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Sony's XM3 ANC headphones are below $200 for the first time ever
Hear us out before you tune us out with your new cans
Just days after our last post about a Sony WH-1000XM3 deal (you know, the company's third-gen active noise-canceling headphones), the price has dropped again — and we're not talking about refurbs here, these are still fresh! But this best price yet will only last through the end of today.
When you think of owning a pair of noise-cancelling headphones, big brand names with $300+ price tags probably come to mind. Luckily, you don't have to pay these tolls to get a great audio experience. Case in point: You can pick up a pair of Anker Soundcore Life Q20 wireless active noise-cancelling headphones for as low as .99 ( off) on Amazon.The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 feature 40 mm dynamic drivers with memory foam ear cups and headband for premium sound and comfort. A uniquely tuned active noise-cancelling algorithm targets low and mid-frequency noises — like those made by cars and airplanes — to reduce ambient sounds by up to 90%. The Anker Soundcore Life Q20 can keep the tunes rolling for up to 40 hours between charges in active noise-cancellation mode, and 60 hours in regular mode. If you're low on juice, a quick 5-minute charge will give the headphones 4 hours of additional playback time.
In the arena of active noise-canceling wireless headphones, you're pretty much spoiled for choice. Bose and Sony lead the pack, especially in the upper tier, but there are great options from longtime players JBL, Sennheiser, and others. And yet, there's also room for newcomers in this space like Microsoft and Jabra. The latter, in particular, came into the fray this year with its Elite 85h, a clear shot at the big guns with an undercutting price point of $300. But for the next few days, you can grab a pair at Best Buy on a good discount.
Sony has been producing noise-cancelling headphones for some time now, and the WH-1000XM3 is its best offering in that category yet. Its biggest downside is price — at $350, I personally think these headphones are worth every penny, but there's no denying they're expensive. For those of you who've been waiting for a deal, MassGenie is currently offering them for $291.99, which is $58 off the MSRP.
In today's $350 wireless, ANC-equipped over-ear headphones space, there are two primary competitors: Bose's QuietComfort 35 II and Sony's WH-1000XM3. Bose has long been championed as the king of the segment by many, but it seems impossible to talk about the QC35 II these days without someone butting in about how the identically-priced 1000XM3 is superior. After some time with the 1000XM3, I understand why everyone has been talking about it.