Unlock early Black Friday headphones deals for 2024 on Back Market

What headphones deals can you expect on Black Friday 2024?

When the day rolls around, UK retailers offer steep Black Friday headphones deals on a wide range of headphones, with deals that typically vary depending on the brand, technology, and release date of the models in question. Over the past five years, discounts have generally fallen between 10% and 40% for premium brands, with wireless models and noise-cancelling headphones attracting the most significant reductions.

Historically, the best Black Friday headphones deals have hovered around 25-30% off during Black Friday. For example, in 2022, the Sony WH-1000XM4 was discounted from £349 to £249 across multiple UK retailers. Similarly, Bose’s QuietComfort series typically sees a 20-25% discount during Black Friday. Deals on mid-range models, such as JBL and Beats headphones, are more aggressive, with prices occasionally dropping by 40% or more.

When it comes to Back Market’s offers, the savings on refurbished devices can be even more substantial. The platform offers up to 50% off compared to new models all year round, and during Black Friday, you’ll often find further reductions on selected items. Refurbished headphones are a particularly strong option during this sales period, as they combine high-quality performance with sustainability and affordability.

*Prices checked on November 28, 2024 - prices subject to change

Is Black Friday the best time to buy headphones?

Black Friday headphones deals is widely regarded as the prime opportunity to purchase high-end earbuds at discounted prices. However, this period may not always be the best time to grab the absolute lowest price on headphones. Looking at historical data from price tracking websites like CamelCamelCamel and PriceSpy, it’s evident that headphone prices fluctuate throughout the year. For example, deals during Amazon Prime Day in July often rival or surpass Black Friday offers, especially on wireless models and noise-cancelling headphones.

One of the key issues consumers face during Black Friday headphones sales is the illusion of discounts. Some retailers inflate their prices in the weeks leading up to November, creating the impression of a more significant discount when Black Friday arrives. For example, a £299 pair of headphones could be raised to £349 in October, only to be reduced to £249 during Black Friday, leading shoppers to believe they are getting a £100 discount when, in reality, it’s only £50.

This is why Back Market's approach to pricing stands out. The platform offers consistent savings all year round, with refurbished headphones priced up to 50% cheaper than new. Unlike traditional retailers, Back Market’s prices are not subject to seasonal inflation. By shopping for refurbished products, you bypass the pressure of waiting for an elusive Black Friday deal.

Should you buy headphones during Black Friday?

The decision to buy headphones on Black Friday depends on various factors. For some, the thrill of grabbing a deal during the sales rush is worth the potential stress. However, the shopping experience during Black Friday can be overwhelming. The sheer volume of competing offers can lead to confusion and anxiety, as consumers try to determine whether they are truly getting the best deal. Multiple studies have shown that consumers often experience buyer’s remorse during Black Friday, either because they purchased items they didn’t need or because they found better deals later.

When you shop at Back Market, you can avoid these pitfalls. There’s no need to rush, no crowded virtual or physical queues, and no fear of missing out. Back Market’s commitment to offering excellent prices on refurbished products means you can shop confidently, knowing that you’re getting value for money without the stress of timing your purchase just right. Additionally, refurbished headphones are rigorously tested to ensure they meet high performance standards, so you’re not sacrificing quality for savings.

Another critical consideration is whether you actually need new headphones. Many consumers get caught up in the hype of Black Friday sales and end up buying items they didn’t plan to purchase. If your current headphones are still in good working order, it might make more sense to wait until you need a replacement. If you do need new headphones, buying refurbished is an eco-friendly option that helps reduce electronic waste.

Our top pick: best headphones at Back Market

When it comes to premium headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones stands out as our top recommendation. Known for their excellent noise-cancelling capabilities, long battery life (up to 30 hours on a single charge), and high-fidelity sound, these headphones have been a popular choice among audiophiles and frequent travellers alike.

The WH-1000XM4 is designed with advanced features like Adaptive Sound Control, which adjusts the noise-cancelling level based on your surroundings. It also includes voice assistant compatibility, touch sensor controls, and quick attention mode, allowing you to briefly reduce the volume for ambient sound without removing the headphones.

Who should buy them?

These headphones are ideal for anyone who spends a lot of time in noisy environments, whether you’re a frequent traveller, a commuter, or someone who works in a busy office. Audiophiles who appreciate crisp, detailed sound will also benefit from the WH-1000XM4’s superior audio quality. At Back Market, these headphones are available for around £179, offering a significant saving compared to the typical retail price of £340.

