If you take a look at our list of the best headphones, you’ll notice that two models are at the top: the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Apple AirPods Max. These are both amazing, but they are also pricey. Luckily, there are some nice deals on both of them today. Keep reading to learn the details!

Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 and get a free $30 gift card for $448 ($31.99 off)

Buy the Apple AirPods Max for $479.99 ($69.01 off)

These offers both come from Amazon, but they are different in nature. The Sony deal gets you a free $30 gift card. On the other hand, the Apple AirPods Max discount is automatic and has no extra implications.

Sony WH-1000XM6 and get a free $30 gift card

If we had to pick one set of cans that is the best for most users, it would definitely be the Sony WH-1000XM6. We haven’t seen any actual discounts on these, and we don’t expect to see that anytime soon, as the headphones only launched last month. That said, you get a free $30 gift card with your purchase right now, which is certainly a nice incentive if you were already considering buying these cans.

We loved the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones. They excel in almost all departments, and offer an amazing overall experience. For starters, the audio quality is outstanding, as is the ANC performance. In fact, they are among the best in the industry in both departments. Even the microphone performs amazingly.

These are not cheap and are considered high-end headphones, so you can assume they come with a bevy of great features. These include Bluetooth Multipoint, spatial audio, gesture controls, access to a 10-band equalizer, DSEE Extreme support, and more. Even the battery life is impressive, offering 37 hours per charge, based on our standardized tests.

This is still the best offer we’ve seen on the Sony WH-100XM6 so far. If you’re already considering buying one, the price is unlikely to drop anytime soon, so you might as well take advantage of this free $30 Amazon gift card!

Apple AirPods Max

While the Sony WH-1000XM6 are our favorite headphones overall, we also usually recommend the Apple AirPods Max as the best option for those invested in the Apple ecosystem. These are not cheap, but right now, the Midnight colo model is only $479.99. (All other colors cost $499.99).

The Apple AirPods Max also have impressive sound quality and ANC performance, and they compete only against the best headphones out there (including the Sony ones listed above).

You’ll also get Apple’s iconic minimalist design, constructed with metal. The large earcups are soft and comfortable, and the fabric headband looks and feels great too.

Of course, these also come with plenty of features, but you must keep in mind that many of them are exclusive to Apple devices. These include auto-pausing, auto device switching, gestures, and Siri support.

Based on our tests, the battery life won’t be as good as Sony’s, but it is still pretty decent at about 21 hours. That said, this was actually a bit of a surprise to us, because Apple estimates a 20-hour battery life, so the brand outdid itself.

Our only real issue with the Apple AirPods Max is their price, but this discount makes the purchase a bit more justifiable.

Make sure to catch these deals sooner rather than later. We can only assume they won’t last too long.

• JLab launches four new Bluetooth party speakers ranging from $19.99 to $149.99.

• All models feature RGB lighting, water resistance, and LabSync multi-speaker pairing.

• Available June 18, with exclusive colorways offered through Target.

JLab is making a bold return to the portable speaker market with the launch of its new Bluetooth Party Speaker lineup. Unveiled as the company marks its 20th anniversary, the new lineup includes the Pop Party, Go Party, JBuds Party, and Epic Party speakers. Each model is designed to bring big sound, vibrant RGB lighting, and a variety of connectivity options to a wide range of users, all at accessible price points.

From compact portability to high-powered party starters, JLab’s latest offerings aim to cater to just about every type of gathering. The entry-level Pop Party Speaker ($19.99 USD) features a 2-inch full-range driver, RGB lighting, and LabSync for multi-speaker synchronization. With IPX5 water resistance and a detachable loop handle, it’s built for portability. Stepping up, the Go Party Speaker ($29.99 USD) offers 10W output via dual drivers and passive woofers, customizable lighting via the JLab App, and an IPX6 waterproof rating.

The JBuds Party Speaker ($69.99 USD) delivers 30W of power with dual speaker drivers and bass radiators, alongside a multifunction volume knob and EQ presets within the app. Topping the range is the Epic Party Speaker ($149.99 USD), which boasts 100W of output, a 5.25-inch subwoofer, 360-degree sound, and up to 16 hours of battery life. Features like microphone input, USB-C phone charging, and support for stereo pairing up to 100 speakers via LabSync position it as the flagship of the lineup.

All four models will be available on JLab.com and at major retailers starting June 18. Standard color options include black, with additional navy and mulberry versions rolling out later this year. Exclusive colors—cyan, pink, and lime—will also be available through Target.

