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The best headphone deals for Labor Day: Find sales on AirPods, Beats, Bose, and more
A good pair of headphones can be transformative. I can't even walk down the street, let alone run or exercise, without my headphones blasting a soundtrack to romanticize an otherwise mundane, mindless task.
But we know that headphones, especially top-quality, high-demand buds like Apple AirPods or Bose models, can be pricey. Luckily for you, we found the best deals going on right now, so you can pick up a pair of solid, reliable headphones without breaking the bank.
Also: The best Labor Day deals
Our favorite deal is for a pair of third-generation Apple AirPods at Amazon. Granted, the discount isn't huge, but you do not often find any type of sales price on Apple's newest product lines outside of major shopping events. Alternatively, we recommend the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones, which have a fantastic discount at the moment.
However, if this doesn't strike your fancy, check out other deals we've found ahead of Labor Day below.
The best headphone deals available in September 2023
While the discount is far from the best on offer, one of our favorite deals is for the third-generation Apple AirPods.
Available at Amazon, Apple's latest AirPod range -- complete with a wireless charging case -- offers users personalized spacial audio, decent audio quality, and up to six hours of listening time on a single charge. The AirPods are powered by Apple's H1 chip, and access to the Siri voice assistant is included.
One of the top headphone deals we've found in September is at Amazon. You can pick up a pair of Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones at a 27% discount, or $104 off the typical $380 RRP.
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones offer users Bluetooth and wireless connectivity with up to 60 hours of battery life, alongside adaptive noise-cancellation technologies. Audiophiles will enjoy the 42mm transducer system and aptX adaptive noise components, designed to provide quality playback.
Furthermore, these headphones are foldable and can be stashed away in a backpack and used while at home or during your commute.
Whether you want to work, study, or simply tune out the world for a few hours, the Bose Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are arguably some of the best noise-cancelling headphones on the market.
Currently on sale at Amazon for $279, their sleek over-ear headphone design and superior audio quality will allow you to spend hours on end focused on work. ZDNET's headphones expert, Jada Jones, says she can't go a workday without wearing the Bose QC45 headphones and recommends them for casual listeners who want high-quality headphones without breaking the bank.
Review: These are my go-to headphones for all-day listening, and they're not AirPods
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 provides up to 40 hours of battery life.
Amazon is offering $100 off the typical list price of $350.
Review: The Beats Studio Pro are so close to being my dream headphones
You can save $40 on an interesting pair of sports headphones at either Amazon or Best Buy.
Developed by SHOKZ, the OpenRun Pro open-ear headphones utilize bone conduction for audio generation, while also making sure you remain aware of your surroundings.
Best suited for use at the gym or while running, these headphones -- available in four colors -- are sweat-resistant, light, and the wraparound design ensures they won't interfere with protective headwear.
For a pair of reasonably-priced headphones suitable for remote work, Amazon is offering 28% off the foldable Sennheiser HD 350BT headphones.
These over-ear headphones are a great option if you need to be able to attend meetings while traveling. The virtual assistant button on the headset is a nice touch, and you can expect up to 30 hours of battery life.
They are expensive, true, but Apple AirPods Max headphones remain popular with iOS users. You can save $72 on these high-end devices at Best Buy, the best deal we've found online for these over-ear devices.
Apple AirPods Max over-ear headphones are a step up from Apple's AirPod range and provide users with immersive audio, active noise cancellation, and environmental settings to be able to listen to their surroundings, alongside memory foam ear cushions for comfort.
More headphone deals available online
Looking for some more headphone deals for you or another podcast lover? Here are some sales we found happening at major US retailers.
Best budget headphone deals
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 the best headphone deal right now?
Our favorite deal is for a pair of third-generation Apple AirPods at Amazon. Granted, the discount isn't huge, but you do not often find any type of sales price on Apple's newest product lines outside of major shopping events. Alternatively, we recommend the Sennheiser Momentum 4 wireless headphones, which have a fantastic discount at the moment.
What are the best deals for September 2023?
ZDNET experts split out the latest and greatest deals for you below.