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Best headphone deals for Christmas: Bose, Sony, Sennheiser and Jaybird

Here's a selection of the best headphone shopping values this holiday season.

David Carnoy Executive Editor / Reviews
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Nook e-books and audiobooks.
Expertise Mobile accessories and portable audio, including headphones, earbuds and speakers Credentials
  • Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer
David Carnoy
3 min read
Sarah Tew/CNET

If you're looking for a new set of headphones to give as a gift this holiday season, the first thing you'll notice is that you're faced with a multitude of options. There's no shortage of headphones, which is why our "Best headphones for the holidays" roundup has so many products in it. 

You can check out that full roundup, but I've also cobbled together this list of best headphone deals for those who prefer brevity -- and fewer options.

CNET may get a share of revenue from the sale of the products featured on this page.

Bose's truly wireless headphones started out at $250, then dropped to $200 and are now on sale for $170. They deliver better sound than Apple's AirPods. 

Jabra's Elite Active 65t, which earned CNET Editors' Choice award, has been on sale sporadically this holiday season. Normally $190, once again it's $50 off, or $140. It's available at Amazon and Best Buy. 

While I had some small quibbles about these Sony totally wireless sports earphones, they're a decent deal at $130 (down from $180). You can also find refurbished versions for less than $100. 

When I wrote up my early impressions of the Jaybird Tarah wireless sports headphones, I said I liked them but thought they should cost about $20 less. Well, they're on sale now for $80, or $20 less than their list price of $100.

While its battery life could be a little better, the Plantronics BackBeat Go 410 is one of the best values for an in-ear noise-canceling headphone. It's $30 off right now ($100). 

If you don't want to shell out $350 for the Sony WH-1000XM3 noise-canceling headphone, the very solid  Sennheiser PXC 550 is on sale for around $250 (it lists for $350).

V-Moda's original Crossfade Wireless headphone is down to $115 on Amazon. The newer Crossfade II Wireless is a little better (the earpads are thicker and more comfortable and the sound is a touch better). But this is a good price for a well-built over-ear Bluetooth headphone.

The Sennheiser HD1 Wireless, the headphone formerly known as the Sennheiser Momentum 2.0 Wireless, has a list price of $400. Best Buy has it for $250. Its noise canceling isn't as strong as that of competing models from Bose and Sony, but it sounds excellent.

We were fans of the wired 1More Triple Driver in-ear headphone, which cost $100. The wireless version is now available and on sale for the same price (it lists for $150). I've tried it and it sounds good. 

Bose's popular SoundSport Wireless is on sale for $120, which is $30 off. It's been around for a while but is still a very solid wireless sports headphone. 

The Tribit XFree Tune is always priced at $50, but it's also always a good bargain. You'd be hard-pressed to find a better-sounding -- and better built -- full-size Bluetooth headphone for the money.

Looking for more headphone gift picks? Check out our complete list below.

Best headphones for the holidays

See all photos

More holiday gift picks

Best gifts under $25

Best gifts under $50

Best gifts under $100

Best gifts under $250

Best gifts under $500

The best tech gifts of the year: CNET's top picks

CNET's 2018 Holiday Gift Guide: Gift recommendations at all price points.