Sony WH-1000XM6 on the left; Sony WH-1000XM5 on the right.
Nina Raemont/ZDNET
When Sony released its WH-1000XM6 headphones last year, I was instantly floored by the new headset’s stellar noise cancellation and classic Sony sound. They fit and sounded simply amazing. The headphones had such strong noise cancellation that, while listening to them on a recent flight, I didn’t realize the plane had embarked on an emergency landing.
Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 review: Still the king of ANC headphones? My verdict after months of testing
The XM6 headphones are great, and that’s for sure. They’re also $400 — not terribly affordable. If $400 is just a little out of your price range, you might be better off opting for the $300 XM5 headphones that Sony unveiled a few years ago. It’s a good time to buy them, too, since Amazon’s Spring Sale is well underway. The headphones are 25% off right now, but the discount will likely only apply during the duration of the sale, which ends on March 31.
Also: Amazon Spring Sale live blog 2026: Tracking the biggest price drops all week
The XM5 headphones don’t have the updated Bluetooth version or as strong of noise cancellation, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t great headphones. They have the same battery life as the newer XM6. What Sony improves on from the last generation to the present one is its noise cancellation.
Side by side comparisons prove that the noise cancellation on the XM6 is stronger. Still, the XM5’s noise cancellation is still great. In fact, if you never listened to the XM6, you probably would have no idea what you’re missing, anyway.
Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. WH-1000XM5: I compared both headphones, and this model wins
I’d recommend purchasing these headphones if you’re in need of a new pair that will last throughout a few workdays before a recharge, make your music sound bright, clear, and exciting, and feel comfortable for hours on top of your head.
How I rated this deal
This is a 5/5 deal because Sony churns out some exceptional headphones, and they often cost a couple hundred dollars. This deal marks the price of the headphones down by 25%, taking $100 off its asking price. You’re still getting a competitive headset, even at that discount.
When is Amazon’s Spring Sale?
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale runs March 25-31, 2026.
When will this deal expire?
This deal will likely run through Amazon’s Spring Sale, which ends March 31. Deals are subject to sell out or expire anytime. Our team of experts regularly checks in on the deals we share to ensure they are still live and obtainable. We’re sorry if you’ve missed out on this deal, but don’t fret — we’re constantly finding new chances to save and sharing them with you at ZDNET.com.
How do we rate deals at ZDNET?
We aim to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter. ZDNET offers 33 years of experience, 30 hands-on product reviewers, and 10,000 square feet of lab space to ensure we bring you the best of tech.
In 2025, we refined our approach to deals, developing a measurable system for sharing savings with readers like you. Our editor’s deal rating badges are affixed to most of our deal content, making it easy to interpret our expertise to help you make the best purchase decision.
At the core of this approach is a percentage-off-based system to classify savings offered on top-tech products, combined with a sliding-scale system based on our team members’ expertise and several factors like frequency, brand or product recognition, and more. The result? Hand-crafted deals chosen specifically for ZDNET readers like you, fully backed by our experts.
