I'm calling a truce on the Sony vs. Bose war — at least during Black Friday's final hours, all the best ANC headphones are equally affordable

Image of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Headphones.
(Image credit: Windows Central | Zachary Boddy)

I feel I've almost done you a disservice. Black Friday is winding down its final hours, preparing to cede its throne to the approaching behemoth that is Cyber Monday, and I only just now thought to check on whether the best wireless noise canceling headphones are enjoying their own discounts. Not only are the deals deep, but the variety is vast — whether you're a fan of Sony, Bose, or any other company, you can enjoy some savings... at least for a little longer.

The legendary Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC Headphones are $198 at Amazon in the color of your choosing. The fantastically comfy Bose QuietComfort Wireless ANC Headphones are $1 more, or $199 at Amazon, and you have even more colors from which to choose. Even my personal, beloved pair of headphones are joining the party, with the luxurious Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Headphones coming in at $219.99 at Amazon.

Peak noise cancelation with Sony? Unparalleled comfort with Bose? Beautifully clear audio with Sennheiser? Take your pick, you're saving a lot of cash no matter which way you swing.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC HeadphonesWas: $349.99Now: $198 at Amazon
Quiet Time 🔇

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC Headphones
Was:
$349.99
Now:
$198 at Amazon

✅Perfect for: Those who want a perfectly balanced pair of premium noise canceling headphones with particularly great ANC.

❌Avoid if: Comfort is your number one priority with headphones.

👉See at: Amazon.com or BestBuy.com

🤩Alternative deal: Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC Headphones for $399.99 $298 at Amazon

Bose QuietComfort Wireless ANC HeadphonesWas: $349Now: $199 at Amazon
Sleepy Time ☁️

Bose QuietComfort Wireless ANC Headphones
Was:
$349
Now:
$199 at Amazon

✅Perfect for: Those who want the headphones that became synonymous with "comfort," and don't slouch in any other category, either.

❌Avoid if: You're searching for an audiophile-level listening experience.

👉See at: Amazon.com or BestBuy.com

🤩Alternative deal: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless ANC Headphones for $429 $299 at Amazon

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC HeadphonesWas: $399.99Now: $219.99 at Amazon
Music Time 🎶

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Headphones
Was:
$399.99
Now:
$219.99 at Amazon

✅Perfect for: Those who want premium ANC headphones, but also want to understand why Sennheiser is known for its audio.

❌Avoid if: You need best-in-class active noise canceling in every situation.

👉See at: Amazon.com or BestBuy.com

🔥The hottest Black Friday deals🔥

🍁More great Black Friday deals🦃

The holy trifecta of amazing wireless ANC headphones

I could do my best impression of a history teacher and discuss at length the years-long feud between Sony and Bose, but I'll keep it succinct. For a long time, Sony and Bose have battled it out for the crown of "best wireless ANC headphones," and there has been a lot of back-and-forth. Both companies have produced some truly incredible headsets, with the former progressively improving its technology and the latter refining the traits that made it king at first.

The brand recognition for these two noise canceling goliaths is strong enough that there are thousands of people who will battle on behalf of their preferred headphones, occasionally making it difficult for us so-called "normies" to make the choice between Sony and Bose. On top of that, there are plenty of other great wireless ANC headphones carving out their own slices of the market — I myself have championed my personal favorites during past sales events.

So, what's the run down? Well, at least for the final hours remaining in Black Friday, all three of what I'd consider the best mainstream wireless ANC headphones are enjoying substantial discounts, and they're all neck-and-neck when it comes to pricing. I'll highlight your options and why you should choose (or not choose) each one, but rest assured you'll be getting an amazing pair of cans with one hell of a deal. All of these headphones will feel good, sound good, and block out all the unwanted noise in life.

First, the iconic Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC Headphones are $198 at Amazon in all three colorways, a cool $151 discount. Sony's persistently confusing naming scheme aside, these headphones elevated Sony's active noice canceling prowess to a new level and upped the ante when it came to extra features and ease-of-use. They're not the most comfortable in the business and some of that extra tech can be a little finnicky, but thousands of happy customers gladly put up with those weaknesses.

Next, the legendary Bose QuietComfort Wireless ANC Headphones are $199 at Amazon in many colors, saving you $150. Bose has gently refined the QuietComfort line over many years, resulting in a mature design with unparalleled comfort and reliable performance. Bose can't claim to make the best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy, but no one would blame you for forgetting you're wearing them with how comfy they are.

