This guide records U.S. Black Friday prices observed on November 25, 2022. The offers are historical, not current 2026 deals. Recommendations reflect the products’ reviewed performance and use-case fit—not simply the largest percentage discount. See the original Engadget roundup for the contemporaneous deal coverage.
Quick picks
| Need | 2022 pick | Observed price | Why it stood out | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best premium over-ear | Sony WH-1000XM5 | $348 | Excellent all-round ANC, comfort and calls | Does not fold as compactly as the XM4 |
| Best value premium over-ear | Sony WH-1000XM4 | $228 | Flagship-like features for about $100 below typical street price | Bulkier, older microphones and ANC |
| Strongest earbud ANC | Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II | $249 | Reported $50 tracked low and exceptional isolation | No wireless charging or multipoint; large housings |
| Best for iPhone | AirPods Pro (2nd generation) | $200 | Apple integration, transparency and spatial-audio features | Average battery life; weaker value on Android |
| Best Android-focused pick | Google Pixel Buds Pro | $150 | Natural fit for Google phones and services | Platform-specific features are less useful outside Android |
| Best sound | Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 | $200 | Detailed sound with effective adaptive ANC | Fewer ecosystem conveniences |
| Best budget earbuds | Jabra Elite 3 | $50 | Comfortable, water-resistant and customizable | No ANC, wireless charging, auto-pause or multipoint |
| Best inexpensive ANC | Anker Soundcore Space A40 | $80 | Compact, comfortable, multipoint and long battery | ANC and default treble trail premium models |
| Best workout earbuds | Beats Fit Pro | $160 | Secure fit and useful Apple features | No wireless charging; only adequate ANC |
| Cheapest backup | JLab Go Air Pop | $10 at Walmart | Usable controls, IPX4 and about eight hours per charge | Basic sound and construction; no ANC |
“Lowest” and “all-time low” descriptions below are claims reported by Engadget’s November 2022 coverage, not independently verified guarantees that no retailer ever sold a product for less.
Best over-ear and on-ear headphone deals
Sony WH-1000XM5 — $348
The XM5 was $50 below its normal price and matched the lowest price tracked in the roundup. Its active noise cancellation was particularly strong against voices and mid- and high-frequency sounds, while the light fit, improved call quality and more-than-30-hour battery made it the best general premium choice. The bass-forward sound could be customized. Choose it for travel, office use and mixed listening; skip it if compact folding matters more than the newest design.
Sony WH-1000XM4 — $228
The predecessor delivered a similar broad feature set, effective ANC and comparable battery life for approximately $100 below its typical street price. It folds, making it easier to pack, and was the clearest value route into Sony’s flagship experience. The trade-offs were a bulkier fit, weaker microphones, older tuning and less effective high-frequency ANC than the XM5.
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Bose QuietComfort 45 — $249
At roughly $60 below its average street price, the QC45 offered a comfortable, foldable design, physical buttons and a more neutral default sound than Sony’s models. Its ANC was capable, but the cited comparison gave Sony stronger overall performance, longer battery life and more customization.
Sennheiser Momentum 4 — $293
The Momentum 4 was described as an all-time low at about $50 below its recent street price. Its roughly 60-hour rated battery life was the standout, and the cited review preferred its default sound to the XM5. Buy it for endurance and sound; choose Sony instead when maximum ANC and a wider smart-feature set are priorities.
Anker Soundcore Life Q30 — $60 for Amazon Prime members
This was a membership-specific price. It represented an inexpensive entry to over-ear ANC, but the source did not establish the same performance, materials or call quality as the premium models. Confirm membership eligibility and the exact listing before treating the price as available.
Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT — $59
The wireless M20xBT was $20 off. It was a straightforward Bluetooth option rather than a noise-cancelling travel headset, so it made sense for basic listening when ANC was not required.
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- LONG BATTERY LIFE: With up to 50-hour battery life and quick charging, you’ll have enough power for multi-day road trips and long festival weekends.(USB Type-C Cable included)
- HIGH QUALITY SOUND: Great sound quality customizable to your music preference with EQ Custom on the Sony | Headphones Connect App.
