The one AirPods Black Friday deal Stuff’s tech expert actually recommends

There are plenty of wireless earbuds to pick from. But one of my top recommendations for almost everyone is AirPods 4. The latest affordable earbuds from Apple offer top-tier features for an excellent value price.

The 4th-gen AirPods finally gain some of the top features from AirPods Pro, making Apple’s cheaper buds more enticing than ever, with two models to pick from. And thanks to this early Black Friday deal, they’re even cheaper than ever at $69 – falling back under $100 and reaching a new lowest price.

• Black Friday 2025: here’s where we’ll bring you all the deals this November

Right now, they’re down to $69 on Amazon – an excellent 47% saving from the regular price of $129. Note that’s for the version without noise cancellation. If you want noise cancellation, the pricier model is discounted by 44% on Amazon – now at $100 from the usual price of $179. Those in the UK get slightly smaller savings: the AirPods 4 without ANC are 17% off at £99 instead of £119, while the ANC version is down to £149 from £169. They’re also new low prices for UK shoppers.

You’ll notice the new AirPods 4 look more like the Pro models than ever. Apple reckons they’re the most comfortable yet and fit more people’s ears than before, thanks to a design tweak that reshapes the buds part.

The most significant upgrade is that Apple’s base-level AirPods now come with an active noise cancellation option. Previously exclusive to the Pros, you can now tune out noise from AirPods (4th-gen) – if you stump up the extra cash, that is. Transparency Mode is also on the new buds, but more premium features, like automatic switching, are reserved for the Pros.

Turning our attention to the case, AirPods (4th-gen) now support wireless charging and include compatibility with the Find My network. There’s also a speaker on the case to play a chime if you misplace your buds. There’s no lanyard hole on this case, which I can’t say is a huge miss, since I’ve never used it on my AirPods Pro 2. Apple reckons you’ll get 30 hours of battery from these buds.

• Related: Best wireless earbuds in 2025 reviewed and rated

Connor Jewiss

About

Connor is a former Stuff contributor. He has attended the biggest tech expos, including CES, MWC, and IFA, and been interviewed as a technology expert on TV and radio by national news outlets including France24. Connor has experience with most major platforms, though does hold a place in his heart for macOS, iOS/iPadOS, electric vehicles, and smartphone tech. Connor is also involved in the startup and venture capital scene, which puts him at the front of new and exciting tech.

Areas of expertise

Mobile, macOS, EVs, smart home