Black Friday headphone deals 2024: I tested 19-plus models to find the best savings

As CNET’s audio expert, I’ve personally tested more than 100 headphones, so I know a lot when I see one. My testing process involves evaluating headphones and earbuds based on six key criteria: design, sound quality, noise cancellation performance, voice call clarity, features, and overall value. From testing noise cancellation on the busy streets of New York to assessing sound quality with a curated playlist, each product is carefully compared against the competition to ensure only the best recommendations. If you’re in the market for new headphones or earbuds, now’s the perfect time to score a bargain. With Black Friday just around the corner, major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are already introducing impressive discounts on some of the best audio gear of 2024.

From premium options from Bose, Sony and Apple to budget-friendly favorites, there are deals to suit every listener and budget. To help you make the most of these early holiday bargains, we’ve rounded up some of the best headphone and earbud discounts available right now. And because the Black Friday shopping season is far from over, we’ll continue to update this list with new deals, so bookmark this page and check back often to stay informed.

Best Black Friday headphone deals

The AirPods Pro 2 are the best AirPods on the market and won an Editors’ Choice Award this year. These earbuds feature the Apple H2 chip and offer premium sound quality, noise cancellation, and transparency mode, along with solid voice calling performance. This is the new updated pair with USB-C charging and improved dust resistance.

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Advanced features like personalized spatial audio and lossless audio support earned the noise-canceling Beats Studio Pro a spot on our list of the best headphones of 2024. They also offer up to 40 hours of listening time per charge, six built-in microphones, and hands-free Siri control. All base colors are currently $100 off, although the Kim Kardashian collaboration variants are not currently marked down.

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Although they are quite pricey, these premium Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones claimed a top spot as one of our favorite pairs of 2024. They feature top-notch noise cancellation capabilities and excellent sound quality, and the lightweight aluminum frame makes them comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They also perform well on voice calls and have up to 24 hours of listening time per charge.

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You don’t have to spend a ton to get decent headphones these days. Our favorite noise-canceling pair for those on a budget, these over-ear Wave Pro headphones boast respectable sound quality, 80 hours of battery life, and two levels of ANC. Make sure you have the coupon on the page to get the full discount.

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These Jabras earned a spot on our list of the best earbuds of 2024 thanks to their extreme durability. They are IP68 waterproof, sweat and dustproof and have an impressive battery life of 56 hours. They also support spatial audio and active noise cancellation, and have a transparency mode for when you need to be more aware of your surroundings.

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Budget Choices ($50-$100)

Mid-range ($100-$200)

Premium ($200+)

Is Black Friday the Best Time to Buy Headphones?

Black Friday offers some of the biggest discounts of the year on tech and gadgets, including headphones and earbuds. While there are some deals happening throughout the year, like on Prime Day, these are few and far between, and rarely match the prices we see around Black Friday. And since we’ve already wrapped up both Prime Day events for 2024, this is probably the best time to buy headphones until next summer.

Where can I find the best Black Friday headphone deals

During the holiday shopping season, you’ll find plenty of excellent deals at major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart. However, many brands also offer some promotions of their own. It is worth taking a look at the online stores Bose, Sony, JBL and other popular audio brands, as they may offer some under-the-radar discounts that aren’t matched elsewhere.

What should I look for in a Black Friday headphone deal?

An important thing to keep in mind is that a product’s list price doesn’t always tell you its true value. During major shopping events, the list price is often artificially inflated to make the deal look sweeter, so you’ll want to shop around to find out the true value or “street price” of a product before you buy it. There are useful historical price checking sites that can help you check whether the deal is actually a bargain, or whether it has been “discounted” back to its regular price. You may also want to install CNET’s Shopping plugin to help you with this.

When do the Black Friday headphone deals start?

Although Black Friday officially falls on November 29, the day after Thanksgiving, the deals start much earlier. Amazon’s Prime Day sale in October usually marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, and the deals have been on the rise since it took place on October 8 and 9.

Are Black Friday headphone deals better than Prime Day?

Generally, retailers like Amazon, Walmart and Best Buy save the best deals of the year for Black Friday. While you can find discounts on popular headphones all year round, these are likely the highest discounts you’ll find before Thanksgiving.

Should I wait for Cyber ​​Monday headphone deals?

You’ll find some of the best headphone deals as part of the Black Friday sale. However, some deals may last through Cyber ​​Monday. Retailers tend to reduce remaining inventory even further on Cyber ​​Monday. That said, there are no guarantees that your favorite headphones will still be available on Cyber ​​Monday, so you’re advised to grab a good deal as soon as you see it.