Which headphones should I buy this Black Friday? I test audio kit – these 5 buys are all you need

1. Audio
2. Headphones
3. Earbuds & Airpods

Which headphones should I buy this Black Friday? I test audio kit – these 5 buys are all you need Features By Becky Scarrott published 23 November 2025

The only 5 picks you need, plus all the best Black Friday deals

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(Image credit: Sony, Bose, Sennheiser, Technics) Jump to:

• The anti-social over-ears
• The 'main' earbuds
• The cheaper second set
• The wired option
• The sports-specific set

Audio-loving friends, I'm sure we all get why Black Friday is important; plenty of people can barely afford to feed their kids these days, yet here we are with holiday season approaching fast. And everyone should have something to open on the big day (or days).

And here I am recommending one-time $300 headphones (albeit heavily discounted, right now), but look, I'm not suggesting everyone should head to their online retailer of choice this instant and buy all five options I've listed here, to have a full and worthy gift-giving season. That's not what I'm about.

• Shop Amazon's full Black Friday sale

I am simply saying that if you or someone you love is into music (what a great interest to have, by the way), and if you (or they) want to listen during work, rest and play, an ideal setup will include five different designs – and I'm going to tell you the best of each, along with the best Black Friday deals I've seen.

As someone who’s worked with music my entire life, I certainly know I require five pairs of headphones and earbuds, but of course you can (and likely do) make do with fewer. I support this fully. My job is simply to suggest and to recommend. And because each of these options has a very specific user case scenario – think the runner; the commuter; the at-home audiophile listener; the forgetful music lover – one model may speak to you above the rest, or suggest itself for the person you're thinking of right now.

I promise you that if you only pick up one of these options this Black Friday, you’ll still be happier than you were before – and you certainly will not be buying a dud. I won't allow it!

So what's the deal – ie. which specific headphone types do I mean?

• Wireless, shut-out-the-world noise cancelling over-ear headphones
• Your 'main' wireless earbuds with top call-handling, ANC and more
• A secondary, chuck-em-in-a-pocket-or-bag set of cans or buds
• A wired option for hi-res audio (maybe from a dedicated player)
• An open-ear/bone conduction sporty set, with good IP rating

Again, maybe you're only looking for one of these options right now, and that is absolutely fine.

As I mentioned, there are a ton Black Friday deals live now – I've also got a roundup of the best Sennheiser headphones and earbuds deals, my collection of the best Bose Black Friday headphones deals, my more general Black Friday headphones and earbuds deals recommendations or our dedicated Black Friday headphones deals live blog, if that's what you're after.

Or, of you're not looking for headphones or earbuds and are wondering how you got here today, TechRadar's more general Black Friday deals roundup will help – and don't worry, it's still curated by actual humans who know good tech when they see (and hear) it.

If you're not sure which you need most, it's worth thinking about how you tend to listen. Personally, my Technics EAH-AZ100 earbuds (my 'main' buds and some of the best earbuds around) are the ones I'd keep in a fire – and as luck would have it, they're heavily discounted in both the US and the UK for Black Friday! Why are they my top pick? Because I usually listen on the go (to work/from work/at my desk), I take calls a lot, and I need to pack light – my bag's normally filled with dance shoes, so over-ears aren't always viable.

Right, lengthy intro done. Let's dig in to the categories and most importantly, the best deals around!

The best anti-social wireless over-ear headphones

(Image credit: Future)

1. Sony WH-1000XM6 / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

These are your ride or die cans. They're great on a cold and frosty morning, or just for when you're feeling 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 on how good each of these sets of flagship headphones is – but believe me when I tell you: these are the class-leaders.

These are your heavy-rotation, kept on a hook by the door, solid music machines. And you need to spend wisely, which is why you're here. Trust me, you will not be disappointed in either of these pairs of excellent headphones.

And as luck would have it, they're both reduced – in the US and in the UK! I'll throw the deals below.

