Fellow audio enthusiasts, I'm sure we all understand why. Black Friday important; Many people can barely afford to feed their children these days, but the holiday season is quickly approaching. And everyone should have something to open on the big day (or days).
And here's where I recommend $300 disposable headphones (albeit heavily discounted right now), but look, I'm not suggesting every you should immediately head to your chosen online store and buy all five options that I have listed here for a fulfilling and rewarding gift-giving season. That's not what I'm talking about.
I'm just saying this If you or someone you love is into music (what a big interest, by the way), and if you (or they) want to listen to it while working, relaxing, and playing, the ideal setup will include five different designs—and I'm going to tell you the best of each, as well as the best Black Friday deals I've seen.
As someone who has worked with music all my life, I certainly do. I You'll need five pairs of headphones and earbuds, but of course you can (and most likely will) get by with fewer. I fully support this. My job is simply to suggest and recommend. And since each of these options has a very specific use case – think of a runner; suburban; home audiophile listener; a forgetful music lover – you may like one model more than the others or offer yourself to the person you are currently thinking about.
I promise you that if you choose just one of these options this Black Friday, you will still be happier than you were before, and you certainly won't be buying a fake one. I won't allow this!
So what's the matter – i.e. What specific types of headphones do I mean?
- Wireless Noise Canceling Over-Ear Headphones
- Your 'essential' wireless headphones with advanced call handling, noise cancellation and more.
- A secondary set of cans or buds that can be put in your pocket or bag.
- Wired option for high-resolution audio (possibly from a special player)
- Open ear and bone conduction sports kit with good IP rating.
Again, you may be looking for just one of these options right now, and that's totally fine.
As I already said, there are a lot Black Friday Deals LIVE – I also have a roundup best Sennheiser headphone dealsmy collection Best Bose Headphone Deals Black Fridaymine is more general Black Friday deals on headphones and earbuds recommendations or our special Blog about headphone discounts on Black Fridayif that's what you need.
Or, if you're not looking for headphones or earbuds and are wondering how you got here today, more general information from TechRadar Black Friday Deals Roundup can help—and don't worry, it's still curated by real people who know good technology when they see (and hear) it.
If you're not sure what you need most, it's worth thinking about how you tend to listen. Personally, my headphones are Technics EAH-AZ100 (my “main” headphones and some best headphones around) are the ones I'd keep on fire – and as luck would have it, they're heavily discounted on Black Friday in both the US and UK! Why are they my top choice? Since I usually listen on the go (to/from work/at my desk), I take a lot of calls and need to take something lightweight – my bag is usually filled with dance shoes, so in-ear headphones aren't always an option.
So, the long introduction is over. Let's dive into the categories and most importantly, the best deals!
Best Anti-Social Wireless In-Ear Headphones
These are your ride or die banks. They're great on cold and frosty mornings or just when you're a little cold and frosty and don't feel like making small talk.
I know time is of the essence here, so I won't wax lyrical about how good each of these sets of flagship headphones are, but trust me when I tell you: these are leaders in their class.
These are your heavy music machines held on a hook by the door. And you need to spend wisely, that's why you're here. Trust us, you won't be disappointed with any of these great pairs of headphones.
And as luck would have it, they were both laid off – in the USA And in the UK! I'll list the shares below.
Not your set? See also Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 or Cambridge Audio Music Mania P100
Best ANC In-Ear Headphone Deals USA
Best deals on in-ear headphones UK
“Basic” pair of headphones
If I haven't been clear, I test headphones and in-ear headphones for a living and have been doing so since 2019. And I love both of these sets. The Technics offers three-device connectivity (sounds like a small advantage, but it's not), excellent call quality, very good ANC, and detailed, detailed audio quality. Oh, and they fit securely, which you would think is a given, but no. Bose set? They are the kings of ANC and energetic, immersive audio with superior immersive spatial sound profiles.
Neither pair is typically cheap, but this is your basic set of headphones that you'll spend months of your music life with. I wouldn't be without mine. Plus, they're both on sale for Black Friday – I know!
Not your set? See also Bowers and Wilkins Pi8, the older Equipment EAH-AZ80 or AirPods Pro 2
Best 'essential' headphone deals, US
Best 'essential' deals on headphones UK
The best “backup headphones”
Any of these options (on-ear or in-ear) from Nothing (or the company's available option). handCMF by Nothing) are so good that it seems criminal to call them your inconsequential second set of buds – the ones you throw in your pocket or bag if your main set runs out of juice (or a friend is stopping by and wants to borrow a set), say.
The thing is, prices have recently dropped again for Black Friday, to the point where if you're looking for something cheap, you're really Really should get them. The ANC is good, the app is great, the sound is fun and energetic, and the design is fun and different. Both look much more expensive than they actually are – for a reason. Nothing won Black Friday this year.
Not your set? See also 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 or Sony WF-C710N
Best “Cheap Second Set” Deals, USA
Best 'cheap second set' deals UK
Best wired option
4. Sennheiser IE 600/Sennheiser HD660 S2
At some point, you or the music lovers in your life will realize that wired audio still sounds better than wireless, and wired earbuds or open-back headphones are the way to achieve this. This is because transmission via Bluetooth still incurs losses, no matter how much support for the new generation codec sounds.
Don't get me wrong, wireless is great: it's convenient, usually cancels out noise, and has a ton of cool features! But to get truly high-resolution audio from your phone—or one of your best high definition players – you really need to feel the wind under the wires. And you don’t need to spend a ton of money to do this! See my guide to best wired headphones for inexpensive options.
I definitely haven't picked the most affordable sets here, although as you'll see there are some big discounts on for Black Friday right now. Remember, this is audiophile territory, so deals are rare. But I have listed the best ones here.
Not your set? See also 1 more Triple Driver In-ear Earphone or Mese Audio Poet
Best Wire Options Deals, USA
Best Wire Options Deals UK
Best Open-back/Bone Conduction Headphones for Sports
I actually have a special function The only open-back headphones worth seeking out this Black Fridayif you came here for this. But this is my choice out of everyone in this world.
For several years after their release I liked idea from open headphones (great for road running and cycling – you can still hear the traffic!) but not particularly bad sound quality, which seems a bit thin and lacking in bass. But now everything has changed. These little beauties many better now.
The biggest compliment I can give the Shokz OpenDots One is that our reviewer honestly forgot during testing that they were open-fit headphones, and he felt like they challenged the Bose Ultra Open Dots, but at a much lower price. The range of features is incredible for a modest price, including IP54 splash protection.
What about Shokz OpenRun Pro 2? Well, they are great to wear while running and use bone conduction technology to benefit you. How's the sound? Exclusively for this design, friend! If you need more options, check out our guide to best bone conduction headphones but be warned, the best deal I found is right here.
Not your set? See also Shox OpenFit Air or Honor headphones open
Best Sports Headphones & Headphones Deals USA
Best deals on sports headphones and in-ear headphones UK
Even More Black Friday Deals in the US
- Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers and vacuum cleaners.
- Apple: iPad, AirPods and MacBook from $119
- Best Buy: $1,000 Off TVs, Laptops and Headphones
- Dell: laptop starting at $249.99
- Home Depot: 40% discount on appliances, furniture, grills and tools.
- Lenovo: 45% discount on laptops and tablets
- Lowe: Up to 30% off household appliances, holiday decor and tools
- Samsung: Up to $2,000 off on appliances, TVs and phones
- Target: 40% discount on Christmas decor, clothing and furniture.
- T-Mobile: Up to $1,100 off the latest iPhone 17
- Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs and vacuum cleaners from $69.
- Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture and decor.
