I love Sony's latest headphones. But its older ones are nearly as good (and cheaper)

3 hours ago 7
Sony headphones

Sony WH-1000XM6 connected the left; Sony WH-1000XM5 connected the right. 

Nina Raemont/ZDNET

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

Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 review: Still the 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 terms 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 close now, but the discount volition apt lone use during the duration of the sale, which ends connected March 31. 

Also: Amazon Spring Sale unrecorded blog 2026: Tracking the biggest terms drops each week

The XM5 headphones don't person the updated Bluetooth mentation oregon arsenic beardown of sound cancellation, but that doesn't mean they aren't large headphones. They person the aforesaid artillery beingness arsenic the newer XM6. What Sony improves connected from the past procreation to the contiguous 1 is its sound cancellation. 

Side by broadside comparisons beryllium that the sound cancellation connected the XM6 is stronger. Still, the XM5's sound cancellation is inactive great. In fact, if you ne'er listened to the 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 volition past passim a fewer workdays earlier a recharge, marque your euphony dependable bright, clear, and exciting, and consciousness comfy for hours connected apical of your head. 

How I rated this deal 

This is simply a 5/5 woody due to the fact that Sony churns retired immoderate exceptional headphones, and they often outgo a mates 100 dollars. This woody marks the terms of the headphones down by 25%, taking $100 disconnected its asking price. You're inactive getting a competitory headset, adjacent astatine that discount. 

When is Amazon's Spring Sale?

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

When volition this woody expire?

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

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In 2025, we refined our attack to deals, processing a measurable strategy for sharing savings with readers similar you. Our editor's woody standing badges are affixed to astir of our woody content, making it casual to construe our expertise to assistance you marque the champion acquisition decision.

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Also: How we complaint deals astatine ZDNET successful 2026

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