The best Black Friday headphone deals: Save big on Apple, Sony, and Bose

Black Friday is upon us, bringing some of the best headphone deals we’ve seen so far this year. Whether you’re after feature-rich cans, a trusty workout companion, or wallet-friendly alternatives, these Black Friday sales have something for you. We’ve found the best wireless headphones you can buy, from budget options to high-end flagship over-ears. We also prioritize each of their major features and how much you can save to see if they are worth your money.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are $270 off

You can make massive savings on the premium Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, which are currently reduced to $179.95 ($270 off). Unlike rival headphones, these use sensible driver tuning to deliver some of the best sound quality in this category. In particular, they have an exceptional representation of 3D space, and their frequency response closely follows our target preference curve. You also receive Bluetooth 5.2 with the SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive codecs. Otherwise, you can connect the 3.5mm jack or the USB cable to listen wired.

The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are a few years old now, so their ANC is no longer industry-leading. Nevertheless, the headphones reduce lower-pitched noise by about 75% and high-pitched sounds by up to 95%. Similarly, while their in-call noise rejection isn’t the best, they enjoy some of the best microphone quality we have tested. The MOMENTUM 4 Wireless have some of the longest battery life of any consumer wireless headphone, too. In particular, they lasted over 56 hours per charge with ANC enabled in our standardized battery tests, far exceeding immediate rivals.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are comfortable headphones with ample soft leatherette padding. They support touch gestures for intuitive device control, include a carry case, and work seamlessly with the Sennheiser Smart Control app. The last unlocks regular firmware updates, Smart Pause, ANC geotags, a comprehensive equalizer, and more. So, while the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless may not technically have the best ANC, they are excellent-sounding headphones with tons to offer, especially at this price.

The Apple AirPods Max are the best for iPhone owners

iPhone owners looking for the best headphone companion can grab the Apple AirPods Max for just $399.99 ($149 off). For the price, you get Apple-centric cans with decent sound quality. Even with the wonky leakage detection feature, the AirPods Max score 4.5 overall in our MDAQS tests. They also score highly in timbre (4.6) and have a clean sound quality that most people will enjoy. With Apple’s H1 chip, the AirPods Max connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.0 over the SBC and AAC codecs. They also support USB-C audio and automatic pairing with devices under the same iCloud account.

Despite their age, the Apple AirPods Max still enjoy one of the best active noise cancellation capabilities on the market. With an ideal fit, the headphones attenuate low-frequency drones by roughly 90%. They also have the best transparency mode feature of all the over-ear headphones we’ve tested in the office. Instead of just lowering the volume of your music, the headphones amplify the external microphones to match your music’s audio level. This means you never miss a beat, both in and outside of your mix. Battery life is decent for daily commutes, lasting just over 20 hours per charge with ANC switched on. Just be mindful that the cans cannot actually be turned off.

The AirPods Max pack plenty of features for iOS fans. For example, they support Apple’s Spatial Audio with head tracking, automatic Apple device switching, and auto-play/pause. You also receive Siri, Apple’s Adaptive EQ, and seamless device pairing. Sure, their microphone quality isn’t going to win any awards, especially when connected to non-Apple devices. Still, the Apple AirPods Max remain the best ANC headphone option for iOS users, especially with this Black Friday discount.

The Sony WH-1000XM6 have the best noise canceling

Those wanting the best available ANC performance should grab the Sony WH-1000XM6 for $398 ($30 off). These outperform even the Apple AirPods Max, quelling low-frequency sounds by around 87% and high-frequency sounds by roughly 95%. This is largely thanks to Sony’s Q3 chip, which cancels an extraordinary amount of noise below 1kHz. Sony also corrected the XM5’s overly bassy sound profile. Consequently, the Sony WH-1000XM6 scored 4.8 overall in our MDAQS tests.

The headphones use Bluetooth 5.3 with support for the LDAC, AAC, SBC, and LC3 codecs. Analog fans can use the included 3.5mm TRRS cable, though USB-C audio is mysteriously absent here. The Sony WH-1000XM6 lasted 37 hours and 14 minutes in our battery tests. This is admirable and competes with some of the best consumer wireless headphones. They also support fast charging, with a 3-minute top-up providing three hours of listening time. The headphones’ 6-mic beamforming array and sophisticated noise-rejection algorithm provide excellent in-call microphone quality.

