The best Prime Day headphone deals to shop before the sale ends

2 weeks ago 10

Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale ends in a few hours. It's a great time to pick up a new pair of headphones for yourself or music lovers on your upcoming holiday shopping list (it's never too early to start shopping for the holidays).

Also: The best October Prime Day deals live now

I review headphones for a living and combed through Amazon's headphones catalog, uncovering sizable discounts on the best headphones, many of which we've tested and recommended, like the Apple AirPods Max, Sony WF-1000XM5, and Beats Studio Pro. Some selections were released as recently as this year, while others are a few years old but are still worth their purchase prices -- especially on sale.

Our favorite Amazon October Prime Day headphone deals

Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones for $198 (Blue only) (save $150): These flagship Sony headphones are an oldie but a goldie. They offer impressive noise cancellation, 30 hours of playback, and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity.
Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones for $170 (save $180): Beats' flagship over-ear headphones debuted with a stylish design, ultra-comfortable ear cups, effective noise cancellation, and 40 hours of battery life.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 wireless earbuds for $150 (save $30): Samsung's newest earbuds debut with a new design, enhanced comfort, and Galaxy AI features.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra over-ear headphones for $329 (save $100): Bose's flagship headphones were our choice for "best headphones of 2023" for their sleek yet sporty design, best-in-class noise cancellation, and reliable spatial audio features.
Sony Ult Wear over-ear headphones for $148 (save $52): We love Sony's latest midrange over-ear headphones for their big, boomy bass, all-day comfort, and classic design.
Sennheiser Accentum Plus over-ear headphones for $149 (Black only) (save $51): Sennheiser's upper-midrange headphones are one of our favorites because of their unassuming design and impressive sound for their low price.

Our favorite Amazon October Prime Day earbud deals

Apple AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds for $169 (save $80): Apple's premium earbuds are our favorite iOS-compatible earbuds, offering effective noise cancellation, immense comfort, and great sound.
Jabra Elite 10 wireless earbuds for $170 (save $80): These earbuds are compatible with Dolby Atmos spatial audio, boast up to 36 hours of playtime, and sport an IP57 rating to withstand short periods of water submersion.
JBL Tour Pro 2 wireless earbuds for $180 (save $70): These earbuds have a Smart Case with a touch screen for audio control, managing calls, and controlling earbud settings without needing to pull out your phone.
Google Pixel Buds Pro wireless earbuds for $139 (Fog only) (save $61): We dubbed Google's flagship earbuds "the best earbuds for Pixel users," thanks to their exclusive software features, great sound, and comfortable fit.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 wireless earbuds for $150 (save $30): Samsung's newest earbuds debut with a new design, enhanced comfort, and Galaxy AI features.
Samsung Galaxy Buds FE wireless earbuds for $65 (save $35): If the flagship Galaxy Buds have too many advanced features, you can snag these earbuds for a lower price.
Bose Ultra Open Earbuds for $249 (save $50): This is one of the only discounts we've seen on Bose's luxury earbuds that feature fantastic sound quality and reliable ambient awareness.

Current price: $169
Original price: $249

Apple's premium earbuds offer a top-tier experience for Apple users. The Pro 2 earbuds have native iOS software features, highly effective noise cancellation, and a comfortable and secure fit. This year, Apple released a software update that readied the AirPods Pro 2 to act as an over-the-counter hearing aid, adding to their value and utility.

Current price: $100
Original price: $200

The Beats Solo 4 were released this summer with new-and-improved design features, audio performance, and software features. These headphones offer an on-ear fit, making them perfect for people who don't like over-ear headphones. All of the Solo 4's color variations are 50% off for Prime Day, and it's rare to see a new pair of headphones discounted so heavily, so take advantage of this deal before it disappears.

Current price: $220
Original price: $380

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones offer a stylish and comfortable form factor and high-quality audio for a well-rounded listening experience. They have impressively clear and detailed sound and promise over 60 hours of continuous audio playback. For Prime Day, you can find these headphones for a discounted price in Black, Copper, and White.

Current price: $329
Original price: $429

Bose's recent premium flagship headphones offer all-day comfort and best-in-class noise-canceling, making them a well-rounded pair of cans. These headphones debuted with Bose's Immersive Audio feature, which allows listeners to listen to any song, movie, or video in spatial audio, regardless of device or operating system.

