AirPods are unquestionably among the most popular headphones in the world. It’s great that there’s so much variety in the Apple AirPods lineup, but the best model will always be the one that fits your budget and style.
This starts with the original AirPods (less expensive, launched in 2016) and AirPods Pro (more features, active noise cancelling), then extends to the AirPods Max (high-end audiophile). And if you’re in the market for a pair, there are currently some discounts and deals on the latest-generation AirPods. The most popular AirPods deal at the moment is on AirPods Pro 2, which are at an all-time low of $179.99. Also, entry-level AirPods are on sale for $89 at Amazon or Walmart, or $89.99 at Best Buy.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds with USB-C Charging, Up to 2X More Active…
Price: $179.99 (reg. $249)You Save: $70.00 (28%)
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Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds, Bluetooth Headphones with Lightning Charging…
Price: $89 (reg. $129)You Save: $40.00 (31%)
Buy Now
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Au…
Price: $149.99 (reg. $169)Buy Now
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Per…
Price: $519 (reg. $549)You Save: $30.00 (5%)
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As we mentioned earlier, the hottest deals right now are on AirPods Pro 2 ($179.99) and entry-level AirPods ($89 at Amazon and Walmart). These are Apple’s most popular AirPods, and they’re up to 31% off. AirPods 3 are also on sale this week, with prices starting at $149.99 for the version with a Lightning Charging Case.
If you don’t need your new earphones to be brand-new, renewed AirPods 3 with a MagSafe Charging Case can be had for as little as $89 depending on what condition you choose (excellent, good, or acceptable). These earphones cost $179 from Apple, so that’s a huge price drop.
I remember picking up a pair of the original AirPods, and it’s pretty incredible how much better the current lineup is compared to only 5 years ago. In this extensive guide, I’ll tell you about all the best deals on AirPods that I could find. Also, we recently updated our guide on the best AirPods models, so read that and come back here to shop the deals.
Bonus: Don’t forget our awesome overview that covers the easiest tips and tricks on how to connect AirPods to your iPhone, Mac, or other device.
Apple AirPods at the lowest prices
If you want the Cliff’s Notes version, here’s a quick list of every AirPods model with links to the best prices:
- AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C MagSafe Case (Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy)
- AirPods 3 (Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy)
- AirPods (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart)
- AirPods Max (Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart)
Of course, there’s so much to consider when you’re trying to decide which AirPods model is the right one for you. In this guide, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about each of the different headphone models that Apple currently sells.
Our favorite AirPods Pro 2 deals
Before we get to all the deep discounts and AirPods deals in this roundup, we need to cover Apple’s newest model.
Apple announced AirPods Pro 2 during the big iPhone event in September. AirPods Pro 2 were released on September 23, 2022. Then, almost exactly one year later on September 22, 2023, Apple released an updated version of AirPods Pro with USB-C. The new USB-C port on the MagSafe case matches the updated port on the iPhone 15 series.
In both cases, hardcore Apple fans already knew what to expect because they leaked long before Apple unveiled them.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds with USB-C Charging, Up to 2X More Active…
Price: $179.00You Save: $70.00 (28%)
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When comparing AirPods Pro 2 vs. AirPods, here are the key upgrades:
- Apple H2 chip
- 2x better active noise cancelling technology
- New low-distortion drivers and custom amplifier
- Volume control on stems
- New MagSafe charging case with Find My integration and a speaker (USB-C and Lightning versions)
- Apple Watch charger support
When you combine all those features, AirPods Pro 2 are a pretty big upgrade!
The best way to learn more is to read our in-depth AirPods Pro 2 review. There are tons of features like great noise-cancellation, Spatial Audio, seamless transfer from one device to another, and cutting-edge specs.
If you’re ready to purchase a pair of AirPods Pro 2, there are plenty of options. You can buy them directly from Apple or from one of its many retail partners, including Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Walmart, and more. Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 retail price is $249, which is the same as the previous model.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds with USB-C Charging, Up to 2X More Active…
Price: $179.00You Save: $70.00 (28%)
Buy Now
When you order your AirPods Pro with USB-C from other retailers instead of Apple, you might be able to save some money. Right now, for example, there’s a $69 discount at Best Buy and Amazon. That cuts your price to $179.99, which is an all-time low for the refreshed model with a USB-C case.
