Amazon Prime’s exclusive Early Access Sale event continues. We’ve researched and compiled a master list of all the deals that are truly worth your time, taken from the thousands of discounts Amazon has issued. This event is a bit smaller than Amazon Prime Day, but among the offerings we found some of our favorite headphones, as described here at Ars Technica.
Below we break down our top five options where each excels and where you can save a few bucks on features and technology.
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$348 Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC Wireless Headphones ($400)
Apple’s AirPods Max are our favorite pair of ANC headphones, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 is widely regarded as one of the best noise canceling headphones available since its 2020 launch. We have recommended them in numerous gift guides and reviews throughout the past. several years due to their comfort, top-notch noise cancellation and over 30 hours of battery life – even as competitors have released new models. In fact, probably in recognition of how good they are, Sony continues to sell them alongside the recently released upgraded version of the WH-1000XM5.
They still provide over 30 hours of battery life, but now a three-minute charge can get you three hours of use, as opposed to 10 minutes for five hours of use on the WH-1000XM4. Not only is this discount the best price we’ve seen at 5, but it also matches the current price at 4, making this a particularly nice deal.
$229 Bose QuietComfort 45 ANC Wireless Headphones ($315) (also at Best Buy, Walmart)
The Bose QuietComfort 45 are the most comfortable noise canceling headphones we’ve ever worn. We still give Sony the performance crown above, but if comfort is paramount then the QC45 is worth a look. They have a more neutral sound out of the box and physical play buttons compared to Sony’s more bassy signature and touch controls, if that matters to you.
The Sony WH-1000XM4/5 also does a better job at suppressing high-frequency noise and chatter than the QuietComforts, and has about 10 hours more battery life (30 hours vs. 20). The Bose QC45 balances its weight better and doesn’t put as much pressure on your head as the Sony pair, although neither of these headphones makes any headphone feel uncomfortable by any stretch of the imagination. The QC45 is on sale at the lowest price we’ve tracked.
Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 ANC Wireless Headphones for $269 ($329)
The Bose 700 headphones deliver better sound quality than the WH-1000XM5 and QuietComfort 45 due to their metal design. They’re also more bassy than the QC45, which should appeal to those who find Bose’s sound a bit anemic in this area. The noise canceling on them is excellent, which is typical of Bose, and they are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time. We prefer the Sony WH-1000XM4/5 for their more balanced sound and lighter weight, but if you’re into better metal construction then the Bose 700 might suit you better in terms of speed.
Beats Fit Pro ANC True Wireless Headphones for $160 ($195) (also at Best Buy, Walmart)
The Apple Beats Fit Pro is another favorite of ours. Apple and the Beat Fit Pro are the most versatile and well-rounded pair of high-end headphones in their combined lineup. Using the same H1 wireless chip as the original AirPods Pro, the Beats Fit Pro headphones are compatible with Find Me device tracking and connect quickly and easily to your iPhone. Thanks to the Beats app, they also connect to Android devices faster than regular Bluetooth headphones.
The IPX4 water resistance and rubber wing tips on the Fit Pro mean you can sweat worry-free during your workouts. Noise-cancelling transparency modes also help you be more alert in situations you’d like to be in, such as when you’re jogging outdoors. Six hours of continuous playback also beats the AirPods Pro’s five hours. At $160, the Beats Fit Pro match their lowest tracked price and provide even more balance and value.
$70 Jabra Elite 45h Wireless On-Ear Headphones (100 dollars)
The Jabra Elite 45h headphones offer the best value for money on-ear headphones. They lack noise cancellation, but they do a good job of basic tasks. The sound quality is fantastic for the price and is configurable in the Jabra app, and the battery life is over 50 hours on a single charge. The ear pads are soft and plush too, but don’t expect them to drown out ambient noise like the noise-cancelling offerings from Sony and Bose. However, for the money, the 45h might be the best option out of all the headphone offerings out there.
$50 Jabra Elite 3 True Wireless Earbuds ($70) ($50 at Best Buy)
If you’re looking for an affordable, value-for-money pair of wireless headphones for sports or leisure, the Jabra Elite 3 might be the ticket. They lack noise cancellation or fancy playback controls to pause when you take one out, but IP55 water resistance and an in-app equalizer setting add good value. They are bassy right out of the box and are rated for around seven hours of playback on a single charge, making them a good choice for budget-friendly headphones. Living up to its all-time low price today, the Jabra Elite 3 is a particularly worthy choice for cheap headphones.