Black Friday Headphone Deals 2024: I Tested 19-Plus Models to Find the Best Savings

As CNET’s audio expert, I’ve personally tested over 100 headphones, so I know a great deal when I see one. My testing process includes evaluating headphones and earbuds across six key criteria: design, sound quality, noise-canceling performance, voice-calling clarity, features and overall value. From testing noise cancellation against New York’s bustling streets to assessing sound quality with a curated playlist, every product is rigorously compared with competitors to ensure only the best recommendations. If you’re in the market for a new pair of headphones or earbuds, now is the perfect time to snag a bargain. With Black Friday just around the corner, major retailers like Amazon and Best Buy are already rolling out impressive discounts on some of 2024’s top audio gear.

From premium options by Bose, Sony and Apple to budget-friendly favorites, there are deals for 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 keep updating this list with fresh offers, so bookmark this page and check back often to stay in the loop.

Best Black Friday headphone deals

The AirPods Pro 2 are the best overall AirPods on the market and earned an Editors’ Choice Award this year. These earbuds have the Apple H2 chip and offer top-notch sound quality, noise canceling and transparency mode, along with solid voice calling performance. These are the new, updated pair with USB-C charging and improved dust-resistance.

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Thanks to advanced features like personalized spatial audio and lossless audio support, the noise-canceling Beats Studio Pro earned a spot on our list of the overall best headphones of 2024. They also boast up to 40 hours of listening time per charge, six built-in microphones and hands-free Siri control. All basic colors are $100 off right now, though the Kim Kardashian collaboration variants aren’t currently discounted.

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Though they’re pretty pricey, these premium Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones claimed a top spot as one of our overall favorite pairs of 2024. They boast top-of-the-line noise-canceling capabilities and excellent sound quality, and the lightweight aluminum frame makes them comfortable to wear for long periods. 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 a decent pair of headphones these days. These over-ear Wave Pro headphones are our favorite noise-canceling pair for those on a budget, boasting respectable sound quality, an 80-hour battery life and two levels of ANC. Be sure to claim the on-page coupon 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’re IP68 waterproof, sweatproof and dustproof, and they boast an impressive 56-hour battery life. They also support spatial audio and active noise cancelation, and have a transparency mode for when you need to be more aware of your surroundings.

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Budget Picks ($50-$100)

Mid-Range ($100-$200)

Premium ($200+)

Is Black Friday the best time to buy headphones?

Black Friday brings some of the year’s steepest discounts on tech and gadgets, including headphones and earbuds. While there are some deals that happen throughout the year — such as on Prime Day — these are few and far between, and rarely match the prices we see around Black Friday. And since we’ve already passed 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

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

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

One important thing to keep in mind is that the list price of a product doesn’t always tell you the real value. During major shopping events, the list price is often artificially inflated to make the deal look more attractive, so you’ll want to check around to find the true value or “street price” of a product before purchasing. There are handy historical price-checking sites out there that can help you check if the deal is actually a bargain, or if it’s been “discounted” back down to its regular price. You might also want to install CNET’s Shopping plug-in to help with all of that.

When will the Black Friday headphone deals start?

Though Black Friday officially falls on Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving, the deals kick off much sooner than that. Amazon’s October Prime Day sale usually marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season, and the deals have been ramping up since it took place on Oct. 8 and 9.

Are Black Friday headphone deals better than Prime Day?

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

Should I wait for Cyber Monday headphone deals?

You’ll find some of the best headphone deals as part of the Black Friday sales. However, some deals might stick around for Cyber Monday. Retailers tend to discount remaining inventory even further come Cyber Monday. That said, there are no guarantees that your favorite pair of headphones will still be available by Cyber Monday so you are advised to snag a great deal as soon as you spot it.