Thanks to all the fantastic Black Friday deals on some of the best wireless earbuds, over-ears, and workout headphones, now is a great time to upgrade your portable listening experience. We’ve slogged through the massive pile of live Black Friday deals to find our favorites, from sweat-beating open earbuds that allow you to hear the world around you while you’re getting in the miles to hefty over-ear headphones that can tackle even the loudest HVAC systems and jet engines.
Want to learn more about what headphones might be best for you? Check out our guides to the Best Wireless Earbuds, Best Noise-Canceling headphones, Best Cheap Headphones, and Best Workout Headphones.
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Earbud Deals
We’ve been testing wireless earbuds since the first pair launched. These are the best models on sale for Black Friday.
What, you were expecting somebody else? There’s a reason the AirPods Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) dominate these sales events. Well, several reasons, really: They offer clear and detailed sound, good noise canceling, tons of Apple-friendly convenience features, and innovations like transparency mode with automatic noise suppression to help keep your ears safe. That kind of ingenuity keeps these buds at the forefront even years after launch, and Apple’s not done yet. The Pro’s high-end computing is fertile ground for Apple engineers, including the most recent feature that makes the buds into OTC hearing aids. A comfy and slick design completes the package to make them the best earbuds for iPhone owners, now at their best price ever.
Photograph: Ryan Waniata
Maybe you didn’t know, but Technics makes startlingly good wireless earbuds. The EAH-AZ80 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are among the best there is for their comfortable fit, decent noise canceling, good feature set and even better sound. The flashy endcaps hint at their slick, clear, deeply textural sound that can bring instruments to life. Multipoint pairing with three different devices makes these buds uniquely versatile. The AZ80’s noise canceling is good, though it doesn’t match the top models at Bose or Sony. Still, this is a great pair at a good price, particularly for those who prize sound quality and fit above all. —Ryan Waniata
These cheap earbuds from Nothing (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are probably my favorite cheap headphones right now. They come in a well-designed case and feature cool yellow accents, and they offer basically every feature you can expect from high-end buds in 2024. You get noise canceling, comfortable eartips, and good sound quality overall. These are easily as good as standard AirPods.
Soundcore’s Space A40 earbuds (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are great pair of buds at hilariously cheap pricing. These earbuds offer solid noise canceling and transparency modes, vibrant sound with impressive stereo separation, and a sleek design that makes them appear far more expensive than they actually are. The fit is comfortable enough for extended listening sessions, and they deliver many features typically found in high-end models, all at a budget-friendly price. The main drawback is the lack of auto-pause sensors, and the touch controls could be more responsive. Despite these minor issues, these earbuds are a great choice, offering excellent value for money. –Ryan Waniata
Sony’s WF-1000XM5 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are a high-end pair of earbuds that stand among the best noise-canceling headphones you’ll find in such a small form factor. They’re not my favorite for sound quality or noise-canceling, but they strike a good balance of each option while adding tons of features. You’ll get Sony specials like Speak to Chat and auto-pause sensors and multipoint connection. 8 hours of battery life per charge (with noise canceling on) means they’ll last a full work day. –Ryan Waniata
Even on sale, they’re pricey for such a limited use case, but damn if the Bose Ultra Open Buds (7/10, WIRED Recommeds) haven’t become my favorite open buds on the market. Their barrel design takes some getting used to, but they roll onto your ears with impressive tenacity, staying put without pinching tight. The sound beams from their snake-like acoustic housings offer the most well-rounded performance I’ve heard in the genre. The sound is always blended with the world around you, but it’s a fantastic trick for working out or hearing folks around you. –Ryan Waniata
The fully tweakable noise canceling inside these awesome workout earbuds makes them great for folks who like to be aware of their surroundings. The easy-to-use touch controls let you effortlessly adjust the amount of outside noise you want to hear at any given time, and they deliver excellent sound and call quality.
Anker’s Soundcore series has consistently provided excellent value, and the Aerofit Pro open headphones are no exception. These workout headphones feature a charging case and a secure wrap-around design to keep them in place during exercise. With 14 hours of battery life and an additional 40 hours from the case, they can go for weeks without needing a recharge.
Anker recently released the updated AeroFit 2, which I have been testing. The new generation is just better: The fit is updated to be more comfortable so you don’t need a wire around the back of the next, the colors are better, the sound is better. —Adrienne So
That said, the original generation of Aerofit is an even lower price, now that the AeroFit 2 is out.
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These bone-conduction headphones are the option you’re probably most likely to see in the wild. They use your jaw bones to route sound to your ears, which means you can hear everything around. Many folks prefer them to standard open buds because they claim they can hear more of the world around them. There is also a mini version on sale.
Need a cheap pair of earbuds to not think too much about? Look no further than the Go Air Pop, which are utterly usable earbuds that cost less than $20 this prime day. I like keeping a pair in my car or gym bag, for when I forget to bring nicer buds with me and still want music.
Jabra’s Elite 4 Active (9/10, WIRED Recommends) were impressively good when they were released a couple of years ago, and they remain a fantastic option today—especially when on sale. As part of Jabra’s sporty overhaul, they blend serious durability with a comfy fit, smooth and balanced sound, and plenty of ways to personalize the experience in the Jabra app. They even provide a slab of noise canceling, though it’s more of an aid to their noise-isolating fit. They’re dust and water-resistant, meaning you can dunk them or rinse them after a sweaty workout with no ill effects. –Ryan Waniata
Jabra may be getting out of the earbud game, but the Elite 5 are still solid earbuds that will last for many years in the field. They’re IP55 rated for dust and water resistance, and the hybrid noise cancellation makes them work well on flights or calls. Sound quality is excellent, with bold bass and enough midrange that you can hear every detail in vocals, acoustic guitar, and piano.