It's worth mentioning that you can pay an extra $100 in either case to obtain the latest and greatest version of each respective pair of headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC Headphones are $298 at Amazon, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless ANC Headphones are $299 at Amazon.

Finally, we have the headphones that won me over. While often found on sale, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Headphones can be found at an even lower price of $219.99 at Amazon, with some of the designs costing an extra $10. I won't pretend that Sennheiser thrashes the industry greats in every category, but the Momentum 4s best both Sony and Bose when it comes to pure audio quality, and come closer than anyone likely expected in both comfort and noise canceling ability. They also look the most stylish, although that may just be my personal opinion.

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC HeadphonesWas: $349.99Now: $198 at Amazon
Quiet Time 🔇

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless ANC Headphones
Was:
$349.99
Now:
$198 at Amazon

✅Perfect for: Those who want a perfectly balanced pair of premium noise canceling headphones with particularly great ANC.

❌Avoid if: Comfort is your number one priority with headphones.

👉See at: Amazon.com or BestBuy.com

🤩Alternative deal: Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless ANC Headphones for $399.99 $298 at Amazon

Bose QuietComfort Wireless ANC HeadphonesWas: $349Now: $199 at Amazon
Sleepy Time ☁️

Bose QuietComfort Wireless ANC Headphones
Was:
$349
Now:
$199 at Amazon

✅Perfect for: Those who want the headphones that became synonymous with "comfort," and don't slouch in any other category, either.

❌Avoid if: You're searching for an audiophile-level listening experience.

👉See at: Amazon.com or BestBuy.com

🤩Alternative deal: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Wireless ANC Headphones for $429 $299 at Amazon

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC HeadphonesWas: $399.99Now: $219.99 at Amazon
Music Time 🎶

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless ANC Headphones
Was:
$399.99
Now:
$219.99 at Amazon

✅Perfect for: Those who want premium ANC headphones, but also want to understand why Sennheiser is known for its audio.

❌Avoid if: You need best-in-class active noise canceling in every situation.

👉See at: Amazon.com or BestBuy.com

Why shop at Amazon?

Amazon has ascended to the height of online retailers, handling millions of purchases every year, and it's no wonder why. This monument to consumerism dominates other storefronts with a seemingly endless catalog of products in every conceivable category. However, why you should shop at Amazon comes down to reliable and fast shipping and highly competitive pricing. If you have an Amazon Prime membership, your benefits and perks rapidly expand.

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is technically on Nov. 29, 2024, but this sales event seems to start a little earlier each year. Retailers increasingly get more aggressive in terms of when discounts start in order to entice consumers ahead of the main event, so you can see early Black Friday deals as soon as October. Black Friday itself can feel overwhelming and be limited by stock shortages, so it's often a great idea to take advantage of those early sales ahead of time.

When does Black Friday end?

Black Friday normally inhabits the entirety of the Friday immediately after Thanksgiving, but the lines have become blurred over the years. Black Friday does end at Midnight on Nov. 29, 2024, and many deals and sales will end alongside it. However, many deals will also continue on through the weekend and even all the way to Cyber Monday, and new deals may take the place of the ones that ended. You still shouldn't wait too long if you're considering a purchase, though, as it's almost a lottery which deals will come and go.

When is Cyber Monday?

This year, Cyber Monday falls on Dec. 2, 2024. This continuation of the Black Friday weekend was once the online-version of the aforementioned sales event, but as more retailers go online it's not uncommon to see Black Friday and Cyber Monday blend into one another. If you miss out on sales on Black Friday, you may have another chance on Cyber Monday. Better yet, though, is staying ahead of the curve and getting your holiday shopping done weeks in advance.

Zachary Boddy
Staff Writer

Zachary Boddy (They / Them) is a Staff Writer for Windows Central, primarily focused on covering the latest news in tech and gaming, the best Xbox and PC games, and the most interesting Windows and Xbox hardware. They have been gaming and writing for most of their life starting with the original Xbox, and started out as a freelancer for Windows Central and its sister sites in 2019. Now a full-fledged Staff Writer, Zachary has expanded from only writing about all things Minecraft to covering practically everything on which Windows Central is an expert, especially when it comes to Microsoft. You can find Zachary on Twitter @BoddyZachary.