These early Black Friday headphone deals give you the most bang for your buck

Early Black Friday headphone deals are already here, and the range, I’d say, is wider than usual. I’ve spent time reviewing current prices and pulled six deals that clearly stand out. They run from a $44.99 Anker Soundcore to the $449.99 AirPods Max 2, with great models from Beats, Nothing, Bose, and Sony in between.

Anker Soundcore Q20i (Black) – $44.99 (36% off)

I’d recommend the Soundcore Q20i to a commuter or student who wants noise-canceling but doesn’t want to empty their wallet. The headphones offer up to 40 hours of listening time with ANC on, and that’s one of the reasons I like them. You can pair them with a phone and a laptop at once, or use them with one device.

Beats Solo 4 – $129.95 (35% off)

I’d pick the early Black Friday deal on the Beats Solo 4 for someone who’s always in a hurry and often forgets to charge their headphones. They last around 40 hours on a full charge, which you could easily spread across seven days (unless you wear them all the time). Even if you forget to charge them, plugging them in for just 10 minutes gets you up to five hours of playback. They don’t have noise cancellation, though.

Nothing Headphone (1) – $169 (43% off)

Like pretty much every Nothing product, the Nothing Headphone (1) are guaranteed to turn a few heads, no matter where you take them. But they’re more than their head-turning looks. They’re pretty loaded on the spec sheet, too. Audio nerds will appreciate the Hi-Res audio support via LDAC, while the battery life is another big selling point. You get up to 70 hours of listening time with ANC off or around 30 hours with ANC on (based on real-world usage). 

Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen, Black) – $279 (22% off)

We’re in the big leagues now, and the Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) are an easy pick. These are best known for their noise cancelation (with different listening modes) and the wider, more natural soundstage (with Bose TrueSpatial technology). Audiophiles can also enjoy lossless audio via USB-C. Battery life is also quite decent: up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio. 

Sony WH-1000XM6 – $378 (18% off)

While Bose QuietComfort headphones are pretty good, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 pulls ahead in a few key areas. Its dynamic noise cancellation adjusts to your surroundings, you get more room to fine-tune the sound with a 10-band EQ, and wireless audio quality gets a boost through DSEE Extreme and LDAC support. If you’re particular about noise cancellation and sound customization, Sony makes a compelling case.

Apple AirPods Max 2 – $449.99 (18% off)

For iPhone owners who have everything but a great pair of headphones, there’s little better (or cheaper) than the AirPods Max 2. That’s exactly why this 18% early Black Friday discount matters. You get excellent noise cancellation, intuitive Adaptive Audio features, and Live Translation (works with compatible iPhones). If you’ve been eyeing Apple’s premium headphones, this is a good opportunity to save a little on the asking price.