Headphones have flooded the market, and it’s difficult to know which ones to pick – especially if you’re a first time buyer. Here, we’ll help you weigh up whether you should buy top-of-the-line, or if a cheaper set will suffice.
While it’s tempting to buy a set of super cheap headphones, it’s worth remembering that they are inexpensive for a reason. But as you’ll see below, getting your hands on a decent pair of headphones doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. Especially when you have us to do the digging for you.
To save you the time and effort, we’ve put together this dedicated guide to the best bargains on great-sounding headphones. We constantly monitor major Aussie retailers to bring you the most worthwhile deals on a variety of sets – from in-ear buds to noise-cancelling cans from the most popular brands – so check out our continually updated list below to discover the best current headphones deals in Australia.
- Find great bargains and compare Australian prices on the latest tech at Getprice.
Over- & on-ear headphones
Sony WH-1000XM3 | AU$308 (RRP AU$399; save AU$91) [EBAY PLUS EXCLUSIVE]
Even though the brand-new Sony WH-1000XM4’s are now available, the set that came before them are undeniably exceptional. And they’ve only been made more appealing with this price drop. The sound quality is excellent and so are its noise-cancelling capabilities. Pair that with 30 hours of battery life, and you’ve got your hands on a great set of cans. You’ll have to be an eBay Plus member to score this discount, just enter the code PARTY21.View Deal
Bose QuietComfort 35 II | AU$318 (RRP AU$399.95; save AU$81.95) [EBAY PLUS EXCLUSIVE]
The always popular Bose QuietComfort 35 II has seen a price drop on eBay. These headphones have superb sound and top-notch noise cancellation, so you can block out distraction and really get lost in your favourite tunes. As the name suggests, they’re a dream to wear as well. If you fancy the black or silver pair, head to eBay and use the code PARTY21. Only available to eBay Plus subscribers.View Deal
Beats Solo Pro | AU$290 (RRP AU$429.95; save AU$139.95) [EBAY PLUS EXCLUSIVE]
A common hang-up over some Beats products is that they can tend toward heavy bass. That’s not the case here – Apple heard the criticism loud and clear, and the Solo Pro have a far more balanced sound profile as a result. You’ll still get that punchy bass though. These on-ear headphones have noise cancellation too, plus a number of stylish colours to suit almost anyone’s taste. Exclusive to eBay Plus members with the code PARTY21.View Deal
Beats Studio 3 | AU$339 (RRP AU$449; save AU$110)
These headphones look great, feel comfortable and offer excellent battery life. The sound quality isn’t best-in-class, but if you’re not too picky when it comes to audio, these are a fine set of headphones. There’s even decent noise cancellation, making them a great all-rounder. This set is now discounted at Dick Smith, with plenty of colour options available including black, grey, white and red.View Deal
In-ear headphones
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus | AU$224 (RRP AU$299; save AU$75)
The Buds Plus got a number of upgrades over their predecessors: a whopping 11-hour battery life, a dual-driver design for improved audio and support for iOS users. They don’t have noise cancellation tech, which could be a dealbreaker for some, but what the Buds Plus offer instead is a price point that goes relatively easy on the wallet. All told, these are a great set of earbuds for most people’s needs. Available in black, white and blue with a 25% discount from Microsoft’s eBay store.View Deal
Jabra Elite 65t | AU$148 (RRP AU$199; save AU$51)
For a nice – and much cheaper – true wireless alternative, the Jabra Elite 65t are worth your while. These earbuds have a reliable connection and don’t sacrifice on sound. We also found them a pleasure to use, and the long battery life is very much appreciated. You can score these ‘buds in titanium black for AU$148, or copper black for AU$149 – both available from Amazon Australia.View Deal
Beats Powerbeats Pro | AU$264 (RRP AU$349.95; save AU$85.95) [EBAY PLUS EXCLUSIVE]
The Powerbeats Pro are our favourite fitness ‘buds for a number of reasons, not least because they’ve got a hook which fits around your ear to help keep them in place while you’re working up a sweat. And a little perspiration is something they can withstand, with an IPX4 sweat-resistant rating. Plus members can jump on eBay and enter the code PARTY21 at checkout to snag them for AU$85 less.View Deal
Apple AirPods Pro | AU$329 (RRP AU$399; save AU$70)
These are the earbuds to buy if you’re an Apple fan. They are the first from the brand to deliver noise cancellation, and the updated design offers a better fit than the original AirPods. These ‘buds are usually quite costly and rarely see a discount, so while this isn’t a big price drop, 17% off will please many who’ve been holding out, all things considered. Just head to Kogan to pick them up.View Deal
Sony WF-1000XM3 | from AU$230 (RRP AU$319; save up to AU$89) [EBAY PLUS EXCLUSIVE]
When it comes to true wireless earbuds, we think the Sony WF-1000XM3’s are the ones to beat. That’s because Sony has managed to squeeze active noise cancellation and a great battery life into this smart-looking set of earbuds. The silver pair is now cheapest at AU$230 in eBay’s Plus-member sale, but you’re still in luck if you’re hoping for the black set – they’re only slightly more at AU$239. If you want to get yourself a pair, just use the code PARTY21.View Deal
The best deals on our favourite headphones
To help you decide which headphones work best for you, we’ve decided to put together a little buying guide with a list of our favourite recommendations.
