The Best Deals on Headphones and Earbuds for April 2023

If your current headphones lack noise cancellation, a long battery life, and perks like transparency mode, it may be time for an upgrade. Whether you’re a Tidal-subscribing audiophile, a casual music fan, a podcast addict, or just want to focus harder on that Headspace account, we’ve found a number of deals you can snag right now.

We’ve assembled a list of great over-ear and in-ear audio options. If you’re unsure what to buy, we like to look for three main things: battery life, sound quality, and noise-canceling capability. Battery life will help you determine what kind of headphones are best for you: over-ear options have significantly longer run times and are generally more comfortable for extended use. 

We also like to see headphones that have an app for tuning the EQ to your preference and making adjustments based on what you’re listening to, and, if you listen mostly to music, headphones with a bass boost are nice to have. Active noise canceling is extra important in noisy situations like a coworking space, a public-transit commute, or an airplane trip; a “transparency mode” is nice to have as well, so if you need to let the sounds of the outside world in for a brief conversation, you can.

Other things to look for: For those of us who spend a lot of time talking on the phone, over-ears with an upgraded microphone are probably best; if you mostly use these for working out, most earbuds will talk about their water resistance with an “IP” rating; IPX4 and up is good for most exercising but look for a 7-8 rating if you’re a swimmer.

Finally: If you use a device like a phone or a laptop (or just something without Bluetooth) and want to use a 3.5mm audio cable, many headphones also provide an AUX cord to allow you to plug in directly to an input jack, while still going wireless. Not all of these devices have this as an option, but if you do use it, you’ll often be able to extend the battery life even further. 

(Credit: Tim Gideon)

Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case (2nd Gen)

The second-generation AirPods feature better battery life than their predecessor, hands-free Siri access, and an optional wireless charging case. From an audio standpoint, they deliver similar performance to the previous iteration. The Pro version is our Editors’ Choice, but if you don’t have $200+ to spend, the originals can be yours for less than $100.

Powerbeats Pro

A secure fit, easy operation, and a bass-forward sound signature make the Powerbeats Pro ideal true wireless earphones for Beats fans. The over-ear hooks keep these feeling more secure than a regular set of in-ear buds, and the larger profile allows built-in track and volume controls for each earbud. Nine hours of playback equals a full day on the job plus commute time (or just an all-day bike ride), and Apple’s proprietary H1 chip delivers high-quality audio with bonus Beats bass response.

Asus ROG Cetra Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbuds

These wireless noise-cancelling earbuds by Asus feature the distinctive ROG logo as well as LED accents. Promising up to 27 hours of battery life, these earbuds support fast charging for 90 minutes of listening time on a mere 10 minutes of charge time. Quick-touch controls and low-latency wireless audio in gaming mode offers convenience and a competitive edge for those who game. Plus, with PC, Mac, PS5, and Nintendo Switch compatibility, you can listen to audio from all of your devices.

Sennheiser HD 660 S Hi-Res Open-Back Headphones

Sennheiser’s experience with speaker technology dates back decades, so you can be secure in the sound quality coming out of these velour-padded, over-ear headphones. Audiophiles will rejoice in the power, control, and connectivity these headphones offer.

(Photo: Tim Gideon)

Apple AirPods Max

If money is no object and you need one of the best Apple-produced options for your ears on the market, the Max is where it’s at. Signal quality from the Apple-designed audio driver delivers clear, excellent audio through the comfortable over-ear speakers, and the nine onboard mics help achieve great active noise cancellation. There’s also a transparency mode for when you need to hear the world without removing the headset, and the accelerometer and gyrometer will help deliver spatial audio, and also start your music automatically when you put them on. In our review, we called these “excellent” and “absolutely gorgeous” but expensive … so savings like these definitely help move the needle on a purchase.