The holiday season is quickly approaching, and if you’re like me, you try to find the best deals weeks before the shopping frenzy begins. Luckily, plenty of deals from retailers like Amazon, Best Buy<!–>, and Walmart–> are already available. Top headphone brands like Sony, Beats, Bose, and more are slashing prices in anticipation of the holiday season.
Also: The best Black Friday deals available now
This year brought many new headphones and earbuds with all the latest features, and it’s time to buy the latest cans and buds for discounted prices. We’ve tested and delivered hands-on experiences with most of these selections, and many of the best of the best are on sale. Be sure to check back, as we’ll frequently update this list as we get closer to Black Friday.
Our favorite early headphone and earbud deals for Black Friday 2024
- Beats Solo 4<!–> on-ear headphones: $100 (save $100 at Amazon): The fourth generation of Beats’ most popular headphones debuted with redesigned audio components, fresh colorways, and lengthy battery life, making them one of our favorite headphones of 2024.
- Apple AirPods Pro 2–> wireless earbuds + 3 months free Apple Music and Apple Fitness+: $190 (save $60 at Best Buy): We’ve dubbed these earbuds the best AirPods you can buy, thanks to their seamless integration with Apple devices and hearing health features.
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra<!–> over-ear headphones: $329 (save $100 at Bose): Bose’s premium over-ear headphones were our favorite headphones of 2023 for their best-in-class noise cancellation, sporty yet sleek design, and ambidextrous compatibility with iOS and Android devices.
- Sony WH-1000XM5–> over-ear headphones: $348 (save $52 at Amazon): Sony’s premium headphones are one of our favorites, thanks to their subtle yet sturdy design, effective noise cancellation, and battery life that can keep up with you all week.
- Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro<!–> wireless earbuds (trade-in discount available): $210 (save $40 at Best Buy): These premium earbuds from Samsung were released this year, making their early discount even sweeter. These earbuds are great but best when paired with compatible Galaxy devices.
- Nothing Ear Open–> open-ear wireless earbuds: $149 (save $40 at Amazon): These open-ear earbuds are one of our favorites due to their unique and stylish design, all-day comfort, and crystal-clear sound.
- Shokz OpenRun Pro<!–> bone conduction headphones: $160 (save $20 at Amazon): Bone conduction headphones are fabulous for outdoor enthusiasts, and these earbuds offer immense comfort, sweat and water resistance, and lengthy battery life.
- Bose Ultra Open–> open-ear wireless earbuds: $249 (save $50 at Bose): The Bose Ultra Open offer vibrant sound, a nondescript and stylish design, and an open-ear design for environmental awareness, making them one of our picks for the best earbuds of the year.
- Beats Studio Pro<!–> over-ear headphones + 3 free months Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ (trade-in discount available): $170 (save $180 at Best Buy): Beats’ premium headphones deliver effective noise cancellation, plenty of style, and impressive battery life.
- Sony WF-1000XM5–> wireless earbuds + 3 free months YouTube Premium: $249 (save $50 at Best Buy): These Sony earbuds offer plenty of future-forward software features and effective noise cancellation, which is why they’re one of our favorite earbuds.
- Current price: $190
- Original price: $250
Apple’s most advanced earbuds are discounted ahead of Black Friday, which is plenty of reason to snag this deal. These earbuds offer advanced hearing health features, effective noise cancellation, all-day comfort, and seamless integration with your Apple devices. If you purchase the AirPods Pro 2 from Best Buy, new subscribers can receive three free months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness+.
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- Current price: $100
- Original price: $200
Beats’ latest headphones, the Solo 4, received a steep price cut at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. These headphones debuted with an updated sound, new colorways, and better integration with iOS and Android devices. If you buy these headphones from Best Buy, new subscribers can receive three free months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness+.
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- Current price: $329
- Original price: $429
Bose’s premium over-ear headphones took the throne as ZDNET’s favorite headphones of 2023. These headphones deliver best-in-class noise cancellation, immense comfort, and impressive spatial audio. If you buy these headphones from Bose, you can take advantage of a 90-day return window and a $100 discount on an exclusive Sandstone colorway.
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- Current price: $250
- Original price: $300
Sony’s premium earbuds deliver great sound, comfort, and noise-canceling properties. These earbuds are discounted at Amazon and Best Buy. If you purchase from Best Buy, new subscribers can receive three free months of YouTube Premium.
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Best Black Friday Apple headphone and earbud deals
- Apple AirPods Pro 2<!–> wireless earbuds + 3 months free Apple Music and Apple Fitness+: $190 (save $60 at Best Buy): We’ve dubbed these earbuds the best AirPods you can buy, due to their seamless integration with Apple devices and hearing health features.
