is a commerce writer covering deals and buying guides. Previously, he was a freelance writer for Popular Mechanics, Men’s Health, and Esquire.
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There’s no better time to save on headphones and earbuds than Black Friday. We’ve been covering deals on audio gear all year, and right now we’re seeing some fantastic discounts on new and old releases, including models from Apple, Sony, Bose, Sonos, and more. For example, we’re currently seeing the best prices to date on the entry-level AirPods 4, Bose’s last-gen QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, and even the Sonos Ace. And there’s plenty more where that came from.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best Black Friday discounts on some of our favorite headphones and earbuds, along with a handful of other models we still think are worth considering. While it can be stressful to shop this time of year, one of the biggest benefits of taking advantage of these Black Friday deals — aside from the big savings — is that many retailers offer extended return periods, giving you or your giftee more time to decide whether those headphones are the right fit.
The best earbud deals
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation for an all-time low of $99.99 ($80 off) at If you don’t like the sealed feeling of the AirPods Pro, you can snag the entry-levelfor an all-time low of $99.99 ($80 off) at Amazon and Target . The wireless earbuds offer similar features to the latest AirPods Pro, including adaptive audio, conversation awareness, and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. The ANC works surprisingly well despite their open-ear design, too, helping to block low-frequency noise from airplane cabins and city traffic. However, they lack heart rate sensing for workouts and various hearing health features found in the latest Pro. Read our review
Bose’s Ultra Open Earbuds break from the norm with a unique clip-on style design, and they’re back down to their all-time low of $199 ($100 off) at break from the norm with a unique clip-on style design, and they’re back down to their all-time low of $199 ($100 off) at Amazon Walmart , and Best Buy . The earbuds cling to your outer ear instead of sitting in your ear canal, allowing you to hear your surroundings at all times. They’re not ideal if you want complete silence, but they’re comfortable over extended periods and offer great battery life. If safety is your top priority, they also ensure you can hear cars, pedestrians, and other hazards while walking or riding a bike. Read our review
Galaxy Buds 3 Pro are down to their lowest price in months at Theare down to their lowest price in months at Amazon and Best Buy , where you can snag a pair for $159.99 ($90 off). Samsung’s flagship earbuds offer impressive sound quality, a crisp transparency mode, and excellent voice call performance. They’re particularly great for Samsung users because they let you automatically switch between various Galaxy laptops, tablets, and phones, much like AirPods auto-switch between Apple devices. That said, the Buds 3 Pro’s ANC performance isn’t quite as good as what you get from the latest AirPods Pro or Pixel Buds Pro 2. Read our review
CMF Buds 2a have returned to their all-time low of $19.99 ($30 off) at The already-affordablehave returned to their all-time low of $19.99 ($30 off) at Amazon . The wireless earbuds punch above their weight with 12.4mm drivers, active noise cancellation, and an IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. With Bluetooth 5.4, they also support features like Google Fast Pair, and you can customize how they sound, adjust ANC levels, and even locate them via the Nothing X app. They’re a solid option given the price, especially for anyone getting their first pair of wireless earbuds.
Galaxy Buds FE are down to $59.99 ($40 off) at The more affordableare down to $59.99 ($40 off) at Amazon and Walmart , which is their lowest price in months. The wireless earbuds offer a pared-down experience compared to the more premium Buds 3 Pro, which means they don’t offer wireless charging and only carry an IPX2 rating. Still, they deliver decent sound and noise cancellation that performs well for the price. They also feature a comfortable design with silicone “wings,” which help them stay firmly in your ear. Read our review
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