The top-rated Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are $130 off right now -- but this discount will only last for today.

Sony headphones and earbuds juggle several priorities, including ANC, battery life, hi-res sound, and multipoint pairing. However, you may need to compromise on some of these features if you're not willing to spend $300 or more, the minimum price for flagship headphones in 2025.

These headphones are Sony’s lightest overhead wireless noise-canceling headphones yet. At just around 192g, they are easy to carry and wear for longer. The headband features a slimmer profile, while the earcups are designed to sit comfortably without feeling too tight.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 may be getting old, but they are aging amazingly. So much so that we still recommend them in 2025.

The Sony WH-1000XM4 noise-cancelling headphones originally launched in 2020 and have long been replaced with the WH-1000XM5s, and more recently the WH-1000XM6s. But honestly, the upgrades have been pretty minor each generation.

My headphones of choice at the time were the Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones, which were then the best things around at blocking noise. You can't get those anymore, unfortunately, but you can find other headphones that do a an even better job at keeping out the noise of the cafeteria or your irritating roommate who just won't stop going on and on about their latest piece of homework (ask me how I know).