Keep in mind that you should spend $199 at the most for this model. Anytime you can get Apple’s ANC earbuds for even less than that, it’s a steal.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with USB-C Charging Case
Price: Check the Latest PriceBuy Now
These are the latest and greatest noise cancelling earphones that Apple offers, so take advantage of this deal while you still can.
Great AirPods 3 deals (3rd Generation)
Apple released the third-generation AirPods in October 2021. This latest model comes with all the features of its predecessor, plus even more functionality.
The AirPods 3 offer better sound quality than older AirPods models. This improved sound quality is a result of the Adaptive EQ feature. This automatically tunes music based on the shape of your ears. They are also IPX4 sweat and water-resistant.
These wireless earphones have better battery life than AirPods Pro, offering extended listening sessions. They also feature Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking that places sound around you. Spatial Audio is Apple’s version of surround sound, similar to Dolby Atmos. The third-gen AirPods also come with a wireless charging case that can be charged using a wireless charging pad.
The AirPods 3rd-generation are a good deal for the price, and cost less than the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. However, they do not feature active noise cancelation. If that’s a dealbreaker for you, there are AirPods Max and AirPods Pro deals mentioned above.
We’ll note that stock keeps running out, so you may need to check back a few times in order to catch them after inventory has been replenished. Also, make sure you’re aware that there are two different cases. The current deal covers the version with the Lightning Charging Case, not the MagSafe Charging Case.
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds, Bluetooth Headphones, Personalized Spatial Au…
Price: $161.99Buy Now
Of all the AirPods models that are available right now, AirPods 3 seem to go on sale the least. We recommend waiting for at least a $20 discount to buy a pair. Right now is a good opportunity, for example, since they were down to $149 at the time of our latest update.
There is one thing to note, though. The model above comes with Apple’s older Lightning Charging Case. AirPods 3 with MagSafe Charging Case in new condition were out of stock at the time of this update.
If you have your heart set on 3rd-generation MagSafe AirPods but you definitely don’t want to pay full price, there’s one other deal you can take advantage of. Renewed AirPods 3 with MagSafe Charging Case are discounted right now on Amazon.
As noted on the product page, these renewed AirPods 3 have Amazon’s 90-day guarantee. If they’re not fully functional and in “excellent” condition, you have 90 days to get your money back.
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) (Renewed)
Price: $94.99You Save: $24.01 (20%)
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This should go without saying, but inventory is obviously going to be limited since Amazon can only sell as many renewed AirPods 3 models as it can get its hands on. Once they inevitably sell out, however, you can check back every so often to see if they’re back in stock.
It’s also important to keep your eye on 1st-gen AirPods Pro deals now that the new 2nd-gen model is out. There’s a good chance you can pick up a pair for close to the same price as the AirPods 3. It really depends on what kind of features you’re looking for when it comes to AirPods.
If you want to go with the best option, the AirPods Pro is a much more popular choice. You won’t pay much more, thanks to all the deals out there. But you’ll get better sound quality, a newer chip, active noise cancelling technology, and more. Our recommendation is to scroll back up and check out the current crop of AirPods Pro deals rather than purchasing a pair of AirPods 3.
Entry-level AirPods deals (2nd Generation)
As newer models of AirPods are being released, retailers are trying to clear out second-generation AirPods from their inventory. Retailers like Amazon periodically drop prices.
AirPods 2 are not compatible with wireless charging and instead come with a regular charging case. The wireless earbuds offer great sound, excellent battery life, and a comfortable in-ear fit. Connection to your Apple devices is also relatively seamless.
Hurry, because right now AirPods 2 are back on sale with a discount. These are the only AirPods you can buy for less than $100 — they’re currently $89 at Amazon and Walmart thanks to a sizable discount. This is the lowest price ever for Apple’s entry-level AirPods.
Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Wireless Ear Buds, Bluetooth Headphones with Lightning Charging…
Price: $89.00You Save: $40.00 (31%)
Buy Now
Also of note, Best Buy is currently selling Geek Squad Certified Refurbished AirPods 2 for $80.99. They look and perform like new, and they also carry Best Buy’s guarantee. Since they’re currently only $8 less than a brand-new pair, however, we recommend skipping this offer.