1. Know the difference between wireless headphones vs true wireless earbuds

Wireless headphones are headphones that are wireless. You probably pieced that one together. 😅 They connect to each other by a head strap, and they connect to the audio source via Bluetooth. Working via Bluetooth is why they are considered wireless.

The reason earbuds are sometimes called true wireless is that they're truly wireless. They don't need to connect to each other by wires, and they also connect to the audio source via Bluetooth. 

It should be mentioned that earbuds and headphones are not the same things. What makes them headphones is that they go over your head. Earbuds, as you can probably guess, go into your ears. You might also see earbuds referred to as earphones or in-ear monitors depending on if they go into your ears or if they sit on your conchas (external part of ear).

A few popular wireless headphones are the Sennheiser Momentum 4, Bose QuietComfort 35 II, and the Sony WH-1000XM4 wireless headphones. Popular wireless earbuds include the Apple AirPods, Galaxy Buds and Sony WF-1000XM4. 

In any case, wired headphones and wireless headphones are typically preferable to earbuds. The only downside is that you can't slip headphones into your pocket for easy everyday carry. However, they generally have better sound quality at similar price points than earbuds, they're less harmful to your hearing, and they're more comfortable for many people.

2. Don't buy directly from Apple and Bose and other manufacturers

If you decide you need new headphones, you might be inclined to just buy them straight on the manufacturer's website or at their store. After all, you know you'll be getting good service and the exact product you want. 

While that might be true, it's also true that you're not going to be saving a lot of money. 😬 Usually, the retailers will push their brand-new stock at the same price. They sometimes even raise their prices beforehand to then lower them in November, only making it seem like a good deal. 

Another common practice is only offering the best deals inside bundles. It makes sense for them since they're essentially clearing out products in bulk. But if you don't need a new phone and new headphones, you're not really saving money, you're instead being upsold! 

So if you're really looking to save big on headphones for Black Friday in the UK, we think you shouldn't just look at the offers you find in stores and on manufacturer's websites. Consider small businesses, online marketplaces and other retailers and resellers.

3. Consider the slightly older headphone models

Similar to the last point, we think it's also worth stating that you shouldn't just buy the latest and "greatest" models. If you buy directly from manufacturers, they'll obviously only want to sell you their newest and most expensive models. However, the models from last year are equally just as good!

Consider the new Apple AirPods Pro that just got updated in 2022. They're very similar to the original version, with the main difference being the case now has a speaker and slightly better battery life. Is that worth upgrading to or spending more money on? 🥱

You might think you need the features that the new headphones offer -- and maybe in some cases you do. But most times, we think we’re just being convinced by expensive marketing.

If you don't want to pay for the advertising, you should consider buying used headphones. . . or better yet, refurbished. 😉

4. Don't wait for Black Friday to buy wireless headphones

More than anything, the biggest mistake you can make when looking for Black Friday wireless headphone deals is only looking for Black Friday headphone deals. 

Even the best Black Friday deals last year didn't offer anything more than a little 10% discount (if that). In fact, you can look up buying guides for 2022 deals, and you'll find all sales are still at the same price a year later!

Our advice? Don't wait around for the "best deals." It is fun to shop during the busiest shopping season of the year. But it's not exactly a great plan if you're looking to really save money. 

If you're looking for where the best headphones deals in the UK will really be, you can find them right here on Back Market. We'll have everything from Apple to Sony to Bose headphones for Black Friday.

Back Market sells professionally refurbished wireless headphones so you can be 100% sure you'll get a 100% functional item. We also include a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns to make your purchase even more secure. With wireless headphones at 30-50% off compared to new prices, we think it's the best way to get a great deal on Black Friday -- and on every other day that ends in "Y" year-round. 😁

Summary: to Black Friday or not to Black Friday

Black Friday can be an exciting time to shop for deals, but it’s not always the best time to buy, especially when it comes to headphones. Many retailers inflate prices before November to make the discounts seem more substantial, and as we’ve seen, price drops happen throughout the year. Events like Amazon Prime Day and Boxing Day also present excellent opportunities for savings, often with less pressure and less competition than Black Friday.

At Back Market, you don’t have to wait for Black Friday headphones sales to get a great deal. Our year-round discounts on refurbished headphones are often comparable to or better than Black Friday offers, and you can shop with the peace of mind that comes from our 30-day return policy, 1-year warranty, and commitment to reducing e-waste. With savings of up to 50% compared to new products, Back Market is your go-to option for high-quality headphones at an unbeatable price.