Not your set? See also Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 or Cambridge Audio Melomania P100

Best over-ear ANC headphones deals, US

Save $61.99Sony WH-1000XM6: was $459.99 now $398 at Amazon

Right now, you can grab the incredible, May 2025-release Sony WH-1000XM6 for $60 less with this Black Friday deal, meaning they're the cheapest they've ever been. These headphones offer beautifully balanced audio output, supreme comfort, top-tier touch controls, ergonomic comfort, and noise-crushing ANC. They'd make the perfect gift for the upcoming holiday season, either for a loved one or to yourself!

View DealSave 11% ($50.95)Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): was $449.95 now $399 at Amazon

Providing yet more proof (as if any were needed) that Bose is the king of ANC, this new and improved set of QC Ultra headphones ticks virtually every box imaginable. Impressive noise-nixing capabilities, hi-res audio support over USB, solid battery life and an energetic and engaging sound. Our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) review – which is not yet one month old by the way – is the place to go for the full scoop, but know this: they've never been discounted like this until now. They're the newest noise-cancelling cans from Bose, and they're the best. Run!

View Deal

Best over-ear headphones deals, UK

Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones: was £399 now £349 at Amazon

These are the very latest version of Sony's range-topping ANC over-ears (unveiled in May 2025) and in our Sony WH-1000XM6 review we said that they offer class-leading noise cancellation, excellent audio performance and highly intuitive touch controls – and unlike their immediate predecessors they're also foldable. One thing we didn't like was their higher price, but this discount makes them much more affordable. These are as good as noise-cancelling headphones get.

View DealSave 11% (£50.95)Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): was £449.95 now £399 at Amazon

In the UK as in the US, Bose is the king of ANC, this new and improved set of QC Ultra headphones ticks virtually every box imaginable. Impressive noise-nixing capabilities, hi-res audio support over USB, solid battery life and an energetic and engaging sound. Our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (Gen 2) review – which is not yet one month old by the way – is the place to go for the full scoop, but know this: they've never been discounted like this until now. They're the newest noise-cancelling cans from Bose, and they're the best. Run!

View DealToday's best Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) dealsSony WH-1000XM6 SG$649 SG$462.49View DealSee all pricesBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd SG$599 SG$548.99View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

The 'main' pair of earbuds

(Image credit: Technics)

2. Technics EAH-AZ100 / Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen)

In case I haven't made it abundantly clear, I test headphones and earbuds for a living and have done since 2019. And I love both of these sets. The Technics feature triple device connectivity (sounds like a small perk, but it really isn't), excellent call quality, very good ANC and a detailed, nuanced sound quality. Oh, and they fit securely, which you'd think would be a given, but no. The Bose set? They're the kings of ANC and vigorous, exciting audio along with excellent Immersive spatial audio profiles.

Neither pair are typically cheap, but this is your main set of earbuds and one you'll spend months of your music-loving life with. I wouldn't be without mine. Also, they're both on sale for Black Friday – I know!

Not your set? See also Bowers & Wilkins Pi8, the older Technics EAH-AZ80 or AirPods Pro 2

Best 'main' earbuds deals, US

Save 13% ($32.69)Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) : was $249 now $216.31 at Amazon

On the face of it, this saving isn't the most headline-worthy sale you'll see on Black Friday. But this is Bose – and it's also the first ever saving I've seen on this set of 5-star, 2025-release noise-cancelling earbuds. They basically walk all over anything else on the market for noise cancellation (except maybe Apple's AirPods Pro 3 – but if you don't own an iPhone I don't recommend those, however good the deal). They're currently dipping between $216 and $199, but only in certain colorways. A new lowest-seen fee on a truly excellent set of new earbuds from Bose? Yes please.

View DealSave 25% ($75)Technics EAH-AZ100: was $299 now $224 at Amazon

The excellent EAH-AZ80 that came before this model basically tore up the rule book on sound quality and features in wireless earbuds – and the AZ100 are even better. Released in January 2025, these little beauties are still the only earbuds to offer multipoint to three devices simultaneously plus excellent sidetone tech for hearing your own voice in calls, as well as some of the most neutral and detailed audio in an even smaller, even more premium-feel design. Oh, and the deal? They've never dropped this low in price until now. Highly recommended.

