For music makers, Black Friday is usually a frenzied hunt for deals on big ticket gear like electric guitars, audio interfaces and electronic drum sets, but there are killer discounts to be had out in the wider world- and for smaller budgets - too. Take Apple's top-end AirPods Pro, for instance. Right now you can pick up a pair of the ubiquitous wireless earbuds with MagSafe charging case for just £185 at Amazon UK (opens in new tab) and $159 at Amazon US (opens in new tab) - their lowest price ever.
Of course, we wouldn’t recommend them as a replacement for a proper pair of studio headphones, but for listening to your favourite music, on the go or at home, there’s plenty to like about the AirPods Pro.
So what's so good about AirPods anyway? For starters, the AirPods Pro in particular sound great. Apple's Adaptive EQ tech tweaks the Pods' output based on the shape of your ear, while spatial audio makes your music, podcasts and video or voice calls sound like they’re being played through a home cinema system. Elsewhere, Active Noise Cancelling ensures you can focus on the music, rather than what’s going on outside.
When you need to hear a little more of the outside world, you can access Transparency mode easily with a press of the Force Sensors on each bud, letting a little more ambient noise in.
Apple’s H1 chip ensures they work like a dream, from syncing with your mobile device or laptop, to acting on voice commands. They’re IPX4 sweat- and water-resistant too, so you can take them everywhere from a rainy walk to moving between studio sessions and gym sessions.
Best Black Friday deals around the web
- Sweetwater: Up to 70% off Black Friday sale until 27 November (opens in new tab)
- Guitar Center: Huge savings and 15% off gear over $199 with code blackfriday15 (opens in new tab)
- Musician's Friend: Up to 15% off with code 'BLACKFRIDAY' until 28 November (opens in new tab)
- Thomann: Cyber Week is live! Save up to 60% (opens in new tab)
- Amazon: Shop all Black Friday instrument deals (opens in new tab)
- Native Instruments: Save 50% on 250 plugins (opens in new tab)
- Plugin Boutique: Save up to 96% off iZotope, Sonnox and more (opens in new tab)
- Waves: Save $$$s for Black Friday and bag free plugins (opens in new tab)
- Positive Grid: 60% off BIAS software and money off the Spark amp (opens in new tab)
- IK Multimedia: Big savings on plugins, iOS apps and more (opens in new tab)
- Gear4music: Shop their official Black Friday sale (opens in new tab)
- Reverb: Shop Black Friday deals on interfaces, mics, synths and more (opens in new tab)
- Fender Play: Save 50% on an annual guitar lessons subscription (opens in new tab)