The Sony Sound Connect app unlocks most of the XM6’s best features. For example, you’ll need it to tinker with the 10-band custom EQ, select equalizer presets, and enable Bluetooth Multipoint. You can also toggle passthrough features, such as Speak-to-Chat and hand gestures. The headphones support spatial audio via the 360 Reality Audio platform and Sony’s upmixing feature. This runs alongside DSEE Extreme, a volume limiter, and many other advanced features. They’re still expensive, but this Sony WH-1000XM6 deal is a must if you want the best of the best.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones save big

Bose is famous for its excellent noise cancellation capabilities, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones deliver for just $299 ($130 off). Thanks to their large, dense ear pads, the headphones dispel environmental noise by an average of 87%. Similarly, Bose’s Aware Mode faithfully represents your surroundings as it doesn’t use aggressive band-limiting. Bass heads will appreciate the QC Ultra’s default sound, and the cans enjoy a decent illusion of 3D space. In particular, they scored 4.8 overall in our MDAQS test, with high timbre (4.9) and immersiveness (4.5) scores.

The Bose QC Ultra Headphones connect wirelessly via Bluetooth 5.3 with the SBC, AAC, and aptX Lossless codecs. There’s also Snapdragon Sound hardware support under the hood, and the cans use a 2.5-to-3.5mm TRS cable for wired audio. Unfortunately, the headphones do not support digital USB-C audio, which falls short of competitors like the Apple AirPods Max. Still, the Bose QC Ultra last nearly 28 hours per charge and can fast-charge for 15 minutes to deliver over two hours of listening time.

Downloading the Bose Music app is handy for little else than installing vital firmware updates. Even then, Bose offers a fantastic web-based tool for installing firmware updates, meaning you can forego the app altogether. Still, those who do can use the app for assigning a shortcut to long-press the volume strip. Specifically, you can choose to get a battery level report, change immersive audio settings, use your voice assistant, or launch Spotify. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are compelling, especially with this Black Friday price reduction.

The JLab JBuds Lux ANC are budget-friendly and feature-rich

The JLab JBuds Lux ANC are among the best cheap headphones on the market, especially for $39.99 ($40 off). This incredible discount shaves 50% off the asking price for a headphone admired for their excellent sound quality and abundant features. For context, our virtual panel of listeners gave the JBuds Lux ANC an overall MDAQS score of 4.5. In particular, the cans have a high immersiveness score of 4.8, meaning they should faithfully reproduce the stereo image. Wireless fans receive Bluetooth 5.3 and the SBC codec, while wired audio enthusiasts can listen losslessly with USB-C.

noise cancelation makes an appearance here, too. While it isn’t as strong as leading brands in this field, the headphones quell low-frequency drones by 50-75%. High incidental noise is dampened more thanks to the headphones’ decent padding and seal. With the right fit, you can expect the JBuds Lux ANC to block up to 46dB of outside noise. Battery life is another impressive feature, lasting 44 hours and 22 minutes per charge cycle. A 1o-minute boost should always award you approximately four hours of ANC-enabled listening time.

The JLab JBuds Lux ANC’s foldable hinges and sensible tactile buttons are a breeze to use. Their multifunction button is also handy for assigning different actions to each of the app’s 1, 2, and 3-tap options. Speaking of which, the JLab app is pivotal to unlocking the headphones’ premium features. These include a 10-band custom EQ, adjustable ANC modes, and a volume limiter. It will also automatically check for firmware updates and bug fixes in the background. When it comes to securing the best features at the lowest price point, this JLab JBuds Lux ANC Black Friday deal takes the cake.

