Sony and Apple Lead Deep Prime Day Headphone Discounts as Retailers Push ANC Inventory

Amazon's Prime Day is moving a broad sweep of headphone and earbud inventory through discounts that, in several cases, reach 50 percent below retail. Sony's WH-1000XM5 have dropped to $198 at Amazon — described by The Verge's audio reviewer as the lowest price ever recorded for the model and the standout deal of the event. Apple, Bose, Beats, and budget brands including EarFun and Nothing are all simultaneously cutting prices across Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.

Sony and Bose Cut Deep on Established ANC Models

The Sony WH-1000XM5, which The Verge positions as still competitive with more recent noise-canceling releases despite not being Sony's latest XM-series headphones, is at $198 — half its original retail price. The discount depth on a premium, non-clearance model is the sharpest of the event.

Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds are at $129. These are not Bose's newest active noise-canceling earbuds — the Ultra Earbuds Gen 2 carry a $249 price — but the $129 price point maintains the brand's shelf presence at a lower entry.

Apple Joins Walmart and Best Buy Across Its Full AirPods Range

Apple's AirPods Max 2, which launched earlier this year, have reached $399 at Walmart — $150 off their standard retail price. The second-generation over-ear headphones support lossless audio at 24-bit/48kHz over USB-C and carry Apple ecosystem integration as their primary pitch.

The AirPods Pro 3, noted by The Verge for its redesigned fit, superior noise cancellation, and heart rate sensors, is available at $179.99 at both Amazon and Best Buy, and $199 at Walmart, down from $249. The AirPods 4 with ANC is $150 at Best Buy; the version without ANC is $100.

Budget and Workout Tiers Fill Out the Field

At the low end, the Nothing CMF Buds 2A are $19.99 at Amazon, down from $39, and carry noise cancellation, multipoint connectivity, and IP54 water and dust resistance at a price that removes most purchase friction. The EarFun Air Pro 4 Plus is $71.23, with an additional five percent off via discount code EFAP4PFB, bringing the unit to $67.66.

For buyers moving product for gym use, the Beats Powerbeats Fit is $160 and the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 — which adds heart rate monitoring — is $180. The Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, a bone-conduction model The Verge reviewed favorably for its USB-C charging and fit, is $124.99 at Best Buy against a standard price of $179.99. Sony's Ult Wear, aimed at bass-heavy listening with up to 30 hours of ANC playback, is $148.