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The best headphone deals: AirPods, Beats, Bose, and more
A good pair of headphones can be of real benefit to your day-to-day life. I can't even walk down the street, let alone run or exercise, without my headphones blasting a soundtrack to romanticize an otherwise mundane, mindless task. They also help me focus on my work in noisy environments.
Also: The best earbuds you can buy
But we know that headphones, especially top-quality, high-demand options like Apple AirPods or Bose models, can be pricey. If you're looking for a discount on headphones that will last you years to come, we have found the best deals on the market so you can pick up a pair of solid, reliable headphones without breaking the bank.
The best headphone deals
- Current price: $200
- Original price: $329
Whether you want to work, study, or simply tune out the world for a few hours, the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are arguably some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market.
Currently on sale at Best Buy for $199, their sleek over-ear headphone design and superior audio quality will allow you to spend hours on end focused on work. ZDNET's headphones expert, Jada Jones, says she can't go a workday without wearing Bose headphones and recommends them for casual listeners who want high-quality headphones.
Review: These are my go-to headphones for all-day listening, and they're not AirPods
- Current price: $90
- Original price: $130
While the discount isn't enormous, one of our favorite deals is for the second-generation Apple AirPods.
Available at Walmart, Apple's AirPod range -- complete with a lightning charging case -- offers users up to five hours of battery life on a single charge. The AirPods are powered by Apple's H1 chip, and access to the Siri voice assistant is included.
- Current price: $230
- Original price: $350
A substantial discount is available for a pair of Beats Studio Pro wireless noise-cancelling headphones at Amazon.
Available in four color choices, the Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones offer Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency modes, lossless audio, personalized sound profiles, on-device controls, compatibility with iOS and Android, and up to 40 hours of battery life.
Amazon is offering $120 off the typical list price of $350.
Review: The Beats Studio Pro are so close to being my dream headphones
- Current price: $100
- Original price: $150
For an affordable, stylish pair of earbuds, you can save $50 on a pair of Beats Studio Buds. Verizon is offering a discount on the earbuds, which are available in red, white, and black, and provide ANC and up to eight hours of listening time.
- Current price: $200
- Original price: $280
Another pair of earbuds worth considering is the Sennheiser Momentum 3 earbuds. Available at Amazon, you can save $81 off the typical RRP on these wireless earbuds, which provide high-quality audio, over a day of battery life on a single charge, and ANC -- all wrapped up in a stylish, compact case.
More headphone deals
How did we choose these headphone deals?
We went looking for these deals as if we were shopping for ourselves. By using discount codes and extensions, as well as looking through retailers' websites, these were the best headphone deals we could find for products the whole ZDNET team would enjoy.
We focused on:
- Price: Naturally, we wanted to ensure that each product is a good deal, no matter your budget.
- Rarity of sales: Some products -- such as Apple devices -- are rarely on sale. While the discounts are often small, they should be highlighted when they appear.
- Features: We included headphones with a range of features including active noise cancellation, voice assistant support, and different audio settings.
- Type: We wanted to include a variety of headphones suitable for different needs. For example, you may want a robust pair of over-ear headphones suitable for work, or you may prefer earbuds for exercise and the daily commute.
What is better -- over-ear or in-ear headphones?
If you're still deciding between over-ear and in-ear headphones, consider how you plan to use them. If you want to use your headphones during exercise, for example, earbuds might suit you better. However, if you want to wear them to block out noisy environments -- such as in coffee shops or while traveling -- or you need them to accept work calls, the improved noise insulation provided by over-ear products is your best bet.
Do expensive headphones sound better?
This entirely depends on the manufacturer. You should expect to pay more if headphones include dedicated processors, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, wireless technologies, hands-free calling, and other useful features. Furthermore, style comes into play: headphones with metal bands and leather cups will fetch a higher price than plastic.
Who makes the best budget headphones?
Many headphone manufacturers today attempt to develop ranges for all kinds of budgets. While you're unlikely to find headphones created by the likes of Bose, Apple, or Sennheiser for less than a hundred bucks, you should consider Sony, Jabra, Skullcandy, and JBL.
What are the best deals right now?
ZDNET experts split out the latest and greatest deals for you below.