View Deal

Best 'main' earbuds deals, UK

Save 10% (£30)Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) : was £299.95 now £269.95 at Amazon

Again, on the face of it, this saving isn't the most headline-worthy sale you'll see on Black Friday. But this is Bose – and it's also the first ever saving I've seen on this set of 5-star, 2025-release noise-cancelling earbuds we've ever seen. They basically walk all over anything else on the market for noise cancellation (except maybe Apple's AirPods Pro 3 – but if you don't own an iPhone I don't recommend those, however good the deal). They're currently dipping below £270, but only in certain colourways. A new lowest-seen fee on a truly excellent set of new earbuds from Bose? Yes please.

View DealSave 19% (£50)Technics EAH-AZ100: was £259.99 now £209.99 at Amazon

The excellent EAH-AZ80 that came before this model basically tore up the rule book on sound quality and features in wireless earbuds – and the AZ100 are even better. Released in January 2025, these little beauties are still the only earbuds to offer multipoint to three devices simultaneously plus excellent sidetone tech for hearing your own voice in calls, as well as some of the most neutral and detailed audio in an even smaller, even more premium-feel design. Oh, and the deal? They've never dropped this low in price until now. Highly recommended.

View DealToday's best Technics EAH-AZ100 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen) dealsTechnics EAH-AZ100 SG$392.79 SG$267.99View DealSee all pricesBose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd SG$379 SG$314.99View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

The best 'back-up earbuds or headphones'

(Image credit: CMF by Nothing)

3. Nothing Ear (a) / CMF Headphone Pro

Either of these options (over-ear or in-ear) from Nothing (or the company's affordable arm, CMF by Nothing) is so good, it feels criminal to call them your inconsequential second set of buds – the ones you chuck in a pocket or bag for if your main set run out of juice (or a friend's staying and wants to borrow a set), say.

The thing is, they recently came down again in prices for Black Friday, to the point that if you're looking for something cheap, you really really should get them. The ANC is good, the app is great, the sound is fun and zealous, and the design is a quirky and novel delight. Both look so much more expensive than they are – there's 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, US

Save 20% ($20)CMF Headphone Pro: was $99 now $79 at Amazon

These just came out – and I mean just, because we only just finished our glowing review of them. Sow we can now tell you that they're unbelievably good for this price – the sound is solid, they have a great range of features, the noise cancellation is effective, and they're comfortable. A stone-cold bargain, because of course, they were cheap to begin with and now they're even cheaper (for the first time ever).

View DealSave 18% ($20)Nothing Ear (a): was $109 now $89 at Amazon

This isn't the cheapest these have been, so if you're in the US, it might be worth holding out to see what the rest of Black Friday brings – they've been $79 before, so hopefully Nothing will beat that before the sales season is done. Though even this price is pretty damn good for earbuds this impressive.

View Deal

Best 'cheap second set' deals, UK

Save 34% (£30)Nothing Ear (a): was £89 now £59 at Amazon

Our five-star Nothing Ear (a) review is the place for the full scoop on the fun, energetic sound of these buds, but know that they have great noise cancellation, a compact design, and an eye-catching look. This is a record-low price for them, and there are simply no better earbuds for under £60.

View DealSave 38% (£30)CMF Headphone Pro: was £79 now £49 at Amazon

These just came out – and I mean just, because we only just finished our review of them. So we can now tell you that they're unbelievably good for this price – the sound is solid, they have a great range of features, the noise cancellation is effective, and they're comfortable. A stone-cold bargain – because they were cheap to begin with, and now they're discounted for the first time ever. Good, no?

View DealToday's best Nothing Ear (a) and CMF Headphone Pro dealsNothing Ear (a) SG$159 SG$88.64View DealSee all pricesCMF Headphone Pro SG$134.64 SG$117.29View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

The best wired option

(Image credit: Sennheiser)

4. Sennheiser IE 600 / Sennheiser HD660 S2

At some point, you or the music-lovers in your life are going to realise that wired audio still sounds better than wireless – and wired in-ears or open-backed over ears are the way to get it. It's all because Bluetooth transmission still incurs loss, however next-gen the codec support sounds.

