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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If you’ve been waiting to upgrade your headphones or earbuds, your patience has been rewarded. Right now, models from Apple, Sony, Bose, Sonos, and other brands are down to their lowest prices to date, allowing you to save more than ever on both new and older releases. The AirPods Pro 3, for instance, have received their first notable discount, and the last-gen Bose QuietComfort Headphones are at an all-time low of over half off. For those on a budget, the excellent Nothing Phone Ear (a) are currently cheaper than ever.
Whether you’re picking up a gift or treating yourself, we’ve rounded up the best late Black Friday slash early Cyber Monday deals on some of our favorite headphones and earbuds, along with a handful of other models we recommend. In addition to the best prices we’ve seen all year, retailers are also offering more generous return periods right now. That means you’ll have more time to decide whether the headphones you buy are worth keeping — or regifting to a younger sibling.
The best earbud deals
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation for 139.99 ($40 off) at If you don’t like the sealed feeling of the AirPods Pro, you can snag the entry-levelfor 139.99 ($40 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 $149.99 ($100 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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