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 some awesome discounts and deals on the latest-generation AirPods. The star of the show is Apple’s new AirPods Pro with USB-C, which are on sale at an all-time low price of $189.99!
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.
The good news is that every single one of Apple’s various AirPods models is on sale right now. The bad news, however, is that not every model is down to its lowest price of 2023 anymore.
Over the past few weeks, the most popular AirPods deal among our readers is Amazon’s sale on 2nd-gen AirPods Pro with USB-C. These just-released earphones retail for $249, but you might be able to pick up a pair on sale for $189.99 if you catch Amazon’s sale before it ends.
Of course, other models are also on sale right now.
First, we have second-generation AirPods on sale for $99. These are Apple’s most affordable AirPods, so they’re always top sellers. Or, if you want the upgraded model, AirPods 3 are down to just $149.99 for the model with a Lightning Charging Case instead of the MagSafe Case.
Want a MagSafe case instead? Pick up renewed AirPods 3 with MagSafe Charging Case for as little as $133. That’s a very solid discount compared to Apple’s $179 retail price. If you want the version with Apple’s MagSafe case, this is the best price you’ll find anywhere.
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.
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, Best Buy)
- AirPods Pro 2 with Lightning MagSafe Case (Amazon, Best Buy)
- AirPods (Amazon, Best Buy)
- AirPods 3 (Amazon, Best Buy)
- AirPods Max (Amazon, Best Buy)
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.
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.
When you order your AirPods Pro with USB-C from Amazon instead of Apple or Best Buy, you might be able to save $59 if you can catch them on sale for $189.99. That matches the all-time low price from Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale in mid-October. This time, however, the deal is available to all shoppers instead of only to people who pay for Prime.
Finally, if Amazon’s deal ends, you might be able to get AirPods Pro 2 on sale at Verizon for $199.99. This sale keeps coming and going, so you’ll need to check below to see if AirPods Pro 2 are still on sale at Verizon right now.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with Wireless Charging Case $199.99 (reg. $249)
And don’t worry, you can get this deal even if you’re not a Verizon subscriber. Just choose the option to check out as a guest, and you’ll still get the discounted price.
The best AirPods Pro (1st Generation) deals
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 tons of inventory out there in brand-new condition.
As for AirPods Pro deals, we’ll start with the cheapest option.
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 are $229 at full price. Meanwhile, you can pick up Renewed Premium AirPods Pro on sale with a deep discount. There are also regular renewed AirPods Pro on Amazon right now, but they’re actually somehow more expensive than the Renewed Premium option that’s in better condition and has a better warranty.
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 $179.99 (reg. $220)
Last but not least, Best Buy also has Certified Refurbished 1st-Gen AirPods Pro in stock for $179.99 right now. That means you have two different options to buy them with a deep discount.
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.
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.
Of all the AirPods models that are available right now, AirPods 3 seem to go on sale the least. At the time of this most recent update, the previous discount was no longer available.
Also of note, the model above comes with Apple’s regular Lightning Charging Case. AirPods 3 with MagSafe Charging Case were out of stock at the time of this update.
If you have your heart set on 3rd-generation 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.
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.
Awesome 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.
If you miss that Amazon deal, you’re not completely out of luck. Best Buy is currently selling Geek Squad Certified Refurbished AirPods 2 for $94.99. They look and perform like new, and they also carry Best Buy’s guarantee.
That’s actually more than AirPods 2 cost in brand-new condition at Amazon, however. With that in mind, I would advise our readers to skip this deal.
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.
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 $449.99 to $479.99, so keep that in mind when you’re shopping for these premium Apple headphones. If you see them on sale for any more than that, definitely don’t buy them until the price drops again.
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 charges $79 for this case, but it’s currently discounted on Amazon.
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.
