Apple And Beats Headphones And Earbuds Are Up To 50% Off

Shoppers in search of great sound don’t have to hold out for the main event — big-box retailers are already squaring off at Early Black Friday, marking down headphones and earbuds from Apple, Beats, Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, JBL, and more up to 50 percent off. We’re seeing awesome discounts on flagship noise-canceling over-ears and sport-ready buds and budget standouts, making this one of the most aggressive early starts we’ve ever seen for the category.

Historically, personal audio is a top doorbuster: Adobe Analytics recorded electronics among the biggest holiday price drops last season, and headphones usually factor into that. This year is more of the same, but earlier, propelled by fierce competition, product refresh cycles, and abundant inventory.

Early Black Friday headphone and earbud deals available now

Flagship over-ears are already at their best prices of the year. Look for big discounts on the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra, possibly with a case or fast-charging cable thrown in. Sennheiser’s Momentum 4, renowned for marathon battery life, is another frequent headliner to feature big and bold discounts.

On the earbud front, Apple’s AirPods lineup is in the thick of things with some unusual pricing that typically comes closer to Cyber Monday.

Beats are following the energy across styles, with some real dips for Powerbeats Pro — gym-stabilized earbuds — and Beats Studio Buds+, which have a more compact form factor and ANC. Android-compatible models like Samsung’s Galaxy Buds and Nothing’s Ear range also have generous promo stacks.

If you’re deal-first (as opposed to brand-first), the value tier is where it’s at.

Anker’s Soundcore options and JBL’s Tune lineup often get slashed by higher-than-usual percentages off their list prices — with still-competent features like multipoint connectivity, customizable EQ, and solid IP ratings.

Why early Black Friday headphone prices are so low now

Several tailwinds are converging. The premium headphones market has remained strong in volume even as average selling prices softened, a sure sign of competitive discounting, according to retail analysts at Circana. Couple that with the annual deluge of late-year model refreshes — when last year’s premium sets are shuffled and sold again, albeit with heavy discounts in the weeks prior to Black Friday itself.

Inventory is a factor, too. With supply chains largely back to normal, retailers can push deeper without fearing that they will run out of stock. Adobe’s holiday projections have likewise demonstrated over time that electronics achieve their highest discounts around the Cyber kickoff, but early audio deals help to push demand forward — and shoppers today simply benefit as that price curve begins to slope downward earlier.

Standout headphone and earbud picks for different uses

For Apple users, AirPods continue to be the easiest “just works” option, thanks to easy pairing, Spatial Audio, and Find My integration.

If you’re looking for a sport fit with the Apple ecosystem goodies, Beats Fit Pro or Powerbeats Pro add wing or hook stability without losing out on those H-series chip conveniences.

For jet-setters and hybrid workers, Sony’s WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra top for active noise cancellation and comfort. Their ANC prowess and “Phony-Mode” clarity (please see what I did there, Reviews dot com) are echoed by my review labs; sales often snip those premium price tags down to midrange territory.

For chronic listeners who like a balanced sound for work and pleasure, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is a battery champ, often reaching well into multiple days per charge. If you want budget ANC that punches above, check out JBL’s Tune and Anker’s Soundcore lines for swift progress on transparency modes and app-based EQ.

How to tell if a discount is truly an all-time low

Disregard the “was” price on product pages, and compare it to what a given model has been selling for over the last six months. Price-history trackers and roundups of deals from trusted experts can be helpful for confirming if a discount is a true all-time low or just the return of an old sale. As a general rule of thumb, top-tier headphones tend to hit their low-water mark around 30% to 40% off, while older or value models can come closer to that half-off level during this sale window.

Also scrutinize bundles. A sticker that’s a little higher and includes, for example, a protective case, a wireless charger, or an extended window for returns can sometimes be the smarter buy. Numerous retailers tack on price guarantees through the holiday weekend (if the number drops later, you can request a match), rather than making you sit still and hope to avoid stock-outs.

Specs That Matter More Than the Marketing

Active noise cancellation isn’t one-size-fits-all, so prioritize fit and seal. Over-ears in general block more low-frequency hum (think: aircraft or HVAC); in-ears need to use the right tips to work. If you bounce between phone and laptop, search for Bluetooth 5.2 or newer with multipoint (up to two connections at once), and be sure there’s codec support (AAC for iPhone, LDAC or LC3/LE Audio for many Android devices) that matches your ecosystem.

Battery life is another sanity check: 20–30 hours for over-ears with ANC and 5–8 hours per earbud charge are good baselines; fast charging can turn 10 minutes of charging into a few more hours of playback. If you want to wear these for workouts, focus first on water resistance (a minimum of IPX4), secure fit options in the form of fins or hooks, and battery life. And when it comes to calls, you’ll want beamforming mics and noise suppression that help make your voice clear on a windy or crowded street.

Bottom line: act early if a verified low matches your needs

With some national and headline models already on sale, stock appears to be holding up for most major retailers offering deals in the run-up to Black Friday.

For many consumers, Early Black Friday is arguably your only opportunity this year to grab that upgrade without paying full recommended retail list price. Confirm the discount, match that feature set to your use case and, if you see a verified low on a model you’re eyeing, don’t wait — audio deals are moving quickly and the most compelling bargains disappear first.