Short answer: get over-ear noise-cancelling headphones if you want the best sound and quiet for flights, commutes and long work sessions. Get noise-cancelling earbuds if you want something you can carry everywhere and wear at the gym. And pick a pair that matches your phone. It makes a bigger difference than most spec sheets.
Headphones and earbuds get some of the deepest discounts of the year around Black Friday. Here’s how to choose before the deals land.
Over-ear headphones or earbuds?
| Over-ear headphones | Earbuds | |
|---|---|---|
| Noise cancelling | Best: the ear cups block sound too | Very good on premium models |
| Sound | Bigger, fuller sound | Great for the size |
| Battery life | Often 30+ hours | Usually 5 to 8 hours, plus the case |
| Portability | Needs a bag | Fits in a pocket |
| Workouts | Not ideal | Good, especially water-resistant models |
| Comfort for hours | Great for most people | Depends on the fit |
Match them to your phone
- iPhone: AirPods pair instantly, switch between your Apple devices automatically, and get features like spatial audio. Other brands work fine, just with fewer extras.
- Android: Samsung Galaxy Buds and Google Pixel Buds offer similar extras on their own phones. Sony, Bose and others work well with any phone through their apps.
- Laptop and phone together: look for multipoint, which keeps you connected to two devices at once so calls switch over without re-pairing.
Features worth paying for
- Active noise cancelling (ANC): the biggest upgrade for travel and noisy commutes. Premium models from Sony, Bose and Apple are noticeably better than budget ones.
- Transparency or aware mode: lets you hear announcements and traffic without taking them off.
- Good fit: earbuds that come with several ear tip sizes seal better, which improves both bass and noise cancelling.
- Water resistance: look for IPX4 or higher if you’ll sweat in them.
- Call quality: check reviews if you take a lot of calls; it varies more than music quality.
How to spot a real Black Friday headphone deal
- Check the generation. Popular headphones come in several generations with similar names. Make sure the price is for the model you think it is.
- Last generation is often the sweet spot. When a new flagship launches, the previous one usually drops a lot and is still excellent.
- Watch for refurbished listings. “Renewed” or open-box units can be a good deal, but they should be clearly labeled and priced well below new.
- Compare with the recent price. Headphones go on sale often, so a big “was” price doesn’t mean much on its own. Every deal on CrustyCoupons is checked against the price we’ve tracked.
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27. See every live deal on our Headphone & Earbud deals page, or browse the whole Laptops & Audio aisle. Our Black Friday page collects the best drops as they appear.
