Don't fancy a pair of AirPods this Black Friday? Try these excellent alternatives

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX | $399 $373 at Amazon

These are more expensive than AirPods Pro 2, but if you want something that sounds better than them, you’re in the right place. The noise canceling is good, they’re comfortable, and they feel very premium — but most importantly, they sound great. They’re a little richer, a little more bouncy and fun, and they’re going to please even the most particular of listeners. This Black Friday deal isn’t the lowest they’ve been, but go read my Bang & Olufsen Beoplay EX review and you’ll soon discover an excellent pair of buds.

1More Aero | $109 $65 at Amazon

These are some of my favorite pairs of in-ear buds with ANC that don’t cost the world. They look great and sound good as well. Above all else, however, they come in at a great price, which now finds them under 100 dollars. Add in an 11 percent code that you’ll find on their Amazon product page and you’ll have one of the best headphone deals of the year.

AirPods Pro 2 | $249 $229 at Amazon

Of course, if you still want the AirPods, then the AirPods Pro 2 still have a reasonable deal at Amazon. This is likely not the lowest price they’ll have over the next week or so, so make sure you keep an eye out for another price drop.

Marshall Minor III | $129 $89 at Amazon

The Marshall Minor III not only sound better, but I think they look cooler as well with a unique black finish. I love Marshall gear, and the Minor in-ears are the lowest-priced of the bunch. They’re perfect for those who were otherwise considering AirPods 2, and they’re now at a great price.

soundcore Liberty 4 | $99 $69 at Amazon

I really like these little buds. They’re attractive, sound solid, and they come packed with noise canceling as well. That makes them an even better bet than the AirPods 2, bringing more features than the Apple option — and they come in more colors like Pink and Blue. This deal makes them the cheapest pair of buds on the list, with a massive $30 discount that brings them down to $69, an epic price for a fully-featured pair of earbuds.

AirPods 2 | $129 $99 at Amazon

The AirPods 2 are still available as well, and they’re a great option if you have to have that AirPods magic. This isn’t the lowest price we’ve ever seen on the AirPods 2, but it's a good saving that makes them a little more affordable than they might otherwise be.

Beats Studio Buds + | $169 $134 at Amazon

These don’t have Spatial Audio, but they have plenty more features where it counts. The Beats Studio Buds + more comfortable, sound better, and I’d argue look more fun with their cool color options and tiny buds. This deal makes them around the same price as Apple’s AirPods 3, although I’d argue that the noise canceling makes them the more compelling choice.

Status Audio Between Pro | $169 $98 at Amazon

These are an epic deal if you don’t mind about Spatial Audio or ANC — they sound incredible. Much better than the AirPods 3, that’s for certain, and they even have a cool new look to them that makes them more unique than the competition. They’re also a good deal cheaper than Apple’s offering in this sale, so you’ll save and get some good wireless audiophile buds.

AirPods 3 | $169 $139 at Amazon

The AirPods 3 remain, of course, should you want that Spatial Audio, and with a deal like this they are well worth a purchase. They’re not cheap, even with this discount, but they are AirPods with that signature AirPods connection that makes them so special.

Focal Bathys | $799 $629 at Amazon

The Focal Bathys are my all-time favorite wireless headphones. They sound stunning, look amazing, and are super comfortable for long periods. In my review, I gave them the full five stars, and if you stick them on your head and play a track, you’ll soon find out why. They are epic. They’re also very expensive — so this $170 saving is most welcome. Spend the extra, if you can afford it. You won’t regret it.

Beats Studio Pro | $349 $169 at Amazon

So while my review of the Studio Pro wasn’t glowing, that was with them at full price — with this deal, they become more compelling. They sound fine for this price, and they look good too. They also now cost a whole lot less than a pair of AirPods Max, and also play Spatial Audio tracks, which is always a nice extra.

AirPods Max | $549 $449 at Amazon

This is close to the lowest price for the AirPods Max, only being pipped to the record by around $20. If you want the best headphones that Apple offers, then these are the headphones for you — but there are some better options out there.