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Like any other item, headphones and wireless earbuds eventually need to be replaced, and a high-quality pair comes at a cost. With so many options out there, you might overlook name-brand options due to sticker shock, but that's not always necessary. Apple makes some of the best earbuds and headphones out there, and they are occasionally on sale or might available for less if you don't mind going for an older model. Apple also owns Beats, and audio gear from these brands can be had for less if you know where to look. We at CNET rounded up come deals on these headphones and earbuds so you can upgrade for less.
With over 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.
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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? 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 second-gen AirPods Pro are among the best noise-canceling earbuds on the market and are a top pick for Apple users.
This model includes the USB-C and MagSafe charging case, although they are almost identical to the excellent AirPods Pro 2, which come with a Lightning case, 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. Just note that this price is only available on the Lightning version of Apple's AirPods Max and selected colors at that.
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.
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.
Battery life Rated up to 40 hoursNoise Canceling Yes (ANC)Multipoint NoHeadphone Type Over-ear wireless headphonesWater-Resistant No IP rating
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.
Apple AirPods pricing 2024
| Model | Apple store price | Best price right now | Best all-time price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 2 | $129 | $89 | $69 |
| AirPods 4 | $129 | $118 | $118 |
| AirPods Pro (2nd gen) | $249 | $190 | $169 |
| AirPods Max | $549 | $429 | $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.
Apple's wireless audio lineup now includes five models of AirPods, and choosing the right set will depend on the features you care about and the price you are willing to pay. If you prefer an open-ear design, second-gen AirPods from 2019 are the most affordable on this list, or you can upgrade to the new AirPods 4 -- which start at $129. The third-gen AirPods are also still available, but considering they're pricier than the latest generation, they're not really worth considering unless you can find them at a major discount.
If you want noise-canceling capabilities, your options are the in-ear AirPods Pro 2, the over-ear AirPods Max or the upgraded version of the AirPods 4, which list for $179. The AirPods Pro 2 and both versions of the AirPods 4 are also equipped with Apple's latest H2 chip, which supports lossless audio -- something that the pricey AirPods Max are surprisingly lacking.
And with the exception of the baseline AirPods 2, all the AirPods listed above are compatible with Apple's spatial audio features.
Deals on Apple headphones pop up sporadically throughout the year, sometimes only lasting for a day or even a few hours. However, the best deals are consistently found during major shopping events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Amazon Prime Day.
The short answer is, not really when you're talking about spatial audio with head tracking for movie and TV watching. While the AirPods Max offers the best sound overall, using the spatial audio virtual sound feature is largely the same experience on all the AirPods that support it.
While some models are certainly better than others, the second-gen AirPods Pro have claimed a top spot on our list of the best workout headphones for 2024 thanks to their lightweight design, top-notch noise-canceling and IP54 weather-resistance rating.