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The best part of the Sony WH-1000 XM6 launch: Savings on previous models!
May 19, 2025
The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are all the hype, but personally, I am not that excited about paying $449.99 for a pair of cans. To me, the most exciting part of this launch is that the previous models are on sale! You can get the Sony WH-1000XM5 for $298, and the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are only $228. You are saving over $100 on these headphones, and they are still awesome!
These offers are available from Amazon. Regardless of which model you pick, the discount applies to all color versions available.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Originally priced at $399.99, this deal saves you $101.99, making it one of the best prices we’ve seen on the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones in a while. They were the top option in our list of the best headphones for years, pretty much until the XM6 model was released, just last week.
They are known for their impressive audio quality and outstanding ANC performance. The design is very similar to the newer iteration. These will still look modern, and most people won’t even notice you’re using previous-gen headphones.
Another critical factor is battery life. While the XM6 have a better battery life at 37 hours and 14 minutes, the XM5 can handle about 32 hours on a full charge. And if you turn off ANC, that number gets extended to an impressive 53 hours!
Of course, these cans still come with an ample set of fancy features. They launched as high-end headphones, after all. These capabilities include Bluetooth Multipoint, touch gestures, Find My Device support,
You’ll obviously still get a nice set of premium features, such as Bluetooth Multipoint, touch gestures, a handy EQ in the official app, and even Find My Device support. These lack USB-C listening, but the new model does too. In either case, you can listen wired using the 3.5mm headset jack.
All things considered, diminishing returns are real in the audio industry. The Sony WH-1000XM6 may be better, but are they worth paying over $150 more? I wouldn’t say so. If you want a more in-depth comparison, here’s our Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony WH-1000XM5 article.
Our own Adam Birney summarizes it perfectly: “For most users, the XM6 is a better product—but the XM5 remains the better deal.”
Sony WH-1000XM4
Now, if you really want to save, you should probably get the Sony WH-1000XM4, which are currently only $228. That’s a $120 discount on the full $348 price point! These offer the best bang per buck, because they are actually really good, and don’t fall far behind the two newer models. These headphones are still quite impressive in 2025.
The audio quality is still great. While not as amazing, the ANC performance is still really good for most listeners. Keep in mind these were also launched as high-end headphones, so the experience is premium. The design is clean and minimalist, and they are build very solidly.
You won’t miss out on many features, either. These headphones still have Bluetooth Multipoint, auto pausing, touch gesture controls, and more. The battery life does suffer a bit, but you still get a good 24 hours per charge.
Here’s an in-depth comparison between the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Sony WH-1000XM4.
I am all about saving money. Both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Sony WH-1000XM4 are fantastic if you prefer to stretch your dollar further, as well. Just make sure to act quickly, because we don’t know how long these deals will last, or if stock will run out soon.