Black Friday may be a couple of days away, but sizable discounts on electronics have already begun. That means you may want to get a head start on shopping before Thanksgiving feasts become the highest priority. These Black Friday deals are an especially great opportunity to find audio upgrades for your headphones or earbuds, which can often be pricey but are available at substantial discounts this week.
CNET’s shopping experts have been hunting down and rounding up the largest deals on audio gear, and we’re keeping availability updated so you know what’s in stock and at what price. If you’ve been eyeing a pair of AirPods, a new gaming headset or some Beats to help with your focus time, now is the time to check out these bargains.
We’ll continue to update this page leading up to and throughout the holiday shopping season, so be sure to check back often for the latest and greatest deals. We also have Black Friday roundups for the best deals on TVs, laptops and Apple devices, if you’re looking for even more early tech savings.
Best early Black Friday earbud deals
Equipped with the same H2 chip, the AirPods 4 are a more affordable alternative to Apple’s new AirPods Pro 3, and a great option for listeners who prefer an open-ear design. With improved sound, spatial audio support and excellent voice-call performance, our reviewer hailed them as a «worthy upgrade» over the previous-gen AirPods 3. Remember, this deal is for the basic pair without noise cancellation.
Excellent sound, noise-canceling capabilities and robust set of features make these our overall favorite pair of budget earbuds for 2025. They’re equipped with dual drivers (which is rare to find for less than $100) and have an impressive 54-hour battery life with the charging case. Plus, their Qualcomm QCC3091 chip even supports lossless audio.
Just be sure to claim the on-page coupon to get the full discount.
If you’re looking for a seriously premium pair, these discounted Sennheiser earbuds will be tough to beat. They’re one of the top pairs for 2025 and offer «audiophile-grade natural, accurate sound.» They also support active noise cancellation, although it wasn’t quite as effective as what you’d get from a similar pair of Bose or Sony earbuds.
- Apple AirPods Pro 2: $182 (save $68). Although they’re now a generation old, these ANC Apple earbuds are still a steal for less than $200.
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd gen): $249 (save $50). These premium Bose buds deliver some of the best noise-canceling capabilities on the market right now.
- Bose Ultra Open Earbuds: $199 (save $100). Bose offers an alternative open-ear design that lets in more environmental noise, making it useful for joggers, busy parents and others who want to hear what’s going on around them.
- Anker Soundcore P40i: $42 (save $38). One of our expert’s top pairs for those on a tight budget.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro: $160 (save $90). Advanced features like voice commands and real-time translation make this one of the best pairs of earbuds for Samsung users.
- Beats Studio Buds: $80 (save $70). They’re not the most advanced Beats buds on the market but they still support ANC and have spatial audio for Apple users.
- Beats Solo Buds: $70 (save $10). These are the most affordable earbuds in Beats’ lineup and you can charge them using your phone.
- JBL Tune Buds 2: $50 (save $60). These stemless JBL buds have a 48-hour battery life and they’re more than half off when you sign in to your free Target Circle account.
- Bose Ultra Open: $199 (save $100). These open-ear buds have premium Bose sound and a clip-on design so you can still hear your surroundings.
- Sony MDREX14AP: $10 (save $10). Wired earbuds with a 3.5mm aux cable for those who prefer old-school listening (or are on a tight budget).
- Skullcandy Dime evo earbuds: $30 (save $20). These earbuds have a battery that lasts up to 36 hours and include a clip case for easy transportation.
- Soundcore by Anker Liberty: $90 (save $60). Get noise cancellation, six mics, AI assistance and a battery life of up to 40 hours with the included charging case.
- Bose QuietComfortEarbuds: $129 (save $50). The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds have noise-cancellation, up to 8.5 hours of playback time and a record-low price. That’s a lot to like.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds FE: $60 (save $40). This is a budget-friendly option for Galaxy fans that don’t need the advanced features on the Pro model.
