If you’re looking for a solid set of headphones or earbuds, there’s no shortage of options out there. And while having a wide variety to pick from gives you more flexibility, it can make finding the best pair for your particular needs a bit of a challenge. Especially since you can find lots of affordable models from unknown brands floating around Amazon that can be pretty enticing. But if you’re looking to invest in a truly great pair of dependable, high-quality headphones, Sony is a solid option, no matter what you’re looking for.

Sony has long been one of the most respected brands in the audio market, and has claimed several spots on our list of the overall best headphones for 2023. Its headphones are some of the most popular out there at the moment, with a lineup that runs the gamut from premium noise-canceling, over-ear models to inexpensive on-ear headphones to excellent true-wireless earbuds in a variety of price ranges. 

Like with all headphones, prices for Sony headphones tend to fluctuate and throughout the year you’ll find discounts on most Sony models — and sometimes pretty major discounts. While we can’t keep track of all the deals on Sony headphones (there are a lot), we’ve put together a list of current deals and pricing for the most popular — and best — of them. We also have lists of the best deals on Beats headphones and best AirPods deals in case you’re interested in those brands’ earbuds and headphones. 

Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds for 2023

Best Sony headphone deals

“,”credits”:”David Carnoy/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”be815fa7-5f6d-4d01-861a-38afb1e13cc4″,”title”:”sony-linkbuds-s-green-background”,”filename”:”sony-linkbuds-s-green-background.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2022/05/19/be815fa7-5f6d-4d01-861a-38afb1e13cc4/sony-linkbuds-s-green-background.jpg”,”caption”:”

“,”size”:2814025,”width”:4032,”height”:2268,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-05-19 23:09:12″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”dateUpdated”:{“date”:”2022-06-22 22:56:55″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”needsModeration”:false,”mimeType”:”image/jpeg”,”deleted”:false,”credits”:”David Carnoy/CNET”,”alt”:”Sony LinkBuds on a green background”,”restricted”:false,”startDate”:null,”endDate”:null,”preferred”:false,”watermark”:false,”doNotCrop”:false,”doNotResize”:false,”primaryCollection”:null,”vanityUrl”:null,”notes”:null,”crop”:null,”cropGravity”:0,”preservedRegion”:null,”isNew”:false,”keywords”:[],”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false,”typeName”:”content_image”},”uuid”:”be815fa7-5f6d-4d01-861a-38afb1e13cc4″,”imageAltText”:”Sony LinkBuds on a green background”,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”David Carnoy/CNET”,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageFilename”:”sony-linkbuds-s-green-background.jpg”,”imageDateCreated”:”2022/05/19″,”imageWidth”:4032,”imageHeight”:2268,”imageParallax”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”imageCrop”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”imageEnlarge”:false}’ overridecaption=”

” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” usepricing=”false” data-key=”cnetlisticle__17644f03-317b-4ddb-8649-aa8165bd6592″ position=”NaN” contenttype=”Deals – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left” readability=”6.1029829545455″>

Sony LinkBuds on a green background

David Carnoy/CNET

Battery Life Rated up to 9 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless EarbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

Unlike the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are traditional noise-isolating earbuds with tips you jam in your ears. They’re more compact and lighter than Sony’s flagship WF-1000M4 and also feature Sony’s V1 processor. While their sound and noise canceling don’t quite measure up to the WF-1000XM4, they’re close and cost less. They’re the Sony buds for people who can deal with larger buds but want 80 to 85% of those buds’ features and performance for significantly less.

All-time low price: $128

“,”credits”:”Sarah Tew/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”d6bfadab-ef36-415b-85d9-ebf8451aae44″,”title”:”River-Sony_MDR-7506_30236247_03″,”filename”:”river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2015/05/07/d6bfadab-ef36-415b-85d9-ebf8451aae44/river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg”,”caption”:null,”size”:271234,”width”:670,”height”:503,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2015-05-07 21:05:19″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”dateUpdated”:{“date”:”2015-05-07 21:05:20″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”needsModeration”:false,”mimeType”:”image/jpeg”,”deleted”:false,”credits”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”alt”:”river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg”,”restricted”:false,”startDate”:null,”endDate”:null,”preferred”:false,”watermark”:false,”doNotCrop”:false,”doNotResize”:false,”primaryCollection”:null,”vanityUrl”:null,”notes”:null,”crop”:null,”cropGravity”:0,”preservedRegion”:null,”isNew”:false,”keywords”:[],”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false,”typeName”:”content_image”},”uuid”:”d6bfadab-ef36-415b-85d9-ebf8451aae44″,”imageAltText”:”river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg”,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Sarah Tew/CNET”,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageFilename”:”river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg”,”imageDateCreated”:”2015/05/07″,”imageWidth”:670,”imageHeight”:503,”imageParallax”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”imageCrop”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”imageEnlarge”:false}’ overridecaption=”