- Apple AirPods Max–> over-ear headphones (Lightning, in Space Gray and Sky Blue only): $459 (save $90 at Amazon): Apple’s over-ear headphones offer great noise-canceling properties and bold, full sound. They’re best for people who own Apple devices and are one of our favorite AirPods you can buy.
- Apple AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation<!–> wireless earbuds: $168 (save $11 at Amazon): We dubbed Apple’s latest earbuds as “the best midrange AirPods,” thanks to their all-day comfort and effective noise cancellation. However, they lack the advanced features found in the Pro 2 earbuds.
- Apple AirPods (2nd generation)–> wireless earbuds: $89 (save $40 at Walmart): These budget AirPods are great for kids or beginners since they lack features like noise cancellation, spatial audio, and water resistance.
Best Black Friday Beats headphone and earbud deals
- Beats Solo 4<!–> on-ear headphones + 3 free months Apple Music and Apple Fitness+: $100 (save $100 at Best Buy): The fourth generation of Beats’ most popular headphones debuted with redesigned audio components, fresh colorways, and lengthy battery life, making them one of our favorite headphones of 2024.
- Beats Studio Pro–> over-ear headphones + 3 free months Apple Music and Apple Fitness+ (trade-in discount available): $170 (save $180 at Best Buy): Beats’ premium headphones deliver effective noise cancellation, plenty of style, and impressive battery life.
- Beats Studio Buds+<!–> wireless earbuds: $130 (save $40 at Amazon): These Beats earbuds offer unique integration with iOS and Android devices, fresh colorways, and effective noise cancellation, making them one of our favorites.
- Beats Powerbeats Pro–> wireless earbuds + 3 free months Apple Music and Apple Fitness+: $160 (save $40 at Best Buy): If traditional wireless earbuds fall out of your ears but you prefer to stay wire-free, the water-resistant Powerbeats Pro sport ear hooks for added stability.
Best Black Friday Bose headphone and earbud deals
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra<!–> over-ear headphones: $329 (save $100 at Bose): Bose’s premium over-ear headphones were our favorite headphones of 2023 for their best-in-class noise cancellation, sporty yet sleek design, and ambidextrous compatibility with iOS and Android devices.
- Bose QuietComfort–> over-ear headphones: $199 (save $150 at Bose): Bose’s midrange over-ear headphones offer the company’s impressive noise-canceling technology, stylish colorways, and up to 24 hours of continuous listening time.
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds<!–> wireless earbuds + free silicone carrying case: $229 (save $70 at Bose): Bose’s premium earbuds deliver top-notch features like spatial audio that works with any device or streaming platform, best-in-class noise cancellation, and all-day comfort, making them our favorite noise-canceling earbuds.
- Bose Ultra Open Earbuds–> wireless earbuds + free silicone carrying case: $229 (save $70 at Bose): The Bose Ultra Open offer vibrant sound, a nondescript and stylish design, and an open-ear design for environmental awareness, making them one of our picks for the best earbuds of the year.
Best Black Friday Sony headphone and earbud deals
FAQs
When is Black Friday?
Black Friday is on Friday, Nov. 29, 2024, but retailers are gearing up for the shopping event now, so you don’t have to wait until the 29th to take advantage of Black Friday deals.
When is Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday is the following Monday after Black Friday. This year, Cyber Monday falls on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024.
Are headphone and earbud deals really better on Black Friday?
You can often find headphones and earbuds at heavily discounted prices during Black Friday. This holiday shopping season is a great time to see recently released headphones and earbuds for at least a $50 discount. However, it’s also an excellent opportunity to find last year’s best headphones and earbuds for up to $100 off their retail price.
What’s the difference between Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Historically, Black Friday sales were reserved for in-person shopping, while Cyber Monday deals were online only. These days, more people conduct their holiday shopping online out of convenience, and retailers often offer deeper discounts when customers buy online. As a result, the lines between Black Friday and Cyber Monday have blurred, but both days are opportunities to find the latest tech at lower prices.
How did we choose these Black Friday deals?
ZDNET only writes about deals we want to buy, including products we’ve tested, recommended, and used daily. Our experts find deals on products we’ve previously tested and compare prices across retailers to find you the best deal. However, some products are in such high demand that their discount barely scratches 20% off. We try to find deals with at least a 20% discount, but some devices are worth the money, and a little discount is better than no discount at all.
We base our recommendations on our testing, extensive research, and comparison shopping. We aim to pair our hands-on experience with customer reviews and price comparisons to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.
Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?
You can find plenty of Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals across many retailers, including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. All retailers compete for your business this holiday season, so you can also find deals when buying directly from a manufacturer.
Additionally, some retailers throw in a gift or subscription to entice you to buy from them. For example, Best Buy offers free three-month subscriptions to music and streaming services when you purchase select items. Some retailers offer trade-in programs to further your discount; others include accessories to accompany your new device.
Top holiday deals
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