- LIGHT & COMFORTABLE: The lightweight build and swivel earcups gently slip on and off, while the adjustable headband, cushion and soft ear pads give you all-day comfort.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR CALLS: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
Best true-wireless earbud deals
Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $200
At $50 below Apple’s MSRP—and approximately $40 below the recent retailer price cited in the coverage—the AirPods Pro 2 were reported at an all-time low. They combined effective ANC, excellent transparency, Adaptive Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio and touch volume control with unusually smooth Apple-device integration. Battery life was only average, and Android users lost much of the value and convenience.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II — $249
Engadget reported this as a $50 discount and new low. They delivered the strongest earbud noise cancellation in that roundup, making them the travel, commuting and office-isolation choice. Bulky earpieces, no wireless charging and no multipoint are significant if you change devices often or demand a small case.
Sony WF-1000XM4 — $178
The WF-1000XM4 offered strong ANC, customizable sound, wireless charging, Speak-to-Chat and approximately eight to 10 hours per charge. Foam tips added passive isolation. Large earpieces could be uncomfortable; Bose isolated better, while Sony LinkBuds S were lighter and more compact.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 — $200
These earbuds targeted listeners who put detailed, engaging sound first. Adaptive ANC was effective and battery life was about eight hours per charge. They lacked the breadth of convenience and ecosystem features found on Sony’s competing model.
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- LONG BATTERY LIFE: With up to 50-hour battery life and quick charging, you’ll have enough power for multi-day road trips and long festival weekends. (USB Type-C Cable included)
- HIGH QUALITY SOUND: Great sound quality customizable to your music preference with EQ Custom on the Sony | Headphones Connect App.
- LIGHT & COMFORTABLE: The lightweight build and swivel earcups gently slip on and off, while the adjustable headband, cushion and soft ear pads give you all-day comfort.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR CALLS: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
Sony LinkBuds S — $128
The LinkBuds S were a lighter, more compact Sony alternative with ecosystem-neutral appeal. They were particularly sensible for mixed-device households that value a smaller fit over the WF-1000XM4’s larger battery-and-isolation package.
Google Pixel Buds Pro — $150
The Pixel Buds Pro were the natural Android and Google-phone alternative in the deal list. Their value depended on using Google’s ecosystem; iPhone buyers should compare them with platform-neutral models rather than assume feature parity.
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro — $180
Samsung’s $180 deal was the ecosystem-specific choice for Galaxy owners. Buyers outside Samsung’s phones should weigh whether its proprietary conveniences justify choosing it over Sony, Bose, Sennheiser or Soundcore.
Jabra Elite 3 — $50
The Elite 3 supplied strong budget fundamentals: a comfortable, lightweight design, water resistance, roughly seven hours of battery life and a mildly bass-emphasized sound that could be customized after a software update. It had no ANC, wireless charging, automatic pausing or multipoint. The $80 Jabra Elite 4 Active added basic ANC and a stronger IP57 rating for workout use.
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- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
Anker Soundcore Space A40 — $80
The Space A40 was the strongest under-$100 ANC value: compact, comfortable, multipoint-capable and rated for approximately 10 hours per charge. Its ANC was weaker than premium competitors, default tuning lacked some treble presence, and the useful equalizer required app setup. Touch controls were limited.
JLab Go Air Pop — $10 at Walmart
At $10, the Go Air Pop made sense as a spare, travel backup or pair for a child—not as a substitute for $150–$250 earbuds. It offered IPX4 water resistance, physical controls and about eight hours per charge, but basic sound, inexpensive construction and no ANC.
Other Beats deals
Beats Fit Pro — $160
The Fit Pro’s secure wingtip-style fit suited exercise. Apple users gained Find My, fast switching, hands-free Siri and easy pairing, while Android support was more useful than with standard AirPods. ANC was merely adequate beside Bose and Sony; the case was bulky, there was no wireless charging and no built-in volume control.
Beats Powerbeats Pro — $150
Ear hooks and roughly nine to 11 hours per charge made the Powerbeats Pro secure for movement. They had no ANC, a very large case and no formal IP rating cited in the coverage, so do not treat them as a clearly water-resistant alternative to workout earbuds with an explicit rating.
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- Block the World, Keep the Music: Four built-in mics work together to filter out background noise — whether you're in a packed office, on a crowded commute, or moving through a busy street — so every beat comes through clean and clear. (Not available in AUX-in mode.)
- Two Ways to Hear More: BassUp technology delivers deep, punchy bass and crisp highs in wireless mode — then step it up further by plugging in the included AUX cable to unlock Hi‑Res certified audio for studio-level clarity.
- 40 Hours. 5-Minute Top-Up: With ANC on, a single charge keeps you listening through days of commutes and long-haul flights. Running low? Just 5 minutes plugged in gives you 4 more hours — so you're never stuck waiting.