Don't get me wrong, wireless is great: convenient, usually noise-nixing and with a bunch of fun features! But for truly hi-res audio from your phone – or one of the best hi-res players – you do need to feel the wind beneath your wires. And it doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg! See my guide to the best wired earbuds for inexpensive options.

I've definitely not gone for the most affordable sets here, although there are great savings live now for Black Friday, as you'll see. This is audiophile territory remember, so deals are rare. But I've listed the best here.

Not your set? See also 1More Triple Driver In-Ears or Meze Audio Poet

The best wired option deals, US

Save 31% ($250)Sennheiser IE 600: was $799.95 now $549.95 at Amazon

I love my own personal set of IE 600 (and the wider TechRadar team has written odes to their pairs), so I really want you to know about this saving. For clarity, it's an excellent deal too: the cheapest they've ever been on Amazon is $499 to date, so if you want to check to see if they fall this low again, Black Friday weekend is probably the time – at this very link. They're fashioned from a metal called ZR01 amorphous zirconium. Sounds premium, right? That's because it is – it's the same metal used for the drilling head of NASA's Mars Rover. And the sound? Oh, don't get me started (but do go to our Sennheiser IE 600 review if you need to know more).

View DealSave 10% ($49.05)Sennheiser HD660 S2: was $479 now $429.95 at techradar.com

With an extreme frequency range of 8Hz to 41,500Hz and 42mm high-performance transducers, the HD660 S2 are capable of confident sound that doesn't duck any part of the mix from sub to treble. And with discount, you can get their pro-level sound for less. As our glowing Sennheiser HD660 S2 review explains, these headphones have the expansive soundstage you'd expect from a pair of open-backed cans plus supreme comfort, meaning they're a joy for home listening. They have dipped a little lower, so if these are on your wish-list, keep an eye out – although this is still a tidy little saving.

View Deal

The best wired option deals, UK

Save £150.01Sennheiser HD660 S2: was £499 now £348.99 at Amazon

With an extreme frequency range of 8Hz to 41,500Hz and 42mm high-performance transducers, the HD660 S2 are capable of confident sound that doesn't duck any part of the mix from sub to treble. And with this huge £150 discount, you can get their pro-level sound for much less. And yes, for clarity, this is the lowest we've ever seen them sell for – and as our glowing Sennheiser HD660 S2 review explains, these headphones have the expansive soundstage you'd expect from a pair of open-backed cans plus supreme comfort, meaning they're a joy for home listening. 

View DealSave 43% (£300)Sennheiser IE 600: was £699 now £399 at sennheiser-hearing.com

I adore my own set of IE 600 (and the wider TechRadar team has written odes to their pairs), so even though the deal is available only on Sennheiser's website at the time of writing, I'm listing it here because I want you to have at the saving. For clarity, it's an excellent deal, if you're prepared to start another online shopping cart: the cheapest they've ever been on Amazon is £449 to date. They're fashioned from a metal called ZR01 amorphous zirconium. Sounds premium, right? That's because it is – it's the same metal used for the drilling head of NASA's Mars Rover. And the sound? Oh, don't get me started (but do go to our Sennheiser IE 600 review if you need to know more).

View DealToday's best Sennheiser IE600 and Sennheiser HD660 S2 dealsSennheiser IE600 SG$1,199 SG$589View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

The best sports-specific open earbuds / bone conduction headphones

(Image credit: Future)

5. Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 / Shokz OpensDots One

I've actually got a dedicated feature on the only open earbuds you should look for this Black Friday, if that's what you came here looking for. But this is my pick of the bunch in that world.

For a few years following their release, I liked the idea of open earbuds (great for road running and cycling – you can still hear traffic!) but not the notably thin sound quality that felt a little lean and lacked bass. But that has all changed now. These little beauties are much better now.

