If you've opened your Amazon app in the last few days you won't have been able to miss the bannering of its Big Deal Days sale – which is now up and running, from Tuesday 8 to Wednesday 9 October only – and I've been scouring the web to fish out all the best deals, so you don't have to.
When it comes to the best headphones, however, I've noticed a trend towards many of Amazon's main retailer competitors really pushing back and offering some stellar deals. I've been reviewing headphones for many years now, so I've seen and heard all the best over-ear options – including the best ANC headphones – and in this mini-guide I'll point you towards the best-of-best options that are genuinely worth buying.
From Sony to Sonos, Bowers & Wilkins to Technics, there are lots of really great headphone deals out there right now – and not all are part of Amazon's October Prime Day sale. So, without further ado, check out my expert recommendations on sale right now...
Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones: was £349, now £179 at Amazon
Here's a time-limited deal that'll expire when Amazon's Big Deal Days wraps up at the end of Wednesday 9 October. Sony's 5-star headphones may be a few years old now, but they're a modern classic, delivering multi-point connectivity for two Bluetooth connections, gob-smackingly good noise-cancelling (ANC), and superb sound processing thanks to the pair of 40mm drivers on board. In terms of value for money, I reckon this could be the best bargain out there right now.
Technics EAH-A800: was £299, now £174.99 at Argos
Save 30%: Enter 'RED30' discount code at checkout.
As I say, it's not all about Amazon, though, and if you're in the market for an alternative retailer and an alternative option compared to the Sony above, then Technics' 5-star headphones are well worth your consideration. These excellent over-ears deliver incredible Hi-Res audio, have jaw-dropping battery life of up to 60 hours, and the design is classic of the brand. The ANC isn't up to as much as the Sony WH-1000XM4, granted, but for audiophile sound these have the edge.
Sonos Ace headphones: was £449, now £349 at Sevenoaks Sound & Vision
I found Sonos' first-ever headphones release to be the most comfortable that I've ever tested, which is really saying something! So if you want hours of at-home listening then the Ace is a revelatory audio offering. The active noise-cancelling ANC is decent too, as is the sound quality if you give the equalisation a bit of a tweak in the app. There's a fun home cinema mode if you own a Sonos soundbar and want three-dimensional audio personal listening session rather than disturbing your household (yes, it's niche, but that's Sonos' special offering).
Bowers & Wilkins PX8: was £599, now £423.27 on Amazon
I know, these cans are quite a bit pricier than the other offerings on this page. But boy are they worth the cover price! Described as "pure headphones perfection" in our review, I can vouch for the PX8 as feeling like some of the best headphones – and that's before even putting them on to wear! The build quality is impeccable, while Bowers & Wilkins' high-end audio is at the fore here – this is audiophile quality through and through. Don't expect much of the ANC, however, and it's otherwise full-on 5-star stuff here.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C): was £229, now £179 on Amazon
I had to pop a pair of in-ears onto this list – and what better than Apple's best offering? Announced mere weeks ago, the 2024 AirPods Pro add USB-C (instead of Lightning), bringing everything right up to date. Beyond that, however, it's the ease of use within Apple's ecosystem and truly impressive noise-cancelling that really sell these earbuds. If you've been looking for an AirPods upgrade then, well, this is the best out there right now – at a great price.
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Mike is T3's Tech Editor. He's been writing about consumer technology for 15 years and his beat covers phones – of which he's seen hundreds of handsets over the years – laptops, gaming, TV & audio, and more. There's little consumer tech he's not had a hand at trying, and with extensive commissioning and editing experience, he knows the industry inside out. As the former Reviews Editor at Pocket-lint for 10 years where he furthered his knowledge and expertise, whilst writing about literally thousands of products, he's also provided work for publications such as Wired, The Guardian, Metro, and more.
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