AirPods are unquestionably among the most popular headphones in the world. It’s great that there’s so much variety in Apple’s AirPods lineup, but the best model will always be the one that fits your budget and style.
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This starts with the original AirPods (less expensive, launched in 2016) and AirPods Pro (more features), 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.
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. We also recently updated our guide on the best AirPods models, so read that and come back here to shop the deals.
Amazon’s big Prime Day sale takes place on July 11-12, so that means two things. First, it means every AirPods model is down to Amazon’s best price of the year. And second, it means that some of the best offers might only be available to Prime members.
The most popular AirPods deal right now among our readers is Amazon’s sale on 2nd-gen AirPods Pro. They retail for $249 but you can pick up a pair on sale for $225.
Trailing very close behind that deal, we have second-generation AirPods on sale for $99. These are Apple’s most affordable AirPods, so they’re always top sellers.
If you don’t mind picking up renewed AirPods as opposed to new ones, there are two great deals to check out right now. Renewed Premium AirPods Pro are in stock on Amazon for just $147. They’re guaranteed by Amazon to look and function like new. Renewed Premium products even include a full one-year warranty, which is pretty crazy.
Or, you can pick up renewed AirPods 3 with MagSafe Charging Case for $129. That’s a very solid discount compared to Apple’s $179 retail price. Meanwhile, AirPods 3 with a Lightning Charging Case are down to $159.95, which is barely a discount compared to the $169 retail price. Remember, The model with the Lightning Case retails for $10 less than AirPods 3 with a MagSafe Case. With that in mind, I would definitely opt for the deal on the renewed model over the new model.
AirPods Max are also back on sale this week, so you can pick up a pair in any colorway right now for $477. That’s a $72 discount compared to the $549 retail price.
Finally, if you prefer wired earphones to Apple’s Bluetooth earbuds and over-ear headphones, you can save 41% on EarPods right now. That drops them to just $16.99.
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 14 event last September. Then, AirPods Pro 2 were released on September 23, 2022. Hardcore Apple fans already knew what to expect, though, 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 wireless charging case with Find My integration and a speaker
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.
If you order your AirPods Pro 2 from Amazon instead of Apple or Best Buy, you’ll save $24. That’s not a great deal, unfortunately, and I strongly recommend that you wait until Amazon drops them back down to $199.
Alternatively, you might be able to get AirPods Pro 2 on sale at Verizon for $199.99. This deal 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.
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. I loved picking up the AirPods Pro and have been using the Pro AirPods model since it was launched.
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 AirPods Pro on sale for just $148 or Renewed Premium AirPods Pro for $159.99.
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.
Also of note, Best Buy also has 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. And if both Amazon and Best Buy run out of inventory or cancel their AirPods Pro sales, you can buy them with a slight discount at Walmart.
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 under $100.
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. This is a new all-time low price, matching this year’s price from Prime Day. There’s no question this deal will sell out though, so you’ll need to move fast or you’ll definitely miss out.
If you do miss that Amazon deal though, you’re not completely out of luck. Best Buy is currently selling Geek Squad Certified Refurbished AirPods 2 for $84.99. They look and perform like new, and they also carry Best Buy’s guarantee.
The only thing to note is that there’s a limited supply, of course, so there’s no question that Best Buy’s stock will also sell out soon.
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 wireless 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 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 by far the 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.
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 up to $72. 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.
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 discounted on Amazon right now.
What’s better, AirPods or AirPods Pro?
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.
Why are there cheap AirPods?
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.
How can you get Apple AirPods for free?
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.
Do AirPods have a student discount?
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.
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