Prime Day Apple headphone deals

AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, and AirPods Pro 2 on a rock river

Apple AirPods (3rd generation) for $130 (save $39): These AirPods lack wireless charging but offer up to 30 hours of playtime and spatial audio.
Apple AirPods 4 wireless earbuds for $119 (save $10): Apple's newest AirPods offer a more comfortable fit, improved sound quality, and spatial audio.
Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation for $168 (save $11): The other model of Apple's latest earbuds debuted with noise cancellation, a slimmer case, and improved audio and call quality.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 wireless earbuds for $169 (save $80): Apple's premium earbuds are our favorite iOS-compatible earbuds, offering effective noise cancellation, immense comfort, and great sound.
Apple AirPods Max over-ear headphones for $395 (Lightning only) (save $154): Apple's over-ear headphones are some of the most sought-after, and we recommend them most to Apple users looking for premium headphones.

Prime Day Sony headphone deals

Sony WF-1000XM5 in black against a brick wall

Sony WH-1000XM4 over-ear headphones for $228 (save $120): These flagship Sony headphones are an oldie but a goldie. They offer impressive noise cancellation, 30 hours of playback, and Bluetooth multipoint connectivity.
Sony WH-1000XM5 over-ear headphones for $298 (save $102): These headphones are one of our top picks, delivering premium software features, noise cancellation, and design elements.
Sony Ult Wear over-ear headphones for $148 (save $52): We love Sony's latest midrange over-ear headphones for their big, boomy bass, all-day comfort, and classic design.
Sony WH-CH720N over-ear headphones for $88 (save $62): We love these budget Sony headphones for their lightweight and comfortable fit, lengthy battery life, and intuitive software features.
Sony WF-1000XM5 wireless earbuds for $228 (save $72): If you want premium noise-canceling earbuds that can integrate with any device ecosystem, these are the ones for you.
Sony INZONE H9 wireless gaming headphones for $198 (save $102): Sony's premium gaming headphones offer PlayStation users effective noise cancellation, multiple connectivity options, and enough comfort for a long gaming session.
Sony LinkBuds open-ear wireless earbuds for $128 (save $52): Sony's unique approach to open-ear earbuds shines through in the LinkBuds, and we love their comfort and practicality.

Prime Day Bose headphone deals

Bose QuietComfort Ultra in White Smoke and the Bose Music companion app

Bose QuietComfort Ultra over-ear headphones for $329 (save $100): Bose's flagship headphones were our choice for "best headphones of 2023" for their sleek yet sporty design, best-in-class noise cancellation, and reliable spatial audio features.
Bose QuietComfort over-ear headphones for $199 (all colors except Black) (save $150): Bose's midrange headphones may be more affordable but they don't skimp on the software features, audio quality, or comfort.
Bose Ultra Open wireless open-ear earbuds for $249 (save $50): This is one of the only discounts we've seen on Bose's luxury earbuds that feature fantastic sound quality and reliable ambient awareness.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra wireless earbuds for $229 (save $70): These flagship Bose earbuds are the everyday companion you need for taking on-the-go calls and quieting your surroundings, all in a compact form factor.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II for $179 (Soapstone and Triple Black only) (save $100): Bose's uniquely shaped earbuds feature the company's best-in-class noise-canceling and software features compatible with any operating system.

Prime Day Beats headphone deals

Beats Solo 4 on-ear headphones for $100 (save $100): The latest iteration of Beats Solo headphone lineup delivers a fresh design, well-tuned sound, and compatibility with native Android and iOS features.
Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones for $170 (all colors except Dune, Earth, and Moon) (save $180): Beats' flagship over-ear headphones debuted with a stylish design, ultra-comfortable ear cups, effective noise cancellation, and 40 hours of battery life.
Beats Solo 3 on-ear headphones for $95 (save $105): The Solo 3 headphones debuted almost a decade ago, but they've held their value thanks to their great sound, comfortable fit, and great sound.
Beats Studio Buds wireless earbuds for $80 (save $70): These Beats earbuds offer noise cancellation, up to 24 hours of playtime, and are water and sweat-resistant.
Beats Studio Buds Plus wireless earbuds for $130 (Black and Transparent only) (save $40): The Beats Studio Buds deliver effective noise cancellation, eight hours of continuous audio playback, and unique compatibility with native iOS and Android software features.
Beats Fit Pro wireless earbuds for $150 (save $50): These active earbuds offer three audio modes, Beats' distinct sound profile, and an in-ear fit for stability.
Beats Powerbeats Pro wireless earbuds for $150 (save $100): If the Fit Pro are likely to fall out of your ears, the Powerbeats Pro are equipped with ear hooks for added stability.