The biggest compliment I can pay the Shokz OpenDots One is that our reviewer genuinely forget they were open-fit cuff-style buds, during testing – and he felt that they challenged Bose's Ultra Open buds, for a lot less. The feature-set is incredible for the humble asking fee, including a splash-proof IP54 rating.

And what of the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2? Well, they're excellent for wearing while running and utilise bone conduction tech to bring you the goods. How's the sound? Exceptional for this kind of design, friend! If you need more options, see our guide to the best bone conduction headphones but do note, the best deal I've found is right here.

Not your set? See also Shokz OpenFit Air or Honor Earbuds Open

The best sports-specific earbuds and headphones deals, US

Save 40% ($80)Shokz OpenDots One: was $199.95 now $119.95 at Amazon

At the time of writing, this deal only has 15 hours to run in this Amazon limited-time deal, so I'd best get cracking! They only arrived in May 2025, so this is the first time our price trackers have ever spotted a discount on them. How good are they? Very very good, as out glowing Shokz OpenDots One review proves. Again, this deal won't last long though – quick!

View DealSave 31% ($55)Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: was $179.95 now $124.95 at Amazon

A $55 saving on the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 is not to be sniffed at, especially as it's the biggest discount these headphones have ever had – they briefly dropped to $139 before now, but never this low! Available in both standard and mini sizes in three colors, the Pro 2 uses bone conduction and air conduction to deliver great sound on multiple fronts, all while keeping you aware of your surroundings. Calling someone? An AI noise reduction algorithm filters out 96.5% of background noise.

View Deal

The best sports-specific headphones and earbuds deals, UK

Save 20% (£34)Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: was £169 now £135 at Amazon

Save big on the OpenRun Pro 2 in the UK too. They are the best running headphones available right now, at the lowest price they've ever been – a solid Black Friday no-brainer for the long-distance runner in your life.

View DealSave 20% (£35)Shokz OpenDots One: was £179 now £144 at Amazon

At the time of writing, this deal only has 15 hours to run in this Amazon limited-time deal, so I'd best get cracking! They only arrived in May 2025, so this is the first time our price trackers have ever spotted a discount on them. How good are they? Very very good, as out glowing Shokz OpenDots One review proves. Again, this deal won't last long though – quick!

View DealToday's best Huawei FreeArc and Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction Headphones dealsShokz OpenRun Pro 2 Bone Conduction SG$269 SG$249View DealSee all pricesWe check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

More Black Friday deals in the US

• Amazon: 45% off TVs, AirPods, air fryers & vacuums
• Apple: iPads, AirPods & MacBooks from $119
• Best Buy: $1,000 off TVs, laptops & headphones
• Dell: laptop deals from $249.99
• Home Depot: 40% off appliances, furniture, grills & tools
• Lenovo: 45% off laptops & tablets
• Lowe's: up to 30% off appliances, holiday decor & tools
• Samsung: up to $2,000 off appliances, TVs & phones
• Target: 40% off Christmas decor, clothing & furniture
• T-Mobile: up to $1,100 off latest iPhone 17
• Walmart: furniture, cheap TVs & vacs from $69
• Wayfair: 54% off Christmas, furniture & decor

More Black Friday deals in the UK

• Amazon: up to 66% off tech & essentials
• AO: up to £500 off Dyson, Bosch & Hisense
• Argos: up to 50% off appliances, tech & toys
• Boots: save on 1,000s of beauty products
• Currys: deals on Ninja, Shark & Lenovo
• Dell: laptops from £279
• Dyson: up to £550 off vacuums
• EE: Switch 2 bundles from £20/month
• John Lewis: up to 50% off tech & fashion
• Lego: sets & accessories from £2.99
• Samsung: deals on appliances & phones
• Very: up to 40% off tech, toys & fashion

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Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. TOPICS Black Friday CATEGORIES Seasonal Sales Earbuds & Airpods Becky ScarrottSocial Links NavigationAudio Editor

Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.  

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