I'm a headphones expert: these are the 7 Black Friday headphones and earbuds deals I want you to avoid – and why

Opinion
By published

Most sites might simply pile the deals high and let you buy – I won't do that

A selection of headphones and earbuds with TechRadar's 'Black Friday' badge
(Image credit: Bose, Skullcandy, Sony)

Tired of coughing up for cans that are more 'cut glass' than crystal? Don't want to end up with an earache from an erroneous earbuds purchase, simply because they were cheap and it seemed like a great deal? I get it.

If you're looking for a set of over-ear headphones, wired cans, open earbuds, AirPods, or a set of AirPods-adjacent alternatives, and your budget is tight (or even if it's not), Black Friday is the ideal time to buy – but also the most stressful.

• Shop Amazon's full early Black Friday sale

I've also curated a list of the only headphones and earbuds deals you should consider this Black Friday, if you'd rather just get to the good stuff, but maybe you want to know the products I think you should avoid – and why?

And maybe you also want me to give a quick roundup of price-comparable products that I do recommend? I've got you – I'll link to the best prices on anything I do recommend.

Not looking for headphones or earbuds at all, and wondering how you got here? That's OK. TechRadar's more general (but still actual person-curated, and still only containing deals our experts love) Black Friday deals roundup will help. Otherwise, keep scrolling down – and remember to enjoy the music.

1. Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active

The Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active on a sofa.

(Image credit: Future)

Why I don't recommend them this Black Friday: simply put, although they're a summer 2025 launch, I don't think they're a great fit for sports use, which is precisely what they're made for. The bass slider is a fun addition to help you crush those workouts, true, but the insecure fit means you may well find yourself frustrated at the gym trying to keep them on your head – even in relatively slow and strong workouts.

Our 3.5-star Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review will explain all of this further, of course, but if it has to be Skullcandy, take a look at our Skullcandy Method 360 earbuds review; slightly chunky case, but Bose helped tailor the audio, and wow, has it helped.

Deals to look for instead: 1More's Sonoflow Pro HQ51 provide a top over-ear listen for little money, and the recently superseded (but still excellent) Bose QuietComfort Headphones Ultra are ripe for discounts if you've got a little more to spend. See also the OneOdio Focus A6 or even the new CMF Headphone Pro reviews for top deals on inexpensive headphones.

2. Sony ULT Wear

Sony ULT Wear ULT button

(Image credit: Future)

Why I don't recommend them this Black Friday: simply put, there are so many Sony over-ear headphones I do recommend wholeheartedly, that buying a Sony set only worthy of a four-star review after going 12 rounds in our intensive testing process – see our Sony ULT Wear review if you don't believe me – would be a misstep, even if they're heavily discounted.

Deals to look for instead: easy! If it's got to be Sony, the WH-1000XM4 or WH-CH720 are both worthy alternatives (as are the WH-1000XM5 or WH-1000XM6, but they're newer and likely to stay more expensive, even over Black Friday). Not worried about sticking with Sony but want that bass-heavy presentation, perhaps with a slider? Check out the new CMF Headphone Pro, above.

3. Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II held in hand

(Image credit: Simon Lucas / Future)

Why I don't recommend them this Black Friday: they've been superseded twice, by the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds and the newest Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (2nd Gen), and the thing is that the uptick in battery life, the inclusion of multipoint connectivity and wireless charging, plus the added immersive audio modes in the newer sets do make all the difference. The QCE II were great in their day, but that time was September 2022, and now, there are newer and better options for your money.

Deals to look for instead: the original Ultra Earbuds are seeing some healthy discounts (see the link below), and while you'll need a special skin to get wireless charging, for the kinds of discounts I'm seeing, it's a small issue. Want outrageous audio quality? Consider the Soundpeats H3. Just throwing them in there as an excellent sound-per-pound option.

4. Earfun Tune Pro

The Earfun Tune Pro atop a bronze table.

(Image credit: Future)

Why I'm not recommending them this Black Friday: another relatively short answer here – the Earfun Wave Life are simply a much better proposition!

Just a cursory glance at our three-star Earfun Tune Pro review is enough to tell you that not all headphones are created equal, even though Earfun is (like Sony, Bose, CMF, and more) a trusted name in audio products. And I'm here to tell you what's what, so that you don't fall foul of an "It's Earfun, it's great!" decision in haste.

Deals to look for instead: the aforementioned Earfun Wave Life are a great option at this level, as are the OneOdio Focus A6 or 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51. As before, I'll link them below so you can see the cheapest current prices.

5. JBL Tune 770NC

The JBL Tune 770NC over-ear headphones

(Image credit: Future)

Why I'm not recommending them this Black Friday: we really have tested everything in this list, and while our JBL Tune 770NC review is topped by a thoroughly respectable four stars, you'll also note that they're an August 2023-issue set of headphones and that in September of 2025, JBL Updated the lineup with the new 680NC and 780NC, boasting Bluetooth 6.0. And that's all well and good, (sometimes I recommend older iterations long after their successors have made headlines – value is value) I just think that here, your money might be better spent on a 2025-issue set of headphones that are still close to this asking fee.

Deals to look for instead: a quick price scan tells me that these headphones can currently be found for around half their original price, which might seem tempting at first. But consider the all-new CMF Headphone Pro, launched on September 29, 2025, with a glorious quirky design, LDAC support, hi-res wired 3.5mm connectivity, two types of spatial audio, and one of the best hearing tests I've ever heard, all for even less money.

6. Sony WH-CH520

Sony WH-CH520 headphones on a wooden table

(Image credit: Future)

Why I'm not recommending them this Black Friday: please don't think this is a Sony-bashing list! Sony makes some truly excellent headphones and earbuds, but this set is just a little long in the tooth (having launched in February 2023) to be a truly great deal for me, especially when this category is so competitive. Our Sony WH-CH520 review is far from disappointing, but this is 2025 and we know that Sony's got a new affordable listening kit in the pipeline, which may mean the WH-CH520 are set to be discontinued sooner rather than later – and I think in this instance, it's worth waiting for newer affordable listening gear.

Deals to look for instead: if it's got to be on-ears, the Beyerdynamic Aventho 100 are a lovely alternative (albeit a slightly pricier one – at present, but I'll keep an eye out) or have a little read of our feature on the excellent TMA-2 DJ Wireless headphones.

7. Any (and all) cheap earbuds TechRadar hasn't tested

AceFast T9 in Crystal (Air) lilac, held in a hand

(Image credit: Future)

Why I'm not recommending them: not to vent, valued reader, but if I had a dollar for every time I've answered an email and given a trio of viable earbuds options at a given price point, only for the recipient to reply "I ended up buying the (insert name of earbuds I've never tried), because they were $40 cheaper. They'll be just as good, right?" I would be able to afford a really nice meal in a restaurant.

What I'm recommending instead: short answer – earbuds TechRadar has reviewed and rated! And don't think we've never considered truly budget earbuds, because a quick glance at our JLab Go Pods ANC, which are excellent value for money, disproves that notion. Elsewhere, the Sony WF-C710N are superb value, as are the extra-discounted Nothing Ear (a). I'll link the best deals below.

Oh, and a quick note on the image of this entry above: it's the AceFast T9. I tried them and liked them, even for their ridiculously low asking fee. No, I don't think they're incredibly gifted and durable for $20 / £18. But they're not junk either.

Becky Scarrott
Becky Scarrott
Audio Editor

Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.  

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