For us music makers, Black Friday is usually a frenzied hunt for Black Friday music deals on big ticket gear like electric guitars, audio interfaces, electronic drum sets and synths, but there are good discounts to be had in the wider music world, and for smaller budgets, too. Take the top-end AirPods Pro, for instance. Right now you can pick up a pair of the ubiquitous wireless earbuds for just £199 at Amazon UK and $199 at Amazon US.
We wouldn’t recommend them as a replacement for a proper pair of studio headphones of course, but for listening to your favourite music, on the go or at home, there’s plenty to like, especially when you look at the newer AirPods Pros.
Apple AirPods Pro: Was £249, now £199, save £50
AirPods Pros have been out for just over a year, which makes this chunky Black Friday discount even more surprising (and welcome). If you want fast pairing, clear audio and ace noise cancelling, these are the AirPods for you.View Deal
AirPods Pro: Was $249, now $199, save $50
This crazy deal for the top flight AirPods Pros is live on Amazon right now. If you're looking for fast pairing, clear audio and ace noise cancelling, these are the buds to plug your ears with.View Deal
So what's so good about AirPods anyway? For starters, AirPods Pros 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.
Standard AirPods offer many of the same benefits. They have a slightly different design, and lack Active Noise Cancelling, but as a result they're way cheaper, and there are some great deals on those doing the rounds right now too.
Black Friday AirPods deals (UK)
AirPods 2 w/wireless case: £199, now £157, save £42
You can save £42 on the 2nd-generation AirPods with wireless charging case at Amazon right now. If you can front the cash, these are the best AirPods Pro alternatives for your money.View Deal
AirPods 2 w/charging case: Was £159, now £129, save £30
This epic deal at Laptops Direct saves you £30 off the original price of the 2nd-generation AirPods with the standard charging case. Act fast before these sell out!View Deal
Black Friday AirPods deals (US)
AirPods 2 w/wireless case: $199, now $149.99, save $40
Save $40 on the 2nd-gen AirPods with wireless charging case at Amazon right now. That's a hefty 20% discount!View Deal
AirPods w/wired charging case: Was $159.99, now $119
The cheapest AirPods deal on the planet right now! If you can put up with having to plug your case in to charge it, these have all the same ace tech as the 2nd gen AirPods with wireless charging case.View Deal
Best Black Friday deals around the web
- Sweetwater | Up to 70% off in their epic Black Friday sale
- Guitar Center | Snap up time-limited weekly holiday deals
- Musician’s Friend | Up to 15% off qualifying gear with the code BLACKFRIDAY
- Sam Ash | Up to 15% off with the code BF15 in the Black Friday Now sale
- Reverb | Save up to 60% on thousands of pieces of gear all week long
- Pro Audio Star | Save up to 15% off select items with the code NOV15
- Zzounds | Shop the latest early-Black Friday deals
- Amazon | Explore all their latest Black Friday deals on EVERYTHING!
- Waves | Shop the early bird plugin sale - up to 91% off
- Native Instruments | Save 50% in the Cyber Season Sale
- Plugin Boutique | Black Friday offers from £3.95/$5
- IK Multimedia | Shop all Happy Holideals, up to 50% off
- Loopmasters | Shop all the latest offers