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Headphones and earbuds from brands like Sony and Apple are on sale ahead of Black Friday.
Antonio Villas-Boas/Tyler Hayes/Business Insider
Black Friday is still a couple of weeks away, but early deals are going strong on over-ear headphones and earbuds. My team and I test headphones year-round, and several of our favorite models from Sony, Bose, Beats, Sennheiser, and Apple are getting great discounts right now.
The best early Black Friday headphone deals include excellent savings on the Sony WH-1000XM5. The XM5s are 50% off at Best Buy , bringing them down to $198. That matches their record-low price from Prime Day. This deal has been very popular and has already sold out several times at other retailers. These over-ear cans remain my pick for the best headphones overall thanks to their versatile combo of features and value for the money.
Meanwhile, if you’re shopping for earbuds, the AirPods Pro 3 are a great buy at $199 on Amazon . The Pro 3s tend to fluctuate between $230 and $199, so though this is a common deal price, it’s still on the low end of their typical cost. But if you’re on a tighter budget and prefer open-ear style buds that let you stay aware of your surroundings, I recommend the CMF Clip Pro. They’re on sale for $69 in the Light Grey and Coral colorways, which matches their all-time low price from Prime Day.
Though I expect even bigger headphone deals to arrive once Black Friday officially starts, the discounts below are all still solid values, offering early shoppers a nice way to save before the main event begins.
Top 5 headphone deals
Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones – $400 $198 at Best Buy
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) – $449 $369 at Amazon
Bose QuietComfort (2nd Gen) – $359 $219 at Amazon
Apple AirPods Pro 3 earbuds – $249 $200 at Amazon
CMF Clip Pro earbuds – $99 $69 at Amazon
The best early Black Friday headphone deals
Over-ear headphones are getting good deals in the lead-up to Black Friday. I’ve seen lower prices on some of these models in the past, but early shoppers can still get solid savings. For example, the AirPods Max 2 are on sale for $449 , which is a common discount but still a good markdown from their typical street price of around $500-$510. The Max 2 are the best AirPods for audiophiles, thanks to their over-ear design, which delivers even better sound quality and stronger noise cancellation than earbud-style models.
The best early Black Friday earbud deals
Several of our top-tested earbuds from Sony, Apple, Sennheiser, and more are on sale right now. For instance, the brand-new Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 are getting one of their first notable discounts since they hit stores in September. Right now, the Graphite model is $30 off. The Momentum 5s are unique earbuds that feature user-replaceable batteries in both the case and the buds to extend their lifespan. You can learn more in our Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review .
Headphone deals FAQs
Should you buy over-ear headphones or earbuds?
Whether over-ear headphones or earbuds are the right fit for your needs depends on how you plan to use them. Over-ear headphones are generally the better choice if you care most about audio quality, powerful noise canceling, and long-term comfort. Their larger earcups and drivers can create a fuller, more spacious sound, while the over-ear design typically blocks more ambient noise, which makes them ideal for flights, commuting, and critical listening at home.
Earbuds, on the other hand, are the more convenient option for workouts, running, and casual everyday listening when you’re on the go. They slip easily into a pocket and are less obtrusive during exercise. Many premium models also offer excellent sound and noise canceling, though top over-ear headphones still have an edge.
When is Black Friday?
In 2026, Black Friday is on November 27. Cyber Monday then follows on November 30. We’ll keep tracking the latest deals before and during the shopping event, including discounts on headphones and other tech gadgets.
Shopping for more discounts today? Check out our deals homepage with more savings across tech, home, kitchen, style, streaming, and more.
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