I Love Sony's Latest Headphones. But Its Older Ones Are Nearly As Good (and Cheaper)

1 week ago

When Sony released its WH-1000XM6 headphones past year, I was instantly floored by nan caller headset's stellar sound cancellation and classical Sony sound. They fresh and sounded simply amazing. The headphones had specified beardown sound cancellation that, while listening to them connected a caller flight, I didn't recognize nan level had embarked connected an emergency landing.

Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 review: Still nan king of ANC headphones? My verdict aft months of testing

The XM6 headphones are great, and that's for sure. They're besides $400 -- not terribly affordable. If $400 is conscionable a small retired of your value range, you mightiness beryllium amended disconnected opting for the $300 XM5 headphones that Sony unveiled a fewer years ago. It's a bully clip to bargain them, too, since Amazon's Spring Sale is good underway. The headphones are 25% disconnected correct now, but nan discount will apt only use during nan long of nan sale, which ends connected March 31.

Also: Amazon Spring Sale unrecorded blog 2026: Tracking nan biggest value drops each week

The XM5 headphones don't person nan updated Bluetooth type aliases arsenic beardown of sound cancellation, but that doesn't mean they aren't awesome headphones. They person nan aforesaid artillery life arsenic nan newer XM6. What Sony improves connected from nan past procreation to nan coming 1 is its sound cancellation.

Side by broadside comparisons beryllium that nan sound cancellation connected nan XM6 is stronger. Still, nan XM5's sound cancellation is still great. In fact, if you ne'er listened to nan XM6, you astir apt would person nary thought what you're missing, anyway.

Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. WH-1000XM5: I compared some headphones, and this exemplary wins

I'd urge purchasing these headphones if you're successful request of a caller brace that will past passim a fewer workdays earlier a recharge, make your euphony sound bright, clear, and exciting, and consciousness comfortable for hours connected apical of your head.

How I rated this deal

This is simply a 5/5 woody because Sony churns retired immoderate exceptional headphones, and they often costs a mates 100 dollars. This woody marks nan value of nan headphones down by 25%, taking $100 disconnected its asking price. You're still getting a competitory headset, moreover astatine that discount.

When is Amazon's Spring Sale?

Amazon's Big Spring Sale runs March 25-31, 2026.

When will this woody expire?

This woody will apt tally done Amazon's Spring Sale, which ends March 31. Deals are taxable to waste retired aliases expire anytime. Our squad of experts regularly checks successful connected nan deals we stock to guarantee they are still unrecorded and obtainable. We're sorry if you've missed retired connected this deal, but don't fret -- we're perpetually uncovering caller chances to prevention and sharing them pinch you at ZDNET.com.

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Also: How we complaint deals astatine ZDNET successful 2026