Buying new headphones isn’t a one-size (or sound) fits-all purchase. When testing headphones (be they on-ear or in-ear) with our team of experts at PC Labs and in real-world settings, we consider important aspects like fit, features, connectivity, sound quality, and even style. The last thing we want anyone to do is spend their hard-earned money on a set of headphones that don’t live up to their expectations. Even more so, we want to save you money on that purchase, and these deals below do just that!
What to Keep in Mind When Buying Earbuds
Like with any other electronic device purchase, there are several things to consider when buying wireless earbuds: Your budget, the brand, and its compatibility with your other devices, and, of course, the features. Ask yourself what’s important to you. Do you need a wireless charger to extend battery life? Would active noise cancelling and/or ambient noise help you stay focused? Are you an audiophile or do you mainly listen to podcasts? Keep these in mind while you browse the selection of sales below…
Best Earbud Deals
4.5
Outstanding
What Our Ratings Mean
- 5.0 – Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 – Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 – Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 – Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 – Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 – Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 – Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 – Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 – Dismal: Don’t even think about buying this product
Read Our
Editorial Mission Statement
and
Testing Methodologies.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 ANC Earbuds With USB-C Charging Case
Lightweight and comfortable, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 includes four eartips to customize your fit. They pair easily with all of your existing Apple devices, including the Apple TV, and allow up to 6 hours of listening time—33% more than the previous generation.
The upgrade to an H2 chip adds additional options when utilizing the Active Noise Cancellation, which will be handy to those who find themselves in crowded or loud environments and want to block out outside noises to boost focus.
They were named PCMag’s Editors’ Choice by our audio expert, Tim Gideon, thanks to exceptional noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and the addition of a USB-C port to the MagSafe charging case. Our expert called them “the best noise-cancelling true wireless earphones for iPhone owners,” and you can experience robust audio and top-notch noise cancellation for 32% off retail.
Best for Android Users
![SAMSUNG Galaxy Buds 3 Pro AI True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds, Noise Cancelling, Sound Optimization, Real-Time Interpreter, Redesigned Comfort Fit, Silver [US Version, Amazon Exclusive 2Yr Warranty]](https://i.pcmag.com/imagery/products/04HuhX5TDbLFCNKwDSSoOm8.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro ANC Wireless Earbuds
$181.99
at Amazon
$249.99
Save $68.00
This one’s for the Android users. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro received an “Excellent” rating from our expert for their audio quality, comfortable fit, and above-average noise cancellation. Top sound and a comfortable fit make these a great choice for commuters who want to block out the usual travel noises, and the charging case gives you an extra 20 hours of battery life should you need to recharge.
You can also use gestures to switch tracks and play or pause audio, so you don’t have to fish your phone out of your pocket or bag. Those with a Samsung phone will get the most value out of these earbuds, as they feature high-resolution playback and some AI-centric features via the Wear App that you can’t get on non-Samsung Android devices. They’re 27% off, an enticing reason to buy right now.
Best Open-Style Design
Bose Ultra Open Wireless Earbuds
$199.00
at Amazon
$299.00
Save $100.00
Noise cancellation is great and all, but what about when you need to be aware of the world around you? The Bose Ultra Open earbuds offer a unique take on the typical earbud design, as they sit outside of your ears rather than within them. This allows you to “hear the real world with a full sense of directionality, according to audio expert Tim Gideon. The fit is comfortable and secure, even after long-term wear, and the sound quality is robust.
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Users can select listening modes and create control shortcuts in the Bose Music app, allowing them to fine-tune these earbuds to their specific needs. Tim Gideon concludes his review, “if the unique design and fit of the Ultra Open Earbuds speak to you—and you’re willing to pay a premium for them—they’re among the better open-style earphones we’ve tested.” This $70 discount takes the edge off the premium price tag.
More Wireless Earbud Deals That Sound Great
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
What to Keep in Mind When Buying Headphones
Headphones aren’t a one-size-fits-all type of purchase — there are so many other factors that go into choosing the perfect pair, including fit, features, and perhaps most importantly, sound quality. That’s where the PC Labs come in.