- Two Devices, Zero Hassle: Stay connected to your laptop and phone at the same time. Audio switches automatically to whichever device needs you — so a call never interrupts your flow, and getting back to your playlist is just as easy. Designed for commuters and remote workers who move smoothly between work and personal listening throughout the day.
- Your Sound, Your Rules: The soundcore app puts everything at your fingertips — dials your ideal EQ with presets or build your own, flip between ANC, Normal, and Transparency modes on the fly, or wind down with built-in white noise. One app, total control.
Beats Studio Buds — $90
The Studio Buds were a lower-priced Beats option with basic ANC and broad iOS/Android usefulness. They were less feature-rich than AirPods Pro 2 and less workout-secure than Fit Pro.
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- iPhone: AirPods Pro 2 for the fullest integration; Beats Fit Pro when a more secure workout fit is needed. Open-fit AirPods 2 ($79) and AirPods 3 ($140) preserve ambient awareness, but their fit is not universal.
- Android: Pixel Buds Pro at $150 for Google users, or Sony, Sennheiser, Jabra and Soundcore for more platform-neutral use. Standard AirPods were much less compelling on Android.
- Samsung Galaxy: Galaxy Buds 2 Pro at $180 if Samsung-specific features matter.
- Travel and maximum isolation: Bose QC Earbuds II for earbuds; Sony WH-1000XM5 for over-ear comfort and broad features.
- Office calls: XM5’s improved microphones were preferable to the older XM4; premium earbuds trade some microphone and battery consistency for portability.
- Sound quality: Momentum True Wireless 3 for earbuds, or Momentum 4 for over-ear listening and endurance.
- Battery life: Momentum 4’s roughly 60 hours per charge was the clear over-ear leader. Earbud figures of seven to 10 hours are single-charge estimates; case totals vary by model.
- Under $100: Space A40 at $80 for ANC and multipoint, Jabra Elite 3 at $50 when ANC is unnecessary, or Go Air Pop at $10 for backup duty.
How to judge whether a Black Friday price was genuinely good
Separate tracked lows from ordinary markdowns
A product can be below MSRP without being below its normal street price. The XM5’s $50 reduction was modest but matched a tracked low; the XM4’s larger dollar saving reflected an older model after its successor launched. Apple’s $200 AirPods Pro 2 price was $50 below MSRP, but the practical saving against recent retailer prices was closer to $40.
Match ANC to the actual requirement
“Noise cancelling” is not one performance tier. Ear-tip seal, passive isolation, microphone processing and the frequencies being reduced all matter. Bose QC Earbuds II led for maximum isolation; Sony’s XM5 and WF-1000XM4 combined strong ANC with broader features; Space A40 and Life Q30 supplied capable budget ANC; Fit Pro, Studio Buds and Elite 4 Active were more secondary solutions.
Check fit, folding and water ratings
Over-ear headphones are generally better for long listening but less pocketable. XM4 and QC45 fold; XM5 does not fold as compactly. Large WF-1000XM4 housings may be uncomfortable, while Fit Pro’s wingtip and Powerbeats Pro’s hooks improve security during movement. IP55, IP57 and IPX4 indicate resistance under specified test conditions, not suitability for swimming.
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Account for retailer conditions
Prices could change by retailer, color, stock, time of day, membership and price matching. The Life Q30 figure required Amazon Prime. Historical retailer pages may now redirect to newer products, so verify current price, warranty, returns and stock rather than assuming a 2022 listing remains active. Retailers represented in the coverage included Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy and B&H.
Deals to approach cautiously
- Do not buy AirPods solely because they are discounted when your phone is Android.
- Do not choose Powerbeats Pro for ANC; they do not have it.
- Do not choose Jabra Elite 3 when ANC or multipoint is essential.
- Do not expect a $10 Go Air Pop pair to replace a premium travel headset.
- Do not pay extra for XM5 if foldability and value make XM4 the better fit.
- Do not choose Bose QC Earbuds II when wireless charging or multipoint is a requirement.
Historical-price note
Every price in this article refers to U.S. offers observed on November 25, 2022. They are not presented as live 2026 prices. Product availability, retailer listings, current warranties and today’s discounts were not established by the historical coverage. For product information, see the manufacturers’ pages for AirPods Pro, WH-1000XM5, WH-1000XM4, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II, Momentum 4, Momentum True Wireless 3, Soundcore, Jabra, Beats Fit Pro and JLab.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
