A good pair of headphones can be transformative. 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.
But we know that headphones, especially top-quality, high-demand buds like Apple AirPods or Bose models, can be pricey. Luckily for you, we found the best deals going on right now, so you can pick up a pair of solid, reliable headphones without breaking the bank.
Our favorite deal is for a pair of premium Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones, which provide excellent audio and are available with a discount of $100. Alternatively, we recommend the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) wireless earbuds. While the price reduction isn’t huge, the $150 price tag is still worth considering by Apple fans. However, if they don’t strike your fancy, check out other deals we’ve found, which include fantastic savings on Apple, Bose, Sennheiser products, and more.
The best headphone deals in January 2024
- Current price: $229
- 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 $229, 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 the Bose QC45 headphones and recommends them for casual listeners who want high-quality headphones without breaking the bank.
Review: These are my go-to headphones for all-day listening, and they’re not AirPods
- Current price: $150
- Original price: $170
While the discount is far from the best on offer, one of our favorite deals is for the third-generation Apple AirPods.
Available at Amazon, Apple’s latest AirPod range — complete with a wireless charging case — offers users personalized spatial audio, decent audio quality, and up to six hours of listening time on a single charge. The AirPods are powered by Apple’s H1 chip, and access to the Siri voice assistant is included.
- Current price: $180
- 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 $180 off the typical list price of $350.
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- Current price: $100
- Original price: $150
For an affordable, stylish pair of earbuds, you can save $50 on a pair of Beats Studio Buds. Walmart is offering a discount on the earbuds, which are available in red and black, and provide ANC and up to eight hours of listening time.
- Current price: $175
- Original price: $280
Another pair of earbuds worth considering is the Sennheiser Momentum 3 earbuds. Available at Amazon, you can save $105 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 available online
Looking for some more headphone deals for you or another podcast lover? Here are some sales we found happening at major US retailers.
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 the best headphone deal right now?
Our favorite deal is for a pair of premium Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones, which provide excellent audio and are available with a discount of $100. Alternatively, we recommend the Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) wireless earbuds. While the price reduction isn’t huge, the $150 price tag is still worth considering by Apple fans.
