDC or aptX Adaptive. The headphones offer 30mm dynamic drivers for sound quality and have a customizable EQ in the companion app. Eight microphones power the active noise-canceling features along with Sony's custom Integrated Processor V1.

I only have two gripes with the WH-1000XM5, and they're really minor. The matte finish of the headphones attracts fingerprints easily, and the USB-C port doesn't support wired audio input. That last one isn't much of an issue, because the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired audio. All together, the Sony WH-1000XM5 are as complete a package as you'll find at this discount sub-$250 price point.

Bose refreshed its best ANC headphones late last year, making a great audio product even better with the launch of the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones. They're perfect for travel, with a compact fold-flat design and included protective carrying case. You have plenty of connectivity options, including Bluetooth, USB-C audio, and a 2.5mm audio jack. Of course, Bose's active noise-canceling chops and immersive audio modes are great for listening in noisy environments.

I've taken the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones on multiple international trips, and they've replaced the AirPods Max as my go-to cans for long flights. At a $449 retail price, Bose's flagship ANC headphones aren't the most expensive, but aren't exactly cheap either. Luckily, if you're in the market for a headphone upgrade, Amazon is taking $50 off the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones in a can't-miss Big Spring Sale deal.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale - ends March 31st

✅ Recommended if: you want great-sounding headphones with hi-res audio support; you need wired USB-C and 2.5mm audio connections; you want a compact and comfortable pair of headphones that fold easily for travel.

❌ Skip this deal if: you need a 3.5mm audio jack; you don't have an aptX Adaptive device; you need to use the onboard microphones in wired mode.

Two things about the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 stand out to make them an incredible pair of headphones — their design and weight. I struggle to wear heavier headphones for long periods, and models that don't fold flat take up too much space in my bag while traveling. The QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones weigh just 264 grams and neatly fold up inside an included charging case when you're not wearing them, addressing both of those common gripes.

I also like how versatile the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones are in terms of music listening. If you have a phone with Snapdragon Sound, you can use Qualcomm's aptX Adaptive codec for wireless lossless audio. Or, you can get lossless audio using the USB-C port or 2.5mm audio jack. Do I wish there was a standard 3.5mm headphone jack here instead of the rarer 2.5mm one? Yes, but Bose includes a 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable in the box, so it really isn't an issue unless you lose it.

The comfortable ear cushions create a great seal with the side of my head for excellent ANC performance. That isn't a given, since I wear glasses and hats often. Between the 10-microphone array, versatile ANC modes, and 3-band equalizer, you can tune the QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones to sound how you'd like and block out as much sound as you need.

Headphones in this class aren't cheap, but this deal does let you keep $50 in your pocket and score a great pair for under $400.

Spring is a great time to score wireless headphone deals, and if you're in the market for an particularly cheap pair, you're in luck. The Soundcore by Anker Q20i headphones are 43% off at Amazon right now, bringing them down to just $40.

Despite the super-low price tag, they still come with active noise cancellation and two other listening modes, a wide range of audio presets, and an overall comfortable fit. Plus, they sport better battery life than many headphones with more power-intensive listening modes. This pricing is available for the Q20i headphones in Black and Almond White, while the Blue and Pink versions are also discounted and are retailing for just $5 more at this time.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a cheap pair of headphones that still feature things like ANC, Transparency Mode, and a wide range of customization options; you'd prefer to find headphones for under $40, especially if you can score a deal on ones that are normally priced higher; you need a pair of headphones with a long-lasting battery and USB-C charging.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for the latest in spatial audio or you want a top-tier sound profile; you prefer a more foldable or minimal overall design, or you don't like having as many physical buttons on your headphones; you prefer a less bulky pair of headphones and you'd rather upgrade to some that are a little easier to manage.

The Anker Soundcore Q20i headphones are a decent pair of cheap wireless headphones, featuring ANC, Transparency, and Normal listening modes, up to 40 hours of battery life, and large, comfortable speaker cups. They also have multi-point connection, 22 EQ presets via the mobile app, and USB-C charging that can yield up to four hours of listening with just a five-minute charge.

To be sure, these aren't going to be the best wireless headphones on the market, though we can hardly expect them to be at their normal sticker price. At just $40 (or $44 for the two upgrade-tier colors), they're a good pick for those who value a low price most of all.

Sennheiser recently announced that it was going to stop manufacturing wireless headphones for the public. That's a major bummer for some audiophiles, but for folks who want a great headphone deal, it might be a dream come true. 

For example, the imminent divestment might be the reason that you can get a whopping 56% off the Sennheiser Momentum 4 if you buy the headphones during Amazon's Big Spring Sale (March 25-31). 

The Momentum 4 may be a few years old at this point, but they still provide superb sound quality with a sleek design and active noise cancellation. Slap on a $250 discount during the Big Spring Sale and the cans become a no-brainer purchase.

• See the full list of deals during Amazon's Big Spring Sale

Sennheiser is a legendary manufacturer of consumer audio gear for a reason. Despite their slightly-advanced age, the Momentum 4 could still hold their own against the best wireless headphones in the business, offering outstanding sound quality and a ton of customization options straight out of the box.

The noise-cancelling headphones boast a 42mm transducer system with customizable EQ settings, sound modes, and presets, plus you get a portable folding design and up to 60 hours of battery life on a single charge. That's considerably more battery life than the Sony WH-1000XM6, which are largely considered to be the best wireless headphones for most people in 2026. 

That said, I'd still argue that the Sony XM6 sound better than Sennheiser's cans in most use cases, and you might get more cutting-edge features by going with a newer pair of headphones. Still, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 have a lot of great qualities that can't be ignored, and at just under $200, they're an absolute steal during Amazon's Big Spring Sale. 

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is here, and while everyone is distracted by the many great headphone deals from Sony, Sennheiser, and the like, there's one little discount that seems to be getting overlooked. The OHR205 Bluetooth headphones by Acer are currently seeing a 44% discount during Amazon's sale event, knocking the price down to a mere $20 for a limited time. 

Sure, these aren't the most powerful or cutting-edge wireless headphones on the market, but they deliver superbly balanced sound with excellent battery life, a portable design, and hands-free calling support. And come on, they're only 20 bucks. 

Powered by 40mm drivers, the Acer OHR205 deliver crisp and balanced sound with some surprisingly powerful bass tones given the approachable price tag. The battery life is really where these headphones shine, however, as the Acer OHR205 provide up to 70 hours of juice on a single charge, plus USB-C charging support. 

You also get all of the basic features you'd expect in a solid pair of over-ear headphones, including a folding design that's perfect for travel, a built-in microphone for calls, and the ability to pair two devices simultaneously.

Now, to be clear, these aren't cutting-edge headphones by any means, and the sound isn't going to be as good as, say, the Sony WH-1000XM6. You also miss out on premium features like active noise cancellation (ANC) and customizable EQ settings. What you're getting is a solid pair of reliable, long-lasting headphones that won't break the bank.

That said, the performance here is way better than what you'd usually expect from $20 headphones, and the battery life could easily rival the best headphones from Sony or Sennheiser. It's all about bang for the buck, and with a 44% discount, the Acer OHR205 offer that in spades

Spring is a great time to pick up the latest headphone deals, as many retailers launch big sales on a wide range of devices across the price spectrum. As one example, Amazon's Big Spring Sale is live this week, and it includes 46% off the price of the Sony WH-CH720N noise-cancelling headphones.

These are a more affordable pair of ANC-backed headphones than the Sony WH-1000XM6, ringing in at nearly half the price (before the discount). The wireless headphones feature a lightweight, comfortable and foldable design, a long battery life, and various audio-enhancement and customization features that make them live up to the reputable Sony name. This particular deal is available for all three of the model's colors, including White, Pink, and Black.

• See the full list of deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a quality pair of wireless headphones with ANC, and you have a budget of around $100 to spend; you want a comfortable pair of headphones with speaker cups that won't bother your ears after long periods of playtime; you'd prefer headphones with a long battery life and quick charging speeds.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market and you'd rather upgrade and spend more; you need headphones with access to hi-res audio codecs, rather than upscaling features like those included on the WH-CH720Ns; you want a pair of headphones with added AI noise reduction features and the latest in spatial audio.

Sony has a wide range of headphone options to choose from, and the brand's become well-known as one of the leading audio tech companies today. These noise-cancelling headphones fall right in the middle of the brand's price spectrum when at their normal price, and this discount makes them highly competitive amongst peers from other brands.

Sony says these headphones will yield up to 35 hours of battery life per charge, the most of any of its higher-tier models, along with replenishing up to 4.5 hours of listening time with just a 10-minute charge using the USB-C port.

The model also comes with Sony's DSEE audio upscaling feature, multi-point connection, easy voice assistant access, and powerful adaptive noise-cancelling for a super-immersive listening experience. At just $98 for this sale, they'll look pretty appealing for those ready to upgrade without breaking the bank.

Amazon's Big Spring Sale is set to kick off on Wednesday, March 25th, but we're already seeing some historic discounts for the folks who don't want to wait. Case in point: the Sony WH-1000XM6, widely considered to be the best wireless headphones on the market, have crashed back to $398 for a limited time.

That's a return to the lowest price ever recorded for the wireless headphones, making them the ideal Android-friendly alternative to Apple's AirPod Max. Will the Sony cans get even cheaper when the spring sale begins in earnest? I would expect not, but you never know with Amazon. It's just as likely that this discount will cause the headphones to sell out before Wednesday, so it's a roll of the dice either way.

✅Recommended if: you want to try some of the best wireless headphones in the business; you want headphones with a comfortable design, customizable EQ settings, and cutting-edge noise cancellation.

❌Skip this deal if: you need something cheaper or highly portable; you're looking for workout earbuds or headphones with wired USB-C playback support.

Just like their predecessors, the WH-1000XM6 prove once again that Sony is an all-time great in the headphone space. The cans are sleek and comfortable, with unrivalled sound quality powered by ultra-clean 30mm drivers, a ton of customizable EQ settings, and up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. The headphones also charge up quick when they do finally run out of juice.

As described in our 4.5/5-star review, however, the active noise cancellation is where the Sony WH-1000XM6 really shine. Sony has been improving its ANC technology with every generation of the flagship series, and the XM6 are no exception. The cans now boast 12 built-in microphones to transform the ambient noise of modern life into near-silence, and you can fine tune a lot of the ANC settings in Sony's companion app to ensure you're getting the exact listening experience you want.

Sure, the Sony XM6 aren't perfect, and even with this historic discount the price on the headphones may be a bit steep for many folks. But if you want some of the best headphones in the business and you don't dropping a bit of cash, this Amazon deal is a stellar opportunity for audiophiles and casual listeners alike.

I bring a lot of audio gear home to review. Part of my testing often includes allowing my wife and adult “kids” to listen, and more often than not, while my sons are impressed, my wife is unbothered. When I had her sit down and listen to Fosi Audio’s new i5 planar magnetic headphones and ZH3 desktop DAC/Amp, I was surprised to find that she was blown away!

She said that it sounded like she was listening to live music! That is high praise, coming from someone who is not easily moved by shiny, new gadgets. As I went through my test playlists, I, too, found myself quite impressed by what I was hearing! That said, let’s back up to the beginning of my time with both: the unboxing!

Both products come beautifully packaged and protected inside their boxes. With the Fosi ZH3 desktop DAC/Amp, you get the unit, a 3.5mm-to-6.35mm adapter, a 12V trigger cable, a convertible USB-A or USB-C-to-USB-C cable, a 12V power adapter, an IR remote, and a manual.

The Fosi i5 planar magnetic headphones come with a 6.35mm adapter, a 1.5m dual 3.5mm cable (plugs into the headphones) with a 4.4mm Balanced termination (plugs into your source), and the manual. No hard case for such pricey headphones because their planar magnetic drivers aren't meant for traveling.

Removing the ZH3 from its box, the first thing to notice is the heft. It's all aluminum enclosure feels durable and well put together. When powered up with the included 12V power adapter, the lovely LCD display is bright and easily legible.

The volume nob has a satisfying click at each of its 99 steps. On the front, I have access to 6.35mm (¼-inch) and 4.4mm Balanced outputs, more on that in a moment.

The backside of the ZH3 has more inputs and outputs than some pricier DAC/Amps, with three digital and one analog out via an RCA connection. Then there are the outputs on the front that I mentioned, along with RCA and XLR line outs on the back.

You can set the line out for preamp, connecting to another amp with fixed volume, or connect to your desktop, powered speakers/monitors.

The Fosi i5 planar magnetic headphones are swaddled in their packaging like a newborn baby, and are just as beautiful. The large 97mm drivers are encased in a CNC-machined aluminum frame, surrounded by a gorgeous glossy Walnut wood frame.

A “memory alloy” metal frame provides just enough clamping force to keep things in place and comfortable on the head for hours, while the suede headband takes the heft of these 550-gram (~1.2lbs) headphones and distributes it across your head for a soft, breathable, long-wearing experience.

