The best headphone deals 2021 – big savings on Sony, Bose, Beats and more

Sony WH-CH710N $180 £78 at Best Buy (save $102)
Can't afford the premium Sony WH-1000XM4? We haven't tested the WH-CH710N, but they promise an upgrade over their predecessors, which we liked for their detailed, musical performance and great battery life.

Beats Solo 3 Wireless $200 $150 at Amazon (save $50)
These ever-popular Beats wireless on-ears are $50 off at Amazon. They aren't the best-sounding headphones out there, but they sound likeably clear and bold and have excellent features. Good value at this knockdown price.

AKG Y500 Wireless $150 $120 at Amazon (save $30)
"Juggling good sound quality, clever features, durable build quality and attractive design in equal measure is no mean feat, but AKG pulls it off while making it look easy" – that's what we said of these wireless on-ears under intense review. Five stars

Sony WH-1000XM4: $350 $248 at Amazon (save $100)
Our favourite wireless noise-cancelling headphones, period. Sony’s premium XM4 deliver a sonic masterclass and nothing really lets that down – battery life, build, comfort and usability are all great for the money. Five stars, What Hi-Fi? Award winner

Shure Aonic 50 $399 $299 at Amazon (save $100) Given this is new ground for Shure, the Aonic 50 are a solid first attempt at a pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones. They aren't quite as engaging as the Sony and Sennheiser class leaders, but they do offer outstanding levels of detail, clear and clean delivery and solid bass. Four stars

Apple AirPods Max $549 $479 at Amazon (save $70)
Yes, even with this fantastic deal Apple's wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones are still quite expensive. But they are wonderful to use, boast spatial audio support and are one of the very best-sounding wireless headphones we've heard. Worth it. Five stars

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless $399 $217.11 at Amazon (save $150) These superb-sounding wireless noise-cancelling headphones only serve to further enhance Sennheiser’s momentum in the headphone market. They're excellent all-rounders. Grab a refurbished pair for $170. Five stars

Apple AirPods 2 (2019) $159 $109 at Amazon (save $50)
The second-gen AirPods get a price cut ahead of the AirPods 3's arrival. If you arent bothered about spatial audio and those slightly longer stems, these veterans still offer unbeatable usability and decent sound quality for Apple users for a much lower price. Four stars

Soundcore Anker Life Note E $50 $25 at Best Buy (save $25)
On a tight budget? These Ankers were nicely priced at their original RRP but are now less than half price at Best Buy. You shouldn't expect sound quality as good as the premium models, but there's plenty to like – Bluetooth 5.2 support and a 32-hour battery, for example.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $279 $199 at Amazon (save $80)
The fantastic, five-star true wireless earbuds combine brilliant noise-cancelling tech with natural, dynamic sound. They're worthy challengers to the AirPods Pro – especially now they've dropped from $279 to only $189 in blue. Get black or white for an extra tenner at Amazon and Best Buy.

Technics EAH-AZ70W $249 $147.50 at WorldWideStereo (save $102)
US buyers can grab just as good a deal at WorldWideStereo. Save $92 on premium wireless earbuds that impress with punchy sound, good noise-cancelling and a comfortable design. Silver finish only.

Sony WF-C500 $100 $78 at Amazon (save $22)
Boasting impressive musicality and excellent levels of detail and insight, these comfortable, sporty earbuds are well worth the investment. The new WF-C500 feature 20 hours of battery life, IPX4 splash resistance and Bluetooth 5.0, and are available in black, white, orange and blue. Five stars

AirPods Pro $250 $197 at Amazon (save $53)
We called the AirPods Pro "exceptionally comfortable" and praised their "strong noise-cancelling and balanced, easy-going sound". Now, they're even better thanks to spatial audio support, and this is the lowest price we've seen them at for a long while. Four stars

Panasonic RZ-S500W $180 $129.95 at Amazon (save $50)
Panasonic's noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds are the best you can buy at this new permanent price drop, offering features and sound quality that are very rare at this price. Five stars, What Hi-Fi? Award winner

