Amazon has a ton of noise-canceling earbuds and headphones on sale

Noise-canceling headphones and earbuds tend to be way more expensive than the non-noise-canceling variety. Need proof? Just take a quick look at the list of our all-time favorite pairs — most of them will set you back $250 to $280.

But why? Isn’t “noise-canceling tech” just a couple of internal microphones?

Well, technically, yes — but it’s a little more complicated than that. Redditor VSENSES summed it up well in an r/headphones thread from a couple of years ago: “You’re cramming a lot of tech into a headphone with very little space to cram said tech. And that tech is obviously costly if you want it to be good and still offer acceptable sound quality.”

That being said, you might have an easier time justifying your purchase of a pricey pair of headphones or earbuds if you manage to get a really good deal. And that’s where we come in: We tracked down several models Amazon’s got on sale for as much as 44% off, and you’ll find them listed below in order from lowest to highest discount: 

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: Amazon’s recurring $14-off deal on the AirPods Pro is hardly impressive (as opposed to their sound quality, which is very impressive for their size). But since it’s the biggest discount we’ve seen these water-resistant, noise-canceling earbuds get from any retailer since their October 2019 release, we can’t really complain.

Normally $249 at the Apple Store, you can snag a pair on Amazon for just $234.98. (Note: They were listed as “temporary out of stock” the last time we checked, but go ahead and place your order even if that’s still the case — you’ll lock in that sale pricing, and they’ll ship as soon as the site gets more.) Get them here.

Deemed “perfect for flyers” by Mashable tech reporter Ray Wong, the fancy, foldable Sony WH-1000XM3s come equipped with an extremely powerful noise-canceling processor, a built-in Alexa virtual assistant, a hands-free calling function, and a “quick attention” touch control (located on the right ear cup) that makes it easy to switch between your tunes and the outside world. What’s more, they’re suuuper comfortable thanks to a cushioned headband and some extra-wide ear cups — i.e., don’t go on any long-haul trips without them.

These premium wireless headphones are typically quite expensive at $349.99, but you can grab a pair on Amazon in either black or silver for just $278 — a $71.99 savings. Get them here.

OK, the first-gen Galaxy Buds aren’t *technically* noise-canceling earbuds. (There’s an “ambient sound” setting, but not any actual active noise-canceling technology.) However, Mashable tech reporter Karissa Bell pointed out in her review that their snug, deep fit within your ear does offer a noticeable noise cancelation effect (sort of like you’d get with earplugs), making them good for commutes and other situations where you want to tune out ambient noises completely.

At any rate, Amazon is offering a deal on the Galaxy Buds that might be just enough to win you over: They usually retail for $129.99, but you can order a pair in black right now for only $101.65. Get them here.

Enjoying a 4.4/5-star rating on Amazon with more than 3,100 customer reviews, the Cowin SE7s feature a durable, foldable design, a built-in microphone, pro-quality active noise-canceling technology, an on-ear control, and a long-lasting battery with up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge. If you don’t feel like shelling out for the Sony WH-1000XM3s, these puppies make an excellent budget-friendly alternative.

You can score a pair today for just $84.99 — that’s $35 off their suggested retail price of $119.99. Get them here.

Another great everyday pair of headphones, the minimalistic Sennheiser HD 4.50s use NoiseGuard active noise-canceling technology to block unwanted sounds in your surroundings and come with Near Field Communication for effortless pairing with compatible smart devices. Plus, that “Sennheiser” name means their sound quality is second to none. 

These puppies normally retail for $179.95, but Amazon’s got them on sale right now for just $99.95 — a markdown of nearly $80. Get them here.