I review headphones for a living. Here are my 4 favorite Amazon Spring Sale deals

3 days ago 18

Whether you're searching for earbuds that won't die on you mid-run, or headphones that'll last on long-haul flights, now is a great time to shop for a new pair of buds with Amazon's Big Spring Sale event. Active through March 31, the e-commerce giant is discounting everything from household necessities (I just bought a bed frame for 40% off, thank you very much) to tech gadgets like headphones.

Also: The best Amazon Spring Sale deals live now

I test audio technology here at ZDNET, and I've got some strong opinions on what makes a pair of headphones worth it. While retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy often claim discounting on these products, I watch prices of fan-favorite earbuds and headphones all year and know whether or not something is a true discount, or smoke and mirrors.

So here are my top-rated deals from Amazon's Big Spring Sale you can shop right now.

Current price: $328
Original price: $400

These Sony headphones are some of the best you can buy if you want great noise cancellation and superior sound. When ZDNET's Matt Miller reviewed the luxury headphones, he called them "basically perfect," and yeah, we agree. You can't get much better than these if you want amazing and robust sound, a long battery life, and comfort.

Take these to the office to stay productive with minimal disruptions (and a 40-hour battery life to last you the work week without recharging) or on flights for supreme comfort during that red eye. The discount takes the price down by $82.

Current price: $169
Original price: $249

iPhone owners looking to replace their old earbuds with some sweet-sounding noise-canceling buds will be happy to learn that the best AirPods you can buy are discounted right now. The AirPods Pro 2 are some of the best earbuds on the market, but recent updates have made them even more useful. Take the recent hearing loss detection update that turns them into hearing aids and provides a hearing test users can take to their doctor for diagnosis. That's pretty cool for a pair of $169 earbuds.

But if you need earbuds for music-listening, these will do the trick, too. They've got wireless charging enabled, ANC that reduces plenty of background noise, and up to 30 hours of listening time. One feature I love with Apple-owned earbuds is the ability to get text notifications delivered through my earbuds as I'm walking or on-the-go. It's one of the many simple touches that make these AirPods Pro 2 great for iPhone owners.

Current price: $77
Original price: $100

Over the past year, I've probably tested 10 to 20 different pairs of earbuds, but I always come back to the Nothing Ear (a). There are a few reasons for this: the first is that the battery feels endless (even though it has a 42-hour battery life), and I rarely have to recharge these. The second is that the sound is amazing and rivals higher quality earbuds but at a far lower price tag. The third is that they look far more interesting and are easier to find in my work bag or purse than the bland white and black earbuds I test.

These sport a unique design, have pinch controls that work a lot better for navigating music on the go, and tactile ear tips that stay in your ears. They were such a great pair of earbuds, I even wore them for my first-ever half marathon.

Current price: $150
Original price: $180

Runners and outdoor exercise enthusiasts love bone conduction headphones because they help people stay aware of their surroundings and enjoy their music at the same time -- no sacrifice necessary. Shokz' OpenRun Pro 2 bone conduction headphones do a great job of bringing the bass and resting comfortably around my ears.

In fact, I barely noticed them because of this comfortable design. My only issue, though, was that I wished the sound on these was a smidge louder than what I was working with. One thing you won't get out of bone conduction headphones is music that fully immerses you, but that's the tradeoff for the open-ear design.

When is Amazon's Big Spring Sale

The sales event kicked off on Tuesday, March 25 and runs until Monday, March 31. Expect savings on all kinds of products the e-commerce giant sells coming and going throughout the week.

Are deals really better during Amazon sales?

While there are no guarantees that the prices you see are the lowest ever, Amazon -- and the various retailers and sellers it works with -- tends to keep promotions as competitive as possible. That's why you can expect discounts that match all-time-lows -- or at least somewhere near them.

How did we choose these Spring Sale deals?

While it's always helpful when products are discounted significantly (we usually cover ones that are at least 20% off), ZDNET experts also prioritize promotions on products we've personally tested and can vouch for. Since the products you purchase are considerable investments, we ensure that our recommendations are grounded by thorough research, testing, and value.

We also source reviews from actual customers, whether through Best Buy and Amazon testimonials (with hands-on images) or online forums like Reddit.