Best cheap AirPods Max deals and sales
Apple released the AirPods Max in December 2021. It might seem like Apple has gone a long time without updating them, but this isn’t the type of product that needs an annual upgrade. Try these headphones once, and you’ll instantly see that they’re on par with the very best wireless noise cancelling headphones from the likes of Bose and Sony.
AirPods Max are the first over-ear headphones from Apple. AirPods Max are also the most expensive headphones from Apple with a starting price of $549.
If you read our AirPods Max review, however, you’ll see why they might be worth that hefty price tag for many people.
The AirPods Max headphones feature a unique design with a breathable knit mesh headband and a stainless steel frame with memory foam ear cushions for maximum comfort. Other features include active noise cancellation and up to 20 hours of battery life.
Active noise cancellation allows you to block outside noise for a more immersive listening experience. You can also activate transparency mode like other AirPods to tune into conversations around you without having to remove your headphones.
Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancelling, Transparency Mode, Per…
Price: $519.00You Save: $30.00 (5%)
Buy Now
The Apple AirPods Max also offers spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and the headphones come in various colors, including space gray, silver, sky blue, green, and pink.
Best of all, there are some fantastic AirPods Max deals going right now that will save you a lot of money. Even with the discount though, they’re still more expensive than rival noise cancelling headphones from the likes of Bose and Sony.
Overall, the AirPods Max offer some of the highest fidelity sound and premium features for headphones. But at that price point, there are compelling alternatives if you’re not completely into the Apple ecosystem.
Another thing to note is that there are almost always discounts these days on Apple’s AirPods Max. You should never even consider purchasing them at full price.
Sale prices generally range from $450 to $480, so keep that in mind when you check the current deals. If you see them on sale for any more than that, definitely don’t buy them until the price drops again.
At the time of the latest update to this guide, AirPods Max were on sale for $519. That’s only a $30 discount off the retail price, so we strongly advise against buying a pair right now. These pricey ANC headphones should be back down to $479 soon enough, so you should definitely wait it out. Or, you can pick up a pair of Sony XM5 headphones instead while they’re discounted.
1st-generation AirPods Pro are also on sale
Apple’s first-generation AirPods Pro were released in October 2019 with a starting price of $249. This model has since been discontinued following the release of AirPods Pro 2, but there is somehow still some inventory out there. Since the sound quality of the original model is about the same as the 2nd-generation update, it’s a good opportunity to save some money.
As for AirPods Pro deals, we’ll start with the cheapest options.
Amazon has a special “Renewed Premium” program where it sells refurbished products that are in mint condition. In the case of AirPods Pro, Amazon says that its Renewed AirPods Pro are guaranteed to look and perform like they’re brand new. They’ll also have battery health of at least 90%, according to the listing.
Finally, Amazon provides a one-year guarantee with this model, so you really have nothing to worry about.
AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249 and 1st-Gen AirPods Pro have been discontinued. However, you can pick up renewed 1st-Gen AirPods Pro on sale with a discount in excellent condition. If you don’t mind a scuff or two, you can really save a lot of money with these deals.
Apple AirPods Pro -1st Generation with MagSafe (Renewed Premium)
Price: $164.97You Save: $15.02 (8%)
Buy Now
Apple AirPods Pro - 1st Gen (Renewed)
Price: $143.00You Save: $6.99 (5%)
Buy Now
Let’s dive into some of the key features that make AirPods Pro so popular.
Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking makes it feel like music is coming from all around you. This makes listening with the AirPods Pro feel like being at a live music concert.
Also, AirPods Pro were the first AirPods to include active noise cancellation and transparency mode. Active noise cancelling headphones allow you to tune out external for an immersive listening experience. And, when you need to hear and interact with what’s happening around you, you can switch to transparency mode.
They also offer sweat and water resistance with three sizes of tapered silicone tips so that you can choose the best fit for your ear canal. After all, even the best active noise cancellation technology in the world would be useless without a secure fit in your ear.
Additionally, you get more than 24 hours of listening time with the MagSafe charging case.
