I’ve been reviewing gadgets at TechRadar for years now, and it’s pretty rare that something stops me in my tracks and so violently defies my expectations. But sometimes, a special product comes along and totally stuns me: and that was well and truly the case with the Sennheiser CX 80U.
Now you might be thinking: really? A pair of wired earbuds? But yes, they really were that impressive. See it all comes down to quality vs price, and these earbuds genuinely sound way, way better than I expected given their typical cost of $39.95 / £34.99. If you want rich, detailed sound at a highly-accessible price-point, the CX 80U are all you need.
I’ll drill into the beauty of this product more down below, but the bottom line is: the CX 80U are what I’d recommend to anyone looking to go back to wired earbuds in 2026.
Low risk, high reward
(Image credit: Future)
I’ve already touched on the Sennheiser CX 80U’s low price (and they’re occasionally discounted for even less), but let’s discuss what exactly makes them so special.
These buds use a USB-C connector with a built-in DAC, opening up lossless audio — something that’s not truly possible over Bluetooth, which is an inherently lossy technology. By using USB-C as a connectivity method, the CX 80U aren’t only optimized for modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops, but they also won’t need to be charged like their Bluetooth counterparts — and I often keep them with me in case I forget to juice up my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones or LG Tone Free T90S earbuds.
But as practical as the CX 80U are, the real highlight is their performance. They show impeccable attention to detail, and can easily illuminate elements such as subtle percussion or delicate vocal intricacies. However, they also nail the fundamentals, with well-balanced, agile bass, clear mids, and vivid treble.
Speaking of treble, I found this to be a real highlight on the CX 80U — highs have an impressive sense of space, and often sound as if they’re operating in a well-defined pocket, giving percussion in particular plenty of space to express itself. But during my time testing the CX 80U, I was impressed with their quality right across the frequency range, and regardless of what genre I threw at them, they delivered an enjoyable and entertaining listen each time.
As well as sounding great, the CX 80U manage to provide surprisingly substantial passive noise cancellation, and they come with various-sized eartips, so you can find the perfect seal. Whenever I use them, I also find that cable noise is pretty muted, and they’re comfortable to wear, even for longer listening sessions.
One more thing I love about the CX 80U is their build quality. They look more premium than their price suggests, and I’m drawn to their rounded buds, slim wires, and enticing silver details. Classy.
So, if you’re on a budget but looking to get into the wired earbuds game, then it really doesn’t get much better than the Sennheiser CX 80U. Go on, give ‘em a go!
Audio-lovers, Prime Day — and in fact any big sales event — is always a savvy time to buy. But right now I think we need good quality portable music in our lives more than ever. And thankfully, I can help you make it affordable too, as Prime Day is practically upon us, and it seems the retail giant simply couldn't wait!
The headphones and earbuds I'm recommending here all really are good quality and all come with a TR review — and the discounts are either a new lowest-seen price, or a return to the lowest asking fee we've ever seen.
Essentially, I've been doing this full-time since 2019 and if I don't love the product and the saving, I won't list it here. OK? I test headphones all day every day, so I know great sound, I know the market, and I know a fantastic deal when I see it.
One quick thing: please don't read this roundup, click through to Amazon or another one of the big retailers, take a left (or a right, in fact) and buy a set of buds or cans that do not feature here — and that neither myself nor the wider TechRadar team has mentioned or reviewed. Or, if you do, just don't comment here and compel me to recommend what you just bought retrospectively, because unfortunately I probably won't do that.