• Soundcore Sleep A30 introduces active noise cancelation, a key upgrade from last year’s A20
• New Adaptive Snore Masking in the case responds to a partner’s snoring in real time
• 7% slimmer design aims to improve comfort for side sleepers
• Battery life dips slightly due to ANC: 9 hours (local) or 6.5 hours (Bluetooth) playback
• Available for $229.99 in August, or $139 for early Kickstarter backers starting today

A year after releasing Sleep A20 earbuds, Soundcore has introduced a more advanced model, the Sleep A30, adding active noise canceling and a new snore-masking feature built into its charging case.

This is the first time Soundcore has included ANC in its sleep-focused earbuds, something I thought the A20 could have benefited from, as they relied solely on passive isolation. During my review, I found the A20 struggled to block out low-frequency disturbances like passing cars or persistent snoring, especially when the window was open. With the A30’s Smart ANC capable of reducing noise by up to 30dB, Soundcore seems intent on closing that gap.

Also new is Adaptive Snore Masking, a feature that uses mics in the upgraded case to analyze the volume and frequency of nearby snoring and generate custom masking audio in real time. It’s an interesting approach to a common problem that no amount of memory foam can seem to fix. I’m curious to see how effective the system is in practice, but the premise is more proactive than anything seen in the A20.

The Sleep A30 are slimmer and smaller than the last model, which hopefully makes them more comfortable for side sleepers.

The buds themselves are now 7% slimmer, further improving comfort for side sleepers. This may seem minor, but anyone who’s worn sleep earbuds knows how noticeable even small reductions in pressure can be over eight hours of use. Soundcore also promises improved AI-generated brainwave audio, which hopefully is more soothing than the A20’s preset soundscapes, which I found muddy and uninspiring.

Battery life does take a hit compared to the A20 — down from 14 hours to 9 hours in local mode (or 6.5 hours via Bluetooth streaming), with a total of up to 45 hours including the case. Still, that’s enough to cover multiple nights for most users.

Rounding out the feature set are sleep position tracking, a repeatable alarm with snooze, and Find My Earbud support, all returning from the previous model. The Sleep A30 comes in two colors, classic white and a new mist green, and a plentiful variety of ear tips and wing sizes is included to help you find the right fit.

The A30 is available for pre-order now via Kickstarter at a discounted $139 for early backers, ahead of its August retail launch at $229.99 at retailers like Amazon. Whether the ANC and snore detection justify the $80 price jump from the A20 will depend on how well they actually perform, which I’ll be finding out soon with a review unit headed to the pillow.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones only launched a month ago, and they are already at the top of our list of the best headphones available. Given their popularity, it makes sense that Sony needs to give people no incentives for these to fly off the shelves. Today is your lucky day! While not exactly discounted, you can walk out with a free $30 gift card if you buy the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6 with a free $30 gift card for $448 ($31.99 off)

This offer is available from Amazon. The deal applies to all color versions available, including Black, Midnight Blue, and Platinum Silver.

As mentioned above, we haven’t seen any real discounts on the Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones yet. While we will have to wait for that, it’s nice to see at least some kind of offering so soon after the headphones were launched. This $30 gift card is a nice little incentive if you were already considering getting these.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 are no joke! We have crowned these as the top option in our list of the best headphones. There are multiple reasons behind this decision. These excel in many departments and offer an impressive overall experience.

Let’s start with audio. The sound quality on these is outstanding, and the ANC performance is up there with the best in the industry. These are a great option if you want to enjoy your tunes with no distractions from the outside world. We even loved the microphone’s performance, also making these ideal for calls.

As expected, these premium headphones come with plenty of features. They have Bluetooth Multipoint, spatial audio, gesture controls, a 10-band equalizer, DSEE extreme support, a volume limiter option, and more. Even the battery life is outstanding, at over 37 hours on a full charge, based on our standardized tests.

Again, this is the best deal we’ve seen on the Sony WH-1000XM6. We don’t expect any better sales soon, honestly, so this is likely your best chance to score some kind of deal on these premium headphones.

• Bose launches SoundLink Plus ($269) with 20-hour battery, IP67 rating, and phone charging capability
• The SoundLink Micro (2nd Gen) ($129) gets USB-C, a 12-hour battery, and a removable strap
• Both speakers support Bluetooth 5.4, aptX Adaptive, and can pair with other SoundLink speakers

Bose is expanding its popular SoundLink Bluetooth speaker lineup with two new models. The company announced the SoundLink Plus portable speaker and a second-generation SoundLink Micro, both featuring enhanced audio performance and rugged designs built for outdoor use.

SoundLink Plus fills the gap between the Flex and Max

The SoundLink Plus comes in an exclusive citrus yellow colorway to complement your spiked summer lemonade.