The memory foam-wrapped composite leather earpads further help distribute weight without feeling tight and stay cool during long listening sessions of two to three hours.

The dual-axis yokes that hold the earcups swivel enough that the i5 should fit comfortably on anyone’s head. We both found the size difference between us amusing. The headband uses a stepless, smooth silicone slider, which was easy to manipulate to seat the suede headband at the proper distance from the earcups.

A powerful pairing!

The i5s are so beautiful and easy to wear that I was eager to start the listening test. One of the most chaotic, frenetic, deeply layered Jazz songs on my test list is Charles Mingus’ “Moanin’,” and as I listen, I’m completely blown away by just how well this pairing handles nuance and instrument placement. I find myself getting lost in all of the little things, two or three layers deep in the mix. Sounds that are often buried by lower-resolution DACs/Amps and headphones.

Next up was System of a Down and “Chop Suey!” The detail retrieval really shines as you listen to the attack and decay of guitar riffs and the resonance of piano key strikes, even at lower volumes. Often, I forget about the attack, or touche, of the piano key strikes on “Chop Suey!” because many headphone/DAC combos I’ve listened to bury them.

On all these heavily instrumental tracks, the i5-ZH3 pairing radiates emotion.

The 808 bass extension on The Roots’ “Do You Want More?!!!??!” is a delight and something I wasn’t expecting at all from a pair of planar magnetic headphones. The deep, resonant bass hits show how dynamic that 97mm driver is, with transients resolving quickly and naturally, rather than overstaying their welcome like a shiftless houseguest.

I’d actually call Fosi’s i5 planar magnetic headphones a bass lover’s pair for how well they reproduce Hip Hop and other bass-heavy genres like Dubstep, D&B, Acid Jazz, and House.

As micro-detailed as the sound reproduction is, one might expect that it may be analytical as well. And, to a degree, you’d be right. Joni Mitchell’s “River (With French Horns)(Blue Sessions)” definitely gets fatiguing on some of the higher notes sung by Mitchell, and struck by the piano accompaniment.

The good news is that the Fosi ZH3 has basic bass and treble gain options to mitigate that if you often listen to music like hers. The ZH3 also has six 32-bit filters built in, but after listening for a while, I had a hard time distinguishing them or their effects on the audio.

Collectively brilliant, AND independently powerful!

Experiencing how each Fosi product behaves on its own, I’m equally as impressed as I am when they’re paired. Connecting the Sennheiser HD660S2 to the Fosi ZH3 is a delight. Though the HD660S2 doesn’t quite have the same low-end impact as the i5, the ZH3 drives it beautifully and is as resolving.

Hooking up the Hidisz MK12 Turris yields noteworthy results. The ZH3 opens up their soundstage, and the transmission of micro-details in the tracks is a delight. Using the ZH3 as my DAC/Amp source for these IEMs actually makes them sound better than they already did.

The only nitpicky complaint I have is that the audio quality from the Balanced 4.4mm output is audibly better than from the single-ended 6.35mm output. That isn’t too much of a surprise, though, given that the former puts out a whopping 2570mW (2.5 watts) and the latter, 650mW. By the way, that 2.5 watts is more than enough overhead to really push the volume and test for distortion, which I never experienced from either product.

Conversely, the noise floor is black. With both IEMs and over-ear headphones, I hear nothing during quiet sections in songs. No crackle or static. Just darkness. As it should be.

Up next, I connect the i5 to an iFi Go Link Max and FiiO’s excellent M21 DAP. The M21 DAP powers the Fosi i5 headphones with aplomb in high-gain mode via its 4.4mm Balanced Output. The results I got from listening to music were nearly identical to those I had with Fosi’s desktop ZH3 DAC/Amp.

The $70 iFi Go Link MAX performed quite well when using the USB Audio Pro app on a Google Pixel 9 as my music source. It was able to push the Fosi i5’s with relative ease. I only needed to raise the volume to around 70%, unlike when I tried the same setup on an iPhone 16 Pro Max, which required maxing it out. With this setup, things were a bit less detailed.

Ultimately, both the Fosi Audio ZH3 desktop DAC/Amp and i5 planar magnetic headphones are very easy to recommend. With the ZH3, you get excellent input and output options, along with a versatile DAC/Amp that can power just about any headphones you throw at it, as well as your powered speakers. And, at $200, it sounds excellent.

With the i5s, you get a beautifully crafted pair of headphones whose attention to audio detail is just as meticulous as its attention to aesthetics. At $550, they won't be an impulse buy, but you’ll get a pair of planar magnetic headphones that can go note-for-note with pricier models, without any buyer's remorse.

What you need to know

• Nothing Headphone (a) is now on sale via nothing.tech, Amazon in the U.S., and Best Buy in Canada, with TikTok Shop sales starting March 19.
• The over-ear headphones cost $199 (£149 / €159) and come in black, white, and pink, while a limited yellow edition launches April 6.
• Battery life is the headline feature, with up to 135 hours of playback (around five days) with ANC off.

After Nothing’s colorful new over-ear headphones debuted last week, they're now officially available to purchase on the company’s website and at major retailers.

You can grab the headphones on nothing.tech, as well as Amazon in the U.S. and Best Buy in Canada. TikTok Shop in the U.S. will start selling them on March 19. The Headphone (a) is priced at $199 (£149 / €159).

Nothing is known for bold design, and the Headphone (a) follows that approach. The headphones come in black, white, and pink, with a limited-edition yellow version arriving on April 6.

The design keeps Nothing’s signature style but adds brighter colors that stand out in a market usually filled with dark and neutral options.

The headset weighs 310 grams and features breathable memory foam ear cushions for comfortable long listening sessions. It has an IP52 rating, so it’s protected from dust and light splashes.

Five days of battery life on one charge

Battery life is the standout feature. Nothing says the headphones can last up to 135 hours of playback with noise cancellation off, which is about five days on a single charge.

If the battery runs low, the quick-charge feature helps out. Just five minutes of charging gives you about five hours of listening, which is enough for a commute or a workout.

Another design choice stands out: Nothing skipped the swipe-based touch panels found on many of our favorite headphones. Instead, Headphone (a) uses tactile controls built into the ear cups — the Roller, Paddle, and Button — so you can adjust volume, skip tracks, or change ANC modes without guessing where to swipe.

Hi-Res audio and adaptive noise cancellation

For audio, the headphones have 40mm titanium-coated drivers for strong, clear sound. They also support Hi-Resolution Audio Wireless with the LDAC codec, which helps keep more detail when streaming high-quality music.

Noise cancellation uses Adaptive ANC with three presets: low, mid, and high. There’s also a transparency mode that lets in outside sound when you need it. The system uses two microphones and AI to adjust noise cancellation based on your environment and how the headphones fit.

Android Central's Take

For me, the best part is the battery life. Five days of listening means less time charging and fewer cables to deal with, which is great if you have a lot of devices. At $199, these headphones cost less than many premium models but still offer features like adaptive ANC and hi-res audio.

Still, I’m a bit skeptical until real-world tests confirm the “five-day battery” claim. Companies often promise big battery numbers, but in practice, you usually need to charge sooner than expected.

Sennheiser earbud deals aren't as common as some from other manufacturers, but fans are in luck with this next entry. Buyers can currently get $107 off the price of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds at Best Buy, bringing their price down to under $200.

These noise-cancelling earbuds feature active noise cancellation (ANC), a simple charging case, and an in-ear fit with three silicone tip options, as well as three ear fins for added stability. They come with a standard USB-C charging port for the charging case, and Sennheiser says that, without the use of the case, users can get up to 7 hours of listening time with ANC, or 7.5 hours with ANC off.

The Momentum 4 earbuds come in Black, Blue, Copper, and White, plus they include water and dust resistance, fast-charging, and clear, crisp-sounding microphones built in.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a solid pair of wireless earbuds at around $200, and you like having features such as ANC, fast-charging, and high-resolution Bluetooth listening capabilities; you like the unique design of the Momentum 4 earbuds' charging case, which sports a sleek tweed fabric; battery life is super important to you when choosing earbuds, and you like having a quick charging case.

❌Skip this deal if: you need a pair of earbuds that includes spatial audio modes, and you're willing to shop around a bit near this price point; you prefer earbuds with the absolute smallest-possible charging case for easy pocket carrying and stowability.

In our Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 earbuds review, we talked about how these are a great-sounding pair of buds right out of the box, with competitive features against options from Sony, Bose, and others.

In particular, the tweed exterior on the charging case makes them feel especially luxurious, without breaking the bank for such a unique and cool design. They also have a broader range of support for high-resolution codecs than many other devices, even when using Bluetooth.

What you need to know

• Nothing launches the Headphone (a), offering up to 135 hours of playback with ANC off — roughly five days of continuous listening on a single charge.
• Fast charging adds convenience, with a five-minute charge delivering about five hours of playback.
• Pricing starts at $199 (£149 / €159), with pre-orders beginning March 5 and general sales starting March 13.

Worrying about battery life is still common with wireless headphones. Even top models from brands like Sony or Bose usually need a charge every few days. Now, Nothing is stepping in with a bold claim: a new set of over-ear headphones that can last almost an entire week.

The company has just announced the Headphone (a), which combines Nothing’s unique design with long battery life and some smart controls for daily use.

If you’ve seen a Nothing product before, you know the style: industrial design with a fun touch. The Headphone (a) keeps that approach but adds a brighter personality.

There are four color options: pink, yellow, white, and black. They weigh 310g and have breathable memory foam cushions for comfortable, long listening.

They have an IP52 rating, so they’re protected against dust and light splashes. This means sweaty workouts or a bit of rain shouldn’t cause any issues.

Five days of battery life (yes, really)

The main feature is battery life. Nothing says the Headphone (a) can last up to 135 hours with ANC off, which is about five days of nonstop listening on one charge.

That’s a huge jump compared to other headphones in this price range. For example, the Sony WH-CH720N lasts about 35 hours with ANC, the Soundcore Space One about 55 hours without ANC, and the JBL Live 770NC around 65 hours.

Even top models like the Sony WH-1000XM5 offer about 30 hours with ANC. If Nothing’s claims are accurate, these could be some of the longest-lasting wireless headphones available.

Charging is fast as well. Nothing says a five-minute charge gives you about five hours of playback, so you can quickly power up before leaving.

Physical controls instead of touch frustrations

One of the more interesting choices here is how you interact with the headphones. Instead of just using touch gestures, Nothing added three physical controls to the earcups: a roller, paddle, and button. These let you adjust volume, skip tracks, and switch ANC modes.

The Button also unlocks some unique features. Channel Hop lets you switch between apps or functions without using your phone. Camera Shutter mode turns the headphones into a remote for taking photos or videos on your paired smartphone.

Inside, Headphone (a) uses 40mm titanium-coated drivers and supports Hi-Resolution Audio Wireless with LDAC. This should give you better streaming quality with compatible devices.

Noise control is handled by adaptive active noise cancellation with three levels — low, mid, and high — along with a transparency mode when you want to hear what’s happening around you. Dual feedforward and feedback microphones help the system adjust in real time based on your surroundings.

Calls are improved as well. A three-microphone AI system, trained on over 28 million noise scenarios, works to keep your voice clear in noisy places.

For audio customization, the Nothing X app offers an 8-band EQ, bass boost, and lets you share sound profiles with the Nothing community.

Nothing is aiming for the upper mid-range headphone market with this release. The Headphone (a) will cost £149, $199, or €159. Pre-orders start on March 5. General sales for the Black, White, and Pink versions begin March 13. The limited edition yellow model will be available on April 6.

Android Central's Take

This huge 135-hour battery is exactly the change the mid-range audio market needed. For too long, we’ve accepted 40 to 50-hour batteries and had to plan charging before every trip or commute. Now that the standard is almost tripled while keeping the price at $199, Nothing offers more than just a new look. The company gives you the freedom to leave your charging cable at home for weeks.

Let’s be brutally honest here: $799 is a lot to pay for a pair of headphones in a world that is seeing significant economic shifts that make it difficult for ordinary, everyday people to survive, much less thrive. So, it may come as a surprise that, according to research, when times are tough, people tend to cope by leaning more heavily on live music, in-home entertainment, and other vices.

During times like these, spending on the kind of entertainment that will immerse you in another world and help you calm your nervous system may actually go up.

That’s where the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 comes in. From onboarding via the app, to the built-in physical controls on the earcups, to the five-band EQ, to the well-thought-out case, the experience with the Px8 S2 is top-tier. But, is it worth the cost difference between the equally compelling next step down, Px7 S3?

The Px8 S2 launches at $100 more than the previous generation, likely due to the built-in headphone amplifier/DAC, which enables wired lossless playback. However, we’ll come back to that in a moment. First, let's talk about the onboarding experience.