These deals (and only these deals) are the ones I've reviewed and tested. And that's why I'm recommending them to you this Prime Day. Think this roundup's a little short? That's because my standards are high, friends…
The best early Prime Day headphones / earbuds deals, US
These are the new new March 2026 edition, with the H2 chip and all of the upticks in performance that brings. And though many might have predicted an Apple-style $50 saving (yawn), this $150-off steal is crazy! Nobody had this on their bingo card for Prime Day. Let me be abundantly clear: the noise cancellation here is absolutely fantastic — and I know, because I reviewed them… View Deal
The ANC quality from the QuietComfort Ultra (Gen 2) is better than any other other wireless over-ear headphone on the market. Let that sink in. And yes, you can pay a lot more for premium headphones. This is a return to their lowest ever price too! You’re also getting a lightweight and comfortable pair that are perfect for long-haul flights, and it doesn’t hurt that they look really sleek with the addition of a metallic trim. View Deal
This might just be the best early Prime Day tech deal, especially if you want Apple's iconic buds (and you'd be in good company; they're the most popular earbuds in the world for a reason). Apple's AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low price of $169? Come on! Apple's newest premium buds feature improved Active Noise Cancellation, outstanding audio, a comfortable in-ear design, and new features such as live translation and heart-rate tracking. These do-it-all buds really are 100% flagship audio, and the noise-canceling quality is outstanding.View Deal
This is the cheapest these have ever been! They've been $59 before, but this chops an extra $3 off that – hurrah! Amazon's listing their most recent $79 fee as a comparison, but make no mistake, their original MSRP is the one you see in this deal. A top saving! Highly recommended. View Deal
In terms of wireless hi-res and audiophile watchwords, you name it, it's within these over ear headphones: LDAC, Snapdragon Sound, Planar Magnetic, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless… and this is as cheap as I've ever seen them. No ANC, but if you want great sound (or someone you know does), this is the deal for you, I'm telling you. Don't believe me? See our full Edifier Stax Spirit S5 review.View Deal
The excellent EAH-AZ80 that came before this model basically tore up the rule book on sound quality and features in wireless earbuds – and the AZ100 are even better. Released in January 2025, these little beauties are still the only earbuds to offer multipoint to three devices simultaneously, plus excellent sidetone tech for hearing your own voice in calls, as well as some of the most neutral and detailed audio in an even smaller, even more premium-feel design. Oh, and the deal? It's a return to their lowest-seen price ever. Highly recommended. View Deal
We said in our review of the WF-C510 that these are among our favorite low-cost earbuds thanks to their punchy, high-quality sound, comfortable fit and ultra-affordable price. We rated them 4.5 stars at full price, and said they're preferable even to Apple's more expensive AirPods 4 as great budget buds. At this discounted price they're an absolute steal, as long as you're happy going without active noise cancellation.View Deal
Bose is one of the biggest names in the world of headphones, and that reputation for quality is shown in these earbuds. The Ultra Open boast incredible sound, supreme power, and excellent battery life, making them a seriously premium pair of all-around buds. Now at a record-low price (as long as certain finishes work for you), so there's no better time to buy.View Deal
On the face of it, a 28% saving isn't the most headline-worthy sale you'll see on Black Friday. But this is Bose – and it's also the first ever saving I've seen on this set of 5-star, 2025-release noise-cancelling earbuds. They basically walk all over anything else on the market for noise cancellation (except maybe Apple's AirPods Pro 3 – but if you don't own an iPhone I don't recommend those, however good the deal). A lowest-seen fee on a truly excellent set of new earbuds from Bose? Yes please. View Deal
No, it's not a massive discount, but it's the first real one we've had, and it's a decent one, taking 12% off the usual price of Apple's newest and most advanced ANC earbuds. The main difference between the Pro 3 and Pro 2 is the addition of heart rate sensing and Live Translation using Apple Intelligence, and the ANC is vastly improved, as I covered at length in my AirPods Pro 3 review – which is no small statement given that the ANC in the AirPods Pro 2 was already excellent. View Deal
This is the lowest price we've ever seen for the AirPods Pro 2, and it's an astounding value for earbuds this good. They sound superb, they have high-tier noise cancellation, they have an unlosable case, and they have the newer Live Translation and hearing aid features that also feature on AirPods Pro 3 – these are only missing the heart-rate sensors of the new model in terms of major features.View Deal
Sony's newest mid-range wireless earbuds for less than $80 in Amazon's early Black Friday sale? Yup: this is a real bargain. For this money, you're getting Sony quality for the kind of money you'd expect to pay for a much lesser brand. In our Sony WF-C710N review, we heaped praise on these buds for their bolstered battery life, fantastic sound quality and upgraded ANC. At this price point, my recommending them is a no-brainer – at a third of the price of the high-end Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds, we think these are the better-value buy.View Deal
