Sonys WH-1000XM5 headphones are on sale for less than $275

SAVE $126: As of Aug. 21, the Sony WH-1000XM5 noise-cancelling headphones are down to just $273.99 at Amazon. That's 32% off the usual sticker price.

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The Sony WH-1000XM6s have officially surpassed the previous-generation XM5s in the race for best-sounding headphones. But honestly, they aren't all that different. And if you opt for the older generation, you can save over $150.

As of Aug. 21, the Sony WH-100XM5 noise-cancelling headphones in black are on sale for $273.99 at Amazon. That's 32% or $126 off the typical retail price of $399.99 and just a little over $20 shy of their lowest price on record. Unfortunately, if you prefer one of the other three color options, the price jumps to $328.

Deputy Reviews Editor Miller Kern gave the XM5s a nearly perfect rating, crediting their impeccable sound quality, great noise cancellation, and customizable sound. On top of that, they also pack a 30-hour battery life, crisp call clarity, voice assistant support comfy ear cushions, and an ambient mode that helps you stay in touch with your surroundings.

For what it's worth, the newer XM6 headphones are currently $428, which is quite the price jump for only a minor upgrade. Mashable contributor Alex Bracetti writes, "Very few things separate these two models, besides the big price difference. What we know for sure is that the WH-1000XM5s retain many series hallmarks, including ANC, battery life, sound, and special features."

The biggest downfall of the XM5s is that they don't fold up like the newer generation. If that's not a deal-breaker for you, though, we highly recommend snagging the XM5s while they're on sale for just $273.99.