Labor Day has just wrapped up, and a lot of the best audio discounts are still hanging around. If you have been waiting to upgrade your commute headphones or replace a tired pair of earbuds, early September is one of the better windows before holiday pricing.
We have rounded up the deals that are actually worth your money. That means flagship noise-cancelling over-ears, premium earbuds for every phone, plus budget and workout picks.
A quick note on how to read this list. All prices are as seen at major US retailers at the time of writing, and audio deals change fast, sometimes within hours. Where a sale has already ended, we note the recent low so you know what a good price looks like.
Our headline pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 for $398
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is our top pick this month. Amazon, Best Buy and Sony's own store have all been listing it at $398, down from its $459.99 list price. It briefly dipped to around $378 earlier in the summer, but $398 is still close to the lowest price we have seen.
Sony's current flagship brings a newer QN3 noise-cancelling processor, a foldable design and better call quality than the XM5. It is also sold in more colors than before, including Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue and Sand Pink.
If you fly or commute often and want the most complete all-rounder, this is the one to buy. Just avoid paying full price, since it has been discounted regularly since launch.
Key takeaway: a good flagship deal in 2026 is roughly $50 to $100 off list. If you see the XM6 near $400, AirPods Pro 3 near $199 or AirPods Max 2 under $450, that is a genuinely strong price.
Best noise-cancelling over-ear headphone deals
Sony WH-1000XM5: the value flagship at $198
The previous-generation WH-1000XM5 has dropped to $198 at Amazon and Best Buy. That is roughly half its original price and well below its previous low of around $248.
The XM5 does not fold and lacks some XM6 refinements, but it still offers excellent noise cancelling, around 30 hours of battery life and multipoint Bluetooth. At half the price of its successor, it is the smartest buy on this list for most people.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Bose's latest QuietComfort Ultra Headphones list at $449 and have recently been selling for around $399 at Amazon and Best Buy. Bose sales tend to come and go in short bursts, so check both retailers before you buy.
These are the pick if comfort is your top priority, and Bose's noise cancelling remains among the very best. Immersive Audio adds a spatial mode that some listeners love, though it does cost you battery life.
Apple AirPods Max 2
Apple's 2026 AirPods Max 2 list at $549, and Amazon cut them to $449 across all five colors for Labor Day. They briefly sold for about $429 in August, so $449 is a solid but not record price.
The second generation adds Apple's H2 chip, Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. These are headphones for committed iPhone, iPad and Mac users; outside Apple's ecosystem, the Sony and Bose options make more sense.
If you do not need the new features, the original USB-C AirPods Max have also been discounted. Recently they have sold for roughly $50 less than the Max 2.
Best true wireless earbud deals
Apple AirPods Pro 3: $199
AirPods Pro 3 are down to $199 at Amazon, $50 off the $249 list price. They hit about $190 in August, but $199 is still among the lowest prices we have tracked.
The third-generation model launched in September 2025 with noticeably stronger noise cancelling, a revised fit, IP57 water and sweat resistance, Live Translation and heart-rate sensing for workouts. For iPhone owners, they are the default recommendation. Apple is widely expected to refresh its base AirPods this month, but reports indicate the Pro 3 will remain the flagship for a while longer.
Sony WF-1000XM6
Sony's newest flagship earbuds launched in February 2026 at $329.99, Sony's most expensive earbuds yet. Sony's own store listed them around $298 this summer, so look for a price near $300 rather than paying full list.
Sony claims a meaningful noise-cancelling improvement over the XM5, powered by its QN3e processor. They support LDAC for high-bitrate audio on Android, but not aptX, and their IPX4 rating is less robust than the IP57 on AirPods Pro 3.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)
The second-generation QC Ultra Earbuds list at $299 and have repeatedly dropped to $249. That price has appeared at Bose, Best Buy and Amazon, though some of the Amazon listings come from third-party sellers.
They are the choice if you want noise cancelling that rivals the best over-ears in a pocketable format. They are chunkier in the ear than AirPods, so fit is worth considering.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro
Samsung's Galaxy Buds 4 Pro launched in March 2026 at $249.99. The US version has been selling for about $219 at Amazon with Samsung's warranty.
Woot has offered the buds for around $155, but check the fine print. That is an international model without Samsung's standard US warranty. For Galaxy phone owners, the Buds 4 Pro unlock Samsung's higher-quality codec and features such as Live Translation.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
The Pixel Buds Pro 2 list at $229 and have recently dropped to $189 at Amazon. They are small, light and comfortable, with good noise cancelling and tight Gemini integration on Pixel phones.
Best budget headphone deals
You do not need to spend $400 to get real noise cancelling. These are the picks we would buy with around $100.
- Soundcore Space One: lists at $99.99 and has dropped as low as about $66 in past sales. Strong noise cancelling for the price, up to 40 hours with ANC on, and a comfortable fit.
