My Favorite Amazon Deal of the Day: These AirPods Max Are on Sale on Black Friday
Black Friday sales officially kick off on Friday, November 28, and run through Cyber Monday, December 1. Before they end, Lifehacker is sharing the best sales based on product reviews, comparisons, and price tracking tools.
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Sales data is current at the time of publication, but prices and stock levels are subject to change.
Black Friday is in full swing, and many tech products are at record low prices. One surprisingly good deal is the new AirPods Max, updated last year during Apple’s September event . Apple updated them with support for personalized spatial audio, new colors, and a USB-C port. The new AirPods Max offer some of the highest sound quality, but are also among the most expensive earbuds you can buy, typically starting at $1,500. This long-awaited update is now available for $399 (originally $449)—a record low, according to price-checking tools .
When AirPods Max launched in 2020, there were few competitors in the field of headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC), ambient sound detection, and premium sound quality . Today, competition is fierce in all these categories, especially at this price point. However, buying AirPods Max is a statement . Even without the Apple logo, you’re paying a premium for recognition. If that’s what you’re looking for, these are the headphones for you.
In terms of features, the AirPods Max aren’t overloaded. But the few they do have are excellent (by Apple’s minimalist standards). They’re among the best active noise-canceling earbuds (they don’t create that weird pressure sensation when turned on), have excellent ambient sound awareness, allowing you to clearly hear surrounding sounds, are equipped with an adaptive equalizer and spatial audio, which automatically adjusts sound to you and your surroundings, and even support hands-free Siri, according to PCMag’s “excellent” review .
The downside is that they’re heavier than regular headphones—13.6 ounces. This is due to the metal housing. Furthermore, you can’t manually adjust the equalizer, so if you don’t like the sound, you’re out of luck. Finally, the included smart case is unsightly and doesn’t protect the headband grille (the sensitive part of the headphones). This smart case is also needed to put the headphones into sleep mode, preventing them from draining the 20-hour battery.
Does Apple have Black Friday?
Yes, Apple is participating in Black Friday deals, but you might want to compare their sales to those of other retailers like Best Buy and Walmart . Apple is offering an exclusive $250 gift card for eligible purchases, but the best Black Friday Apple deal right now is the MacBook M4 at an all-time low .
Does Amazon have Black Friday deals?
Yes, Amazon does have Black Friday sales, but the prices aren’t always accurate. Use a price tracker to make sure you’re getting the best deal, or consult guides like our price-tracking blog . And if you have an Amazon Prime subscription, make the most of it .
Which stores have the biggest discounts on Black Friday?
With both large retailers and small businesses competing for Black Friday shoppers, you can expect sales at virtually every store until Monday, December 1, 2025. The “best” discounts depend on your needs, but in general, the biggest discounts tend to be offered by large retailers that can afford lower prices, such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, and Home Depot. You can find all the best sales from major retailers on our blog .