The headphones you’ll find here have tons of features to help you to get the most out of your music, or any other form of audio-visual entertainment you prefer, however you like to listen to it.
Our favourite overall headphones (and noise-cancelling too): Sony WH-1000XM3
The cans that can do everything
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 254g | Cable length: 3.94 ft | Frequency response: 4Hz-40,000Hz | Drivers: 40mm | Driver type: Neodymium | Sensitivity: 104.5 dB / mW (1 kHz) | Impedance: 47 ohm | Battery life: 30 hours | Wireless range: 10m
The Sony WH-1000XM3 noise-cancelling headphones are the best you can buy – for now, anyway. They’re very much in line with what we’ve seen from Sony in the past two years, and with this model the electronics giant has managed to improve on some already fantastic sets. The noise cancellation these headphones have can beat anything Bose has to offer with ease. That’s because Sony has dedicated time to perfecting audio playback and its noise-cancelling technology. However, their crown could soon be handed over, as rumours of a Sony WH-1000XM4 release date have been circling. We’ll see what 2020 brings.
Read the full review: Sony WH-1000XM3
Our favourite budget headphones: JBL Tune 750BTNC
Quality noise-cancelling over-ears for a pocket-friendly price
Acoustic design: Closed | Weight: 220g | Cable length: N/A | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz | Drivers: 40mm | Driver type: N/A | Sensitivity: 95dB | Impedance: 32 ohms | Battery life: 15 - 22 hours | Wireless range: 30ft (10m) | NFC: No
JBL is a name you’ve probably heard in the affordable audio space. The brand consistently puts out good quality speakers and headphones with an even better price tag to match. Our previous pick on this list was the JBL Live 650BTNC, but there’s now a worthy successor to take their place – the JBL Tune 750BTNC. These noise-cancelling headphones sound great, look great, and they’re comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Maybe some might miss waterproofing and a few minor features but, at this price, it might be foolish to complain.
Read the full review: JBL Tune 750BTNC
Our favourite true wireless earbuds: Sony WF-1000XM3
The true wireless headphone jungle has a new noise-cancelling king
Weight: 70g | Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz | Drivers: 6mm | Driver type: Dome Type | Sensitivity: N/A | Impedance: N/A | Battery life (charging case): 18 hours | Wireless range: 30ft | NFC: Yes
It’s still rather rare to get ANC in wired earbuds at all, yet Sony has managed to squeeze best-in-class noise cancellation tech into these ‘buds that have cut the cord – and that’s no small feat to achieve. And then there’s the battery life – Sony has even managed to pack above-average battery life in here, offering up to six hours of playback on a single charge of the ‘buds alone. And then there’s more to go in the charging case as well. While the WF-1000XM3 won’t offer the same level of noise cancellation that you’ll find in their over-ear counterparts mentioned above, they offer a sleek form factor, and an alternative for those who don’t enjoy carrying around full-sized cans.
Read the full review: Sony WF-1000XM3
Our favourite workout earbuds: Beats Powerbeats Pro
Impressive-fitting workout ‘buds from Beats
Weight: N/A | Battery life: 9 hours | Heart rate monitor?: No | On-ear controls?: Yes
If you’re looking to amp up your fitness routine with an energetic soundtrack, our top pick would be the Beats Powerbeats Pro. These true wireless earbuds fit comfortably on and around the ear, thanks to their close-fitting hook design, and they don’t seem to ever fall out – important when you’re in the middle of a workout. They also have an IPX4 sweatproof rating, a long battery life of nine hours on a full charge and sound fantastic whether you’re in the gym or at home. What’s not to love?
Read the full review: Beats PowerBeats Pro
If you're after more information on headphones in different form factors, take a look at some of our other dedicated audio articles:
- Best headphones: Your definitive guide to the latest and greatest audio
- Best earbuds: earphones and in-ear headphones for any budget
- Best on-ear headphones: our pick of the best supra-aural cans
- The best wireless headphones: our pick of the best ways to cut the cord
- Best noise-cancelling headphones: our top picks for travel and commuting
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