Sony WH-1000XM5 Drops to $248 as Headphone Prices Slide for Memorial Day

The annual Memorial Day sales have brought aggressive pricing on audio gear, with flagship noise-canceling headphones from Sony, Bose, and Apple hitting some of their lowest prices this year. The discounts turn what could be a routine shopping event into a practical moment for anyone serious about how they hear music.

Sony’s WH-1000XM5, still the benchmark for over-ear noise cancelers, is down to $248, a 38% cut. It offers 30-hour battery life and the kind of isolation that makes a crowded train or a noisy office disappear. The newer WH-1000XM6 folds down for easier carrying and claims better call quality, but at $398, the older model remains the sharper choice for most listeners.

Bose’s first-generation QuietComfort Ultra headphones are priced at $299, a 30% drop. They carry the same noise cancellation and CustomTune calibration as the second-gen version that now retails for $449. That makes them a strong option for those who want spatial audio without the premium. The standard QuietComfort, at $229, strips things back to core comfort and silence, still a solid entry point.

On the in-ear side, Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are $199. They pack improved active noise cancellation, heart-rate tracking, and hearing aid functionality, all in a familiar bud shape. The open-fit AirPods 4, without silicone tips, are $99, and the version with noise cancellation and live translation is $148.99. Last-gen AirPods Max over-ears land at $449, while the updated Max 2 with stronger noise cancellation sees a smaller discount to $509.

None of these prices rewrite the value of careful listening, but for a few days they make it less costly to access the gear that brings records to