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Ultimate Guide to Affordable Headphones for March 2024 | Shop Smart

A good pair of headphones is a game changer. I can’t run, work, or commute without them. If you spend your day in a busy office, over-ear, noise-canceling headphones could boost your productivity with distraction-free listening. And if you love working out, a pair of good earbuds goes a long way.

Also: The best earbuds you can buy

But we know that headphones, especially top-quality, high-demand options like Apple AirPods and Bose models, can be pricey. If you’re looking for a discount on headphones that will last you years to come, we have found the best deals on the market so you can pick up a pair of solid, reliable headphones without breaking the bank.

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What’s the best headphone deal right now?

Our favorite headphone deal right now is for the Beats Studio Pro over-ear headphones . They offer noise cancellation, transparency modes, and all-day comfort. Plus, they’re currently $150 off.

The best headphone deals

Beats Studio Pro wireless noise-cancelling headphones Save $200

Jada Jones/ZDNET

Current price: $150
Original price: $350

A substantial discount is available for a pair of Beats Studio Pro wireless noise-cancelling headphones at Amazon.

Available in four color choices, the Beats Studio Pro wireless headphones offer Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) and Transparency modes, lossless audio, personalized sound profiles, on-device controls, compatibility with iOS and Android, and up to 40 hours of battery life.

Amazon is offering $200 off the typical list price of $350.

Review: The Beats Studio Pro are so close to being my dream headphones

View now at Amazon

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Save $50

Kayla Solino/ZDNET

Current price: $200
Original price: $250

Our favorite AirPods, the AirPods Pro, are on sale for $50 less through this Walmart deal. They offer noise cancellation and “richer audio,” according to Apple, through the H2 chip – the most updated Apple chip you can get with Apple’s lineup of headphones and earbuds.

Also: The best AirPods you can buy

View now at Walmart

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Save $30

Jason Hiner/ZDNET

Current price: $99
Original price: $129

While the discount isn’t enormous, it’s one of our favorite deals for the second-generation Apple AirPods.

Available at Walmart, Apple’s AirPod range – complete with a lightning charging case – offers users up to five hours of battery life on a single charge. The AirPods are powered by Apple’s H1 chip, and access to the Siri voice assistant is included.

View now at Walmart

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Save $50

Jada Jones/ZDNET

Current price: $379
Original price: $429

If you want the best pair of noise-canceling headphones, we’ve found them in the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. The headphones deliver unrivaled noise cancellation for all your deep work needs and are comfortable enough to wear all day.

“Through my testing, I found that the QuietComfort Ultra’s noise-canceling does a great job of silencing lower-frequency sounds, such as a running refrigerator, AC unit, or plane engine,” ZDNET headphone expert, Jada Jones, writes in her story on the best noise-canceling headphones. Get them for $50 off with this limited time deal.

Also: The best noise-canceling headphones

View now at Amazon

Beats Studio Buds Save $50

June Wan/ZDNET

Current price: $100
Original price: $150

For an affordable, stylish pair of earbuds, you can save $50 on a pair of Beats Studio Buds. Walmart is offering a discount on the earbuds in the color red. These earbuds offer ANC and up to eight hours of listening time.

View now at Walmart

Shokz OpenRun Pro $40

Matthew Miller/ZDNET

Current price: $140
Original price: $180

The Shokz OpenRun Pro headphones are our favorites when it comes to bone conduction headphones. They’re number one on our best list for their fantastic audio quality, lightweight fit, and generous battery life. If you are an outdoor runner or cyclist, bone conduction headphones are superior for aware listening.

ZDNET contributor Matthew Miller tried out the OpenRun Pro headset, and complimented the “lightweight, comfortable, and durable” design. He noted how little discomfort or pressure he felt while wearing and exercising with the headset. Right now, you can get them for $40 off at Walmart.

Also: The best bone conduction headphones

View now at Walmart

Sennheiser Momentum 3 earbuds Save $92

Sennheiser/ZDNET

Current price: $188
Original price: $280

Another pair of earbuds worth considering is the Sennheiser Momentum 3 earbuds. Available at Amazon, you can save $92 off the typical RRP on these wireless earbuds, which provide high-quality audio, over a day of battery life on a single charge, and ANC – all wrapped up in a stylish, compact case.

View now at Amazon

More headphone deals

Skullcandy Hesh on-ear wireless headphones for $95 (save $40) $95 at Walmart

Soundcore Anker Life Q20 Headphones for $40 (save $20) $40 at Amazon

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones for $297 (save $83) $297 at Amazon

Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Headphones for $330 (save $70) $330 at Sony

Beats Solo3 Wireless Headphones for $115 (save $85) $115 at Amazon

Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats Pro Wireless Earbuds for $180 (save $20) $180 at Best Buy

Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds for $40 (save $30) $40 at Amazon

Sony MDREX15LP In-Ear Headphones for $7 (save $8) $7 at Amazon

How did we choose these headphone deals?

We went looking for these deals as if we were shopping for ourselves. By using discount codes and extensions, as well as looking through retailers’ websites, these were the best headphone deals we could find for products the whole ZDNET team would enjoy.

We focused on:

Price: Naturally, we wanted to ensure that each product is a good deal, no matter your budget.
Rarity of sales: Some products – such as Apple devices – are rarely on sale. While the discounts are often small, they should be highlighted when they appear.
Features: We included headphones with a range of features including active noise cancellation, voice assistant support, and different audio settings.
Type: We wanted to include a variety of headphones suitable for different needs. For example, you may want a robust pair of over-ear headphones suitable for work, or you may prefer earbuds for exercise and the daily commute.

What is better – over-ear or in-ear headphones?

If you’re still deciding between over-ear and in-ear headphones, consider how you plan to use them. If you want to use your headphones during exercise, for example, earbuds might suit you better. However, if you want to wear them to block out noisy environments – such as in coffee shops or while traveling – or you need them to accept work calls, the improved noise insulation provided by over-ear products is your best bet.

Do expensive headphones sound better?

This entirely depends on the manufacturer. You should expect to pay more if headphones include dedicated processors, active noise cancellation, Bluetooth, wireless technologies, hands-free calling, and other useful features. Furthermore, style comes into play: headphones with metal bands and leather cups will fetch a higher price than plastic.

Who makes the best budget headphones?

Many headphone manufacturers today attempt to develop ranges for all kinds of budgets. While you’re unlikely to find headphones created by the likes of Bose, Apple, or Sennheiser for less than a hundred bucks, you should consider Sony, Jabra, Skullcandy, and JBL.