Many apps require you to connect to them directly first, then exit that app to establish a Bluetooth connection, or vice versa. With the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, it’s all done without having to leave the app. This refinement foreshadows the experience I had with these headphones. But let’s back up a bit to the unboxing.

The second generation of the Px8 series features, among other things, a smaller case and a more svelte pair of headphones. My review unit is the Warm Sandstone colorway, with the color-matched case. And it is beautiful. I like that it’s a cloth case instead of PU/vegan/faux leather because the latter tends to peel over time.

The inside of the case is lined with a delightfully soft microfiber and includes a much-appreciated storage pocket with a magnetic closure. Inside that pocket, you’ll find USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to 3.5mm soft touch polymer-wrapped cables.

The headphone’s details are immaculate. The Warm Sandstone pair I’m rocking has color-matched Nappa leather earcups and a headband that both breathe well and are delightfully comfortable. The aluminum arms have cutouts that expose the color-matched woven cables running through them.

The clamping force is comfortably “tight,” but I have a huge melon, so your mileage may vary. The arms offer enough vertical adjustment, along with multi-axis swivel, so getting a proper fit shouldn’t be an issue at all.

As I tested, sometimes wearing the headphones for extended periods, I wondered whether folks with large ears might find the Px8 S2 to be a tight fit. The earcups fit me well, but my ears aren’t huge, and I wouldn’t characterize the fit for me as “roomy.” Absolutely comfortable, but with little room to spare.

Meanwhile, the Bowers & Wilkins companion app is intentionally minimalist. Personally, I like as much control as possible, but I wasn’t disappointed with the Px8 S2 because pretty much everything I needed was on the earcups. Playback controls, a power slider switch, volume up and down, and a customizable “Quick Action” button are all mechanical buttons that I found to be intuitively placed and very responsive. The Quick Action button can be used to cycle through noise-control modes or invoke your voice assistant.

Take everything I loved about the Px7 S3 but make it more upscale in ways that reek of luxury in more than just higher quality aesthetic choices, but extend to the internals as well, which makes a difference in sound quality. Instead of the biocellulose drivers found in the Px7 S3, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 uses carbon cone drivers. With that, you get faster transients, tighter bass, and more nuance in sound reproduction.

No matter which mode you choose to listen through, Bluetooth, USB-C, or 3.5mm, the sound is going to be immaculate. Listening to music via the BTD700 Bluetooth adapter and a Pixel 9, and via 3.5mm with a FiiO M21 DAP, the soundstage is big and airy. I would say there’s a great sense of height and width, with some depth.

You definitely get a strong sense of instrument placement on tracks like Herbie Hancock’s “Watermelon Man,” and Art Blakey’s “Moanin’.” For some listeners, the bottom may feel too warm, but that never comes at the expense of other frequencies. Highs are bright and can get clinical with some tracks like Blakey’s “Moanin’,” while smooth with others. It’s really all about how a song is mixed/mastered.

My favorite music genre to listen to with the Px8 S2 has been Jazz. With a track that is well-mastered, or expertly remastered, the sense of immersion is absolutely chef’s kiss! Thelonius Monk’s “Monk’s Dream (Take 8)” has an intro that beautifully arranges the piano in stereo left and the drum kit in stereo right, but then Monk comes in with the horn. It feels like it’s centered behind them, almost as if it’s playing from the back of your head, while not losing any presence.

Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Cannonball Aderly’s “So What” is a gorgeous arrangement that hits a beautifully layered change around 3 minutes in.

What’s so enjoyable about the tuning for the Px8 S2 is the gravitas that basslines have, whether that’s an upright bass or bass guitar. The weighty basslines never impede the great guitar work, as I thoroughly enjoyed listening to tracks by Sylosis and System of a Down. The attack and decay of guitars, fingers sliding up and down frets, it’s all there, anchored by the weight of the rhythm instruments.

Now, I will say that there were tracks in the speed metal and orchestral genres that I felt could use more sparkle, as I’d characterize the Px8 S2’s overall sound as warm. This was easily resolved by utilizing the serviceable five-band EQ included in the Bowers & Wilkins app. Adjusting the high and low frequencies gave me what I was looking for with mixes and genres where I wanted the treble to shine a bit more.

Aside from audio, the experience of using the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 has been top-tier at every turn! The on-head detection is highly responsive, pausing and restarting songs almost instantly when I remove or put the headphones back on.

The playback control button on the right earcup is knurled (shown in the picture above), so it’s very easy to identify by touch, despite being between the volume up and down buttons. Having the option, in the box, to use either USB-C or 3.5mm is excellent for those using multiple sources for music.

Other than the price, it’s hard to find anything to dislike about the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2, seriously. The main issue I think anyone would have is subjective: warm tuning. As I previously stated, it is mitigated well by utilizing the five-band EQ in the minimalist Bowers & Wilkins app. You can access most features directly from the headphones, so there's little for the app to do. But what is a strength for some may be an issue for others.

Finally, the Px8 S2 prioritizes sound over ANC. If you aren’t aware, more aggressive ANC often has an adverse overall effect on sound quality. This means that there are high-end headphones like the Px7 S3 and Px8 S2 that build ANC hardware and algorithms where the focus is on maintaining audio fidelity, not top-tier active noise cancellation.

To be clear, the noise cancellation is solid, but Sony and Bose have no worries in that specific area.

Given the price, the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 faces competition from the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), which offer better active noise cancelling. However, they can’t match the Px8 S2 in build materials and sound quality. They’re both hundreds of dollars cheaper and are great all-around headphones.

They also have solid competition from the Noble FoKus Apollo and Dali IO-8, giving the B&W a run for its money in both sonic performance and price. They both elevate your listening sessions above the Sony and Bose options, though in different ways, such as call quality.

Nothing is “perfect,” but the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 gets pretty darn close! If they had ANC that rivaled Sony’s implementation, they’d get five stars. That said, they are good enough, though, that these may be five-star headphones for you! With their luxurious fit and finish — and price tag — the Px8 S2 are a tough act to follow. In the area of sound quality, they’re among the best Bluetooth over-ear headphones you can buy right now.

What you need to know

• Nothing is breaking away from its usual black-and-white look for its audio gear lineup with a yellow Headphone (a) design.
• The Headphone (a) launches March 5 and is expected to debut alongside the Nothing Phone (4a).
• Nothing claims the headphones could deliver the longest battery life of any audio product in its lineup.

If you’re used to seeing Nothing’s usual mix of transparent plastics, white, and black, get ready for something different. The London-based tech brand is adding a bold yellow to its audio lineup with the upcoming Nothing Headphone (a).

The headphones are set to launch on March 5 and will probably debut alongside the Nothing Phone (4a) series. Nothing often releases products together to strengthen its ecosystem, and this launch seems to follow that pattern.

If you’ve followed Nothing’s audio releases, this move is logical. The first over-ear model, Headphone (1), was aimed at premium buyers with unique controls and top audio features. The new Headphone (a) seems to focus more on accessibility while keeping the brand’s signature design.

Early leaks point to a €159 price, which is much lower than the Headphone (1) and most high-end ANC headphones. This makes the new model a good entry point for people interested in Nothing’s style but not looking to pay flagship prices.

Battery life is the headliner

Customers chasing value should pay attention here. In an email to Android Central, Nothing says the upcoming headphones are aiming for the longest battery life of any audio product in its lineup. This suggests battery endurance may be the main feature, rather than just audio specs.

The teaser image itself highlights a striking yellow colorway with a grey earcup. The brand has been experimenting with more vibrant finishes across its portfolio, and the headphones appear to follow that same playbook.

In practice, this means you’re not just getting another budget pair of headphones. You’re getting a product designed to stand out visually while still fitting into Nothing’s transparent, industrial design language.

Android Central's Take

I’ve always thought Nothing’s real strength isn’t just specs; it’s making tech fun and affordable. A lower-priced over-ear headphone with great design and long battery life is just what everyday users need. Now, buyers don’t have to pick between style, battery life, and price — you can get all three, especially if you’re already thinking about the Headphone (a) and Phone (4a) as your next device.

Everyone's talking about high-resolution or high-fidelity audio now that multiple major streaming services — including Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music, and Spotify — support lossless quality. In simple terms, lossless audio is a recording that hasn't lost any information during compression. However, it's important to remember that Bluetooth audio codecs compress these recordings, even if they're originally lossless.

There's no way around that, unless you're using a truly advanced (and rare) codec like Qualcomm's AptX Lossless. That said, some Bluetooth codecs are better than others. If you have a pair of Sony earbuds or headphones, you can use LDAC, a high-quality Bluetooth codec that supports 32-bit/96kHz audio at up to 990 kbps.

It isn't enabled by default, though. If you want the best sound quality and are streaming lossless audio from your preferred service, you should tweak the settings on a Sony WF-1000XM6, Sony WH-1000XM6, or an older model. Here's what you need to know about LDAC and how to enable it.

What is LDAC, and why do I need it?

LDAC is a Bluetooth audio codec that uses "efficient coding" and "optimized packetization" to transmit roughly three times as much data as other codecs, according to Sony. Although this is a Sony codec, it's available widely on Android phones. It even appears on non-Sony headphones, like the Nothing Ear 3.

It's worth noting that LDAC isn't lossless, and it might not be the best Bluetooth audio codec for every situation. One of the things that makes LDAC unique is its ability to use variable bit rates during transmissions. It offers 330 kbps, 660 kbps, and 990 kbps, with the latter being the best-performing of the group. If your device and headphones don't support LDAC 990 kbps, you might be better off using another codec.

Starting with Android 8 Oreo, LDAC support was added to the Android Open Source Project. Now, most Android phones are compatible.

How to enable LDAC for Sony headphones

Sony doesn't make it easy for the average user to know whether LDAC is enabled on their headphones or earbuds. It's hidden behind the Bluetooth Connection Quality setting, and LDAC isn't mentioned by name.

Instead, you need to change your headphones' quality settings to prioritize sound quality, allowing them to use LDAC in certain situations. Here's how to do it:

1. Open the Sony Sound Connect app, or download it from the Google Play Store if you haven't already installed it.

2. Scroll down to the Device settings tab for your headphones or earbuds.

3. Tap the Connection tab.

4. Press the Bluetooth Connection Quality page.

5. Select Prioritize Sound Quality to use LDAC.

Optionally, tap Add shortcut to the top screen of My Device to make this setting easier to find in the future. It's worth noting that, according to the Sound Connect app, "a codec is auto-selected." However, on the central My Device screen in Sound Connect, you can see that LDAC becomes available after adjusting this option.

What about DSEE Extreme?

If you're diving down the rabbit hole of advanced Sony audio features, you may have noticed a setting called DSEE Extreme. It stands for Digital Sound Enhancement Engine, and it can upscale low-resolution or compressed audio by default. According to Sony, DSEE Extreme makes "complex calculations and predictions to make low-resolution files sound almost like high-resolution audio."

All things equal, a high-resolution audio file streamed with LDAC should sound better than a compressed file upscaled with DSEE Extreme. The latter may be desirable when lossless files are unavailable, though. Sony itself notes that DSEE isn't meant for streaming audio that is already hi-res lossless. Crucially, the technology uses AI in an attempt to "accurately reproduce the original sound quality before the file was compressed."

With all this in mind, LDAC is certainly preferable to DSEE Extreme, and it's best to leave the latter off when streaming high-quality music.

When to use LDAC over AAC

The Prioritize Sound Quality setting for Sony headphones and earbuds isn't the only option — users can stick with Prioritize Stable Connection or Low Latency instead. Stable connection is more reliable overall, especially when utilizing dual-device pairing. When this setting is active, you can expect to see AAC used as the Bluetooth audio codec instead of LDAC. Low latency uses Bluetooth Low Energy Audio, but this feature is in beta and only available with certain models.

It's better to keep AAC if you're not streaming in lossless audio or if your device doesn't support the highest LDAC bitrate of 990 kbps. Otherwise, you will probably benefit from LDAC's enhanced quality and reduced compression. It's one of the perks of buying a pair of Sony headphones or earbuds, but it's up to you to decide whether you can actually hear the difference.

With President's Day weekend coming in hot, cheap headphone deals are finding their way into the limelight. For example, Best Buy is currently offering $180 off the Beats Studio Pro headphones, bringing them down to just $170.

This particular deal is for the Best Buy exclusive Black and Gold design, which feature a mostly black design on the outside with gold accents and a white band interior.

The Beats Studio Pros come with a powerful overall audio profile with active noise cancellation, the so-called "Transparency Mode" for surroundings-aware listening, and a battery life lasting between 24 and 40 hours per, depending on usage habits.

They also feature both USB-C listening and a headphone jack, in addition to offering Bluetooth wireless listening. USB-C listening also presents the bonus of lossless audio, and three sound profiles to choose from. Additionally, they include an easy-to-use Beats mobile app for extra audio customization options, software updates, and other features still.