” overridecredit=”Sarah Tew/CNET” usepricing=”false” data-key=”cnetlisticle__d3120b0b-9e62-4442-8b1d-bcb5e535cc8b” position=”NaN” contenttype=”Deals – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg

Sarah Tew/CNET

Introduced way back in 1991 (!), the Sony MDR-7506 has long been a favorite headphone of recording engineers and other sound professionals (yes, these are wired headphones). The origins of its design date even further back, since the MDR-7506 headphones are, in fact, a refresh of the Sony MDR-V6 that rolled out in 1985. Both models were designed for the pro sound market, but remain hugely popular with consumers.

While the two models have the same design and are very comfortable, they don’t sound identical. Both offer very well-balanced sound and excellent clarity for their modest prices — and both are great overall values. But the MDR-V6 headphones make a little more bass and sound more laid-back and mellow, while the 7506 headphones are leaner with a more accentuated treble range, which makes the sound a little crisper and livelier.

The headphones alone are only available at full price at the moment, but you can save $10 on a bundle that includes a pair of leather earpads and a carrying case. 

All-time low price: $70

“,”credits”:”Sony”,”imageData”:{“id”:”f2993c4f-5046-41c7-b355-9c036b6252b7″,”title”:”sony-mdr-zx110″,”filename”:”sony-mdr-zx110.png”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/hub/2021/11/10/f2993c4f-5046-41c7-b355-9c036b6252b7/sony-mdr-zx110.png”,”caption”:”

“,”size”:291737,”width”:1294,”height”:801,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2021-11-10 17:45:05″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”dateUpdated”:{“date”:”2021-11-10 17:45:16″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”needsModeration”:false,”mimeType”:”image/png”,”deleted”:false,”credits”:”Sony”,”alt”:”sony-mdr-zx110.png”,”restricted”:false,”startDate”:null,”endDate”:null,”preferred”:false,”watermark”:false,”doNotCrop”:false,”doNotResize”:false,”primaryCollection”:null,”vanityUrl”:null,”notes”:null,”crop”:null,”cropGravity”:0,”preservedRegion”:null,”isNew”:false,”keywords”:[],”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false,”typeName”:”content_image”},”uuid”:”f2993c4f-5046-41c7-b355-9c036b6252b7″,”imageAltText”:”sony-mdr-zx110.png”,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”Sony”,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:false,”imageFilename”:”sony-mdr-zx110.png”,”imageDateCreated”:”2021/11/10″,”imageWidth”:1294,”imageHeight”:801,”imageParallax”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”imageCrop”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”imageEnlarge”:false}’ overridecaption=”

” overridecredit=”Sony” usepricing=”false” data-key=”cnetlisticle__6cb717b8-da5f-4aea-a6d8-2df152c2ff9a” position=”NaN” contenttype=”Deals – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left”>

sony-mdr-zx110.png

Sony

If you’re looking for a cheap on-ear wired headphone, the ZX Series is as good a bet as any. It costs just $13 — or $18 for the version with a microphone. 

All-time low price: $10

You’re receiving price alerts for Sony MDR-ZX110: $10

David Carnoy/CNET

Battery Life Rated up to 10 hoursNoise Canceling NoMultipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

While the C500’s design sensibility has more in common with the high-end WF-1000XM4 than their predecessor, the WF-XB700 Extra Bass, the C500 is not a noise-canceling model and is pretty basic as far as earbuds go, with no ear-detection sensors or transparency mode. But the buds are compact, lightweight, fit comfortably and sound good for an entry-level model. Read our Sony C500 first take.

All-time low price: $58

“,”credits”:”David Carnoy/CNET”,”imageData”:{“id”:”bfbc7400-584f-4663-8e55-5f1334b62932″,”title”:”sony-wh-1000xm5-promo-image”,”filename”:”sony-wh-1000xm5-promo-image.jpg”,”path”:”https://www.cnet.com/a/img/resize/d74c1b04b501c2b5524a0edea7ad011fbb3553bc/2022/05/11/bfbc7400-584f-4663-8e55-5f1334b62932/sony-wh-1000xm5-promo-image.jpg?auto=webp”,”caption”:”