The new SoundLink Plus addresses a clear gap in Bose’s portable speaker lineup, slotting between the $149 SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and the premium $399 SoundLink Max. Priced at $269, the speaker features a new acoustic architecture combining one subwoofer, one tweeter, and four passive radiators to deliver what Bose calls “best-in-class sound and booming bass.” For listeners who found the SoundLink Max’s $399 price tag steep but wanted more power than the compact Flex offers, the Plus appears positioned as the sweet spot option.

Despite its powerful drivers, the SoundLink Plus maintains a portable form factor and weighs less than four pounds. The speaker offers an impressive 20 hours of playback time and doubles as a power bank, with its USB-C port capable of charging phones and other devices at 15W.

Built for outdoor durability, the SoundLink Plus has an IP67 rating for water and dust resistance and can withstand submersion up to three feet for 30 minutes. The speaker actually floats in water and includes a rugged nylon rope for easy retrieval and attachment. Its shock—and rust-resistant construction features a powder-coated steel grille with soft-touch silicone housing.

Second-gen SoundLink Micro gets major upgrades

The updated SoundLink Micro maintains its ultra-compact dimensions while packing significant improvements. Weighing just under one pound, the new model delivers enhanced audio performance through a single driver and dual passive radiators, which should provide improvements at higher frequencies without sacrificing bass response.

Key upgrades include USB-C charging (replacing the previous micro-USB), extended 12-hour battery life, and a new removable fabric nylon strap for easier attachment to bags, bikes, shower heads, or other gear. The second-generation model also gains Bose app compatibility for the first time, enabling EQ adjustments and firmware updates.

Like its predecessor, the new Micro maintains IP67 water and dust resistance with the same rugged silicone exterior and powder-coated steel grille construction.

Connectivity and pairing features

Aside from the side-mounted handle strap, the SoundLink Plus looks a lot like the Max.

Both new speakers support Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint connectivity for pairing to two devices simultaneously, with a 30-foot range. They include Google Fast Pair for quick Android device pairing and support multiple audio codecs, including SBC, AAC, and Qualcomm’s aptX Adaptive for high-definition audio with compatible Android devices.

Another useful feature is the speakers’ ability to pair with other current SoundLink models. Users can create stereo setups with two identical speakers or use Party Mode to sync audio across different SoundLink models, including the SoundLink Flex (2nd Gen) and Max.

The Bose app provides a custom three-band equalizer, shortcut button customization (including Spotify Tap), voice prompt language changes, and SimpleSync technology for connecting to compatible Bose soundbars and smart speakers.

What’s new

AI-Powered Enhancements: The biggest upgrades center around the latest trend in tech: artificial intelligence. Bose has implemented an updated AI algorithm that promises to make noise cancelation adjustments smoother when filtering sudden environmental sounds like passing trains or sirens. This should help prevent your audio content from being drowned out during automatic adjustments, creating what Bose calls “a more refined noise cancelation experience.”

For phone calls, the earbuds also now feature an AI-powered noise suppression system that promises to improve call quality when combined with the earbuds’ eight microphones, dynamic mixing, and adaptive filters. Leveraging audio augmentation technology originally developed for hearing aids, the system is said to better isolate the speaker’s voice while reducing background distractions like wind and office chatter.

Wireless Charging: The charging case now supports Qi wireless charging out of the box, eliminating the need for cables when using compatible wireless chargers. Simply lay the back of the case on any compatible wireless charger and you’re good to go.

Design Improvements: The ear tips now feature embedded wax guards designed to keep your ears and the ear tips of your earbuds clean so you can hear your music without any blockage. Additionally, users can now disable the capacitive touch controls entirely through the Bose app, addressing complaints about accidental activations when adjusting earbuds or brushing your hair behind your ears.

What’s the same

Pricing and Positioning: Bose has maintained the $299 USD price point (CAD $379 in Canada), keeping these earbuds in the premium tier despite market pressure from more affordable alternatives.

Case Size and Design: The charging case remains relatively chunky at 2.35″ x 2.60″ x 1.06″ in the same clamshell shape. While functional, it’s noticeably bulkier than competitors.

Battery Life and Performance: Battery life remains consistent at up to six hours per charge (four hours with Immersive Audio enabled), with the case providing three additional charges. A 20-minute quick charge still delivers up to two hours of playback time. The earbuds maintain their IPX4 water—and sweat-resistant rating.

Sound Profile and App: No significant changes appear to have been made to the sound tuning or frequency response, which previously emphasized bass frequencies more than some listeners preferred. Of course, we will test them in our lab to be sure. We expect these earbuds to utilize the new Bose QC Earbuds app, which has a five-band custom EQ and some notable features over the original Bose app, which only had a three-band custom EQ.