Since they're normally priced at $350, this is a pretty solid deal for those who were looking to spend under $200 on headphones.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a pair of noise-cancelling headphones for under $200 and you want features like customizable EQ settings; battery life is a major priority for you when it comes to buying wireless headphones; you want access to lossless audio streaming, and wired listening via USB-C or a 3.5mm cable.

❌Skip this deal if: you'd rather pick from our best wireless headphones on the market index; you'd prefer to save even more on headphones that don't have all the bells and whistles; you prefer earbuds to over-ear headphones, or you'd rather go with a different brand than the Apple-owned Beats; you want a pair of headphones that are easy to fold up and stow away.

The Beats Studio Pro headphones are a solid and versatile pair of wireless headphones, offering lossless audio, ANC, Transparency Mode, and a number of additional customization options.

Beats says the Studio Pros will get users up to 40 hours of battery life when not using ANC or Transparency Mode, while listening with these modes engaged can get users 24 hours of playtime. The company also notes that a simple 10-minute charge can yield up to four hours of battery life.

While they may not have the most flexible or portable headband design, the fit is both adjustable and comfortable, especially for those who like large, sealed speaker cups.

Nothing's flagship phones are neat, but the company seems laser-focused on the budget and midrange markets at the moment. It currently sells three affordable smartphone models, the Nothing Phone 3a Lite, Phone 3a, and Phone 3a Pro, and that doesn't include its CMF sub-brand. On the earbuds front, there's the Nothing Ear, Ear a, Ear open, and Ear 3, all of which are priced on the low end of the market. Throw in the CMF Buds 2, Buds 2a, and Buds 2 Pro, and Nothing sells a lot of budget products.

The brand apparently thinks there's room in the lineup for one more pair of over-ear headphones. Leaks and rumors point to Nothing unveiling a cheaper "Headphone (a)" model next month to join the Nothing Headphone 1 and CMF Headphone Pro, both of which were released last year. Based on current expectations, the Nothing Headphone (a) would cost around $200, splitting the middle between CMF and Nothing's existing over-ear offerings.

I'm not sold on the idea of a Nothing Headphone (a) finding success, and that's mostly because the CMF Headphone Pro and Nothing Headphone 1 already offer a compelling value proposition. This is what I want to see (and don't want to see) from the rumored Headphone (a).

What I want to see from Nothing's Headphone (a)

Last month, Nothing CEO Carl Pei said that the company will "double down" on the over-ear headphone market in 2026. That's not a direct confirmation that the Nothing Headphone (a) will indeed release, but it's as good a sign as any. Shortly after, reliable leaker Billbil-kun revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that Nothing's upcoming Headphone (a) are expected to come in at an attractive price point. The headphones would undercut Nothing's Headphone 1, which retail for $299.

A prior leak suggested that the Nothing Headphone (a) would simply be a repackaged version of Headphone 1, ditching the complex half-metal design for a cheaper plastic build. The benefit of that scenario would be that the important parts, like the audio drivers, could remain the same. However, this new leak from Billbil-kun suggests that there could be bigger differences between the two models to justify the price comparison.

The leak projects the Nothing Headphone (a) could be announced on March 5 with a release date of March 12. If that turns out to be the case, it's not too far away. Pricing for the Headphone (a) in Europe and the United Kingdom is allegedly set for €159 and £149, respectively. Direct conversions would put U.S. pricing for the Headphone (a) at around $200, but it's worth noting that the U.K. and U.S. prices of the Headphone 1 are identical.

The best way to explain what I want to see from the Nothing Headphone (a) is to describe what I don't want to see. Nothing has a habit of blending the CMF and Nothing lines together, releasing similar products via both brands. For instance, the Nothing Phone 3a Lite and CMF Phone 2 Pro look different, but the underlying specs are nearly identical. Even the price point is similar. If Nothing is adding a new pair of over-ear headphones to its lineup, I want it to be clearly different from the CMF Headphone Pro and the Nothing Headphone 1.

That includes designing the headphones to be more premium than the Headphone Pro while being simpler than the Headphone 1. The former feel as cheap as they're priced, but Headphone (a) will need to feature a better build quality to command a price point around $200. Meanwhile, the Headphone 1 design is polarizing, with a squircle metal chassis sandwiched between an oval ear cushion and an oval plastic window that protrudes from the platform.

Based on the rumored white, black, pink, and yellow colorways for the Nothing Headphone (a), I'm inclined to think the headphones will be almost entirely plastic. To be fair, plastic can feel premium, but Nothing should avoid the glossy plastic used on the CMF Headphone Pro.

The CMF Headphone Pro and Nothing Headphone 1 are already solid

CMF Headphone Pro and Nothing Headphone 1 both sound great for their respective price points, which puts quite a bit of pressure on the rumored Headphone (a). It needs to sound better than the Headphone Pro and the 40mm drivers within them, while also giving room for the Headphone 1 to exist at a higher price point. It's a tall ask, because the CMF Headphone Pro met my essential needs without issue during my testing.

The sound quality is superb for the price with LDAC support at up to 990 kbps over Bluetooth. Battery life is good, too, reaching 50 hours on a single charge with ANC enabled. Really, the one area where CMF and Nothing clearly have room for improvement is active noise cancellation. The headphones could be better at blocking out ambient noise, and crucially, I'd like to see transparency mode improved. Voices could be clearer with transparency mode active on the CMF Headphone Pro, so there's an obvious place for Headphone (a) to grow.

In a dream scenario, I'd love it if Nothing tamed its aggressive sound signature tuning out of the box. To date, Nothing headphones and earbuds typically come with bold and bass-heavy sound that can overpower the mids and highs in certain scenarios. This is great for some listeners and can be easily fixed with the built-in EQ, but it would be stellar if the Nothing Headphone (a) was more neutral out of the box. I'd rather need to manually give my headphones more bass than balance.

Is the Nothing headphone lineup becoming too crowded?

Nothing seems to be making the right move by attacking the budget and midrange sectors of the tech industry. It's much easier to expand into those areas of the market that typically offer weaker offerings. In the audio category specifically, many of the options at the $100 and $200 price points leave a lot to be desired. That's the case for the Nothing Headphone (a) to be a hit.

I do wonder, though, if the overwhelming amount of options within the Nothing and CMF lineups puts too much pressure on prospective buyers. Right now, there are a lot of phones, earbuds, and headphones available from Nothing and CMF for users to choose from. In some cases, it's tricky to figure out the differences between each model and why you should pay more for the upgraded versions.

That's why it's crucial for Nothing to depict a clear value proposition for the Headphone (a). Otherwise, it might further complicate a crowded lineup.

What you need to know

• Rumors about the Nothing Headphone a surface again, claiming the model could actually have A-series pricing.
• The report states the headphones could cost half the price of the Headphone 1, at around €159 (~$187).
• In Nothing's CEO Carl Pei's interview, he briefly mentioned how well-received the Headphone 1 was, but said nothing (no pun intended) about this alleged model.

Rumors say Nothing's cooking up more than just budget phones this year, as its next headphones might also make an appearance.

French publication Dealabs suggests Nothing's next pair, called the "Headphone a," may show up this year (via 9to5Google). That's not what's most important here, as rumors allege this next pair could take the price point down a notch over Nothing's Headphone 1. Supposedly, the Headphone a could rock a starting price of €159 across Europe (~$187).

The publication notes that this supposed pricing is roughly half the price of the company's Headphone 1. On paper, this makes sense. Nothing's A-series is typically its "budget" line, but I guess it's not as budget-y as its CMF brand and its $79 Headphone Pro.

It's hard to narrow down what to expect feature-wise, considering the A-series tag and the lower pricing. What these rumors expand on is the colorways. The Headphone a may hit the market with four options: pink, white, black, and yellow. The report closes by stating Nothing could debut these new headphones early next month, on March 5 (for pre-orders).

From 1 to a

The Headphone 1 arrived in July last year with a $299 price tag in the U.S. This was the company's first steps into over-ear headphones with physical buttons and rollers, and all the classic bells and whistles consumers don't typically get anymore. The ear cups were equipped with a soft, plush memory foam for comfort, too. In testing, the Headphone 1 impressed Android Central's Harish Jonnalagadda, as they quickly became a favorite for audio products in 2025.

Nothing hasn't officially teased these headphones just yet. The company's CEO, Carl Pei, was involved in a short interview in a YouTube video about Nothing's 2026 outlook. The Headphone 1 was brought up, but mostly due to its positive reception in 2025. Mainly, discussions were held about phones, with Pei stating consumers can expect a Phone 4 series this year, but no new flagship.

Android Central's Take

I think what I'm most looking forward to is what these headphones could offer, more so since the price might be cut. What sound are we bringing to the table this year, you know? I'm not one for wearing over-ear headphones out and about, as something like that's typically reserved for PC gaming sessions. However, there's a market for this form-factor, and it would be nice (and ideal) for Nothing to keep that same energy it had from the Headphone 1. These rumors alleged a potential March debut, which lines up with what we've heard about the Phone 4 series. So, let's just wait and see.

Headphones and earbuds took major steps forward in 2026, with new hardware releases from Apple, Bose, and Sony leading the charge. On the software front, Spotify finally delivered on a years-long promise to make lossless audio available to subscribers. For accessibility, Google built Auracast support right into Android, making the wireless broadcasting standard available on select Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy, Xiaomi, and POCO phones.

Heading into 2026, there's still plenty of work to do. Headphones and earbuds like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 or the AirPods Pro 3 are nearly perfect, but audio software could use better support for high-resolution Bluetooth codecs. Plus, I have an outside-the-box request for Android phone makers and a big concern about how AI-generated content will affect the music industry.

Here's what I expect to see from the audio industry in 2026 (and everything I hope happens).

Audio brands... give us aptX Adaptive + Lossless all the things

While I love seeing music streaming services like Apple Music, Tidal, and now Spotify offer high-fidelity lossless audio to subscribers, they won't matter much without the right hardware — and the right software. The fact is, most of us use wireless headphones and earbuds, and the overwhelming majority of them use lossy Bluetooth audio codecs that negate the benefits of lossless streaming.

The frustrating part of this situation is that we've already solved the problem. Qualcomm's aptX audio codecs have enabled CD-quality lossless wireless audio transmission with aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless. Unfortunately, many top Android brands simply refuse to make these codecs available on their devices. That's true even on phones with the hardware required to use aptX Adaptive or aptX Lossless.

In the U.S., the only major phones with aptX Lossless come from Asus, Sony, and Motorola, and the word "major" is generous for at least two of those brands. International phones from Xiaomi and others are more forgiving on the global market, but aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless are still too rare on Android phones, wireless headphones, and earbuds.

In 2026, I'm hoping to see more headphones, earbuds, and phones leverage Qualcomm's complete Snapdragon Sound platform to make wireless lossless audio mainstream. While small dongles can bring aptX Lossless to any phone, Android users deserve a proper built-in solution.

Make Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast matter

Similar to the point about aptX Lossless, I hope Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast become commonplace in 2026. These standards are groundbreaking and have significant potential, but they need to be widely implemented for users to benefit from them.

Specifically, LE Audio has the potential to deliver wireless audio signals more efficiently, preserving battery life. Auracast is an incredible accessibility tool that can broadcast an audio source to many receivers, like Bluetooth LE Audio headphones or earbuds.

The idea that Auracast is only for people who need hearing assistance is a misconception. There are so many clever uses for Auracast, and we've started to see them pop up in 2025. For example, Victrola debuted a Bluetooth turntable with both aptX Adaptive and Auracast support. That means you can throw a silent disco party with everyone in attendance streaming music from a record player through their own wireless headphones.

These are the kinds of exciting ways Auracast can be implemented to deliver next-generation audio experiences. And of course, I want to see public infrastructure widely support Auracast so that important announcements are accessible to all. To do that, we need to get the government, companies, and users all on board in 2026.

Higher-quality open earbuds and smart glasses speakers

I thought open earbuds and speakers were a gimmick until I tried the Moto Buds Loop open earbuds and Oakley Meta Vanguard smart glasses in 2025. These audio products prove that it's possible to hear rich, high-quality audio without having something directly inside or covering your ear. In 2026, I'm hungry for more.

Open earbuds have little room for improvement, with the Moto Buds Loop (sound by Bose) and the Bose Ultra Open earbuds delivering impressive sound. However, smart glasses could deliver better sound, and Oakley Meta Vanguard is proof of that. Vanguard has larger, higher-powered open-air speakers that are six decibels louder than other Meta smart glasses.

Meta and other smart glasses brands should bring these larger speakers to more styles — even if it means reworking frame designs. After listening to music with Oakley Meta Vanguard, I can assure you it's worth it.

More USB-C ports on Android phones

Phones are officially music players now, and lossless music streaming is now included with the most popular subscription services. Now, the hardware on flagship Android phones needs to change to accommodate lossless streaming. That leads us to my oddball feature request for 2026: phones with multiple USB-C ports.