The Elite 10 gen 2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) are Jabra’s swan song. You’ll get full and balanced sound, upper-crest noise canceling and transparency mode, good battery life, and loads of extras. You can even use the case as a lag-free transmitter from sources like amplifiers or airplane entertainment centers. These are durable earbuds with IP67 dust and waterproofing, and their ergonomic fit makes them comfy enough for long-term wear. –Ryan Waniata
Soundpeats makes affordable earbuds with exceptionally good sound. We recently gave their latest pair that uses solid state xMems drivers, the Soundcapsule 3+, a perfect 10/10. The Air4 Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends) don’t sound perfect, but they offer up clear and balanced sound along with solid noise canceling for a very low asking price. For well below $100, they’re a worthy option. –Ryan Waniata
JBL’s Endurance Peak 3 earbuds are completely waterproof, so you can wear them through everything from a rainy jog to a late-night hot tub soak without any concerns. With full dust protection and a rugged design, they’re among the most durable earbuds available. While the controls could be improved and they don’t offer noise canceling, they do include a transparency mode, which is essential for staying aware of your surroundings during workouts. 10 hours of battery life is great, too.–Ryan Waniata
Denon’s PerL earbuds (7/10, WIRED Review) don’t fit or feel quite like traditional earbuds, but their sound is seriously impressive thanks to the most advanced personalization system I’ve tested in the genre. These earbuds adjust to your hearing profile, resulting in a richer, fuller, and more immersive sound experience across my music library. It may take a little time for the profile to fully calibrate, but once it’s set, the audio performance is impressive. While I was initially skeptical about the $200 price tag, at half the cost, they offer incredible value for serious listeners. –Ryan Waniata
Over-Ear Deals
Looking for something a bit more private? Check out these awesome deals on over-ear headphones.
Photograph: Courtesy of Apple
Apple’s flagship headphones are pricey but beloved by many. The lightening version—it’s annoying to have to use that proprietary cable but also gets you a few more years of use out of them since Apple made you buy them all those years!—is on sale for below $400.
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones (9/10, WIRED Recommends) are the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. With their plush, ergonomic design, these headphones are incredibly comfortable to wear, and their top tier noise cancellation makes them the ideal choice for frequent travelers or anyone seeking absolute peace in their home or office. The sound is a pleasant surprise—it’s less aggressive than past Bose flagships, yet still offering superb instrumental separation and a well-balanced mix. The battery life delivers a solid 30 hours per charge, and they include cutting-edge features like 3D audio virtualization with head-tracking, creating a more immersive, speaker-like experience. At over $400, these are a significant splurge, but at this price, they feel like a true bargain. –Ryan Waniata
It’s hard to think of a more stalwart consumer electronics product over the last decade than Sony’s WH-1000XM4 (9/10, WIRED Recommends). Even four years after their release, these headphones remain a benchmark for both new competitors and premium models from top brands. While their noise cancellation isn’t the absolute best, it’s still impressive, and a range of features—like a multi-band EQ and a touch control that temporarily activates transparency mode for announcements or quick chats—keeps them feeling advanced, even as they age gracefully. The sound is warm and bass-heavy, yet refined, and the durable plastic design is complemented by plush padding for hours of comfort. –Ryan Waniata
Sony’s WH-1000XM5 (9/10, WIRED Recommends) take nearly everything we loved about the previous model a step further, offering a mix of fabulous features and excellent noise canceling, comfort, and sound quality. These headphones have it all, including multipoint pairing, auto-pause sensors, intuitive touch controls, and Amazon Alexa support. They’re ideal for travel but just as convenient for everyday use at home. While they’re slightly less compact than the previous XM4 model, that’s really the only drawback in an otherwise flawless design. –Ryan Waniata
I took these on a six hour flight and was perfectly pleased with the noise canceling they provide at a fraction of what you’ll pay for the best noise cancelers. While they may not deliver the same level of tranquility as top-tier models like Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra, they still do a solid job. The sound is warm and detailed, with plenty of customization options through the app. With 40 hours of battery life per charge, you’ll have no worries about needing a power outlet. Build quality is close to premium tier, though the plastic shells are a bit prone to scratches. Fortunately, an included case helps protect them—and at this price, you won’t mind treating them a bit roughly. –Ryan Waniata
The Beats Studio Pro (7/10, WIRED Recommends) were solid headphones at full price, but after dropping a full $100 to around $250 on average, they’ve become a lot more appealing. These headphones have become an even better deal, moving closer to the “must-have” category with their engaging sound and impressive ease of use. Features include effective noise canceling, excellent transparency mode, Apple-specific perks like “Hey, Siri” voice commands, and one-touch pairing for both iPhone and Android devices. While their build isn’t as luxurious as premium models from Sony or Bose, they offer outstanding value at a fraction of the price, making them the smarter choice for those on a budget. –Ryan Waniata
These timeless wired headphones have remained stylish since their debut decades ago. Featuring a sleek metal headband paired with molded plastic earcups and vintage-style foam padding, they’re the perfect headphones to complement your CD or cassette player, and they’re cheap enough you don’t have to worry too much about them when you’re out looking cool.
Photograph: Simon Lucas; Getty Images
I’m a big fan of Stax electrostatic headphones. These Bluetooth headphones aren’t the vintage article, but they retain some of the brand’s legendary heritage, have solid sound, and offer all the audiophile specs you could want from a modern pair. (8/10, WIRED Recommends.) —Martin Cizmar
ids are especially vulnerable to hearing loss, which is why WIRED staffers who are parents appreciate kids’ headphones like these that limit sound output to the OSHA-recommended 85 decibels. The noise canceling is superb, helping to block out louder sounds from flights or HVAC systems. Plus, they come in pink or blue, so you can choose the color your child loves.