“,”size”:2688533,”width”:4032,”height”:2268,”dateCreated”:{“date”:”2022-05-11 20:22:52″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”dateUpdated”:{“date”:”2023-02-11 00:19:41″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”needsModeration”:false,”mimeType”:”image/jpeg”,”deleted”:false,”credits”:”David Carnoy/CNET”,”alt”:”A pair of white Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones against a blue background”,”restricted”:false,”startDate”:{“date”:”2022-05-12 16:00:00″,”timezone”:”UTC”,”timezone_type”:3},”endDate”:null,”preferred”:false,”watermark”:true,”doNotCrop”:false,”doNotResize”:false,”primaryCollection”:null,”vanityUrl”:null,”notes”:null,”crop”:null,”cropGravity”:0,”preservedRegion”:null,”isNew”:false,”keywords”:[],”primeColor”:null,”hasWarning”:false,”typeName”:”content_image”},”uuid”:”bfbc7400-584f-4663-8e55-5f1334b62932″,”imageAltText”:”A pair of white Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones against a blue background”,”imageCaption”:”

“,”imageCredit”:”David Carnoy/CNET”,”imageDoNotCrop”:false,”imageDoNotResize”:false,”imageWatermark”:true,”imageFilename”:”sony-wh-1000xm5-promo-image.jpg”,”imageDateCreated”:”2022/05/11″,”imageWidth”:4032,”imageHeight”:2268,”imageParallax”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”imageCrop”:”http://www.cnet.com/”,”imageEnlarge”:false}’ overridecaption=”

” overridecredit=”David Carnoy/CNET” usepricing=”false” data-key=”cnetlisticle__da6b9eda-fdca-4296-84e7-03c209b39d96″ position=”NaN” contenttype=”Deals – Precap” pagelayout=”Default – Article Page” showdetails=”true” class=”c-shortcodeListicle g-border-thin-light-top g-inner-spacing-bottom-medium g-inner-spacing-left-large g-inner-spacing-right-large g-inner-spacing-bottom-xlarge g-outer-spacing-bottom-large g-border-thin-light-bottom g-border-thin-light-right g-border-thin-light-left” readability=”6.0250817884406″>

A pair of white Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones against a blue background

David Carnoy/CNET

Battery Life Rated up to 32 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

When you have a product that a lot of people love, change can be risky. Such is the case for Sony’s WH-1000XM5, the fifth generation of the 1000X series headphones, which were first released in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless and have become increasingly popular as they’ve improved with each generation. Over the years, Sony has made some tweaks to the design, but nothing as dramatic as what it’s done with the WH-1000XM5. Other than the higher $400 price tag ($50 more than the WH-1000XM4), most of those changes are good, and Sony’s made some dramatic improvements with voice-calling performance as well as even better noise canceling and more refined sound.

All-time low price: $292

Sony WF-1000XM4

David Carnoy/CNET

Battery Life Rated up to 30 hoursNoise Canceling YesMultipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

No earbuds are perfect and not everybody will love the fit of the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds or be able to afford their high price. But if you’re looking for great-sounding earbuds with excellent noise canceling, solid voice-calling capabilities and good battery life, these buds check all the boxes. And unlike the earlier WF-1000XM3, these are water-resistant with an IPX splash-proof rating.

Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds also have top-notch noise canceling and sound quality, but the Sony is right there with the Bose for noise canceling. Some might even say it’s a touch better in that department. The Sony offers better sound quality and has a more compact design, particularly for the case — though the Sony buds certainly aren’t small.

All-time low price: $180

sony-wh-1000xm4-1

David Carnoy/CNET

Battery Life Rated up to 30 hoursNoise Canceling YesMultipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

While they’re no longer Sony’s flagship noise-canceling headphones, the WH-1000XM4 are still very good headphones and worth considering if you can find them at a big discount. 

All-time low price: $248.

Read our Sony WH-1000XM4 review.

How we test headphones at CNET

We test headphones based on five key criteria, comparing similarly styled and priced models. These criteria include designsound qualityfeaturesvoice-calling performance and value

Evaluating design, we assess not only how comfortable the headphones or earbuds fit (ergonomics) but their build quality and how well the controls are implemented. For earbuds, we also look at water- and dust-resistance ratings. 

We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the headphones to top competing products in their price range. Sonic traits such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and how natural the headphones sound are key factors in our assessment.

Some great-sounding headphones aren’t loaded with features, but we do take any extra features into account. These include everything from noise-canceling and transparency modes (ambient sound mode) to special sound modes to ear-detection sensors that automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off your ears. 

When we test voice-calling performance, we make calls in the noisy streets of New York and evaluate how well the headphones reduce background noise and how clearly callers can hear your voice.

We determine value after evaluating the strength of the earbuds against all these criteria and what the headphone is able to deliver compared to other models in its price class.

More audio recommendations