- Nothing Ear (a): $59 (save $50). These earbuds have six mics to keep you clear on calls and offer noise cancellation and Hi-Res audio.
Best early Black Friday over-ear headphone deals
CNET named Sony’s latest WH-1000XM6 headphones the overall best pair for 2025, but they list for a staggering $460. You can snag this previous-gen pair for less than half the price, and you’re still getting premium sound and top-notch noise-cancelling capabilities. They also support adaptive sound, deliver a 30-hour battery life and have a speak-to-chat function that automatically pauses your music when you start talking.
Earning spots on our lists of the best noise-canceling headphones and the best headphones overall, these Beats Studio Pros are a more affordable alternative to the AirPods Max. Our reviewer praised their sound quality and noise-canceling capabilities as well as their sleek design and cozy feel. They also offer an impressive 40-hour battery life and USB-C charging, and they support spatial audio when paired with an iPhone.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to get decent noise-canceling capabilities. This is one of our favorite pairs of budget headphones for 2025 and they’re a pretty impressive value. They have a 40mm dynamic driver for solid all-around sound, and can reduce background noises of up to 45dB. They even support Hi-Res audio with LDAC and deliver an 80-hour battery life.
- Apple AirPods Max (USB-C): $400 (save $150). They’re not cheap, but these premium Apple headphones have been a longstanding favorite at CNET.
- Sony WH-1000XM5: $250 (save $150). These are pricier than the older XM4s above, but still save you over $200 compared to the current pair.
- Sennheiser Momentum 4: $200 (save $250). One of the absolute best over-ear pairs on the market right now.
- Sony WH-CH720N: $98 (save $80). One of Sony’s most affordable pairs that still supports noise cancellation.
- Sennheiser HD 560S: $180 (save $100). These wired, reference-grade headphones feature angled transducers and are designed for serious audiophiles.
- Anker Soundcore Q30: $50 (save $30). Active noise cancellation, Hi-Res audio and a 50-hour battery life make these Anker headphones a steal at less than $60.
- Nothing Headphone (1): $239 (save $60). These premium, eye-catching Nothing headphones look like no other pair on the market.
- JBL Tune 720BT: $60 (save $30). A foldable design and 76-hour battery life make these a good option for frequent travelers.
- JBL Quantum 400: $70 (save $40). These gaming headphones with a flip-up mic, JBL personalization software and memory foam ear cushions are usually above $100, but this bargain has them at a relative steal.
- HyperX Cloud Stinger 2: $30 (save $20). Those looking for gaming headphones well below $50 will find this headset sports 50mm drivers, spatial audio support and rotating earcups.
Best early Black Friday on-ear headphone deals
These come with relatively no frills and lack noise-cancelling capabilities but still have a lot to love, making them one of our favorite pairs of on-ear headphones for 2025. CNET audio expert David Carnoy found that they «feature good sound for their price, are lightweight and pretty comfortable for on-ear headphones, and also have excellent battery life» (up to 50 hours). They also support multipoint Bluetooth pairing, a customizable EQ and voice assistant compatibility.
Getting a pair of on-ear headphones doesn’t mean you have to give up noise-canceling capabilities. These sleek JBL headphones offer the best of both worlds, and are one of our favorite on-ear pairs for 2025. According to our reviewer, they feature solid sound and a comfortable design.
These are some of the best on-ear headphones for 2025, with CNET’s audio expert David Carnoy commending them for their sound quality, battery life and voice-calling performance. They lack active noise cancellation but support spatial audio if you’re an Apple user. Plus, they offer an impressive 50 hours of listening time per charge. They’re also lightweight at just 217 grams, and the plush ear cushions help reduce outside noise.
- Sony ZX wired headphones: $13 (save $12). A cheap pair of wired headphones for those who truly only need the basics.
- JBL Tune 520BT: $30 (save $30). Their lightweight design, voice assistant support and 57-hour battery life make these a great value at just $30.