This actually isn't as crazy a suggestion as it might seem, because a few phones already have multiple USB-C ports. Specifically, the Asus ROG Phone 9 and 9 Pro both offer two USB-C ports. I've made my peace with losing the 3.5mm headphone jack, but it's time that phones regain that wired versatility — and then some — by adding a secondary USB-C port.

For audiophiles, an extra USB-C port enables connection with wired headphones, USB digital-to-analog converters, and other streaming accessories while leaving a port available for charging. That's crucial, because lossless downloading and streaming consume a lot of battery, and throwing a USB DAC into the mix uses up even more power. Beyond music streaming, an extra USB-C port would make it easier to use accessories like portable SSDs or mobile game controllers while keeping a connector free for charging.

Again, it sounds wild, but if you asked me whether I'd rather have a siloed S-Pen on the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra or an extra USB-C port, I know which one I'm picking.

Unfortunately, we'll have to keep dodging AI-generated songs

This last one is a prediction, not a wish: it's going to get harder to discern AI-generated artists from real musicians in 2026. If you've been paying attention, this is already happening in 2025.

Over the summer, a band called Velvet Sundown appeared on Spotify and gained millions of listeners — except it wasn't a band at all. The artist's popular songs were generated with artificial intelligence, or as the band put it, were created as "a synthetic music project guided by human creative direction."

AI-generated songs are an easy way for people to "earn" coveted streaming royalties with little effort, and they're only going to get more prevalent over time. With a combination of AI-generated songs, images, and potentially even deepfake music videos, it'll become more difficult to be sure your new favorite artist is a real person or band. If you care about supporting real artists, watch out for AI-generated content that goes viral or appears in your suggestions in 2026.

If there's a theme in my 2026 wishlist for the audio industry, it's that I want brands to make the most of emerging technologies. Bluetooth LE Audio, Auracast, and aptX Adaptive are all neat, but they need to be widely available at the consumer level to make a real difference. And music fans, let's come together in 2026 and avoid listening to the AI-generated content that's bound to keep popping up.

This past year was a whirlwind! Every single company announced a multitude of news and products, and Android Central had an incredible year covering the technology you use daily.

We saw great strides in how companies have evolved AI, and many companies launched new products that could be the future. We took the time to reflect on the year and think about what we want 2026 to look like.

This end-of-year special is split up into three sections. For the first time this year, Android Central's staff decided to give out report cards. We looked at what we wrote at the end of 2024 and asked ourselves: Did companies meet our expectations for 2025? Were they able to fulfil some of our predictions?

We also took the time to think about 2026. What do we hope to see, what kind of launches do we want, what do we expect of the companies we cover every single day? Surprisingly, this has turned into a fun experiment. At the end of 2026, will these companies meet our expectations?

Along with this, we want to show our appreciation towards those companies that released stellar products. Our team has put a lot of effort into voting and narrowing down our winners of this past year into several categories, so we hope you enjoy it.

Congratulations to all the winners! We can't wait to see what you do next year.

Finally, thank you, our loyal readers, for being the heart of Android Central. Your trust, enthusiasm, and engagement inspire everything we do. We’re deeply grateful for your continued support and for making our content a part of your daily journey.

Here’s to another exciting year of exploring, learning, and growing together in the world of Android and beyond!

Happy reading, happy holidays, and a happy New Year! Stay safe, and be happy!

- Shruti Shekar, Editor-in-Chief

IDC-exclusives

Tech in 2025: Android Central Report Cards

Android Central's Best of 2025

Tech in 2026: Android Central's Wishlist for the year

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.

✅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.

Holiday headphone deals are among the many discounts hitting the market this winter, and these premium headphones just got a crucial price drop. Right now, Amazon is offering 13% off the price of the Sony WH-1000XM6 wireless headphones, which are a great pair of new-generation wireless headphones with top-notch audio quality.

They also have upgraded features such as active noise cancellation, customizable audio via a mobile app, and an improved foldable design and carrying case that make them better than the previous generation, the WH-1000XM5s. Sony also says the WH-1000XM6 headphones will offer users up to 30 hours of battery life per charge, while including several onboard microphones for crystal clear phone call quality.

To be sure, these are great headphones, though we still consider the WH-1000XM5s the best wireless headphones due to their price point and range of features. However, if you were already thinking about going with a premium pair of headphones and you needed an excuse to pull the trigger, this discount marks $61 in savings, bringing them down to $398. The deal is also available for all three of the model's colors, including Midnight Blue, Black, and Platinum Silver.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a good deal on some industry-leading over-ear headphones with optimal ANC performance; you want a pair of noise-cancelling headphones that are equally good for lossless listening as they are for making phone calls and responding to voice commands; you want a pair of headphones that come with an easily storable carrying case for when you're on the go.

❌Skip this deal if: you're on a serious budget and would rather go with the last-gen WH-1000XM5 headphones, or another brand altogether; you need headphones with USB-C playback, you'd prefer earbuds to over-ear headphones, or you want some with a smaller pair of speaker cups.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are at the front of the market today in terms of ANC quality, and overall sound quality in general. They feature the QN3 noise-cancelling processor which Sony says is seven times as fast as the previous generation, along with a robust set of 12 microphones for ANC performance, phone calls, and voice commands.

This generation also boasts a slightly improved folding design and carrying case, and USB-C fast charging that can replenish up to 3 hours of playback time in just 3 minutes of charging. With up to 30 hours of battery life per full charge, they're also perfect for those who are listening throughout full work days, or for other long periods of time between charges.

Holiday shopping 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 50% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line

There are plenty of tech products out there. Some are great buys offering excellent value, but others aren't. Most fall somewhere in the middle.

Unless you have the means to buy one of everything, you have to decide if something is the right fit for you. That can be hard; the companies making them will tell you that you need one to make your life complete, people who got a lemon or just didn't like it will say the product is garbage, and reviewers simply can't cover everything.

Often, it's good to take a step back and see what you're going to get inside that pretty package. Was it worth what you paid for it? Will you get enough use from it to justify the purchase? Or maybe you should hold off and see what's coming next.

We can't make those decisions for you, but we can tell you what we think and maybe where you should start your decision-making process.

Cyber Monday means all sorts of things you want are on sale at really low prices - including the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro for just $150. Should you buy them?

Almost all of us with a smartphone have at least one pair of wireless earbuds. The two just seem to go together, and it's a great way to listen without disturbing anyone. The thing is, there are so many different pairs of buds out there that it can be sort of overwhelming.

If you decide you want to spend a little more and have features like ANC, built-in AI, or excellent sound, the field narrows. Of course, the weekend of Black Friday through Cyber Monday brings deals on almost all of them.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are one of my personal favorites when it comes to wireless earbuds. Let's have a look and see if they might turn out to be one of yours, too, while the price is this low.

The Pros

At the core, all wireless earbuds do the same thing: connect to your phone so you can hear what's going on. Beyond that, you'll find premium features on the best sets that a cheap pair of $50 earbuds just can't deliver. Here's what makes the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro worth buying

The Price. I have to start here, and that's probably pretty important to you, too. These are normally $250, and today they are marked down to $150. Saving a hundo is sweet.

Packed with features. Samsung has leveraged the tiny computer inside these buds to make them do so much more than just be a speaker. A new audio codec (if you have the right phone), head tracking spatial audio, Galaxy AI, seamless device switching, and more. A lot more.

They fit great for most people. You will see some reviews from folks who can't seem to keep them inside their ears, but most people love the fit of these. Samsung redesigned that body and angle, and in my experience, it works great.

Excellent ANC. Usually, when you keep adding features, you reach a point where the battery can't keep up. ANC is very power-hungry and is often the first thing to be scaled back. Not on these; even with everything else going on, the Buds 3 Pro have world-class ANC.

The cons

Nothing is perfect, and there is one big flaw with the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: they were specifically built with the Galaxy ecosystem in mind.

You might be thinking, "How is that a flaw?" and you're right. Flaw is a harsh word, but it can be a deal breaker. Unless you have a fairly new Samsung Galaxy phone, you're going to be missing out a little.

Let me start by saying right up front: if you use an iPhone, don't buy these. They essentially are just another pair of Bluetooth earbuds, and if you want them to do more, you need to buy earbuds from Apple.

For everyone else, the list of what's missing without a new Galaxy phone is still mighty long. You won't get the same spatial audio experience, and there's no head tracking. Some AI features, notably the real-time Interpreter, only function with a Galaxy phone. If you have something like a Galaxy S24 Ultra (which is how I use them), the quick pairing and seamless switching are awesome. Without a Galaxy phone, it's mediocre. ANC is still excellent, but it loses some of the adaptive qualities that put it over the top when used without a phone using Galaxy AI. Finally, the SSC (Samsung Seamless Audio) high-res audio support - one of the best Bluetooth audio codecs available - only works when paired to a new Galaxy phone.

These work with any Android phone, and they still sound good and have great ANC, but the best way to use them is with a new phone from Samsung.

My verdict

What phone are you using? If you have something like a Galaxy S25 or Galaxy Z Flip 7, then hell yeah. It's a yes from me, dawg. If you aren't, then maybe you might want to check out some others before you plunk that money down.

I will mention that if the Galaxy S24 Ultra were my main phone, I would use these every day simply because they sound almost as good as a very expensive set of wired earbuds. For real. Unfortunately, with my Motorola Razr, they don't.

If you have an iPhone, spring for a pair of AirPods. If you have a Pixel, the Pixel Buds are calling you. The list goes on, and even companies like OnePlus offer earbuds that are good with all phones, but best when used with the same brand of products. It's simply how it is.

Cyber Monday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
• Cyber Monday Google Pixel deals
• Cyber Monday Motorola deals

Nothing's wireless earbuds haven't always impressed me, but the brand's wireless over-hear headphones are arguably the best-value options on the market. I already told you about the $79 deal for the CMF Headphone Pro — which is somehow still live on Amazon after Black Friday. However, if you want to pay a bit more for a pair of headphones with way better sound and ANC, you should be looking at the Nothing Headphone 1.

I thought the Nothing Headphone 1's $299 price point was aggressive when the headphones first came out. They're good enough to rival headphones like the Sonos Ace, Sony WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, and AirPods Max, while being considerable cheaper. That's why it's shocking that Nothing cut an extra $60 off Headphone 1 for Cyber Monday, bringing the headphones down to just $239 if you move fast.

✅Recommended if: you want a stylish pair of over-ear headphones that stand out; you like a bass-heavy sound profile with a great EQ; you want tactile buttons for simple control.

❌Skip this deal if: the 3.5mm jack requires battery power for analog connection; sound might need some tuning out of the box.

What I like about Nothing's Headphone 1

Every good pair of headphones offers great sound, but there's something special about the Nothing Headphone 1. Surprisingly, it's not that the out-of-the-box sound signature is excellent. My colleague Harish loves it, but I'd slightly prefer a more balanced profile. That leads to the best part about the Headphone 1 — they're incredibly easy to personalize with a detailed eight-band EQ in the Nothing X app.

You can quickly pick a few preset EQ options to immediately change the sound, or adjust each of the eight EQ bands separately with precise control. I can turn the "more treble" preset on to instantly make the Headphone 1 sound exactly how I want, with balance between the lows and highs.

The entire experience is backed by a custom 40mm dynamic driver enclosed with 8.9mm of polyurethane to limit distortion.

Then, there are the Headphone 1's intangibles and design, which you can appreciate regardless of whether you're deep in the Nothing ecosystem. You get comfortable, soft ear cushions, an aluminum shell, and a clear plastic covering that reveals a crafted transparent design. If you have a Nothing phone already, it'll match like no other.

The Nothing Headphone 1 feels comfortable and light, although its official 329-gram weight is technically on the heavier side. It goes to show how well-distributed the weight is across the headband and pads. Additionally, there is support for hi-res audio codecs like LDAC and 35-hour battery life with ANC on.

Throw it all together, and Headphone 1 are a steal even at full price. When you consider the extra $60 discount for Cyber Monday? These are the best midrange headphones you can find, sitting between the cheaper CMF Headphone Pro and the more expensive Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2.

Cyber Monday 2025 — quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
• Black Friday and Cyber Monday Samsung Galaxy deals
• Black Friday and Cyber Monday Google Pixel deals
• Black Friday and Cyber Monday Motorola deals

Audio nerds have plenty of Black Friday headphones deals to tempt them, with hundreds off the fanciest Sony or Bose ANC headphones — but they'll still cost you $200 and up. For mere mortals like you and me, a simple pair of affordable, reliable headphones is much better.

My genuine recommendation? The Sony ZX Wired On-Ear Headphones, which are just $12.99 (48% off) at Best Buy, or the upgraded Sony ZX with mic for $19.99 (43% off) at Amazon if you plan to use these for Google Meet or Discord.

