The best headphone deals you'll find this Black Friday!
There are a lot of options available out there if you're in the market for Bluetooth headphones. There's a decent amount of variety to choose from as well: some of them are totally wireless, some of them go in your ears, some of them on your ears, some with noise cancellation, and well, you get the point. Picking the right pair of headphones can be a hard task, but there are a few things to take into consideration before clicking the buy button on a pair during Black Friday.
Let's break down some of the differences, what to look for, and see what kind of deals are available right now.
Over-ears, on-ears, earbuds, and true wireless: Which should you buy?Headphones come in a lot of sizes and designs, but they can largely be categorized into four segments: on-ear, over-ear, earbuds, and true wireless. Choosing between the four is a matter of personal preference, but let's take a look at how the various styles differ.
Over-ear headphones feature large ear pads that fully encircle your ear, providing a comfortable fit for all-day listening. The design also allows for a tight seal around your ears, and that's why most headphones that offer noise cancellation are built around an over-ear structure. As the drivers in these headphones are located away from your ear, you get a wide soundstage that's closer to what you'd hear from a speaker. The downside is that most over-ear headphones tend to be bulky.
On-ear headphones rest on the outer ears (hence the name), and usually tend to be compact. They have small ear cups and a lightweight design, which is great for portability. Most on-ear models also fold down, making them the ideal option for daily commutes. That said, you're trading portability for sound quality, as most on-ear options have smaller drivers because of size constraints. Also, as these headphones sit on your ears, they're not as comfortable as over-ear models.
Earbuds are available in two distinct styles: regular earbuds like the ones bundled with your phone rest outside your ear canal, and in-ear headphones. In-ear headphones are designed to fit inside your ear canal, providing a tight seal and great noise isolation. In-ear headphones are a decent option if you have issues with the way regular earbuds fit around your ears, and they're also better suited for workouts as they're less prone to fall out. But in-ear options usually tend to be costlier than your average earbuds.
In recent years, we've seen a wave of true wireless headphones in the market. As the name suggests, these headphones don't have a connecting cord between the two earbuds, which allows for more freedom. These headphones tend to feature a mic in each earbud, and are increasingly becoming popular for their lightweight design and portability.
Now that you understand the differences between various styles of headphones, let's break down some of the differentiating features.
Wireless vs. True Wireless: What's the difference?Wireless headphones have been around for a while now, but in recent years we've seen the emergence of true wireless options. The main difference between the two is that with true wireless, there is no cord between the two earbuds, making them truly portable. As there's no wire in between, each earbud houses its own battery and mic, with playback controls usually located on one earbud.
The true wireless design is great for workouts or your daily commute, but because of the inherent nature of the earbuds, battery life tends to be limited when compared to regular wireless options. That said, true wireless earbuds come in a charging case that holds a battery for charging the earbuds on the go. You'll just need to charge the case instead of the individual earbuds.
Bluetooth 5.0: Do my headphones need this?Bluetooth 5.0 is the latest version of the Bluetooth standard, providing better range and lower latency. The smartphone industry went all-in on Bluetooth 5.0, and if you're reading this on a phone that you picked up in the last two years, there's a good chance it has Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Audio manufacturers haven't embraced the technology with as much zeal, with most major brands still offering headphones based on Bluetooth 4.0 or 4.2. One of the main benefits of Bluetooth 5.0 is better battery life for products like headphones, but audio makers have resorted to using different techniques of their own to maximize battery life over the years. For instance, Sony's popular WH-1000XM3 works off of Bluetooth 4.2, but it has 20-hour battery life. So no, you don't need to buy headphones with Bluetooth 5.0 just yet.
What about noise cancelling? Do my headphones really need it?Based on your use case, noise cancellation could be the defining attribute when picking up a new pair of headphones. If you travel a lot or take public transportation, having a pair of headphones that can effectively tune out ambient noise makes all the difference in the world. Most high-end headphones let you select the level of noise isolation as well, providing a decent middle-ground.
Noise cancelling headphones are particularly useful for flights, giving you the ability to drone out the sounds of the engines, fellow passengers, and importantly, crying babies. They're also a great option if you're home and want to focus on work by tuning out all external sounds.
Does brand name really matter for wireless headphones?Broadly, no. More often than not, you're paying a premium for the brand name. Most budget options that cost around $50 to $100 deliver the same sound quality as headphones that cost thrice as much. The only time you should invest in a high-end pair of headphones is for a standout feature that you won't find on an affordable option, such as noise cancellation. There are budget headphones that offer noise cancellation, but it isn't nearly as good as what you'd find on the latest from Sony or Bose.