Prime Day bone conduction headphone deals

Shokz OpenRun Pro for $125 (save $55): These bone conduction headphones are great for runners and outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to their sweat resistance, secure fit, and open-ear design.
Shokz OpenSwim for $120 (save $30): These Shokz headphones are totally waterproof and produce clear sound under the water. We recommend them for music lovers who want to keep the party going in the pool, lake, or ocean.
Shokz OpenFit for $150 (save $55): If the neckband on traditional bone conduction headphones get in your way, these true wireless ones may do you better.
Bose Ultra Open wireless open-ear earbuds for $249 (save $50): This is one of the only discounts we've seen on Bose's luxury earbuds that feature fantastic sound quality and reliable ambient awareness.
Shokz OpenMove for $55 (save $25): These headphones sport a titanium wraparound frame to ensure a secure fit for running and exercising.

More October Prime Day headphone and earbud deals

Jabra Elite 4 Active wireless earbuds for $70 (save $50): Those with active lifestyles will enjoy these earbuds for their seven hours of continuous playback, intuitive software features, and effective noise cancellation.
Google Pixel Buds A-Series wireless earbuds for $59 (save $40): If the Pixel Buds Pro are too advanced for your liking, the A-Series earbuds offer high-quality audio, Google voice assistant capabilities, and water resistance for a lower price.
Sennheiser Momentum Sport wireless earbuds for $200 (Black only) (save $130): These earbuds are great for those with active lifestyles. We especially like their integration with Polar fitness trackers.
Earfun Air Pro 3 wireless earbuds for $50 (Black only) (save $50): These affordable earbuds offer every feature you could need, such as noise cancellation, Bluetooth multipoint, and over 40 hours of playtime.
Marshall Major IV on-ear headphones for $80 (save $70): These headphones offer Marshall's signature sound, over 80 hours of playback, and wireless charging compatibility.
Skullcandy Crusher ANC 2 over-ear headphones for $135 (save $95): We recommend these headphones to bass enthusiasts looking for headphones that also offer effective noise cancellation and a host of software features.
JBL Tune 760NC over-ear headphones for $60 (save $70): These compact headphones offer 35 hours of playtime, noise cancellation, and a bass-forward sound for a low price.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro wireless earbuds for $210 (save $40): We love Samsung's latest premium earbuds for their compatibility with high-quality audio formats and edgy design.
Soundcore Life Q20 over-ear headphones for $40 (Black only) (save $20): These headphones provide big bass, over 40 hours of playtime, and impressive sound for a low price.
Sennheiser HD 660S2 open-back headphones for $400 (save $200): The Sennheiser HD 660S2 are the latest iteration in the company's iconic open-back lineup. They're best for audiophiles, and finding them at this price is incredibly rare.

FAQs

When is Amazon's October Prime Day 2024?

October's Amazon Big Deal Days sale is Oct. 8 to Oct. 9.

Are headphones really cheaper on Prime Day?

During Amazon's Prime Day sales, plenty of headphones are for sale. Older headphones are often steeply discounted, and newer releases are regularly slightly discounted. Amazon's Prime Day sales are a great time to buy headphones because it's common to find headphones at their lowest price ever or headphones that are rarely discounted.

How did we choose these October Prime Day deals?

ZDNET chooses Prime Day deals based on how steep the discounted price is, how often a product goes on sale, and whether our team has tested and recommended the product. Our experts looked for deals that were at least 20% off (or are hardly ever on sale), using established price comparison tools and trackers to determine whether the deal is actually on sale and how frequently it drops.

We also reviewed customer reviews to learn what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we recommend. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing, extensive research, and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.