Over-ear options have significantly longer run times and are generally more comfortable for extended use than in-ear headphones, though the latter have the advantage of a rechargeable case. We also like to see headphones that have an app for tuning the EQ to your preference and making adjustments based on what you’re listening to.
Recommended by Our Editors
If you listen mostly to music, headphones with a bass boost are nice to have. Active noise canceling is extra important in loud environments like a shared work space, a public-transit commute, or an airplane trip; a “transparency mode” is crucial for those who need to let the sounds of the outside world in for a brief conversation. And on that note, on-ear headphones are an easy way to tell others that you want to be left in peace with your music.
Best Headphone Deals
Top-notch Noise Cancellation
Bose QuietComfort Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones
$199.00
at Amazon
$349.00
Save $150.00
Our reviewer praised the Bose QuietComfort for its top-tier active noise cancellation and rich, crisp audio. Comfortable and lightweight, they have excellent sound quality that can be tailored via an in-app EQ. While they don’t have the same levels of Bluetooth codecs as the higher-end QuietComfort Ultra headphones, they’re still a fantastic value for the price. Bose’s Aware mode allows you to hear your surroundings without needing to remove the headphones, which is great news for those who want to wear them out and about.
Android users may benefit from the LDAC codec support of the Sony Sony WH-1000XM5, and Apple fans may lean into the seamless IOS integration of the AirPods Max, “if you’re simply looking for class-leading noise cancellation and don’t need high-end codec support, it’s easy to recommend the Bose QuietComfort Headphones.” Especially with a $150 discount.
Best AirPods Max Alternative
3.5
Good
What Our Ratings Mean
- 5.0 – Exemplary: Near perfection, ground-breaking
- 4.5 – Outstanding: Best in class, acts as a benchmark for measuring competitors
- 4.0 – Excellent: A performance, feature, or value leader in its class, with few shortfalls
- 3.5 – Good: Does what the product should do, and does so better than many competitors
- 3.0 – Average: Does what the product should do, and sits in the middle of the pack
- 2.5 – Fair: We have some reservations, buy with caution
- 2.0 – Subpar: We do not recommend, buy with extreme caution
- 1.5 – Poor: Do not buy this product
- 1.0 – Dismal: Don’t even think about buying this product
Read Our
Editorial Mission Statement
and
Testing Methodologies.
Beats Studio Pro Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones (Black)
$199.95
at Amazon
$349.99
Save $150.04
Beats is an Apple-owned company, so connectivity and functionality with iOS devices and a premium build quality are a given. Comfortable, with punchy bass and bright highs, these headphones support spatial audio with head tracking to personalize Dolby Atmos audio. The Beats Studio Pro ships with a 3.5mm aux cable for wired listening as well as a USB-C cable, which supports hi-res audio playback, all of which comes in a cloth zip-up case. Our expert reviewer noted that the Beat Studio Pro’s noise cancellation performance is just average and that the EQ isn’t adjustable, so keep that in mind if those are deal breakers for your purposes. These will serve Apple users well as a more affordable alternative to the AirPods Max, especially when on sale for 43% less.
Best Over-Ear Budget
Anker Soundcore Q20i Noise Cancelling Over-Ear Headphones
$39.99
at Amazon
$69.99
Save $30.00
These Anker Soundcore Q20i over-ear headphones ring in at just $50, and they’re available in black, blue, and white. Their sleek looks aside, they offer 40 hours of battery life, dual connections to two devices simultaneously, and a customizable EQ via the companion app. Those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on headphones, but don’t want to sacrifice comfort or sound quality, should give these a look, especially at 36% off the retail price. The 20,000+ user reviews on Amazon with an overall rating of 4.6 speak volumes about how much users enjoy the sound quality and comfortable fit.
More Over-Ear Headphone That Sound Great
*Deals are selected by our commerce team
What Are the Best Wireless Earbuds?
Among our experts’ top-rated picks are the Apple Airpods Pro, the Sony WF-1000XM5, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. These are the market-leading in-ear, noise-cancelling earphones.
Why Do My Headphones/Earbuds Keep Breaking?