Sony WF-1000XM3 $230 $128 at Amazon (save $102)
While now surpassed by the $278 WF-1000XM4, these true wireless earbuds are still great buys – especially at this discounted price. They combine effective active noise-cancelling with a real sense of musicality. Five stars, What Hi-Fi? Award winner

JBL Reflect Flow $150 $70 at Walmart (save $80)
In our five-star review, we praised the Reflect Flow's detail, musicality and strong bass depth. They also deliver a solid fit and long battery life, perfect for those evening runs. Now less than half their original launch price. Five stars

Beats Powerbeats Pro $250 $150 at Amazon (save $74)
At this price, the Pros aren't bad options at all for sporty types. Build quality is excellent, as is their fit and list of useful features. These true wireless earbuds come into their own for exercise, so this new low price shouldn't be sniffed at.

Jabra Elite 75t $170 $80 at Best Buy (save $90)
They're comfortable, well built and offer 24 hours of playback time including what's stored in the case with noise-cancelling activated. Spend $20 more for the sport versions

Sony MDRXB50AP $50 $30 at Amazon (save $20)
The standard (non-bass-boosted) versions won our Product of the Year Award way back for their superbly comfortable and secure fit and solid, weighty and punchy delivery. So these should sound very decent – just bassier.

Sony WH-CH710N $180 £78 at Best Buy (save $102)
Can't afford the premium Sony WH-1000XM4? We haven't tested the WH-CH710N, but they promise an upgrade over their predecessors, which we liked for their detailed, musical performance and great battery life.

Sony WH-1000XM4: $350 $248 at Amazon (save $100)
Our favourite wireless noise-cancelling headphones, period. Sony’s premium XM4 deliver a sonic masterclass and nothing really lets that down – battery life, build, comfort and usability are all great for the money. Five stars, What Hi-Fi? Award winner

Apple AirPods Max $549 $440 at Crutchfield (save $110)
Yes, even with this fantastic deal Apple's wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones are still quite expensive. But they are wonderful to use, boast spatial audio support and are one of the very best-sounding wireless headphones we've heard. Worth it. Five stars

Shure Aonic 50 $399 $299 at Amazon (save $100)
Given this is new ground for Shure, the Aonic 50 are a solid first attempt at a pair of wireless noise-canceling headphones. They aren't quite as engaging as the Sony and Sennheiser class leaders, but they do offer outstanding levels of detail, clear and clean delivery and solid bass. Four stars

Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless $399 $218 at Amazon (save $172) These superb-sounding wireless noise-cancelling headphones only serve to further enhance Sennheiser’s momentum in the headphone market. They're excellent all-rounders. Grab a refurbished pair for $170. Five stars

AirPods Pro $250 $197 at Amazon (save $53)
We called the AirPods Pro "exceptionally comfortable" and praised their "strong noise-cancelling and balanced, easy-going sound". Now, they're even better thanks to spatial audio support, and this is the lowest price we've seen them at for a long while. Four stars

Panasonic RZ-S500W $180 $130 at Amazon (save $50)
Panasonic's noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds are the best you can buy at this new permanent price drop, offering features and sound quality that are very rare at this price. Five stars, What Hi-Fi? Award winner

Sony WF-1000XM3 $230 $128 at Amazon (save $102)
While now surpassed by the $278 WF-1000XM4, these true wireless earbuds are still great buys – especially at this discounted price. They combine effective active noise-cancelling with a real sense of musicality. Five stars, What Hi-Fi? Award winner

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds $279 $199 at Amazon (save $80)
The fantastic, five-star true wireless earbuds combine brilliant noise-cancelling tech with natural, dynamic sound. They're worthy challengers to the AirPods Pro – especially now they've dropped from $279 to only $189 in blue. Get black or white for an extra tenner at Amazon and Best Buy.

Technics EAH-AZ70W $249 $147 at WorldWideStereo (save $102)
US buyers can grab just as good a deal at WorldWideStereo. Save $92 on premium wireless earbuds that impress with punchy sound, good noise-cancelling and a comfortable design. Silver finish only.