- Soundcore Space 2: the newer model has recently sold for $109.99, down from $129.99, and adds LDAC support for Android.
- Sony WH-CH720N: typically found for about $87 to $101. At under 200 grams it is one of the lightest ANC over-ears you can buy, and it is a great fit for glasses wearers.
- Google Pixel Buds 2a: $129 list, with ANC, IP54 buds and multipoint in a very small shell. Watch for dips below list, which have been occasional.
- Soundcore Q20i: around $45, the go-to if you just need basic noise cancelling for a student or a spare pair.
Best workout headphone deals
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: $199.95
Powerbeats Pro 2 list at $249.99 and have been going for $199.95 at Amazon in all four colors. They have only been cheaper a couple of times. The ear hooks keep them locked in during sprints, and built-in heart-rate sensors work with fitness apps on iPhone and Android.
Best Buy has also listed open-box units in "excellent" condition for noticeably less. That is worth a look if you are comfortable with open-box returns.
Shokz OpenRun Pro 2
For runners and cyclists who need to hear traffic, the OpenRun Pro 2 are our open-ear pick. They typically sell between $179 and $199, and dropped to about $120 in a sale this summer.
The older OpenRun Pro has recently been available for about $110. It is a lower-risk way to try bone conduction if you are not sure you will like it.
AirPods Pro 3 for the gym
If you already own an iPhone, AirPods Pro 3 at $199 double as excellent workout buds. You get IP57 sweat resistance and heart-rate sensing, so you may not need a dedicated sports pair at all.
Comparison table: this month's deals at a glance
| Model | Type | List price | Recent deal price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | Over-ear ANC | $459.99 | $398 | Best overall over-ear |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | Over-ear ANC | Originally $399.99 | $198 | Best value flagship |
| Bose QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Over-ear ANC | $449 | About $399 | Comfort and noise cancelling |
| AirPods Max 2 | Over-ear ANC | $549 | $449 | Apple ecosystem |
| AirPods Pro 3 | Earbuds | $249 | $199 | iPhone users |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 | Earbuds | $329.99 | About $298 | Android sound quality |
| Bose QC Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) | Earbuds | $299 | $249 | Strongest earbud ANC |
| Galaxy Buds 4 Pro | Earbuds | $249.99 | About $219 (US model) | Samsung phones |
| Pixel Buds Pro 2 | Earbuds | $229 | $189 | Pixel phones |
| Soundcore Space One | Budget over-ear | $99.99 | As low as about $66 | Budget ANC |
| Powerbeats Pro 2 | Workout earbuds | $249.99 | $199.95 | Secure gym fit |
Prices were checked at major US retailers at the time of writing and may have changed since.
How to choose: buying advice
Noise cancelling
Every flagship here offers excellent active noise cancelling, and the differences are smaller than marketing suggests. Over-ears generally beat earbuds on low rumble like plane engines. Earbuds depend heavily on a good seal, so fit matters as much as the chip inside.
Codecs
Codecs decide how your audio gets from phone to ear. iPhones use AAC, so higher-bitrate codecs make no difference there.
On Android, Sony supports LDAC, Samsung's buds use its own higher-quality codec with Galaxy phones, and Bose supports aptX Adaptive on compatible Snapdragon phones. If you are not an audiophile, do not let codecs outweigh comfort and noise cancelling.
Fit and comfort
Try every ear-tip size in the box and run the fit test in the companion app if one is offered. For over-ears, weight and clamping force matter on long flights. Glasses wearers should favor lighter headphones with softer pads.
Ecosystem
Match your headphones to your phone. AirPods get automatic device switching, easy pairing and spatial audio with Apple devices. Galaxy Buds and Pixel Buds get similar perks on their own phones. Sony and Bose work well with anything, which makes them the safe choice for mixed-device households.
FAQ
Is now a good time to buy headphones, or should I wait for Black Friday?
Current Labor Day pricing on the XM6, AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 is close to their recent lows. Black Friday may shave a little more, but if you need headphones now, these are fair prices and you are unlikely to regret them.
Should I buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the XM6?
At $198 versus $398, the XM5 is the better value for most people. Pick the XM6 if you want a foldable design, the newest noise cancelling and better call quality.
Are open-box and international models worth it?
They can be, but read the terms. Open-box units from major retailers usually carry a normal return window. International models, like some discounted Galaxy Buds 4 Pro listings, may not include the manufacturer's US warranty.
Do I need a codec like LDAC or aptX?
Only if you use Android, stream high-quality files and have headphones and a phone that both support the same codec. For most listeners, fit and noise cancelling make a much bigger difference.
The bottom line
The Sony WH-1000XM6 at $398 is our headline deal for anyone who wants the best all-round noise-cancelling over-ears. The WH-1000XM5 at $198 is the value standout, and AirPods Pro 3 at $199 remain the easy pick for iPhone owners. Deal prices move quickly, so if one of these hits your target, it is worth acting while it lasts.
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