Amazon deal brings new Bose noise-cancelling headphones to lowest price

Today's Dealmaster is headlined by a deal on Bose's Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, which are currently down to $299 at various retailers. That's $100 off Bose's list price and about $75 off the average price we see them go for online. The catch is that this deal only applies to the white (or, "Soapstone") model, but if you like that look, this is the lowest price we've seen from reputable retailers to date. (We previously highlighted a deal that brought the pair down to $280, but that only applied to officially refurbished models.)

The Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are Bose's newest pair of wireless active noise-cancelling (ANC) headphones, having launched last May. While we don't have a formal review for them on Ars, we have tested them for various gift guides over the past year. They sport a more premium-feeling design than the company's older QuietComfort 35 II, with a slick metallic finish on the headband and lusher earpads. Their active noise-cancellation is virtually identical, too, which is to say it's just about best-in-class and plenty strong enough to mute out noisy kids or the rumbling of the subway.

Their sound is more bass-forward than the more laidback profile of the QuietComfort; there's less treble detail as a result, and as is usually the case with wireless ANC headphones, you can get better pure sound out of a wired non-ANC pair at the same price. But if you prefer a more "fun" sound, they should be perfectly enjoyable. Beyond all that, their 20-hour battery life is solid, and their integrated mics provide great clarity over calls.

The Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are undoubtedly good, but we do recommend them with some caveats. In general, we still think Sony's WH-1000XM3 are the best all-around pair of ANC headphones on the market: their sound is a bit more well-rounded and customizable via Sony's companion app, they're slightly more comfortable for extended listening, they give more room for the touch controls you use to control music playback, they fold up for easier storage, and their ANC is slightly stronger at maximum (though the difference is mostly negligible). They aren't as reliant on their companion app to access most of their essential features, either. The aforementioned QuietComfort 35 II, meanwhile, are lighter on the head than either pair, and feature physical playback controls that are more reliable than any touch-based system.

The main reason to get the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, then, would be if you need the ability to control the strength of the noise-cancelling effect. Whereas the WH-1000XM3 and QuietComfort 35 II can more or less only give you their ANC at full blast, the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 let you adjust the effect on an 11-step scale. This can make a big difference if your ears tend to get fatigued after wearing a pair of ANC headphones for an extended period. If that's the case for you, or if you only need a lighter level of noise cancellation much of the time, this is the premium pair to get.

If you have no interest in high-end headphones, though, we also have deals on USB-C hubs, PlayStation Plus subscription cards, Fitbit trackers, Sonos speakers, and more. Have a look at the full rundown below.

Note: Ars Technica may earn compensation for sales from links on this post through affiliate programs.

Top 10 deals of the day

Laptop and desktop PC deals

• Apple MacBook Air (early 2020) laptop - Intel Core i5-1030NG7, 13.3-inch 2560x1600, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Magic Keyboard for $1,249.99 at Amazon and B&H (normally $1,299).
• WD Black SN750 (500GB) internal NVMe M.2 SSD for $69.99 at B&H (normally $80).
• WD Black (8TB) external desktop hard drive - 7200RPM for $169.99 at Amazon and Google Shopping (normally $190).

