Technology

October Prime Day brings headphones and speakers deals from Sony, Bose, more

An illustrated background with a Marshall speaker, Anker earbuds, and Apple AirPods Max.

UPDATE: Oct. 8, 2024, 6:35 p.m. EDT This post has been updated with the latest headphone and earbud deals worth checking out, based on our reporters historical pricing knowledge.

Best headphone and speaker deals

Best noise-cancelling headphones deal
Apple AirPods Max

$ 399 at Amazon (Save $ 150)

A pair of AirPods Max headphones


Best earbuds deal
Amazon Echo Buds

$ 44.99 at Amazon (Save $ 95)

A pair of Amazon Echo Buds


Best Bluetooth speaker deal
Marshall Emberton II Speaker

$ 99 at Amazon (Save $ 60)

A Marshall Emberton II Speaker

Prime Big Deal Days is officially here. While Amazon usually showcases its own products and services during the October Prime Day event, plenty of other brands join in on the fun too.

We’re tracking deals on headphones and speakers, which historically drop to some of their lowest prices during Prime Day. Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard here — it’s literally been my job for the past couple of years to pay specific attention to headphones pricing. I’ve also been testing out the best headphones for the past year for Mashable. (Shopping Reporter Sam Mangino has also been testing headphones for Mashable for several months).

As a Prime Day and Black Friday veteran, I can say with confidence that sometimes Amazon does have “deal prices” on items that actually aren’t all that great, whether it be because the markdown isn’t that impressive, or because those items actually dip down or regularly sit at those prices through most of the year. The headphones, earbuds, and speaker deals you’ll find below do not fall into either of those categories.

In fact, most of these prices below are the lowest we’ve seen all year. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones, for instance, dropped to $ 100 off for the first time ever during this Prime Day event (they dropped $ 70 in July). The AirPods Pro hit a record low of $ 68.99, and some other favorites of ours, like the Sony WH-1000XM5s returned to their all-time low prices. After covering headphone deals for the past couple of years, I can say that when anyone on Mashable’s team adds a headphone deal to this list, it’s actually worth checking out.

With that, here are our favorite headphones, earbuds, and speaker deals from this October Prime Day sale. Want even more Prime Day content? Follow along with our live blog.

Best noise-cancelling headphones deal

Apple AirPods Max

$ 394.99 at Amazon
$ 549.00 Save $ 154.01

Why we like it

Check out our full review of the Apple AirPods Max.

I’m going to level with you — I’m kind of an AirPods Max hater, but mostly because I think they’re way too expensive for what they’re offering, especially in comparison to other over-ear noise cancelling headphones on the market. With that said, they do have a unique look, come in more colors than most other headphones, and offer a sound quality and active noise cancellation that’s been praised by many. Now that these headphones are down to one of their lowest prices ever at $ 394.95 (saving you 28%), they’re much easier to recommend.

Just be aware that these are the Lightning port model. The USB-C model is on sale too, but beyond the charging port and new colorways, they are the exact same headphones, and they’re going for $ 499.99. It’s their first big markdown, but it’s not one I can recommend over these AirPods Max. If you really want USB-C charging, I recommend trying out the Bose QC Ultra headphones or the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones. — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More headphone deals

Best earbuds deals

Amazon Echo Buds

$ 44.99 at Amazon
$ 139.99 Save $ 95.00

Why we like it

Check out our full review of the 2021 Amazon Echo Buds.

Simply put, you really don’t see earbuds with halfway decent active noise cancellation below $ 50, much less below $ 40. In my testing of budget noise-cancelling headphones, I found that the Anker Soundcore Life P3i earbuds fared well with noise-cancelling and audio quality for around $ 50. I opted for them instead of the Echo Buds because of the price discrepancy, but with the Echo Buds at a whopping 71% off, it’d be hard to recommend another pair of earbuds if you’re looking for the cheapest way to get the best ANC possible. You’ll deal with some quirks like Amazon wanting you to lean heavy into using Alexa, and a battery life that’s nothing to write home about, for $ 35 you could do a lot worse. — Bethany Allard, Lead Shopping Reporter

More earbud deals

Best Bluetooth speaker deal

Marshall Emberton II Speaker

$ 99.99 at Amazon
$ 169.99 Save $ 70.00

Why we like it

Maybe your Bluetooth speaker kicked the dust this summer after one too many pool parties. If you find yourself in the market for a new one, Prime Day is an especially great time to hit add to cart.

The Marshall Emberton II speaker is perfect to bring along to any banger. It has a vintage look with the stylish gold script logo and textured front, but that doesn’t distract from its functionality. With an IP67 rating, it’s water and dust-resistant so you can even take it outside. Plus its 30 hours of battery life is insane.

Ahead of Prime Big Deal Days, you can get the Marshall Emberton II speaker on sale for $ 99.99, saving $ 70 for 41% off.

More Bluetooth speaker deals


PROMOTED

Jabra Elite 10

$ 199.99 at Amazon
$ 249.99 Save $ 50.00

JBL Tune Flex

$ 49.95 at Amazon
$ 99.95 Save $ 50.00

Jabra Elite 8 Active

$ 146.00 at Amazon
$ 199.99 Save $ 53.99

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