Thanks to their sleek design and top-notch sound, Apple’s AirPods continue to impress our reviewers here at CNET. The company’s headphones and earbuds are some of the finest on the market, and while they can certainly be pricey, you often don’t have to pay full price to get your hands on a pair. Apple never offers direct discounts, but you can score savings on almost all the latest AirPods at third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. You’ll also find plenty of deals on Beats headphones right now as well. They’re not technically AirPods, but the brand is owned by Apple, so they share many of the same features and hardware (and are often more affordable).
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With more than two decades of experience covering the tech landscape, David Carnoy is CNET’s resident audio expert. He and our dedicated deals team keep a close eye on any retailers offering deals and discounts on these sleek Apple headphones and have rounded up the best prices out there right now below. We’ll update this page as deals come and go, so check back often for the current best offers. Don’t see something you like or 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?
Though 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 to Apple’s price and that’s just the start. Check out our full rundown of the best prices across the entire lineup right here.
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. All five colors are currently $50 off at Best Buy, though you may want to wait for a bit as they frequently go on sale for $450 or even less.
Battery Life Rated up to 5 hoursNoise Canceling NoMultipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)
Now five years old, the AirPods 2 are the least advanced AirPods on the market, but they still boast some impressive specs and are a great choice for those on a tight budget. They’re equipped with the same H1 chip as the AirPods 3, so they have the same fast connectivity and hands-free Siri access.
Released all the way back in 2019, it’s getting pretty tough to find these Apple earbuds in stock. Walmart is the only retailer that still has them listed but availability will vary depending on where you’re located, and you may have to head to the store in person to pick them up.
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 Apple AirPods Max without sacrificing quality. They offer a battery life of up to 40 hours as well as noise cancellation, and they pair easily with different OSes, including Android. The basic colors are currently 43% off, though the Kim Kardashian collaboration variants aren’t being discounted.
Battery Life Rated up to 6 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)
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 to 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 $49 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 | $500 | $389 |
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