I'm a shopping editor — 17 of the best Black Friday headphone deals
Black Friday 2023 is just over a month away and, as the biggest sales event of the year, it’s the perfect opportunity to save yourself some money on those running headphones you’ve been eyeing up for some time.
We've tested a number of the best wireless headphones for running at RW, so we know what makes a great pair. And – even better news – last year we saw many of these products discounted over Black Friday weekend. We’re talking up to 50% off the likes of Bose, Sony, Shokz and more.
But, if you're familiar with Black Friday, you'll know that many retailers begin dropping their prices in the days and weeks prior. So whether you’re looking to zone out to your favourite podcast during a long run or crank up the tunes as you smash those intervals, we'll be bringing you all the best early deals as and when they arrive.
Plus, don’t forget to check out our guide to the best Black Friday health and fitness deals for even more discounted tech and gear.
Best early Black Friday headphone deals to shop now
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Where can I find the best Black Friday headphone deals?
The beauty of Black Friday is that, unlike Amazon Prime Day, discounts aren't limited to just the one retailer. You can find discounts on tech across a range of brands, including some of the following:
Amazon: In October's Amazon Prime Day sale we saw up to 58% off Sony, Bose, Shokz and more.
John Lewis: You can always find great offers on Apple, Jlab Audio and Bose headphones here.
Argos: Look out for price cuts on Jlab earbuds, Bose QuietComfort and more.
Currys: Not one to miss out on the Black Friday action, don't miss discounts on the likes of JABRA, Beats and Shokz.
JBL: The headphone giant offers an outlet sale all year round, but expect further discounts over Black Friday.
Are Apple Airpods Pro in the Black Friday sale?
Last year, Apple's latest AirPods Pro (2nd gen) saw their first ever discount in the Black Friday sale – but only by 8%. Apple is remaining tight lipped about this year's sale, but we'd put our money on a similar discount. It's not a huge saving by any means, but if you've got your heart set on a pair of AirPods you may as well take advantage of any discount. Otherwise, there are plenty of bigger savings on other headphones.
Finding a pair of running headphones that sound great, fit comfortably and don't break the bank can be a tall ask, but with the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales in full swing, you can nab huge savings on the likes of Beats, Sony, Apple, Bose, Shokz and more.
Whether you’re after a pair of the best wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, bone conduction headphones for safer listening, or even over-ear headphones for unrivalled sound quality, Black Friday and Cyber Monday are the best times to upgrade your audio experience at a bargain price.
The best offer we've found so far is a whopping 57% off the Beats Powerbeats Pro at Argos (you'll need to apply code BEATS20 at checkout for the full discount). The Shokz OpenRun are also 32% off at Amazon (now just £89), while the Jabra Elite 8 Active are down to £99 — that's half-price!
And it’s not just running headphones you can expect to save on ahead of the festive season. There's set to be plenty more discounted tech throughout November, from cut-price running watches to the best compression boots to aid your recovery.
Black Friday 2024: Everything you need to know
Where can I find Black Friday headphone deals?
Amazon: Up to 50% off Bose, Jabra, Shokz and more
Argos: Seriously impressive price cuts on Beats and Jabra earbuds
Currys: Unmissable discounts on the likes of Jabra and Beats.
Black Friday headphone deals to shop now
Jabra Elite 8 Active
Jabra’s award-winning in-ear Elite 8 Active headphones are among the best running headphones you can buy. They boast unrivalled durability, brilliantly light, wing-tip-free secure fit, an excellent 14-hour buds battery life with up to 56 hours in the case. Plus very good customisable sound.
The compact case is running belt friendly and there’s a comprehensive suite of additional features, including ANC, Hearthough and Find My Buds.
Beats Powerbeats Pro Wireless
APPLY CODE BEATS20 FOR THE FULL DISCOUNT AT ARGOS
The punchy bass on these headphones is great for pacing and their adjustable hooks fit around the ear to make sure they stay in place throughout any workout. Despite having a bulkier design than most, courtesy of the hooks, we found them supremely comfortable to wear.
OpenRun
These bone conductor headphones are perfect for listening out for ambient noise, such as a passing car, whilst also tuning into your favourite playlist or podcast. They have eight hours play time and are waterproof, meaning sweat and rain won't damage your listening experience. They are also England Athletics recommended, making them permissible for the vast majority of races.
OpenRun Pro
The OpenRun Pro feature upgraded bone conduction tech that delivers marginally better sound than the cheaper OpenRun. But the main reason to splash a little extra to go Pro is the 2 hours extra runtime battery and a faster charging time. If you're not bothered by that go for the OpenRun – now offering the same 30% off.
