Best Deals on Headphones

The AirPods Pro 3 are Apple’s top-of-the-line earbuds, and they’re packed with features. The new functions include live translation and a workout mode that allows you to leave your Apple Watch at home. They still offer a clinical-grade hearing test and the option of turning your Pro 3s into an over-the-counter hearing aid. They also sound good and offer a better fit and noise cancelling than last year’s Pro 2s. This is the usual sale price that’s available regularly. When the big sales hit next month, they will likely get a bit cheaper, but you likely won’t see a big difference in price until Black Friday.

Dyson On Trac noise-cancelling headphones are the vacuum company’s first audio-only product. This is only $50 more than the best price for these headphones, and it’s only available at Amazon. Dyson’s heavy and expensive Zone headphones add an air purifier feature—and there’s a lot to like about them. The On Tracs are beautifully designed, allow for color customization, and sound superb. Early production models emitted an obnoxious, loud noise when you switched from noise-canceling to transparency mode. If that’s been fixed, the On Tracs represent a real value.

The Bose Quiet Comfort earbuds sit near the top of our ratings, with really satisfying sound and exceptional active noise cancellation. Bose headphones also earn top marks from our members for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. We have seen these sell for $130 during Prime Day, so you may be able to save a little more by waiting for Prime Big Deal Days.

If you’re a fan of the Google Pixel phone, then the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a solid choice for a complementary earbud. They have a Find My Device function, and the sound can be adjusted through the Pixel app. The Pixel Buds 2 earn very good sound-quality grades and score well for noise cancellation.

If you want a pair of noise-canceling earbuds at a budget price, check out the Soundcore Space A40s. The bass packs some wallop, and the overall sound is warm, which makes the A40s pleasant to listen to for long periods. The noise cancellation earns top marks from CR’s testers, too–there’s even a transparency mode that allows you to monitor your surroundings when you’re out running or walking down a busy street. The discount isn’t steep, but these headphones are a serious bargain even at their normal street price.

No, the Beats Studio Buds + don’t carry the Apple name, but they’re close relatives. Apple owns Beats by Dre, and you can buy these true wireless earbuds at the Apple Store. Like AirPods, they’re sleek and stylish, and work seamlessly with an iPhone or another Apple device. So if you don’t want or need the hearing-test or hearing-aid features of the AirPods Pro, the Studio Buds + offer satisfying sound and impressive noise-canceling performance at a lower price.

If you’re looking for earbuds that prioritize fit above all else, check out the Beats Fit Pro. These noise-canceling buds have soft silicone ear tips in three sizes, plus wingtips that fit into the pinna (the exterior of your ear) for additional security. They have actual buttons, too, rather than the touch-sensitive controls on many other models, which may make it easier to operate them while on the go. The Fit Pros also sound really good and feature effective active noise cancellation, making them a solid alternative to the similarly priced AirPods Pro.

If you run outside, the Bose Ultra Opens let you stay aware of your surroundings in a unique manner. They hook on your ear, just above the lobe, similar to a cuff-style earring. They sound surprisingly good, too, once you get the placement just right. And it’s easy to hear things around you with a clarity that the "transparency" mode of most earbuds can’t match.

For all of the popularity of Apple’s AirPods, these are rather unusual. Lacking the padded ear tips that plug your ear canals, they don’t offer much passive noise cancellation, but they do have reasonably effective noise-canceling tech. And so, you can elect to turn the noise-canceling feature off and hear what’s going on around you, which can be great when you’re on a run or walking on a busy street. In terms of sound and fit, the buds are very similar to the regular AirPods (fourth generation). These did cost $99.99 during Black Friday, but they didn’t even dip that low during Prime Day in July, so don’t expect as good a deal to come around until this Black Friday, if they even reach that price.

Beats headphones are sleek, and they sound good, too. The over-ear Beats Studio Pro get top marks for noise reduction, making them perfect for anyone who wants to lock in at the gym, get some serious work done, or just tune out the world for a little while. And the sound quality rated 4 out of 5 in our tests, too, so you’ll be able to immerse yourself in your favorite songs. They were $206.99 around Prime Day, so use this as a reminder to check back again in October when the sales start for a better price.