Sony's Previous Flagship Headphones Are $100 Off (and Still Better Than Most Other Headphones)

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones combine industry-leading active noise cancellation with high-fidelity sound reproduction and a comfortable, lightweight design. A current Amazon price of $300 represents a steep discount compared with the usual price, making them strong value despite the availability of a successor model. Sound presentation is spacious and detailed, with particularly strong midrange clarity and defined highs and lows. The headphones weigh about 250 grams and include Bluetooth and 3.5-mm wired options, capacitive touch controls, and a free iOS and Android app for EQ and noise-canceling adjustments. A compact carrying case suits medium backpacks, though the newer model folds more compactly.

Some people always want the newest version, but if you're willing to compromise a little, you can have Sony's noise-canceling WH-1000XM5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) for just $300 from Amazon, a steep discount on their usual price. Even though their successor is available, they still offer an extremely good value, and number among our favorite active noise-canceling headphones, particularly when you can save $100. For years now, Sony has been pumping out generation after generation of the WH-1000XM Series headphones with active noise-canceling.

Not only do they have excellent noise-canceling performance, they also sound amazing. Our reviewer described them as "spacious and well defined, and consequently each and every individual strand of a recording is simple to identify and isolate." They work well with a variety of different musical styles, thanks to a high level of detail, particularly in the midrange where other headphones sometimes struggle. The highs and lows are clear and deep too, allowing for top-tier sharpness and responsiveness.

They're consistently light at just 250 grams, and extremely comfortable, making them a great option for frequent flyers and noisy commutes, although they might be a little sweaty for working out. They have both Bluetooth and 3.5-mm connection options, and pair up capacitive touch controls with a great app. While not mandatory, the free app for both iOS and Android has settings for tweaking both the equalizer and the active noise-canceling settings.

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