Apple's most affordable AirPods are currently at their lowest ever price on Walmart, and that makes them an even better buy. At under $70, these are great: they have personalized spatial audio, better-than-promised battery life (based on our testing), and fantastic integration with Apple's other devices.View Deal
Amazon is running an unbelievably good deal on the AirPods 4 with ANC. Everything I've said above about these AirPods applies here: they're the best earbuds for iPhone users who want Apple's excellent device integration and ANC without having to shove anything into your ear canals.View Deal
This is a very solid deal on some great clip-on open earbuds. They only arrived in May 2025, so this is one of the first few times our price trackers have ever spotted a discount on them. How good are they? Very very good, as out glowing Shokz OpenDots One review proves. Again, this deal won't last long though – quick! View Deal
A $55 saving on the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 (bone conduction headphones that don't actually go into your ear) is not to be sniffed at, especially as it's the biggest discount these headphones have ever had – they briefly dropped to $139 before now, but never this low! Available in both standard and mini sizes in three colors, the Pro 2 uses bone conduction and air conduction to deliver great sound on multiple fronts, all while keeping you aware of your surroundings. Calling someone? An AI noise reduction algorithm filters out 96.5% of background noise.View Deal
And a wired set! I love my own personal set of IE 600 (and the wider TechRadar team has written odes to their pairs), so I really want you to know about this saving. For clarity, it's an excellent deal too: the cheapest they've ever been on Amazon is $499 to date, so if you want to check to see if they fall this low again, Black Friday weekend is probably the time – at this very link. They're fashioned from a metal called ZR01 amorphous zirconium. Sounds premium, right? That's because it is – it's the same metal used for the drilling head of NASA's Mars Rover. And the sound? Oh, don't get me started (but do go to our Sennheiser IE 600 review if you need to know more). View Deal
The best early Amazon Prime Day headphones / earbuds deals, UK
The excellent EAH-AZ80 that came before this model basically tore up the rule book on sound quality and features in wireless earbuds – and the AZ100 are even better. Released in January 2025, these little beauties are still the only earbuds to offer multipoint to three devices simultaneously plus excellent sidetone tech for hearing your own voice in calls, as well as some of the most neutral and detailed audio in an even smaller, even more premium-feel design. Highly recommended. View Deal
This is a new record-low price for Apple's newest buds. The AirPods 4 feature a new design for all-day comfort and pack Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalized spatial audio and voice isolation. You also get a redesigned case with 30 hours of battery life and support for USB-C for wireless charging. Just be aware that this cheaper version does not support active noise cancellation, so it may be worth paying the extra to get that benefit with the deal below.View Deal
Willing to spend a bit more? Amazon's early Prime Day deals feature the AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation for their lowest price ever. These AirPods 4 feature a new comfortable design, handy controls, and Apple's H2 chip, which supports personalised spatial audio and voice isolation. There's also that all-important ANC to block out distracting noises and outside sounds, which is great when you want to focus at work or are commuting.View Deal
In terms of wireless hi-res and audiophile watchwords, you name it, it's within these over ear headphones: LDAC, Snapdragon Sound, Planar Magnetic, aptX Adaptive, and aptX Lossless… and this is as cheap as I've ever seen them. No ANC, but if you want great sound (or someone you know does), this is the deal for you, I'm telling you. Don't believe me? See our full Edifier Stax Spirit S5 reviewView Deal
These open-fit, clip (or ear cuff) style buds arrived in May 2025, and this is the lowest price our deals trackers have ever spotted on them. How good are they? Very very good, as out glowing Shokz OpenDots One review proves. Again, this deal won't last long though – quick! View Deal
This is the first discount I've ever seen on Anker's over-ear headphones, after being released towards the beginning of the year. It's unlikely they'll see a bigger price cut when Prime Day truly begins, and for my money, the noise cancellation here is excellent. Not the audiophiles' choice, you understand, but no slouch either… View Deal
Yes, you can get Sony's newest affordable wireless earbuds for less than £75 in Amazon's early Prime Day sale – talk about a bargain! This is a return to their lowest ever fee and for this money, you're getting Sony quality for non-brand money. In my Sony WF-C710N review, I heaped praise on these buds for their bolstered battery life, fantastic sound quality and upgraded ANC. At this price point, my recommending them is a no-brainer.View Deal
I adore these headphones, and provided the white finish suits, there is a huge saving to be had here — one that's never been seen by our price trackers 'til now. B&W's headphones look stunning and the sound is more than worth the reduced outlay here. Comfort levels? Fantastic. ANC? Very decent. They gained a glowing five-star review from this very publication at their full price. For this money? A solid bargain. View Deal