The best Black Friday headphone deals: Notable mentions

• Bose QuietComfort Headphones (): Similar in many ways to the QuietComfort 45, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones enjoy a comfortable design with large ear cups and even weight distribution. ANC is competitive, reducing environmental noise by up to 85%, and their sound quality will appeal to bass heads. The headphones support standard Bluetooth codecs and wired audio via a 3.5mm jack.
• Nothing Headphone (1) (): The Nothing Headphone (1) bring something new to the table. In particular, they sport an IP52-rated exterior, support analog and USB-C audio, and last 42 hours per charge. Their noise cancelation is competitive, and their sound quality is exceptional with some minor tinkering. The comprehensive Nothing X app includes an 8-band custom EQ, among plenty of other features.
• Sony WH-1000XM5 (): The Sony WH-1000XM5 are subject to a major discount and remain a compelling option for ANC fans. Reducing most ambient noise by 30dB, the headphones make passing trains and planes sound roughly one-eighth as loud. Their dark sound quality will appeal to EDM fans, and the cans support the SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs. You can also connect the TRS jack for lossless audio, and the Sony Sound Connect app unlocks tons of flagship features.
• Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e (): The Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e offer excellent sound tuning thanks to their 24-bit DSP for audio processing. They also quell low-frequency sounds by an average of 20dB, and high incidental sounds by an average of 40dB. Their battery life lasts over 40 hours per charge, and a 15-minute top-up delivers seven hours of listening time. You also get Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX adaptive codecs.
• OneOdio Focus A6 (): These budget headphones are ideal for anyone needing top-notch connectivity and powerful ANC. For example, the headphones use Bluetooth 6.0 and support the Hi-Res LDAC codec. The cans also attenuate most ambient noise by 79%, and they yield an overall MDAQS score of 4.4. Battery life should last up to 40 hours with ANC enabled, and the companion app unlocks loads of premium features.
• Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless (): Like the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, the Sennheiser ACCENTUM Wireless offer exceptional battery life, running at over 46 hours per charge. They’re also comfortable, owing to their ample leatherette-coated padding. Wired fans can enjoy USB-C audio, while wireless enthusiasts receive the SBC, mSBC (for voice), AAC, aptX, and aptX HD Bluetooth codecs. Just be mindful that these headphones may need some tinkering with the Sennheiser Smart Control app.
• Beats Studio Pro (): Beats fans wanting decent sound quality and ANC performance may like the Beats Studio Pro. While their smaller ear cups are a strange choice, the headphones last over 30 hours per charge and support USB wired listening. Take this recommendation with a pinch of salt, though, as the confusing indicators, odd fit, and middling microphone quality hold them back.
• JBL Tour One M3 (): The JBL Tour One M3 are among the best noise canceling headphones we have tested so far. These dampen low-frequency sounds by an average of 30dB, and the headphones should last over 55 hours per charge. They also run Bluetooth 5.3 with the SBC, AAC, LDAC, and LC3 codecs. The JBL SMART Tx remote brick is an intelligent addition that works as a transmitter and makes fine adjustments seamlessly.

What you should know about buying wireless headphones

Shopping for wireless headphones is tricky. First and foremost, you need to consider your desired fit. This is critical for achieving a good seal, which will influence the bass response, noise isolation, and battery life as you turn up the volume to compensate. Consider whether you need rotating ear cups, foldable hinges, or thick padding that can accommodate glasses. Don’t assume one size fits all; take time to test different headband shapes and use built-in fit tests when available.

Active noise cancelation is commonplace nowadays, but its execution isn’t uniform. Premium headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Apple AirPods Max deliver industry-leading ANC that almost entirely quiets plane engines and traffic rumble. However, battery life varies dramatically and is no longer defined by price. For example, some premium headphones last just 20 hours per charge, while budget cans may last double that. Consider your daily usage and whether you use high-demanding features frequently. Features like transparency modes, comprehensive EQs, and codec support (LDAC, aptX) can significantly impact your experience, so prioritize what matters most to you.

How we test the best headphones

We test all of our wireless headphones with our rigorous lab setup. This includes the industry-standard Bruel & Kjaer 5128 head-and-torso simulator (HATS), which replicates human ear anatomy. With ANC testing, we measure how effectively a pair of headphones cancels sound across different frequencies by playing calibrated pink noise and comparing the levels with ANC on and off. We also measure passive isolation to understand how much noise reduction the physical seal alone creates.

At SoundGuys, we take the time to conduct real-world testing. This is important because lab conditions can’t replicate every scenario. We test each pair of headphones during commutes, workouts, and in various noisy environments to evaluate comfort, stability, and ANC performance over time. We give particular focus to how each headphone handles wind noise, sudden pressure changes, and fit during movement. Battery testing follows our standardized protocol, playing real music at 75dB SPL until the headphones deplete entirely. We also evaluate call quality, app functionality, and codec performance to provide you with the most complete and up-to-date information.