The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are the most recent entry in Sony's 1000X series, which has been around since 2016. They're the best over-ear headphones in terms of audio quality currently on the market—but not everyone can (or needs to) drop nearly half a grand on headphones (though they're currently at their lowest price right now with an additional $30 gift card).

The WH-1000XM5 are a generation older, and were at the top of their class until they were supplanted by the XM6. On the plus side, by virtue of being older, they're currently discounted to $248 (down from the original $399.99). That's $5 off the lowest price they've ever reached, according to price-tracking tools, a good deal for cans that still sound incredible, even in 2026.

I have been a loyal customer of the 1000X line for many years; they're my go-to headphones for most activities. The WH-1000XM5 came out to an "outstanding" review from PCMag for their top-notch audio quality and exceptional audio when using the best-in-class active noise-canceling. The headphones are also well-designed to be comfortable for long listening sessions. The ear controls use tapping and swiping, which isn't my favorite, but it's what all modern headphones are moving toward. There's a companion app that lets you adjust your EQ settings to your liking, including what the swiping and tapping functions do.

These headphones also have a stereo 3.5mm connection, which is perfect for those who want to use a cable and not worry about battery life. And speaking of battery life, Sony says you can expect about 30 hours, but it will vary depending on your use of ANC. They are compatible with AAC, LDAC and SBC codecs and have multipoint connection, meaning you can pair them with more than one device at the same time.