I've been using my Sony ZXs every workday since February 2022, plus most weekends, wired into my Sony DualSense or Xbox Wireless Controllers for long gaming sessions. My fiancée also uses hers regularly, though her pair is in much better shape and should last a couple more years. In my case, I don't mind having to buy a new pair after nearly four years, considering the great price.

✅Recommended if: You want reliable audio quality for your workday playlist, a lightweight fit that won't feel uncomfortable by 5 p.m. or press into your glasses arms, and a low price that saves your tech budget for wireless earbuds instead.

❌Skip this deal if: You need either active or passive noise cancellation, or you're the kind of audiophile who needs more advanced drivers from flagship headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra.

I'm not an expert on the best wireless headphones; most of my colleagues' picks are on sale for Black Friday if you're willing to spend hundreds more. For me, I care more about spending money on workout earbuds, like my fantastic Shokz OpenFit 2 or OpenFit 2+ earbuds, when something like the Sony ZX costs so little.

In particular, I appreciate that the ZX series only weighs 119g or 0.26 pounds, when your typical high-end wireless headphones weigh 250g. It makes a difference!

The Sony ZX series is quite popular, with hundreds of thousands of solid reviews on Amazon and Best Buy combined, because of its simple quality and affordability paired with a household name. This Black Friday deal price isn't the lowest ever; it's fallen as low as $9.99 before. But don't fall into the Black Friday deal trap trying to "save" as much money as possible; $13 for headphones that'll last for years is great.

Personally, I prefer the ZXs with the mic, which captures perfectly clear sound for my colleagues on remote calls or teammates during multiplayer Baldur's Gate sessions. But it's up to you whether you want to save a few more bucks or not! Either way, I'm off to buy a new pair for myself.

More Black Friday deals - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday

Sometimes the stars align, and the exact product you've been waiting for hits its lowest price just in time for Black Friday. That is exactly what happened to me this week. I was on the hunt for high-quality Bluetooth headphones that offer seamless multi-device connectivity, and the Sony WH-CH720N ANC headphones were at the top of my list. Luckily, the wait paid off—you can now grab a pair for just $88!

Seriously, these wireless headphones totally nailed it, connecting effortlessly to everything, whether I'm using my iPhone or an Android device, or my smart TV. As a person who occasionally, or let's be honest, binge-games (I'm currently deep into Ghost of Yōtei), I was on the hunt for Bluetooth headphones that were extremely easy to connect and could also serve as a decent gaming headset.

✅Recommended if: You want lightweight, comfortable headphones; you want good ANC performance; you need great battery life. Amazing for students or people who work on the go, due to its multipoint connection feature (allowing pairing with two Bluetooth devices at once).

❌Skip this deal if: You want a more premium ANC performance, as this one is noticeably less effective than premium models (like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort series) in completely silencing loud or persistent noise. And if you wear glasses constantly, these headphones may press against them, making it uncomfortable.

Some of the highlight specs of the Sony WH-CH720N headphones are that they come with Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) thanks to the V1 chip and Dual Noise Sensor tech. This is super helpful for blocking out traffic sounds, or when I need to focus on writing an article or during late-night gaming, when I can zone out into the land of Ezo (Hokkaido, Japan).

These headphones are super light, weighing only 192g—so you can basically wear them all day! Plus, let's not forget the battery life is one of its perks, giving you up to 35 hours even with ANC, and also charges pretty quickly. Personally, I'm someone who juggles between using a Mac, my phone, and the TV for gaming, so the Multipoint Connection feature makes switching between devices a breeze. And lastly, to top it all off, for hands-free convenience, these headphones integrate Google Assistant and offer easy connectivity to Alexa.

More Black Friday deals - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday

If you're in need of some cheap wireless headphones, the Black Friday deals have got you covered. Amazon has slashed the price of the already affordable JBL Tune 520BT wireless headphones in half, bringing them down to just $30.

While these may not have all the bells and whistles of premium or mid-range headphones, they're a good pick for anyone looking to get an affordable name-brand option. JBL says they'll get up to 57 hours of battery life, while they also have a comfortable design that's easy to fold up and stow when not in use. Like most modern headphones, they also include built-in microphones for hands-free calling and voice commands, as well as physical buttons for controlling playback and volume.

They also feature JBL's signature "Pure Bass" sound, but for those who prefer a different audio profile, they also include access to simple EQ settings using the JBL Headphones mobile app. The Tune wireless headphones plug in to charge using a USB-C cable, and the maker says that 5 minutes of charging will yield 3 hours of playback time.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a really cheap pair of headphones without compromising too much on overall audio quality; you prefer headphones that are easy to fold up and store when you aren't using them; you want a pair of headphones that have a long battery life and fast USB-C charging.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking to get the best JBL headphones on the market, or those from another brand, and you have the money to pay mid-range or premium prices; you need headphones with active noise cancellation, ambient mode, or other modern features found in higher-end headphones;

JBL launched the 520BT headphones last year, coming as the latest of the company's economy-level wireless headphones.

While they don't come with certain features like ANC or ambient sound modes, they do feature JBL's signature Pure Bass sound, as well as access to EQ and other audio customization settings. They also include a smaller set of ear cups than many of today's wireless headphones, as well as a foldable design that makes them super portable.

Beyond that, they can get up to 57 hours of battery life per charge, making them a great pick for anyone who plans to use them for long periods of time. They also feature USB-C fast charging, with a 5-minute charge replenishing around 3 hours of listening time.

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
• Black Friday Samsung Galaxy deals
• Black Friday Google Pixel deals
• Black Friday Motorola deals

I review a ton of premium wireless headphones, and that means switching to a pair of budget over-ears can be painful. When I put the CMF Headphone Pro headphones to the test, I braced myself for the $100 cans to be disappointing. The opposite happened — CMF Headphone Pro blew me away with long battery life, solid sound quality, and impressive ANC (for the price). Considering the CMF Headphone Pro are cheap to begin with, I'm shocked to report that Amazon took another $20 off the sticker price this Black Friday.

If you're someone who is appealed by the price of premium wireless headphones these days, the CMF Headphone Pro is for you. Don't walk, run — at only $79, I promise you won't find a better pair of over-ear, Bluetooth headphones this holiday season.

✅Recommended if: you need long-lasting Bluetooth headphones; you want features like ANC and a custom EQ; you love clever design and removable ear cushions.

❌Skip this deal if: you don't like the look of CMF Headphone Pro; you'd rather upgrade to the Nothing Headphone 1.

CMF by Nothing's Headphone Pro are too good to be only $79

CMF is Nothing's sub-brand, and the Headphone Pro is flashy as a result. It has colorful glossy plastic and interchangeable ear cushions that let you create clever color combinations. There are a bunch of tactile buttons and ports for maximum versatility. You get a USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, two buttons, a slider, and a roller. It's all designed to help you use your CMF Headphone Pro any way you want.

From a hardware perspective, there are two 40mm drivers with nickel-plated diaphragms powering the audio experience, and these go with a 15.6mm copper voice coil, precision bass duct, and dual-chamber design. All that is to say that CMF Headphone Pro sound amazing for the price. There's booming bass (that isn't overwhelming), plus decent mid- and high-frequency reproduction. You'll be able to listen to a variety of music genres and get a crisp listening experience.

If there's something you don't like, you can change it with a custom EQ builder in the Nothing X companion app.

Audiophiles can appreciate the LDAC support of up to 990 kbps, and getting a hi-res audio codec for only $79 is outstanding. The Hybrid Adaptive ANC is as good as you'll get at this price point, too. And the clear attention-grabber here is the CMF Headphone Pro's battery life, which lasts up to 100 hours with ANC off and a still-great 50 hours with ANC on.

Need a budget pair of over-ear headphones for Black Friday or an affordable holiday gift? The CMF Headphone Pro earn my recommendation.

Black Friday 2025 — quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
• Black Friday Samsung Galaxy deals
• Black Friday Google Pixel deals
• Black Friday Motorola deals

After spending years mixing up AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, and Sonos Ace as my go-to wireless headphones and earbuds, I finally gave Sony and Bose a shot in 2025. I tried the Sony WH-1000XM6 and WF-1000XM5, and even the latest AirPods Pro 3 for good measure. But none could hold a candle to Bose's second-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones and earbuds.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones and earbuds only recently came out, but they're already seeing major discounts for Black Friday. You can snag the headphones as low as $399 and the earbuds for only $216 — I think the latter is the best earbud deal of the Black Friday season. Here's why anyone in the market for new earbuds or headphones should take advantage of these Bose deals.

✅Recommended if: you want excellent ANC and sound quality; you need a secure fit and comfortable feel; you want an excellent companion app with custom EQ profiles.

❌Skip this deal if: you need more than six hours of earbuds battery life on a single charge; you want smaller earbuds; you have the QuietComfort Earbuds Gen 1 already.

✅Recommended if: you want light and comfortable wireless headphones; you need detailed sound quality and hi-res audio support; you want strong bass.

❌Skip this deal if: you need headphones that work as a mic in wired mode; you want LDAC-supported headphones; you already have QuietComfort Ultra Gen 1 headphones.

We have quite a few audiophiles here at Android Central — myself, contributor Tshaka Armstrong, and editor Harish Jonnalagadda — and we all agree that Bose's new headphones and earbuds are the best of 2025. That's high praise, and it goes to show just how good the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones and earbuds are.

I've tested all of the best earbuds, but none are as well-rounded as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. These earbuds provide standout active noise-canceling modes and the strongest bass I've ever heard a pair of earbuds reproduce. That's all while adding excellent call quality and a surprisingly-comfortable feel. They're on the larger side of wireless earbuds, but intuitive design and extra silicone stabilizers ensure they stay secure in your ears.

Up until now, the one gripe I had was with the earbuds' price. At $299, they were ahead of the AirPods Pro 3 and Sony WF-1000XM5. Now, at $216 for Black Friday, they're actually lower than those earbuds at MSRP.

It's a similar situation for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones. I still give a very slight edge to the AirPods Max in terms of raw noise-canceling power, but Bose crushes Apple — and every other brand — in the other areas. That's why, for the first time, I brought the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones with me for my Thanksgiving cross-country travel. I haven't been disappointed. They're comfortable, detailed, and compact, with better sound quality and ANC than any pair of headphones not named AirPods Max.

At $399 for a limited time, the price is very easier to stomach. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 headphones undercut the best from Apple, Sony, Sonos, and other top brands with this deal.

So, if you're in the market for a new pair of earbuds or headphones — or want a great gift idea for an audio lover — Bose is the way to go.

Black Friday 2025 — quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
• Black Friday Samsung Galaxy deals
• Black Friday Google Pixel deals
• Black Friday Motorola deals

The Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones are god-tier. I was flabbergasted by the 70-hour battery life and incredible active noise-cancelation that's on par with the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. My testing experience was overwhelmingly positive, and the only thing that stopped me from giving the headphones a perfect 5/5 rating was the lack of hi-res audio support.

It's not been long since Marshall launched the new and improved Monitor III A.N.C. headphones, which is why it's such a pleasant surprise to see this Black Friday deal. You can score a superb $100 discount on the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones, getting them for $279.99 at Amazon while the sale or stock lasts.

• Alternatively, you can also check out the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones that are $152 off during Black Friday.

✅Recommended if: You want high durability, Bluetooth Auracast, fast charging, insanely long battery life, and premium sound quality, along with a foldable form factor.

❌Skip this deal if: You want something that supports hi-res audio.

There's almost no flaw in the Marshall Monitor III A.N.C. headphones. From an indomitable battery life to fast charging, the battery and charging specs are top-notch. Then there's connectivity, delivering Bluetooth Auracast support, as well as both wired and wireless playback options. These are undoubtedly some of the best wireless headphones out there.

Let's also not forget that the Marshall Monitor III headphones are insanely comfortable and cancel out all the right background noise. I have worn them for over ten flights because they are fabulous for cutting out intimidating noises such as turbulence.

Marshall even added a customizable button in addition to a power button and an ANC button. Plus, you get a carrying case, a charging cable, and a USB-C to audio jack cable in the box. What else could you want?

For $100 less than the usual price, this is one of the best Black Friday deals on headphones that you will find today.

Tis the season for Black Friday headphone deals, but while everyone else is encouraging you to buy the latest and greatest models, allow me to suggest an alternative. The Sony WH-1000XM4, which were first released back in 2020, have been my ride-or-die cans for years now, and even though I have newer headphones with more high-tech features and arguably better sound, I simply can't quit my XM4s. 

Of course, I'm not completely nuts, so I wouldn't suggest buying the Sony WH-1000XM4 at full price these days. But slap on a 54% Black Friday discount at Best Buy and the last-gen headphones become an absolute steal. 

If you don't mind buying wireless headphones that are *shudder* over five years old, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are a great pick, with up to 30 hours of battery life consistently, customizable EQ settings with active noise cancellation (ANC), and a comfortable design that you can wear all day (trust me, I do it all the time). 

