As BikeRadar’s resident cork-sniffing audiophile, I’ve spent the past year testing a wide range of in-ear and bone-conduction headphones – and you can get all of my top-rated choices with a discount in the Black Friday sales.
I've put leading headphones from major brands such as Sony, Sennheiser, Google, Shokz and Suunto through rigorous testing, combining my love of music with my passion for running and cycling.
The best headphones for cycling offer balanced and detailed hi-fi performance that can stand up to the wind and rain with the ability to keep you aware of traffic noise and other approaching hazards.
The good news is that all of my favourite options are already on offer as part of this year’s Black Friday sale – with savings of up to £100.
Read on to find out which pair of cycling headphones is the best fit for you and grab yourself a bargain.
Where to find the best early Black Friday cycling deals
These retailers offer Black Friday discounts on a huge range of cycling gear.
Black Friday cycling deals: UK quick links
- Sigma Sports – Savings on top-notch cycling kit
- Decathlon - Up to 50 per cent off cycling gear
- Halfords - Money off bikes
- Tredz - Save up to 60 per cent on helmets, components, clothing and bikes
- Evans Cycles - Save on commuting bikes and more
- Merlin Cycles - Save on bikes, wheels, frames and clothing
- Trek Bikes - Grab a new bike
- Freewheel - 60 per cent off in 2024
- Ribble Cycles - Reduced bikes
- BikeTart - Savings on bikes, components and more
- LeCol - Save up to 40 per cent
Black Friday cycling deals: US quick links
- Jenson USA – Save on bikes, equipment and clothes
- Rad Power Bikes - Save on ebikes
- Competitive Cyclist - Discounts on bikes
- Amazon - Daily discounts on tech, clothing, and accessories
- Merlin Cycles - Save on cycling gear
Sony LinkBuds – £149 £70 (save 46%)
The Sony LinkBuds blew me away with the detailed, widescreen sound they kick out despite their diminutive size and weight of only 4g per bud.
Furthermore, the open-centred figure-of-eight design enables traffic noise to reach your eardrums, keeping you safe on the bike while you enjoy wigging out to your favourite tunes.
Miniature fins on fitting adaptors in four sizes meant they stayed in my fussy lug holes throughout testing.
This Black Friday, you can get the Sony LinkBuds for less than £70, which makes them a bargain as far as I’m concerned.
Sennheiser Momentum Sport – £279.99 £179.99 (64%)
Sennheiser’s Momentum Sport earbuds are unusual in that they offer fitness tracking via biometric sensors.
They also deliver a robust, well-balanced sound comparable to any of the best cycling headphones thanks to Sennheiser’s new 10mm drivers.
At the time of review, I was sceptical due to their high price and the niche nature of the technology. However, with a massive £100 off their RRP, the Momentum Sports are a lot more tempting and their super sound quality may be too good to resist this Black Friday.
- Read our full Sennheiser Momentum Sport review
- Buy the Sennheiser Momentum Sport headphones for £179.99 from Amazon
Suunto Wing – £169 £125 (save 26%)
The Suunto Wing headphones are my favourite bone-conduction design, offering a sonic presentation that eclipses most rivals and a good few in-ear buds.
Few other headphones have been designed with the needs of cyclists so squarely in mind. In addition to the peace of mind the bone-conduction approach brings, there are LED lights on the frame, a dedicated Outside mode and a 10-hour battery life for the longest adventures.
A 26 per cent Black Friday discount makes these excellent headphones even more appealing.
Google Pixel Buds Pro 2 – £219 £189 (save 13%)
Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 buds are lighter, smaller and sound better than the predecessors from the US tech giant.
I loved the immersive, powerful sounds from these little buds, while the fit was reassuringly solid and among the most comfortable I’ve encountered.
The RRP was on the high side, but a Black Friday discount sees them sneak inside the £200 mark. If you’re an Android user on the lookout for in-ear buds, now could be the time.
Shokz OpenFit – £179 £125 (save 30%)
The Shokz OpenFits were among the first cycling headphones I tested and despite some fierce competition, I return to them time and time again. I’ve run half-marathons and commuted for weeks on end in all weather, and the OpenFits have never let me down.
Like bone-conduction headphones, the OpenFits leave your ears open to the world around you, yet the sound quality is detailed and full.
A 30 per cent Black Friday discount makes them one of the cheaper options on our list of the best cycling headphones and I have no hesitation in recommending them.