Again, on the face of it, this saving isn't the most headline-worthy sale you'll see on Black Friday. But this is Bose – and it's also the first ever saving I've seen on this set of 5-star, 2025-release noise-cancelling earbuds we've ever seen. They basically walk all over anything else on the market for noise cancellation (except maybe Apple's AirPods Pro 3 – but if you don't own an iPhone I don't recommend those, however good the deal). They're currently dipping below £270, but only in certain colourways. A new lowest-seen fee on a truly excellent set of new earbuds from Bose? Yes please. View Deal
My five-star Nothing Ear (a) review is the place for the full scoop on the fun, energetic sound of these buds, but know that they have great noise cancellation, a compact design, and a truly eye-catching look – especially in my favourite yellow colour (also in the deal at the time of writing). This is a record-low price for them, and there are simply no better earbuds you can buy for under £60.View Deal
Before we get super carried away, the JLab Go Air Pop are not the last word in sonic brilliance – if JLab had managed that for around the price of a round, we could all go home. But they're extremely good value – in fact they're alarmingly good for this asking fee, and they absolutely, categorically are not junk. If this is truly where your budget maxes out, you'll get reliable Bluetooth connectivity, killer battery life, comfortable and light earpieces, and solid musicality on the go. It would be churlish to expect more. I've been testing earbuds since 2019 and I love them. Secret Santa gift with a £20 spending cap? You could do a lot worse…View Deal
This is £10 cheaper than we've ever seen AirPods Pro 2 available for before. In the UK, the price difference between these and AirPods Pro 3 is much closer than in the US – the newer model are £50 more at £219 – but I think a lot of people will be more than happy with the sound quality and noise cancellation of these models, and £50 left in your wallet. And they have practically all the same features as AirPods Pro 3, except for the heart-rate sensors.View Deal
I'm not being dramatic here: at this price, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 are an absolute steal. By making them £127, Amazon is selling them cheaper than they've ever been – and honestly, it's a lot less than you'd pay for many far less capable capable earbuds. At full price the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro get four out of five stars. At this price (and now with added Google Gemini smarts), they basically get six out of five. View Deal
OpenRun Pro 2 (a set of bone conduction headphones that don't actually cover the ears so are almost like open earbuds!) are among the very best running headphones available right now, at the lowest price they've ever been – a solid Black Friday no-brainer for the long-distance runner in your life. View Deal
And finally, a wired set! I adore my own set of IE 600 (and the wider TechRadar team has written odes to their pairs), so even though the deal is available only on Sennheiser's website at the time of writing, I'm listing it here because I want you to have at the saving. For clarity, it's an excellent deal, if you're prepared to start another online shopping cart: the cheapest they've ever been on Amazon is £449 to date. They're fashioned from a metal called ZR01 amorphous zirconium. Sounds premium, right? That's because it is – it's the same metal used for the drilling head of NASA's Mars Rover. And the sound? Oh, don't get me started (but do go to our Sennheiser IE 600 review if you need to know more). View Deal
When is Prime Day 2026?
Amazon has officially confirmed that Prime Day 2026 will run from June 23 to Jun 26, extending the event to four full days for only the second time (last year, the event took place in July but for the same amount of days). It gives shoppers a full 96 hours to take advantage of exclusive discounts, which is twice as long as the traditional 48-hour format we typically see for most sales events
For those hunting headphone deals, it's worth noting that new offers will go live at midnight PDT in the US and midnight GMT in the UK. Each day will likely bring a fresh wave of limited-time lightning deals, and we’re expecting to see solid discounts on everything from premium noise-canceling models to budget-friendly earbuds.
Do you need Amazon Prime to buy Prime Day headphone deals?
Simply put, yes. An Amazon Prime membership is required to take full advantage of Prime Day headphone deals, although some later deals will be available to all. While there are often listings open to everybody on Prime Day, the best deals are usually reserved for prime members only. If you're not a member, don't worry – you can sign up for a free 30-day trial. That will give you access to all the offers – and you can cancel the trial at any time within 30 days.
We also typically see plenty of other retailers offering competing Prime Day headphone deals. In the US, Best Buy and Walmart often price match some of the record-low prices on big-ticket items, and in the UK, Currys often honors price matches from Amazon as well.
Amazon Prime: 30-day free trial If you've never signed up before you can get a 30-day free trial of Amazon Prime to get access to this year's Prime Day deals. You get the same benefits as paid members, including free delivery, and access to other services such as Prime Video, Prime Music, Prime Gaming and more. You can cancel at any time during the trial to avoid paying the regular fee, which is $14.99 / £8.99 per month.
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