Apple’s wireless earbuds and headphones are perhaps the most iconic available today, and it helps that they sound pretty good as well. Apple’s AirPods continue to impress our reviewers here at CNET. We’ve always found Apple’s headphones and earbuds to hit the spot, but the company isn’t one that’s known for its low prices. Thankfully, retailers like Amazon, Best Buy and others often sell AirPods as well as Beats headphones, also owned by Apple, at much more affordable prices. It’s probably too late to get your new AirPods delivered in time for Christmas now, but that doesn’t mean you can’t at least save some money on your order.
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With more than two decades of experience covering the tech landscape, David Carnoy is CNET’s resident audio expert. He, along with our dedicated deals team, keeps a close eye on any retailers offering deals and discounts on these sleek Apple headphones, and we’ve rounded up the best offers below. We’ll update this page as deals come and go, so check back often. Don’t see something you like? Not married to the Apple brand? Our collection of the best headphone deals has something for everyone from other popular brands.
What is the best AirPods deal right now?
Although they’re no longer the latest model on the market, the AirPods Pro 2 are still our overall favorite pair of noise-canceling Apple earbuds. And right now, you can snag a pair for just $190 at Amazon. That’s a respectable $59 discount compared with Apple’s price, and that’s just the start. Check out our full rundown of the best prices across the entire lineup below.
Best AirPods deals
Somewhat surprisingly, Amazon has already knocked a couple of bucks off the price of the brand-new AirPods 4. You can save $10 on the basic version without noise cancellation, or $10 on the version with ANC — dropping the price down to $119 and $169, respectively.
The 2nd-gen AirPods Pro are among the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market and are a top pick for Apple users.
This updated version includes the USB-C and MagSafe charging case, and it’s almost identical to the original AirPods Pro 2, except for one key feature. Folks who buy a Vision Pro headset will benefit from lossless audio when connecting these earbuds. That’s probably an edge case, but it’s still worth knowing about, especially if Apple adds the same feature to future iPhones and other hardware.
Battery Life Rated up to 20 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating
The AirPods Max are Apple’s first pair of full-size headphones, and they’re full of high-end features such as noise cancellation, spatial audio and easy integration with Apple devices. Yes, paying almost as much as you would for a PS5 might sound excessive, but here’s the thing: They’re actually kinda worth it, so long as you don’t feel burned by their lack of support for full lossless audio.
While these aren’t AirPods per se, we’re including them because Beats is owned by Apple. Beats Studio Pro are a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Max without sacrificing quality. They offer battery life of up to 40 hours as well as noise cancellation, and they pair easily with different OSes, including Android. The original colors and Kim Kardashian collaboration variants are all currently 51% off.
The Beats Fit Pro are built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro and share many of the same features. They’re equipped with Apple’s H1 chip, and they support active noise cancellation, spatial audio and Adaptive EQ. They’re also splash-proof with an IPX4 water-resistance rating. Plus, their sleek, stemless design and flexible wingtips help keep them securely in place, making them a top choice for running and working out.
These 2024 Beats are some of our favorite over-ear headphones available at the moment. They’re not noise-canceling, but they do support lossless audio, boast solid voice-call performance and impressed our reviewers with their substantial 50-hour battery life.
If you’re an active person, the Powerbeats Pro may be the best headphones for you. With a design that wraps around your ear and tips that fit inside, you get a great fit and some awesome audio. The charging case is bigger than some of the others, but odds are you’ll be tossing it in a bag anyway, so it shouldn’t be much of an issue.
Battery Life Rated up to 12 hoursNoise Canceling NoMultipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant No IP rating
These Beats Flex earbuds are a good option for people who want a wireless listening experience without a giant pair of headphones. They’re perfect for workouts, calls or listening to your favorite podcast on a commute. They’re also only $40 right now for most variants on Amazon, making them a high-quality pair of earbuds without a high price.
Apple AirPods pricing 2024
| Model | Apple store price | Best price right now | Best all-time price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 2 | $129 | $89 | $69 |
| AirPods 4 | $129 | $119 | $118 |
| AirPods Pro (2nd gen) | $249 | $190 | $169 |
| AirPods Max | $549 | $380 | $380 |
How we choose AirPods deals at CNET
Apple makes some of the most popular earbuds on the market, which means we’re always on the lookout for any discounts or price drops. We monitor all major retailers and keep a running catalog of the lowest price currently available, along with the all-time lowest price so you know if you’re truly getting a good value. We also include any discounts available on some of the latest Beats headphones and earbuds, as they’ve been incorporating Apple hardware since the company was bought back in 2014.
Watch this: AirPods Pro 2 Review: Hard to Beat for Apple Users
