The Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones are the most recent entry in Sony's 1000X series, which has been around since 2016. They're the best over-ear headphones in terms of audio quality currently on the market—but not everyone can (or needs to) drop nearly half a grand on headphones.
The WH-1000XM5 are a generation older and were at the top of their class until they were supplanted by the XM6. On the plus side, by virtue of being older, they're currently discounted to $198 (down from the original $399.99). That 50% off brings it down to the lowest price they've ever reached, according to price-tracking tools, a good deal for premium headphones that still sound incredible, even in 2026.
I have been a loyal customer of the 1000X line for many years; they're my go-to headphones for most activities. The WH-1000XM5 received an "outstanding" review from PCMag for their top-notch audio quality and exceptional audio when using the best-in-class active noise cancellation. The headphones are also well-designed to be comfortable for long listening sessions. The ear controls use tapping and swiping, which isn't my favorite, but it's what all modern headphones are moving toward. There's a companion app that lets you adjust your EQ settings to your liking, including what the swiping and tapping functions do.
These headphones also have a stereo 3.5mm connection, which is perfect for those who want to use a cable and not worry about battery life. And speaking of battery life, Sony says you can expect about 30 hours, but it will vary depending on your use of ANC. They are compatible with AAC, LDAC, and SBC codecs and have multipoint connection, meaning you can pair them with more than one device at the same time.
Early Labor Day sales have already started. More retailers are likely to start their own sales leading up to the holiday on Monday, Sept. 7.
Labor Day has traditionally been a good time to find deals in many categories, but whether they're worth it or not depends entirely on what you're looking for. Compared to sales like Black Friday or Prime Day, Labor Day falls short on volume and quality of discounts, but you might still find a good price on tech or kitchen appliances that will match those holiday prices—or even beat them. (We use price-tracking tools to let you know if a deal is worth it or not.)
So far, Home Depot, Amazon, and Wayfair have started their early Labor Day sales. Target, Walmart, and Best Buy are likely to follow. (Lifehacker will be rounding up deals for all of these sales.)