I've used my Sony WH-1000XM4 back to back with newer headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM5, and I can confirm that the sound is mostly indistinguishable with casual use. This is especially true if you use the companion app that lets you fine-tune EQ settings directly from your smartphone. The Sony WH-1000XM4 also have a convenient folding design that the XM5 lack, which is a major selling point if you travel or commute with your headphones a lot. 

That said, ANC is noticeably better on the XM5 and, of course, the even-newer Sony WH-1000XM6, but the upgraded tech comes with a steeper price tag to match. Compared to other noise-cancelling headphones under $200, the Sony WH-1000XM4 are still quite impressive. 

Still want the newer models?

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: major discounts on Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: official Black Friday discounts on tablets, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday (so far)
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday (so far)
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday (so far)

If you're in need of a serious headphones deal, Amazon's Black Friday sale may have you covered. The retailer has chopped 44% off the price of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones, which are our top pick for the headphones with the best battery life. While they normally retail for $450, this deal chops $200 off that sticker price, making them significantly more competitive when compared with rivals.

• Amazon's Black Friday week is LIVE: see the full list of deals

The Momentum 4s offer up to a whopping 60 hours of battery life, in addition to offering Sennheiser's premium-level audio quality, active noise cancellation, and a wide range of other useful, modern features. Beyond their overpowered battery life, the Momentum 4 headphones also include multi-point connections and easy-to-use touch controls for managing volume and playback. They also sport a particularly luxurious design that makes them well worth the high price tag, and you really can't go wrong with getting almost half off.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a pair of premium wireless headphones, but you don't want to pay the high price tag they typically come with; you want the wireless headphones with the best battery life on the market, and you want them at a serious discount; you're looking for a comfortable pair of wireless headphones with relatively large speaker cups that can easily fit all the way over most peoples' ears.

❌Skip this deal if: you're looking for a budget pair of headphones and you don't care about foregoing features like ANC, EQ settings, or an overall premium-level audio quality; you need a pair of headphones with a better EQ system than a three-band EQ; you prefer the ability to customize controls on your headphones.

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones are no joke within the modern headphone market, offering a wide range of features and powerful audio quality that buyers usually love. Perhaps the biggest upside to the Momentum 4s, however, is their super-long battery life, which can offer users up to 60 hours of playtime per charge.

Beyond that, they also include ANC, touch controls, hi-resolution audio via the headphone jack, auto-pause when removed, and simple touch controls using the right speaker can. They also include an easy-to-use Sennheiser mobile app, which offers users the ability to manage ANC settings, a three-band EQ, and more.

Unlike some wireless headphones, they also have a rotating foldable design that makes them easy to store, as well as carrying case for the headphones themselves, an aux cable, and the USB-C charging cable.

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday

Early Black Friday headphone deals have officially arrived, with $160 off the Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones at Best Buy. This knocks their price down to just under $200, which isn't bad for a brand-name pair of wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, USB-C fast charging, and still other high-end features.

The Bose QuietComfort lineup offers a range of earbud and headphone options. These are the latest noise-cancelling over-ear headphones from the brand, offering a built-in ANC-backed audio profile with a balanced overall frequency response. They offer an impressive battery life time, with up to 24 hours per charge. Additionally, Bose says that they can be charged for around 4 hours of playtime with just a 15-minute charge.

The company also offers a mobile app that can be used to adjust active EQ settings, playback and volume controls, a Bluetooth connections screen, and other toggle options. All in all, the Black Friday discount might be a worthy time to pick these up for anyone wanting noise-cancelling headphones for around $200.

• Not quite what you're looking for? Check out our eCommerce editor's Top 10 Deals for Best Buy's Early Black Friday sale

✅Recommended if: you want a pair of wireless noise-cancelling headphones that feature high-quality audio, but you don't want to pay more than $200; you're looking for headphones that offer a long-lasting battery; you'd prefer headphones with fast USB-C charging speeds.

❌Skip this deal if: you want to be able to disable ANC settings when listening, or you want access to spatial audio listening; you'd rather go with Bose's QuietComfort earbuds, or another in-ear option; you're on a serious budget and you aren't looking for industry-leading audio quality.

Bose's QuietComfort wireless headphones offer an impressive 24-hour battery life, a powerful sound profile, and always-on ANC that buyers like. They feature a built-in power switch, along with many playback, volume, EQ settings, and more through the Bose mobile app. These headphones also have a foldable design, an adjustable headband, and a comfortable over-ear fit that's suitable for long listening periods.

It's worth noting again that, while many of the best noise-cancelling headphones include the ability to toggle ANC on or off, or to switch into various ANC modes, Bose has elected to optimize the feature in its QuietComfort lineup, also meaning that users won't be able to turn the mode off. If that's a deal breaker for you, than it might be worth looking elsewhere.

More Black Friday 2025 - quick links

• Best Buy: up to 60% off Chromebooks, Android phones, and more
• Amazon: early discounts on headphones, smart home tech
• Walmart: early price drops on ASUS laptops, locked phones
• Samsung: new Galaxy XR headset, trade-in opportunities
• Verizon: free phones with new line, trade-in
• T-Mobile: free Galaxy phones, $300 back w/ 5G Home Internet
• Mint Mobile: 50% off Pixel 10, BOGO Unlimited plans
• AT&T: get a free Z Flip 7 with trade-in, new line
  
  More Black Friday coverage
• The best Google Pixel deals of Black Friday (so far)
• The best Samsung deals of Black Friday (so far)
• The best Motorola deals of Black Friday (so far)

Years ago, I tested the Bose QC35II and eventually Bose QC earbuds. While the active noise-cancelling (ANC) was excellent, I found the sound quality a bit flat for my taste. Since then, Bose has changed that sound signature, releasing one of my absolute favorite open-ear products, the Bose Open Ultra. I was also highly impressed with the Bose SoundLink Plus and how robust its audio playback is.

With those recent experiences, I was looking forward to seeing what Bose has done with the latest generation of the QuietComfort Ultra over-ear headphones! I’ll let you know right now, I was definitely not disappointed with the sound quality this time around. There are some things you should know before buying, though, so I’ll get into all of that below.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Price, availability, and specs

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is widely available for $449 through Bose’s own website, Amazon.com, and in many brick-and-mortar stores like Best Buy in the United States.

There are some new colors on offer this year, in addition to black and white; you get the limited edition colors of Midnight Violet, Driftwood Sand, and Desert Gold.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): What I like

There is a lot to like about 2025’s Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen). As full-size headphones go, you get a relatively compact hard case to carry your headphones in. They fold up small to fit in the case, and you’ll find the included USB-C and 2.5mm-to-3.5 mm cables in a small pocket on the case's lid.

Some cosmetic changes were made this year: the matte finish of the first gen has been replaced with shiny metal earcup yokes. The 2nd generation QC Ultra Headphones are still incredibly comfortable during long periods of wear, due to their weight (~264 grams/9.3oz), a respectable amount of padding on the cans and the headband, and a clamping force that feels almost non-existent- and that’s a feat, considering that I have a huge melon.

Despite having such a light clamping force, the headphones don’t wobble or make noise when walking, jogging, or working out. I was surprised by how well they stay in place when lying down on a weight bench. I'd advise against using them at the gym as they have no water-resistance rating, though.

Similar to the previous generation, you get a touch-sensitive volume strip, which also allows you to assign one of four shortcuts to trigger when you touch and hold it. USB-C charging is still on board, but this year, you also get USB-C audio support for 16-bit, 44.1 kHz, or 48kHz audio, and you can charge while listening, in all modes this time around.

Also new is the ability to remove the headphones and lay them flat on a solid surface to disconnect from your source device, which took around four seconds during my testing. Lying flat for 20 minutes, the headphones will enter a deep sleep, power-saving mode. When I picked them up again, the QC Ultra 2nd Gen would wake and reconnect to the previously connected device in under 10 seconds every time.

Building on that, the headphones' wearing detection functionality has been top-notch. Highly responsive!

New this year, you can completely deactivate ANC through the app. The ANC menu features an on/off toggle and a slider that allows you to adjust the noise cancellation level to your preference. Specifically, where the QC Ultra 2nd Gen excels over the competition, such as Bowers & Wilkins’ excellent Px7 S3, is its ability to reduce high-frequency noise significantly.

Many competitors do a good job of hushing the noise of car engines in a metropolitan landscape, but the whoosh! of cars passing by, the squeal of a subway car’s brakes, or airplane cabin noise is often where things fall apart. Not the case with the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).

In addition to my testing while out and about on the streets, I used 80dB of airplane cabin sound on YouTube to test high-frequency ANC, and the QC Ultra 2nd Gen continues to shine in this area.

One aspect of the ANC function that I enjoy is when you transition from the natural-sounding Aware mode to Quiet mode via the multifunction button on the right earcup; it takes a few seconds to fully activate. As the noise cancellation ramps up, ambient sounds gently fade into the background. While some may not like that, it’s a very pleasing auditory experience for me.

What about the sound quality, though? Overall, the QC Ultra 2nd Gen’s default sound profile is a V curve with warm lows for modern music listeners, and solid clarity in the upper mid and high frequency ranges. The soundstage is fairly airy, with good stereo imaging, sound separation, and instrumentation. I was pleasantly surprised by the level of detail retrieval from these headphones as well.

The app includes a basic set of EQ presets and three-band EQ customization to get the sound closer to what works for you if the stock sound doesn’t completely do it. The headphones take well to those three-band adjustments. Just be careful with the bass slider — at higher volumes, you may experience some distortion.

Listening to Snoop Dogg’s “Tha Shiznit,” you can clearly hear a detail that often gets lost with other headphones: the sleigh bells in the background. In Michael Jackson’s “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’,” you can hear the backing vocals that play during the intro as well.

Listening to Michael Abel’s “Violin Duel” from the “Chevalier” OST, the attack and decay of the aggressively bowed violins, where the martelé technique is being liberally applied, are rendered much better than I had anticipated.

Listening to music and movies with the Immersive and Cinema modes was a mixed bag. One of the muddiest Hip Hop tracks known to man, Method Man’s “Biscuits,” sounds better with Immersive mode on, as it makes the vocals pop despite being buried by the bass.

However, on other tracks with more balanced mastering, I’ve found that while Immersive mode widens the soundstage a bit, it ultimately renders the treble a bit too bright for my liking. Not sibilant, though, so it isn’t all bad.

I also found myself deactivating both Immersive and Cinema mode when watching action movies like “Thor: Ragnarok” or “Blue Eye Samurai,” as it buries bass response in favor of pushing forward the frequencies that contain dialog. I can see how, with films that mix more chaotic sound design with dialogue, Cinema mode could be pretty helpful, but in movies and content with percussive sounds like Thor’s hammer clobbering minions in Surtur’s den, that thump gets diminished in an unsatisfying way.

Final notes on sound quality:

• As good as the QC Ultra 2nd Gen sounds via AAC, the detail retrieval and overall sound quality reach a new level thanks to a great DAC chip when plugged in via USB-C. Sound quality is also great via the included analog cable.
• Read my article here about using Bluetooth dongles with phones that don’t support aptX Adaptive, like my Google Pixel 9. With Sennheiser’s BTD700 plugged into the phone and connected to the headphones, HiRes Wireless Audio is a delight. The downside is that you lose connection to the Bose app by going this route.
• The headphones have been clutch on Google Meet and other video conference calls, using my Microsoft Surface Pro 11, but listening to music is a different experience. Like the Pixel 9, hi-res codecs aren’t supported, so this is yet another use case for the BTD700. Streaming .flac files from my laptop over Bluetooth via the MusicBee Windows app is a much better experience with it.

Having had the headphones for only a couple of weeks, I’ll need more time to test, but so far the battery life has been very good. The previous-generation QC Ultra headphones were rated for 24 hours or 18 hours with Immersive mode activated, while this second-generation model is rated for 30 hours or 24 hours with Immersive mode activated.

It’s going to take you three hours to fully charge them when drained, but a 15-minute charge will get you three hours of playback in a pinch. The good news is that with the addition of USB-C music, you can also charge while plugged in, so the number of times the headphones are dead and unusable for at least 15 minutes should be minimal.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): What could use improvement

For the most part, my complaints are very minor. Starting with putting them away, you’ll need to position the cables and any dongles in a corner of the lid pocket for the case to close properly. This means that using the entire pocket is a non-starter.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) doesn't support passive playback, which is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you get ANC and Aware mode functionality when wired. On the other hand, if the battery is dead, you can’t just plug in the aux cable and go, which feels like a missed opportunity.

Additionally, the built-in microphones don’t work when wired, so you’ll have to raise your phone to your mouth to chat. That brings me to my final area of improvement.

The call quality has definitely improved over the previous iteration, but with so many microphones on the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) and at this price point, I expect it to be even stronger. It isn’t bad at all, but my voice could be clearer and a bit brighter. As it stands, in my testing, the sound quality is a bit bassy.

