If you read just one thing today: Sony's new 5-star budget earbuds just got even cheaper

Sony WF-C700N on deals poster, gray background
(Image credit: Sony)

I've gone to great pains to heap praise on the splendid Sony WF-C700N. These inexpensive buds feature in my pick of the top three noise canceling earbuds to pack in hand luggage this year, they gained five sweet stars under intense review and I even told Sony to just "take my money". They're that good. 

If you need further clarification on why I'm bringing them back under your gaze now, see our Sony WF-C700N review, in particular the sub-head: "best earbuds for $119 / £99? You're looking at 'em". 

Why is this important? Because these splendid wallet-friendly earbuds just dropped to $98 / £84.90 on Amazon, that's why! But it's a limited time Amazon deal and as anyone familiar with those knows, it won't last for long. 

Don't tend to shop Amazon? It's a deal that Best Buy is almost matching, by dropping them to $99.99

Don't live in the US or UK? That's OK! Scroll down for the best deals on the Sony WF-C700N where you are. 

Sony WF-C700N earbuds, was $119 now $99 at Amazon

Sony WF-C700N earbuds, was $119 now $99 at Amazon (save $20)
The WF-C700N ripped our notions on what is achievable at this entry level to smithereens. Some of the best noise-cancelling earbuds of the year, then? Certainly. As long as the lack of higher-res LDAC support or and on-ear volume control doesn't worry you (and at this level it really should not) they're an excellent buy. 

This sweet limited time Amazon deal, which applies to either the black or white colorways, nets you a whopping 18% savings in the US – and a not to be sniffed at 14% price drop if you reside in the UK. 

The thing is, they're new, they're Sony and they're so good. I had to double take when I saw the price drop. For this money, they'd cruise straight to pole position in our best budget wireless earbuds buying guide, where I like to keep the price cap at $99. Only I can't do that; they won't be this price for long. 

Because they're a new model, we've never seen a discount on them until now. Yes, that could be down to the impending arrival of the flagship Sony WF-1000XM5, especially now that a potential spec-sheet has been seen in the wild, but you're going to need to lay down a lot more cash if you want a set of those. Considering the older Sony WF-1000XM4 launched at $279.99 / £250 / AU$449.95, those in the US could buy two pairs of the WF-C700N for $196 and still have $83.99 left of that potential $280 outlay for other nice things right now! 

In brief, the Sony WF-C700N are light, comfortable and their talents go above and beyond their Adaptive ANC and into Sony's 360 Reality Audio, guided by the excellent Sony Headphones Connect app. Sony has taken everything I loved about its more expensive earbuds and squirrelled it into smaller earbuds, at a lower price. You don't get lossless LDAC or the firm's top-tier DSEE upscaling tech, but for this money, the audio quality cannot currently be beaten.

And in a nutshell: this is the best deal you'll see today. My advice? If you were on the fence about buying a set yesterday, I wouldn't wait on them today. 

Becky Scarrott
Senior Audio Staff Writer

Becky is a senior staff writer at TechRadar (which she has been assured refers to expertise rather than age) focusing on all things audio. Before joining the team, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.