There are a few best practices for headphone care, including regular cleaning, heeding IP ratings, using the case, and avoiding high volumes for extended periods. Treat your headphones right, and they’ll last you a long time. Earbuds need love, too, and you can find helpful tips in our article.
How Do You Test Headphones/Earbuds?
Both headphones and earbuds are evaluated on fit, comfort, design, features, and, of course, sound quality. The same selection of songs, which is familiar to our reviewers, is played to measure the punchiness of the bass and the clarity of the vocals. You can read more information here.
What Are the Best Headphones?
That depends on your usage case and your budget. We have a few categories, including the best overall, best cheap headphones, and best for exercising. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones are names that top our reviewers’ charts. These options are great at cancelling noise and more faithfully reproducing the source material. The songs we play are ones our reviewers have listened to hundreds of times across dozens of different speakers and headphones, including high-end models, so we know exactly how they should sound and exactly what is being reproduced well or poorly.
Do Expensive Headsets Make a Difference?
Generally, more expensive headphones do a better job of reproducing the source sound exactly as it was passed to them. What makes high-end headphones pricier often involves the materials, accessories, codec support, ANC circuitry, and attention paid to detail. Those who put audio quality above all else will appreciate the improved experience.
Does Active Noise Canceling (ANC) Actually Work?
You’ve probably seen the term “ANC” more often in recent years. Active Noise Canceling utilizes your headphone’s built-in mics to capture environmental sounds (people, traffic, airplane engines) and then uses the audio processing circuitry to generate the inverse wave of those sounds in real time to cancel them out. The process only takes a split second, and it can be very effective, but not every pair of headphones is the same.
What Is a Good Cheap Headphone Brand?
Tribit, JVC, and JLab are your best bets for affordable earphone brands. Our experts favorably reviewed the Tribit FlyBuds 3, the JVC HA-A9T earbuds, and the JLab JBuds Mini. Also, don’t count out Anker Soundcore, which makes one of our favorites, the Liberty 4 Pro.
Is $400 Too Much for Headphones?
Many audiophile-quality headphones cost more than $1,000. Though not everyone can afford $400, many of today’s best consumer headphones are priced at this level. Prime examples include the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ($429) and Sony WH-1000XM5 ($399). The benefit of buying headphones above $500 falls prey to the law of diminishing returns unless you’re a true audiophile.
How Do We Test Headphones?
First and foremost, when we test headphones, we start with fit. Many headphones come with additional tips or earpads so that users can choose what is most comfortable for them. We also wear them for long periods to see how they feel over time. Then, we test features and connectivity. Not all headphones are made equally; some come with more nice-to-have features than others. If there’s a wired option in addition to wireless, we test that as well. And, of course, we test the sound. We sample a variety of musical genres in order to determine strengths and weaknesses.
Do AirPods and Premium Headphones Go on Sale During Prime Day or Black Friday?
They sure do! Black Friday and Prime Day are (pardon the pun) prime times to buy AirPods and other high-priced headphones. Retailers often offer the best discounts on products priced between $200 and $400, so you have a great chance to save some green.
When do Premium Headphones Like Beats, Samsung, and Sony Go on Sale?
Retailers like Amazon and Best Buy don’t need many reasons to offer sales. As noted, Black Friday and Prime Day are your best bets for the deepest discounts, but don’t ignore holidays like Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day, all of which are target dates for sales.
Where Can I Find the Cheapest Wireless Earbuds?
Low-cost earphones are often available from discount retailers. These include Amazon and Best Buy, but others like FYE, Fry’s, Target, and Walmart are better bets. That said, it’s best to stick to products from brands you recognize.
About Our Expert
Jade Chung-Lee
Merchandising Associate
Experience
When she isn’t perusing online stores for deals, Jade enjoys playing video games (mostly JRPGs and roguelikes), sorting board game components neatly into containers, and building Gundam models. Her love of electronics has persisted through her youth and has resulted in a collection of gaming peripherals including keyboards and controllers, scale figures, and art work. Jade lives in blissful harmony with her wife, cat, and two chinchillas—as well as a host of houseplants.
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