Why I choose these Sonos headphones over Sony and Bose - especially at this price
Publish Time: 20 Nov, 2025
Sonos Ace in White color kept on a table.

The Sonos Ace have a flat design, which gives them a distinct look.

Prakhar Khanna/
Sonos Ace headphones for $279
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4/5 Editor's deal rating
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The first-ever Sonos headphones proved tough competition to Sony's XM5 and Bose's QC Ultra when they launched in 2024. A year since their release, the Sonos Ace headphones have held up really well. I find myself going back to them, even after using the newly-released Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). To make it even sweeter, this year's Black Friday deal is the best I've seen so far.

Also: Best Black Friday headphones deals

Sonos is offering a 30% discount on its ever-so-reliable headphones. The Sonos Ace are now available at an all-time low price of $279 -- down from their $399 retail price, which was already $50 less than their initial $449 launch price. So, you are getting $170 off the 2024 price. This is not only the best Black Friday deal for Sonos soundbar users like me, but also for those looking for a pair of flagship headphones, and don't want to spend $450 on the 2025 competition.

Sonos Ace headphones for $279
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Sonos Ace headphones for $279
View at Amazon

Why I keep coming back to the Sonos Ace headphones

Prakhar Khanna holding the Sonos Ace headphones.

Sonos Ace have colored meshes inside the earcups.

Prakhar Khanna/

I have worn and carried the Sonos Ace in my backpack often since their mid-2024 release. I love the vibrant, lively, and dynamic sound with a strong bass and treble response. They aren't as bass-heavy as the Sony XM6 and have a wider soundstage than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. As my colleague Jada Jones says, "The Ace don't sound as detailed as the Sony XM6, but their bold sound profile has a cinematic feel primed for enjoying music, movies, and TV shows."

Also: I compared the two best headphones from Sony and Bose in 2025 - here's the winner for me

Moreover, they look great while doing so. I have them in White, and it looks classy and doesn't pick up fingerprints. The Bose QC Ultra 2 in White look more elegant, but Sonos Ace's flat earcups have a distinct look to them. They are modern and stylish, yet easy to use. There are several design choices that make them intuitive to use. For instance, the mesh inside the magnetic earpads has color accents to indicate left and right, so I don't have to look for L or R.

Also: Why I still recommend the Sonos Ace over competing models

I also love the button controls on my Sonos Ace. On the right earcup, you'll find the Content key, which controls volume (up and down) and playback (single/double/triple press). It is accompanied by a round ANC control button for toggling between active noise cancellation and aware mode. The left earcup houses a slim, elongated Power button and a USB-C port for charging and wired audio playback.

Prakhar Khanna wearing the Sonos Ace headphones.

Sonos Ace also look nice in Black color.

Prakhar Khanna/

These distinct shape choices for different buttons make it more intuitive to use than the button-clad Nothing Headphone (1) and touch-sensitive Sony XM6. They are on par, if not better than, my Bose QC Ultra 2 in terms of control.

If you have a Sonos soundbar, the Sonos Ace have a feature that'll make your ownership experience more fulfilling. I tend to go back to my Sonos headphones because they're natively compatible with my Arc soundbar. Their TV Audio Swap feature allows me to enjoy watching movies on my 65-inch TV without disturbing anyone at night. Bose has a similar feature, but Sonos does it better.

Also: The best early Black Friday deals we've found so far

This year, Sonos rolled out a software update that enhances Ace's adaptive noise cancellation capabilities. It is said to account for your hair, glasses, and hats in real time to compensate for sound leakage. In my experience, the ANC performance is weaker than Sonos and Bose, but perfectly serviceable, and definitely adequate at a $279 price point.

Overall, the Sonos Ace are a stylish, elegant-looking pair of headphones that offer a comfortable fit, lively sound, intuitive controls, and good ANC performance. My white case hasn't aged well, but I love its slim design, and it fits easily in my backpack. They are my pick for the best Black Friday deal.

How we rated this deal

The Sonos Ace are an excellent buy for people who want impeccable comfort and sound from their next pair of headphones. They were released last year and recently received a software update that substantially enhanced their performance. Additionally, this Black Friday discount is the lowest price we've seen these headphones since their June 2024 release. For those reasons, we give this deal a 4/5 Editor's deal rating. 

When will this deal expire?

According to Sonos, this Sonos Ace deal will be active from Nov. 20 to Dec. 1. The Ace's $279 sale price will be available at Sonos , Best Buy , Walmart , Target , Amazon , and other participating retailers. 

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Also: How we rate deals at in 2025

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