Bose Ultra Open In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds
These are designed for music lovers who want immersive sound without losing awareness of their surroundings. Featuring an open-ear design and Bose's signature Immersive Audio, the sound quality is also among the best for open-ear options (though still may not be good enough for true audiophiles). There’s also a neat 'Auto volume' in the app which makes the earbuds adjust the volume based on your surroundings — the idea being that if you're moving between noisy and quieter environments, you don't have to be constantly toggling the volume.
Enjoy up to 7 hours of listening time (4 hours with Immersive Audio active) and an additional 2.5 charges from the compact case. The buds fully recharge in just 60 minutes, too.
Fit Pro
These Beats in-ear buds have been built specifically to soundtrack your runs, your training and your gym work. They have secure-fit wingtips that stay-put during workouts and deliver good all-day comfort. They pack powerful, balanced sound, and up to 6 hours of listening time. They’re light, compact and comfortable in the ears on runs, even up to marathon time. Run time battery without ANC stretches to 7 hours, 30 in total with the charging case.
Beats Studio Buds
These are made for those who prioritise sound quality, with a custom acoustic platform delivering powerful, balanced sound. Choose to let in or drown out the world around you with active noise-cancellation or transparency modes, and enjoy up to eight hours of listening time (24 hours with case).
Apple Airpods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB‑C)
These popular AirPods are rarely discounted, so 22% off for Black Friday is a huge steal. Thanks to a new H2 chip and amplifier, the 2nd generation has a noticeably deeper bass and clearer sound. Transparency mode, too, is greatly improved with less of the crackle you get when wind passes over microphones that pump in external audio. On the run, they feel lightweight and comfortable and the fit is reassuringly secure.
Sport X10
These over the ear headphones twist 210 degrees, enabling you to find the perfect spot for your ears. They are fully waterproof and have SweatGuard technology which protects against the corrosive properties of sweat. Comfortable to wear with great delivery on the bass, you'll get eight hours of playtime on a single charge.
Solo Buds
Beats Solo Buds combine ultra-portable simplicity with a compact design, secure fit, basic but easy-to-use controls, big battery life and solid sound performance. The run-friendly case is tiny and happily stashable. The only thing to watch: there’s no IP Rating to guarantee water- or sweat-proofing. Though we’ve run with them in milder conditions and ours are still going strong. These are great for office, commute and the occasional gym run.
Apple AirPods (4th Generation) with Active Noise Cancellation
The newest version of Apple's AirPods have a slightly updated design from the 3rd gen to make them more comfortable for longer wear. You can charge this model wirelessly on a MagSafe charger or via a USB-C cable. Noise cancelling is impressive, though not quite on par with the AirPods Pro 2.
Jabra Elite 4 Wireless Earbuds
The Elite 4 has a slightly lower IP rating than the Jabra Elite 4 Active, so they're not as protected against sweat and water. But otherwise they’re every bit as good. You get excellent sound quality, a light and secure fit and 28 hours battery from the buds and case combo. The controls are actual buttons which we prefer and there’s some nice extras at this price like active noise cancellation, too.
Liberty 4
These noise cancelling ear buds are really effective at blocking out background sound, helping you to get your head down on a tough run. The whooping 50 hour battery will support weeks of running and you don't have to worry about running out of charge on a super long ultra marathon. Wireless charging makes these completely faff free.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
With their small frame, excellent sound quality and competitive battery life, the Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 are a solid option when it comes to running headphones. But they won't be for everyone. If you're a petite runner, or want a cute, discreet set of buds, you'll get on well with these. Android users, or those who have already bought into the Google-experience with a Pixel Watch, will also benefit from the additional features here.
OpenFit Air
All the benefits of awareness-boosting bone conductors but with the fit security of ear-hook buds. The Shokz OpenFit Air offer richer, fuller sound quality than classic bone conductors with the comfort of a lightweight open-ear design. It’s a neat package for running and general use with a competitive 6-hour battery life (28 with the case), good bass for open ear headphones, and decent call quality. But the killer app is the ambient noise awareness that’s really good for races and urban runs.
Beats Fit Pro
The earbuds have been specifically built to help you sweat, with secure-fit wing tips for all-day comfort and stability, powerful, balanced sound, and up to 6 hours of listening time.
Beats Studio3 Wireless
These headphones are an absolute steal with 60% off. The battery will last up to 22 hours and if you're in need of a quick time boost, a 10-minute charge gives 3 hours of play. They feature industry-leading Bluetooth technology meaning no drops out and a richer, smoother sound.
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