Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones are 50% off at Amazon — now about $198

Amazon is still offering the Sony WH-1000XM5 at roughly 50% off after its Labor Day sale, bringing the headphones to about $198. These are Sony's 2022 flagship over-ear cans and remain highly regarded for noise cancellation, sound quality, and comfort. If you want top-tier ANC without paying flagship new-product prices, the XM5 on sale is a straightforward value play.

• Active noise cancellation (ANC) that reviewers and reviewers' summaries describe as powerful for commutes and office use.
• Up to about 30 hours of battery life on a single charge.
• Four built-in microphones intended to support clearer voice calls.
• Multipoint Bluetooth so you can connect the headphones to two devices at once.
• Ten EQ presets and a range of customizable sound settings via Sony's app.
• A free carrying case in the box.

Sony released the WH-1000XM6 after the XM5. The XM6 brings longer battery life, a new QN3 processor, and a more flexible build. Those are meaningful upgrades if you want the latest features and the absolute best on-paper battery and processing performance. For many buyers, though, the XM5's combination of ANC, sound quality, comfort, and battery life remains very capable — and the half-price tag narrows the practical gap.

Buy the XM5 at this price if you prioritize cost-to-performance: you get premium ANC and sound for roughly $200. Choose the XM6 if you value slightly better battery, the QN3 silicon, or a newer physical design and are willing to pay full price.

• Confirm the listing is sold and shipped by Amazon or an authorized retailer to avoid grey-market units.

• Compare the XM5 price to XM6 and other competitors (Bose, Sennheiser, Sonos) if you want to weigh newer features versus savings.

If you want premium noise-cancelling headphones but don't want the latest model price, the WH-1000XM5 at roughly $198 is a strong option. The XM6 improves on a few technical points, but the XM5 remains a complete package for listening, calling, and daily use — and at half price it's one of the more compelling headphone deals available right now.