- Edifier WH500: $15 (save $45). This is one of the best budget pairs of 2025 and one of the most affordable options you’ll find on this list.
- Creative Sound Blaster Jam V2: $35 (save $15). Our reviewer called these the «top on-ear headphones for less than $35.»
Best early Black Friday workout headphone deals
These Anker earbuds have a unique open-ear design allows you to enjoy your music without sacrificing awareness, earning them a top spot on our lists of the best headphones for running and working out. They impressed CNET audio expert David Carnoy with their secure fit and «good all-around performance with augmented bass response.» They also have an IP55 water- and dust-resistance rating and an impressive battery life of up to 42 hours with the charging case.
These open-ear clip-on buds allow you to enjoy your tunes while still hearing what’s happening around you, earning them a spot on our list of best workout headphones of 2025. They also have an impressive 40-hour battery life and an IP57 weather-resistance rating.
The original Shokz OpenRun Pros may have been knocked off our list of the best running headphones by their successor, the OpenRun Pro 2s, but this 2022 pair still has a ton to offer. They’re great for hitting the road or the trails thanks to the unique bone-conduction technology, which delivers sound through your cheekbone and allows you to hear your surroundings. They’re also extremely lightweight at just 29 grams, and the wraparound frame will keep them securely in place during your workouts. Plus, they have an IP55 water- and dust-resistance rating, so a little rain or sweat won’t damage them.
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- Beats Fit Pro: $149 (save $51). A previous-gen pair of some of the overall best workout earbuds for 2025.
- Beats Powerbeats Pro: $170 (save $80). They’re a few years old but these ear-hook Beats can still handle even your most rugged workouts.
- Anker Soundcore V20i: $22 (save $28). A seriously affordable pair of open ear-hook buds.
- Anker Soundcore Sport X10: $50 (save $30). A more rugged pair of ear-hook Soundcore buds that feature an IPX7 weather-resistance rating.
- Beats Flex: $30 (save 40). These «wired wireless» Beats support Bluetooth connectivity but have a cable between the buds that helps to prevent them from getting lost during workouts.
- Sony LinkBuds Fit: $200 (save $30). These ANC earbuds have flexible wing tips and an IPX4 sweat-proof design.
- Anker Soundcore Life A1: $32 (save $18). These affordable stemless Anker earbuds are IPX7 waterproof, so you don’t have to worry about them getting damaged by sweat or rain.
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Is Black Friday the best time to buy headphones?
Deals on headphones and earbuds aren’t particularly rare, and discounts pop up fairly regularly throughout the year. However, Black Friday is still one of the best times of the year to score big savings. You can find a lot of excellent pairs on sale for a record-low price, and these holiday sales consistently bring some of the best (and only) deals we see on the latest and greatest pairs from high-end brands Apple, Bose and Sony.
Where can I find the best Black Friday headphone deals?
The best places to start looking are major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart, which will be offering some massive savings on a huge selection of tech — including plenty top-rated headphones and earbuds. Plus, manufacturers like Bose and Sony usually offers some solid discounts of their own. You’ll also want to check out smaller online-only retailers like Adorama and B&H Photo, as they sometimes have quiet «under-the-radar» deals that aren’t being matched elsewhere.
When will Black Friday headphone deals start?
Black Friday is Nov. 28. Fortunately, you won’t have to wait that long to start saving. Many retailers began sales in mid-November. This means there are plenty of early bargains to jump on.
What Black Friday headphones deals should you look out for?
Major shopping events like Black Friday are some of the only times you can find worthwhile discounts on the latest cutting-edge headphones and earbuds from top brands like Apple, Bose and Sony. We’ve already seen a slight $60 discount on Sony’s premium WH-1000XM6 over-ear headphones and a $30 discount on Apple’s brand-new AirPods Pro 3.
If you don’t need the absolute latest and greatest, you can usually score the previous-gen pairs at an amazing price as well.