Connectivity: The earbuds continue to support Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connectivity, SBC, AAC, and aptX Adaptive codecs, plus Google Fast Pair for Android users.

The Verdict

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) represent a solid iterative update that addresses two key user complaints—call quality and charging convenience—while maintaining the original’s core strengths. However, those hoping for more competitive pricing, dramatically improved sound tuning, or a more compact case may need to look elsewhere.

Availability: The earbuds will be available outside the U.S., including Canada, starting June 26 in Black, White Smoke, and a limited Deep Plum colorway. U.S. buyers will have to wait until later this summer, though they can subscribe via a “Notify Me!” button on the product page to be updated on pre-orders and start of sales information.

While there are plenty of amazing headphones and earbuds out there, we usually recommend Apple audio gear to those of you invested in the Apple ecosystem. It just makes more sense, and Apple products fare very well against the competition. The Apple AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 2 are the best offerings from the brand, and they are both on sale today, sweetening the deal even further.

Get the Apple AirPods Max for $479.99 ($69.01 off)

Get the Apple AirPods Pro 2 for $169 ($80 off)

These offers come from Amazon. In the case of the Apple AirPods Max, all color versions are equally discounted.

Apple AirPods Max: The best Apple headphones

If you’re looking for the very best audio quality and experience from Apple, the AirPods Max are the obvious option. We gave these plenty of praise in our Apple AirPods Max review, and they are even listed as the top option for Apple users in our list of the best headphones.

These headphones offer that clean, metallic design Apple is now known for. They look and feel amazing, and we also found them to be very comfortable. The earpads and fabric band are soft, not to mention they look great.

It’s not just great looks that make these outstanding headphones, though. They are pricey, high-end cans, after all! You’ll enjoy impressive audio quality and ANC performance that competes only against the top choices.

These also come with plenty of extra features, including auto-pausing, automatic device switching, gesture controls, Siri support, and more. However, many of these capabilities are Apple-exclusive. Just keep that in mind.

Like all other headphones, the AirPods Max passed our standardized tests. Their battery life was pretty good, at 21 hours. While not the best in this category, these actually surpassed our expectations, as Apple promises 20 hours of battery life.

Do they have any downsides? Well, they are very expensive, but the price is a bit more comfortable right now. Additionally, they are large over-the-ear headphones, and we know many of you prioritize portability. If you want something you can easily carry around, read the next section!

Apple AirPods Pro 2: The best Apple earbuds

The Apple AirPods Pro 2 are the best earbuds coming from the brand. These offer awesome sound quality and very competent ANC performance.

These are small and portable, and they feature a very comfortable fit, thanks to the rubber tips. These help both block out external sound and provide a secure fit. You would have to try hard for these to fall off your ears.

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You’ll enjoy all the great features high-end Apple audio gear has to offer. These include automatic device switching, spatial audio, auto-pausing, wireless charging, and more.

A huge benefit of these is that they are actually IP54-rated, which means they offer a nice level of dust and water resistance. Battery life is also pretty good at five hours and 43 minutes, and the case provides an extra 24 hours of listening time.

Regardless of which model you pick, you’ll love how well these will work with your Apple devices. There’s really no going wrong with either version. Which is best for you depends on your form factor preferences, really.

• Apple is upgrading the microphones on the latest AirPods with “studio-quality” audio recording.
• The AirPods also get a new camera remote feature to capture a photo or start recording directly from the earbuds.
• The new features are available this fall as a free firmware update to the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2.

Apple thinks AirPods are ready for “studio-quality audio recording,” according to today’s announcement at WWDC 2025. While nothing will beat recording an album with a proper recording microphone in a studio, these new AirPods enhancements might be helpful for new musicians or those just trying to jot down a quick idea. At the very least, these microphone enhancements will take your Zoom meetings to the next level.

To be clear, Apple hasn’t announced any new hardware upgrades for the AirPods. Instead, Apple is relying on a firmware update to leverage the existing H2 chip, beamforming microphones, and computational audio found in the AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro 2. The improved recording quality will work in all native apps on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, as well as compatible third-party apps.

The new camera remote function allows users to start or stop photo and video recording by pressing and holding the stem of their AirPods. This feature will be useful for solo content creators, particularly those recording performances or vlogs. Compatibility extends to both Apple’s native Camera app and third-party camera apps, streamlining the recording process without needing to physically touch the iPhone or iPad.

These features are currently available for developer testing via the Apple Developer Program, with a public beta scheduled for next month through the Apple Beta Software Program. A full release is expected this fall alongside iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe 26. As with all firmware updates, availability may vary by region, and some features could change before final release. We’ll be sure to test the new features and update our AirPods reviews accordingly.