What's the minimum I should spend on wireless headphones?There used to be a point when decent wireless headphones cost well over $100, but that isn't true anymore. Nowadays, you can find a pair of Bluetooth headphones with the high-fidelity AptX codec for well under $50. Figure out what style suits you best - over-ear, in-ear, or true wireless - and pick a budget. There's a good chance that you'll be able to find a pair of headphones to your liking during Black Friday.
Best Black Friday wireless headphone dealsJabra Elite 65tJabra's Elite 65t are a true standout in the true wireless space. They've been around for a few years, and they continue to be one of the best-selling pair of true wireless earbuds. And for just $100, they're one of the best deals you'll find this Black Friday. They offer a robust build quality with excellent sound and long-lasting battery life, and the IP55 rating doesn't hurt either.
Truly greatJabra Elite 65t
$100 at Amazon $100 at Walmart
True wireless with the best value.
The Elite 65t provide a secure fit that ensures they don't fall out even during strenuous workouts. They last five hours between charges, provide great sound, offer IP55 dust and water resistant, and come with Assistant and Alexa integration.
Plantronics Backbeat Pro 2The Backbeat Pro 2 stands out because it has active noise cancellation, and while it isn't on the same level as Sony or Bose, it costs half as much. You also get great range - these will work 100ft away from your phone - the design is ideally suited for all-day listening sessions. At $50 off their retail price, they're a great choice if you want a mid-range option that's on par with the big players.
Excellent valuePlantronics Backbeat Pro 2
$150 at Amazon $160 at Walmart
Outstanding sound quality, comfortable fit.
The Backbeat Pro 2 provide a comfortable fit for all-day listening, and that's backed up by great sound quality. They also fold down, making them portable, and offer a 24-hour battery life. They even have excellent noise isolation.
Klipsch T5Klipsch is known for its speakers, but the T5 earbuds have a lot to offer as well. They have AptX and AAC compatibility, and come with Bluetooth 5.0. At $50 off their retail price, they're a decent choice if you're looking for true wireless earbuds.
Supreme comfortKlipsch T5
Upgrade your audio.
The Klipsch T5 deliver a comfortable fit thanks to the in-ear design, and you get excellent noise isolation. Combine that with Bluetooth 5.0, AptX as well as AAC codec compatbility, and an eight-hour battery life and it's easy to see why they're so good.
Sennheiser HD 4.50Sennheiser's HD 4.50 usually retail for $180, so the fact that they're on sale for close to $100 is a big deal. You get a neutral sound signature from the HD 4.50, but what makes them truly stand out is the noise isolation: they do a great job cutting down on the ambient noise levels in your surroundings.
Blissful isolationSennheiser HD 4.50
$104 at Amazon $120 at Walmart
Tune out the world.
These headphones combine a balanced sound signature with outstanding noise isolation. The active noise cancellation does a fantastic job eliminating ambient noise, they fold down for easy portability, and last all day on a full charge.
TaoTronics SoundSurge 60The SoundSurge 60 has noise isolation that's on par with models that cost thrice as much. They also feature Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, large 40mm drivers for booming sound, and a comfortable design with plush earpads that are ideal for all-day listening.
Budget beastTaoTronics SoundSurge 60
The ideal showcase for the budget segment.
Don't be fooled by the price; these headphones put out sound that's on par with models that cost thrice as much. You also get active noise cancellation with the latest Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, fast charging, and a fold-down design for easy carrying.
Anker Soundcore Spirit X, Soundcore Life Q10Anker has made a name for itself in the budget space for offering high-quality accessories at a low price, and for Black Friday it is discounting several products. The Soundcore Spirit X workout earbuds are a fantastic choice for under $50, offering a 12-hour battery life and IPX7 dust and water resistance. At just $36, they're an absolute steal.
In a similar vein, the Soundcore Life Q10 are a solid choice as they provide truly astonishing sound from the large 40mm drivers. But what's even more impressive is the battery life: with a 60-our playtime between charges, you only have to charge these once a week.
Boost your workoutsAnker Soundcore Spirit X
The best budget workout earbuds around.
These earbuds feature an IPX7 sweat-proof design that should allow them to weather the most intense of workouts with ease, and they come with a variety of ear tips. You get in-line controls, 12-hour battery life, and decent noise isolation.
Hi-Res on a budgetAnker Soundcore Life Q10
Big on sound, low on price.
Anker's Soundcore Life Q10 are Hi-Res certified, so you know you'll get good sound out of these headphones. The large 40mm drivers combined with Anker's BassUp tech manage to deliver booming sound, and you get an astounding 60-hour battery life between charges. There's fast charge over USB-C as well, and the headphones fold down.