The bright spot, though, is the ability to use the app to control how much of your own voice you’ll hear while on a call.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Competition

At $450, Bose has a lot of competition on sound quality, but the only other headphones that currently reach, and potentially exceed, its level of high-frequency noise cancellation are Sony’s WH-1000XM6.

In terms of sound, there’s no clear winner between Sony and Bose, as the differences are very subjective. Sony wins over Bose in terms of sound customization as its app’s EQ options are much more extensive than Bose’s three-band sliders. That said, Sony still doesn’t offer USB-C audio, so you’ll get more flexibility out of Bose when it comes to sound sources.

The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 feel more luxurious and sound better than Bose, but can’t match the level of ANC, so if you’re a frequent flier, the QC Ultra 2nd generation headphones will likely be the move.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): Should you buy them?

You should buy them if…

• Noise cancelling is your #1 priority
• You want future-proofing that Sony lacks, with USB-C audio
• Your phone supports Snapdragon Sound, not LDAC

You shouldn’t buy them if…

• You want a product whose app has deep customization options
• You want headphones with a more “premium” fit and finish at this price point

For their entertaining sound, top-tier noise cancelling, and USB-C audio, the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) is a tough act to follow. And we can’t ignore the elephant in the room! Sony’s WH-1000XM6. Which is better is really a matter of preference.

I thoroughly enjoy hearing all an audio file has to offer, so the inclusion of USB-C audio does it for me, giving the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) the edge. For that and the ability to charge while connected, my money goes to Bose.

Nothing's sub-brand CMF makes affordable tech products with a twist, and it recently released its first pair of over-ear headphones, the CMF Headphone Pro. It follows the Nothing Headphone 1 launch earlier this year, but with a subdued design and a much lower price tag. The CMF Headphone Pro retails for just $99, and its latest sale knocks down the price to just $84.

I tend to consider the sweet spot in over-ear headphone pricing to be around $300, which is what Nothing's mainline headphones cost. I lowered my expectations for Headphone Pro accordingly, but as I started testing them, I quickly realized they come with far fewer compromises than their competitors. They also align perfectly with Nothing's ethos, thanks to a thoughtful design and tactile controls, physical ports, and modularity.

Switching from pricier cans like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 and buds like AirPods Pro 3, I was surprised to discover how easy the CMF Headphone Pro could become my daily driver.

CMF Headphone Pro have a comfortable design with tactile input

Nothing is all about design, whether we're looking at mainline products or CMF variants. The CMF Headphone Pro sport a glossy plastic finish with a metal slider that helps adjust the headband. That glossy plastic material will look better on some colorways than others — I tested the light green model that ends up looking like teal or blue — but I think it works on Headphone Pro. It's iPod plastic, not cheap plastic.

The ear cushions and headband are both soft, and the former are interchangeable with a twist-lock system. You need to buy the replacements separately, though. There is a gap between the headphone chassis and the cushions that makes Headphone Pro feel slightly unfinished, and could cause confusion while changing styles.

In typical Nothing fashion, there are plenty of ports and buttons here — a USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, two buttons, a slider, and a roller. The Energy Slider is essentially an on-headphone EQ that can adjust bass or treble intensity in real time. While the Nothing X is great for customization, it is a nice touch that you can tweak your sound signature without the app.

Most of the controls you'll use most are within the "multi-function roller," which handles volume, ANC modes, and playback controls. Would dedicated buttons for each have been better than the EQ slider? Probably, but to CMF's credit, the roller works well. It's more reliable and useful than the capacitive controls shipped on premium headphones I've tested.

Sound quality is superb for the price — I could use them daily

When I think of sound quality for sub-$100 headphones, a tinny profile without clear separation or booming bass comes to mind. The CMF Headphone Pro couldn't do more to dispel that image if it tried. The headphones have 40mm drivers equipped with nickel-plated diaphragms that Nothing says reduce distortion and add clarity. They're paired with a 16.5 mm copper voice coil, precision bass duct, and dual-chamber design, according to the company.

The hardware creates a sound signature that's more balanced than what I've come to expect from Nothing. The bass is certainly present, but it's not overwhelming like Headphone 1 or Ear 3. Sounds in the middle or high frequencies may not be as crisp as on pricier headphones, although they are crucially not piercing or overly bright.

The best way I could describe the Headphone Pro's sound is by reinforcing that I have all the top wireless headphones around, and I switched to CMF's $100 pair with no problem. Sure, I'd take the superior sound quality and ANC of more expensive models, but I didn't feel like I was missing out by using Headphone Pro.

With LDAC support up to 990 kbps over Bluetooth, these headphones do support high-res audio. There's also a feature that builds a Personal Sound profile specific to your ears, based on the way you hear individual audio frequencies.

CMF's Headphone Pro also support "Hybrid Adaptive ANC" with three levels of active noise-canceling intensity. ANC is pretty good for the price, dampening external noise and making it imperceptible when your music is above 75% volume. Transparency mode is less helpful, as voices aren't as clear as I'd like. Still, you can get through a quick conversation with transparency mode on — but only with the music off.

Battery life is perhaps most impressive of all, hitting the 100-hour mark with ANC off. It drops to half that with ANC on, but 50 hours is decent in its own right.

Are the CMF Headphone Pro headphones worth it?

As someone who loves superb sound quality (and is willing to pay for it), I'll never fault anyone for wanting to spend on better audio. However, the CMF Headphone Pro do cover the basics, and at $100, offer a baseline set of features that are all most people need. Decent sound quality, ANC, Spatial Audio, Hi-Res Audio, long battery life, and a headphone jack — the necessities are here.

I've tested headphones cheaper than the CMF Headphone Pro, like the OneOdio Focus A6, and many pricier ones. For those on a tight budget, Headphone Pro finds the perfect balance. There is room for improvement, but no major compromises or dealbreakers. That's hard to find in a sub-$100 pair of over-ear ANC headphones.

FAQ

Audiophiles, rejoice: the Black Friday deals are finally starting to trickle in, but you may not need to wait to score an excellent discount on premium noise-cancelling headphones. Weeks ahead of the big sale weekend, Amazon is carving 26% off the elegant Bowers & Wilkins PX8 headphones, knocking the price down to $519.59 for a limited time. 

Bowers & Wilkins is widely-known for producing stylish, comfortable wireless headphones that please audiophiles and casual listeners alike, whether you're immersing yourself in classical music, metal, or an action-packed video game. 

At $699, however, the PX8 might be a bit too expensive for some folks. Thankfully, this early Black Friday deal is making the headphones much more accessible. Will the price drop further as we approach Black Friday and Cyber Monday? It's very possible, but this deal is worthy enough on its own if you don't want to wait until next month. 

• See my guide to the best early Black Friday Samsung deals

✅Recommended if: you want superbly detailed and balanced sound quality with excellent noise cancellation in a sleek, elegant package; you need headphones with great battery life. 

❌Skip this deal if: you enjoy having lots of customization options and EQ settings with your headphones; you follow a vegan or plant-based lifestyle (the PX8 use leather in their construction).

The Bowers & Wilkins PX8 are stunning headphones inside and out, with outstanding ANC (active noise cancellation) capabilities, a versatile sound signature, and up to 30 hours of battery life on a single charge. With a Nappa leather and aluminum construction, the PX8 also look and feel like the height of luxury, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with other premium headphone brands like Bang & Olufsen. 

Another standout feature is the headphones' USB-C port for audio, which lets you charge and listen to your favorite tunes without Bluetooth. The cans also come with a 3.5mm cable in the box. 

One thing that holds the Bowers & Wilkins PX8 back is the customization. Unlike the best headphones from Bose and Sony, the PX8 don't offer a ton of customization options in the companion app, which means you're limited to basic bass and treble control. The noise-cancellation also isn't very adjustable, which is a problem at this price point.

Fortunately, the headphones come with some pretty versatile default settings and excellent ANC support with passthrough, so it shouldn't be too much of an issue for most folks. That said, if you're an audiophile who likes to finetune your EQ settings, you may wish to look at other premium headphones, such as the Sony WH-1000XM6. 

Needless to say, if you value great performance and sophistication in your devices, this headphones deal is a dream opportunity, no matter what you're listening to. Amazon is saying that stock is low, however, so I'd act fast if you're interested: miss this deal and you'll have to wait until Black Friday to score sweet savings.

Prime Day may be over, but you can still find a few good headphone deals lingering around. For one, Amazon is still offering $100 off the price of the Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones days after the sale has ended.

The WH-1000XM5 headphones have been one of our favorite pairs since being released. With an industry-leading audio profile, active noise cancellation, and fast charging via the USB-C cable, these headphones have just about everything you could ask for in a modern pair of Bluetooth headphones. They also feature multi-point connection, eight built-in mics for clear calls and access to voice commands, and they feature an easy to use mobile app for optimal customization options.

Although Sony has a newer-gen version of these headphones in the WH-1000XM6s, they're pretty pricey and these will boast pretty similar hardware. All that to say, the WH-1000XM5 headphones are still some of the best wireless headphones out there, and especially with an extra 25% discount on their normal purchase price.

✅Recommended if: you're looking for a powerful pair of wireless over-ear headphones and you don't mind going last-gen to save some extra money; you want headphones with a long battery life and fast charging; you want a pair of headphones that you can use for phone calls or hands-free voice assistants.

❌Skip this deal if: you prefer the newest-generation product and would rather upgrade to the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones; you're looking for headphones that can be easily folded up and stowed when not in use; you want headphones that will let you listen while you charge.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones have long been a favorite of ours, particularly because of their top-notch audio quality, their ANC and ANC optimization features, and up to 30 hours of battery life per charge. They also feature eight built-in microphones for voice assistants and phone calls, and they offer USB-C fast charging that will restore around 3 hours of playback time per 3-minute charge, according to Sony.

Users can also utilize touch controls on the headphones to manage playback, volume, and phone calls, while the Sony Connect app lets users access EQ settings, sound modes, 360-degree audio, and more.

The Sony WH-1000XM6s come with 12 microphones, instead of eight, and they also feature upgraded drivers for even better audio quality. However, it's also worth noting that they retail for $450, and you won't see them getting big discounts like this WH-1000XM5 deal very often.

Innovation tends to trickle down to all price points. Eventually, features that once came with a premium price tag become available on cheaper models, and budget buyers benefit. With the right expectations, you can get a great pair of ANC headphones for under $100.

The OneOdio Focus A6 come with an attractive $70 price normally, but their cost is now truly wild thanks to last-minute Amazon Prime Day deals. You can snag these headphones for only $55 at Amazon for a bit longer, which is a 20% discount compared to their already-low price.

If you're wary about the quality of over-ear headphones priced this cheap, fear not, because I've spent plenty of time testing the OneOdio Focus A6 and I'll give you my verdict.

✅Recommended if: you have a tight budget and want a pair of wireless, over-ear headphones; you need active noise-canceling and transparency modes; you value long battery life with ANC on or off.

❌Skip this deal if: you have more to spend and want better sound or ANC quality; you need headphones with a 3.5mm jack.

What do you get from a $55 pair of headphones in 2025?

As I insinuated earlier, setting the right expectations is crucial to enjoying the OneOdio Focus A6. At only $55, these headphones aren't going to blow you away in terms of sound quality or active noise cancelation (ANC). When you account for the price, they feel much more impressive. There's plenty of volume and the sound signature is actually quite balanced, even if the Focus A6 might benefit from slightly more bass.

OneOdio says that the Focus A6 use a five-microphone system for ANC that "blocks up to 98% of background hum and engine noise." After testing the Focus A6 for myself, this is the best way to describe the headphones' ANC capabilities. The OneOdio Focus A6 will do just fine and canceling out consistent, low-end sounds.

Compared to more expensive options, they won't do as well with voices, music, or bursts of noise. You shouldn't expect the Focus A6 to completely block out a noisy coffee shop or a crowded office, but you can expect them to eliminate a loud A/C unit or a running car engine. That said, the passive noise cancelation is decent and turning up the volume certainly helps muffle external noise.

Transparency mode is solid, too — you can hold a conversation while wearing the Focus A6 with this setting enabled. It's also nice that you can cycle through modes with a physical button, even if the plastic used here feels somewhat cheap.

There are plenty of redeeming qualities of the OneOdio Focus A6 as well. There's a USB-C port used for charging and wired audio playback, with support for the high-res LDAC audio codec. Additionally, battery life is outstanding, as the Focus A6 offer 70 hours with ANC off and 40 hours with ANC on.

As long as you don't expect too much for from the OneOdio Focus A6, they prove to be a reasonable set of ANC headphones at a $55 price point that feels too good to be true.

October Prime Day - quick links

• Amazon Prime 30-day FREE trial: Most deals are Prime-exclusive
• See all the Prime Day deals: USA | UK | Canada | India
• Rival sales: Best Buy | Walmart | Dell | Newegg | HP | Target
• Phone deals: Best Buy | Walmart | Samsung | Amazon | Verizon | AT&T