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Sony Headphone Deals: Grab a Pair of Headphones for as Low as $10

Grabbing a pair of good Sony headphones or earbuds doesn't have to be expensive, and we've collected some of the best deals we could find.

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
4 min read
$10 at Amazon
sony-mdr-zx110.png
Sony MDR-ZX110: $10
Save $10
$10 at Amazon
sony-mdrex15ap-bf
Sony MDREX15AP: $10
Save $10
$90 at Walmart
river-sonymdr-75063023624703.jpg
Sony MDR-7506: $85
Save $45
$128 at Amazon
Image of Sony CH-720N: $115
Sony CH-720N: $115
Save $36
$176 at Newegg
Sony WF-1000XM4
Sony WF-1000XM4: $176
Save $102
$500 at Electronics.sony
ier-m7-hi-res-studio-monitor-bf
IER-M7 Hi-Res Studio Monitor: $500
Save $200
$600 at Sony
sony-mdr-z7m2
Sony MDR-Z7M2: $600
Save $300

Sony isn't just responsible for your PlayStation 5; it also makes some of the best audio gear that's commercially available. The Sony lineup ranges from budget-friendly earphones to high-end studio monitor headphones. To that end, we've done our best to collect some of the best deals we could find, although there are a lot of midrange headphones that don't have any great deals at the moment.

Prices for Sony headphones tend to fluctuate, and throughout the year, you'll find discounts on most models -- sometimes major discounts. While we can't track all of them (there are a lot), we've put together a list of current deals and pricing for the most popular models. We also have lists of the best deals on Beats headphones and best AirPods deals in case you're considering other brands.

Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds for 2023

Best Sony headphone deals

Sony

If you're looking for cheap on-ear wired headphones, the ZX Series is as good a bet as any. You can snag this basic pair for the lowest price of the year: They're half off right now at Amazon, which saves you $10. Or upgrade to the version with a microphone for just $17, which is $13 off the usual price. 

All-time low price: $10

Sony

If you prefer an in-ear experience that's more budget-friendly, then the Sony MDREX15AP is an excellent option. They have a 9mm driver, replaceable hybrid silicone earbuds and come with a microphone, which is a nice addition to have for something at this price point.

Sarah Tew/CNET
Battery Life NANoise Canceling NoMultipoint NoHeadphone Type Over-ear wired headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

Introduced way back in 1991, the Sony MDR-7506 has long been a favorite of recording engineers and other sound professionals (yes, these are wired headphones). The origins of its design date even further back, since the MDR-7506 headphones are a refresh of the Sony MDR-V6, which rolled out in 1985. Both models were designed for the pro sound market, but remain hugely popular with consumers.

While the two models have the same design and are very comfortable, they don't sound identical. Both offer well-balanced sound and excellent clarity for their modest prices. But the MDR-V6 headphones make a little more bass and sound more laid-back and mellow, while the 7506 headphones are leaner with a more accentuated treble range, which makes them sound a little crisper and livelier.

They're under $85 right now at B&H Photo and at Amazon, which saves you $45 compared with Sony's price

All-time low price: $70

Read our Sony MDR-7506 review.

Sony/CNET
Battery life Rated up to 35 hoursNoise Cancelling YesMultipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

Sony's improved entry-level noise-canceling headphones, the CH-720N, have a bit of a plasticky budget vibe, but they're lightweight and very comfortable. Part of me was expecting them to sound mediocre, but I was pleasantly surprised. No, they don't sound as good as the WH-1000XM5. But they sound more premium than they look and feel, and their overall performance is a step up from their predecessor, the CH-710N. Are they worth $150? Maybe, maybe not. But they're a more competitive option when you can pick them up on sale. Right now they're marked down to just $115 at Walmart. 

All-time low price: $100

Read our Sony CH-720N review.

David Carnoy/CNET
Battery Life Rated up to 30 hoursNoise Canceling YesMultipoint YesHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating

Not everybody will love the fit or high price of the Sony WF-1000XM4 earbuds. But if you're looking for great-sounding earbuds with excellent noise cancellation, solid voice calling and good battery life, these buds check all the boxes. Unlike the earlier WF-1000XM3, these are water-resistant with an IPX4 splash-proof rating.

Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds also have top-notch noise cancellation and sound quality, but Sony is right there with Bose for the former. Some might even say it's a touch better in that department. Sony offers better sound quality and has a more compact design, particularly for the case, though the Sony buds certainly aren't small.

All-time low price: $176

Sony

While most folks probably don't need high-end studio monitor earphones, if you want some of the best and cleanest sound, the Sony IER-M7 Hi-Res earphones are a perfect choice. It comes with a whopping 13 different variations of ear tip covers, as well as a 0.17-inch separator between cables to avoid any sort of interference.

Sony

The Sony MDR-Z7M2 may not be Sony's flagship audiophile headphones (that would be MDR-Z1R), but this is still a high-end model that lists for $900. I reviewed the earlier version of the Z7 (the M2 at the end stands for Mark 2, or second generation) and it was comfortable, with great sound. To be clear, these are  headphones for audiophiles that sound best with the right audio equipment, which may include a headphone amplifier or a high-resolution portable music player (notice the Sony Walkman player, which isn't included, in the photo).

All-time low price: $570

How we test headphones at CNET

We test headphones based on five key criteria, comparing similarly styled and priced models. These criteria include designsound qualityfeaturesvoice-calling performance and value

Evaluating design, we assess not only how comfortable the headphones or earbuds fit (ergonomics) but their build quality and how well the controls are implemented. For earbuds, we also look at water- and dust-resistance ratings. 

We evaluate sound quality by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the headphones to top competing products in their price range. Sonic traits such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and how natural the headphones sound are key factors in our assessment.

Some great-sounding headphones aren't loaded with features, but we do take any extra features into account. These include everything from noise-canceling and transparency modes (ambient sound mode) to special sound modes to ear-detection sensors that automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off your ears. 

When we test voice-calling performance, we make calls in the noisy streets of New York and evaluate how well the headphones reduce background noise and how clearly callers can hear your voice.

We determine value after evaluating the strength of the earbuds against all these criteria and what the headphones are able to deliver compared with other models in their price class.

More audio recommendations

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