Geek Squad Certified Refurbished AirPods Pro
Price: $169.99 (reg. $220)Buy Now
Last but not least, Best Buy also has Certified Refurbished 1st-Gen AirPods Pro in stock for $169.99 right now. That means you have two different options to buy them with a deep discount, since they’re also in stock at Amazon. Of note, Amazon’s price was $35 lower than Best Buy’s at the time of this update.
If both Amazon and Best Buy run out of inventory or cancel their AirPods Pro sales, you might be able to find a pair with a slight discount at Walmart.
Discounted Apple wireless charging case
Using the AirPods wireless charging case, charging is as simple as placing your AirPods in the case and laying it on a Qi-compatible charging pad.
The case has an LED indicator on the front that lets you know that your AirPods are charging, and you can charge the case using the lightning port when a charging mat is unavailable. All you need to do is to plug in a lightning cable.
You can use the charging case to recharge your earbuds multiple times when their batteries get drained while you’re not at a charger. Extend your listening time even without a charging mat or power cable. The Wireless Charging Case works with AirPods (1st and 2nd generation).
Apple Wireless Charging Case for AirPods
Price: $63.20You Save: $15.80 (20%)
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Apple charges $79 for this case, but it’s currently discounted at Amazon and a few other retailers.
Best AirPods Pro alternatives
If you want noise cancelling earbuds similar to AirPods Pro, but with much better sound quality, I’ve got you covered. There are plenty of alternatives out there, but two models are head and shoulders above the competition.
First, we have Sony WF-1000XM5 earbuds. Commonly known as Sony XM5, these are Sony’s latest and greatest flagship earphones with active noise cancelling tech. They offer the best sound quality on the planet, period. They also feature ANC quality that outclasses everything else on the market.
Sony WF-1000XM5 ANC earbuds retail for $298, but they sometimes go on sale with discounts of up to $50.
Sony WF-1000XM5 The Best Truly Wireless Bluetooth Noise Canceling Earbuds Headphones with Alexa…
Price: $298.00Buy Now
Another fantastic option is the Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 earbuds that I love so much.
You simply won’t find better bass response in a pair of ANC earphones. Period. It’s crazy how deep the bass is on these Bowers & Wilkins earbuds. If that’s a priority for you, look no further.
The quality of the noise cancelling tech on the Pi7 S2 earbuds is also impressive, but it’s not quite up to the standard set by Sony’s XM5 earbuds. Of course, who can hear any ambient noise with all that bass?
At $399, Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 have the highest retail price of any popular AirPods Pro 2 rivals. Right now, however, they’re on sale with a discount.
Bowers & Wilkins Pi7 S2 in-Ear True Wireless Earphones (2023 Model), Dual Hybrid Drivers, Qualc…
Price: Price too low to displayBuy Now
There are other premium wireless noise cancelling earbuds to choose from, of course. One good example is the new Bose QuietComfort Ultra earphones that are discounted right now. To my ear, however, Sony’s XM5 earbuds have better sound quality and better ANC performance. That’s why I always recommend the Sony model over Bose’s earbuds.
Apple’s cheapest AirPods model is the 2nd-generation AirPods, often referred to as AirPods 2 or just AirPods. This is the updated version of Apple’s original AirPods earbuds, and it retails for $129.
AirPods and upgraded AirPods Pro each have pros and cons. If you’re trying to decide between them, there are a few simple things to keep in mind. If you prioritize affordability, you should get AirPods. If you want active noise cancelling and better sound quality, it’s worth paying more for AirPods Pro.
Apple is often thought of as a premium device maker, but the company does try to offer products across a wide range of price points. That’s why there are cheap AirPods in addition to more expensive models, like AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.
Apple offers a back to school promotion each year, and sometimes it includes free AirPods when students purchase another qualifying Apple product. That’s currently the only way to get free AirPods from Apple.
Apple says that AirPods are not eligible for a student discount. There is one way to get discounted AirPods from Apple, though. The Apple store will match other retailers’ discounts up to 10%. So, if you find AirPods on sale elsewhere but would prefer to buy them directly from Apple, you can save up to 10% by showing them a discount at a store like Amazon, Best Buy, or Walmart.
The post Best AirPods deals and prices for April 2024 appeared first on BGR.
* This article was originally published here