Video game deals

• Diablo III: Eternal Collection (XB1, digital) for $19.79 at Microsoft (normally $30).
• Splatoon 2 (Switch, digital) for $41.99 at Nintendo eShop (normally $49.99).
• Streets of Rage 4 (PC, Switch, digital) for $22.49 at Steam and Nintendo eShop (normally $24.99).
• Sid Meier's Civilization VI (Switch) for $14.99 at Amazon and GameStop (normally $20).
• Rocket League: Ultimate Edition (PS4, XB1) for $19.99 at Amazon (normally $25).
• Dreams (PS4) for $29.99 at Amazon and GameStop (normally $39.99).
• Death Stranding (PS4) for $24.57 at Amazon (normally $40).
• Assassin's Creed Origins (XB1, digital) for $15 at Amazon (normally $20).
• Resident Evil 3 (PS4, XB1) for $49.94 at Amazon (normally $59.99).
• The Sims 4 (PC, digital) for $4.99 at Amazon (normally $19.99).
• Battlefield 4 (PC, Origin) for $2.99 at Amazon (normally $15).
• Titanfall 2 (PC, Origin) for $2.99 at Amazon (normally $19.99).
• Burnout Paradise Remastered (PC, Origin) for $2.99 at Amazon (normally $15).
• Mass Effect Trilogy (PC, Origin) for $8.99 at Amazon (normally $25).
• Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection (PS4, digital) for free at PlayStation Store (normally $15).
• Journey (PS4, digital) for free at PlayStation Store (normally $15).
• Pre-order: Cyberpunk 2077 (PS4, XB1, PC) for $49.94 at Amazon (normally $59.99).

Gaming deals

TV and home entertainment deals

• 65-inch Sony X950G (2019 model) 4K HDR LED TV for $1,199 at Amazon (normally $1,398).
• 55-inch TCL R625 (2019 model) 4K HDR LED Roku TV for $499.99 at Amazon (normally $549).
• 55-inch Sony X900F (2018 model) 4K HDR LED TV for $798 at Amazon and Dell (normally $925).
• Sonos Playbar wireless soundbar for $549 at Sonos and Amazon (normally $699).
• Sonos Sub wireless subwoofer for $549 at Sonos and Amazon (normally $699).
• Anker Nebula Mars II portable projector - 720p, 300 lumens, 10W speakers for $329.99 at Amazon (use code: NEBULAP2 - normally $459.99).
• Polk Audio Command Bar smart soundbar + subwoofer for $199 at Amazon and B&H (normally $275).
• Roku TV Wireless Speakers - only compatible with Roku TVs or Roku Smart Soundbar for $149.99 at Roku (normally $199.99).

Electronics deals

Smart home deals

Accessories and miscellaneous deals

• Anker PowerLine II 3-in-1 USB cable - Lightning, USB-C, microUSB for $10.99 at Amazon (use code: AK8436M4 - normally $19).
• Aukey CB-C64 USB-C hub - 4x USB 3.1 Gen 1 for $8.99 at Amazon (clip $2 coupon - normally $12.99).
• Apple Magic Keyboard for 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd gen) for $289.98 at Amazon (normally $299).
• Apple Silicone Case for iPhone XS for $19.99 at Verizon (normally $35).
• VAVA VA-UC006 USB-C hub - 60W USB-C PD, 2x USB 3.0, USB 2.0, HDMI (4K 30Hz), Ethernet, SD, microSD, 3.5mm jack for $29.99 at Amazon (use code: ALVMMR83 - normally $59.99).
• RAVPower RP-PC105 USB-C wall charger - 61W USB-C PD, USB-A for $22.99 at Amazon (normally $35.99).
• RAVPower 45W Ultrathin PD USB-C wall charger - 45W USB-C PD, GaN for $15.99 at Amazon (clip $3 coupon and use code: 4NURYYNY - normally $29.99).
• Anker PowerPort PD 2 USB-C wall charger - 30W total, 18W USB-C PD, USB-A for $18.20 at Amazon (normally $22.99).
• Anker PowerWave Pad Qi wireless charger - 10W Galaxy/7.5W iPhone, no AC adapter for $8.49 at Amazon (use code: SDAK2503 - normally $11).
• Anker PowerWave Pad (2-pack) Qi wireless charger - 10W Galaxy/7.5W iPhone, no AC adapter for $17.99 at Amazon (use code: AKB253SD - normally $22).
• Anker PowerPort Strip PD 2 Mini USB power strip - 18W USB-C PD, 2x USB-A, 2x AC for $24.99 at Amazon (use code: ANKERPS2 - normally $33.99).
• New users only: Amazon Music Unlimited 3-month membership for free at Amazon (normally $30).

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