Update 10/3/24: There are small but interesting developments going on. For example, the old Apple AirPods 2 lost their deal with Amazon but Walmart still has it. Meanwhile, deals from major retailers on the AirPods 4 with ANC have completely disappeared. We’ll update this when deals are back online… if they come back online. In the meantime, consider getting the AirPods 4 at a discount while it is still available.
It is that time again, Amazon Prime Day season is here. Or, in the case of this season, Amazon Prime Big Deal Days. On October 8 and 9, big deals are set to land across Amazon (and its competitors) and the lead the up to the event also has a lot in store for us if we’re wanting to get good deals. The event is huge, and you can score low prices on everything — there are fantastic Dell Prime Day deals as well as Lego Prime Day deals, and everything in between. Here, we’re going to focus on the best AirPods deals that you can get. Whether you’re looking for their multiple generations and styles of earbuds or their over the ear headphones, here are the best deals you can get.
Apple AirPods 2 — $89 $129 31% off
At this point in the game, the Apple AirPods 2 are the entry-level fare of the AirPods line. There’s a lot to like about them, still, however. For one, looking at our Apple AirPods 2 review, updated around this time in 2022, we see a recorded MSRP of $199. Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Still, as of 2022 our reviewer still found the AirPods 2 to be a safe and reliable bet for wireless headphones. While things like the lack of waterproofing were criticized, it is worth putting in context. Our long-standing pick for the best headphones — the WH-1000XM5 — also lack an IP rating for water resistance, so the AirPods 2 are in good company.
Apple AirPods 3 — $130 $169 23% off
The AirPods 3 have been the golden standard and go-to earbuds for iPhone users that didn’t need “Pro” tier buds. With the AirPods 4 are here now, we’re sure to see a slow but steady transition to the 4 as the new go-to buds, but not yet. Our AirPods 3 review discusses a concept our reviewer called the “Goldilocks zone” by writing the buds “look like the missing link between the original AirPods and the AirPods Pro.” Upgrades from the AirPods 2 include better sound, a more secure and comfortable fit, a better battery, and water resistance.
Apple AirPods 4 — $119 $129 9% off
These are the new entry-level AirPods, emphasis on the ‘new’. As a result, we aren’t expecting any super deep cutting sales this run, unless we get lucky and a retailer misplaces a zero or something. As consumers, we’ll have to take what we can get. Big changes over the AirPods 3 include an upgrade to Apple’s H2 chip (also used in the AirPods Pro 2) and the addition of dust resistance to make them rated IP54. For more, check out what we already know about the AirPods 4. Also note that they are essentially the same as the version with ANC, or which we have a hands-on review of and will explore further below.
Apple AirPods 4 with ANC — Deals currently unavailable
As an upgraded form of the lastest AirPods, we’re once again not expecting the deepest price cuts on this product for this sales cycle. It’s just too new. Though, the pricing is pretty affordable, considering what you can expect from the best noise-canceling earbuds, so we’re happy to be getting anything at this point. Now, the big thing with these earbuds is the inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC) and so that’s what you need to focus on when deciding whether to get these or the regular AirPods 4. Our AirPods 4 with ANC review talks extensively about the reviewers experiences with the ANC. He discusses limitations with the open design, but also details relatable, real world successes with the ANC. While playing music, a commercial wood chipper no more than 50 yards away faded to nothing. A nearby weed-eater became faint, only revealing its true power after the earbuds were removed. In other words, they block out more than their construction would suggest they could.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 — $199 $249 20% off
The newer AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C are a sort of “AirPods Pro 2.5,” at least that’s the case if you peek at our AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C review. In addition to bringing USB-C connections, there’s also a subtle redesign of the way audio works. Ultimately, though, our AirPods Pro 2 review hits the nail on the head by saying, “There’s simply no better option for anyone with Apple devices.” The two just pair together well, and give access to Apple voice assistant, additional settings, Apple’s Find My, and more. If you want buds and you have an iPhone, these are the best you can buy.
Apple AirPods Max — $449 $549 18% off
The Apple AirPods Max are the over-head headphones to get for Apple fans. They have intense ANC paired with a good transparency mode, a stylish design that looks as quality as they sound, while also bringing top-tier sound and call quality. There are some big quirks with the AirPods Max, as we’ve come to expect from Apple’s lead products over the years, with the biggest being the exclusion of a power button. But, to quote Caleb Denison from our AirPods Max review, “I’ve got zero problems with any of it.” The AirPods Max hold charge really well and have adaptive powering modes when out of use so as to eek out so much battery life that you won’t miss the power button. If you want headphones to use with your iPhone, this is your best bet.
How to choose AirPods on Prime Day
The first thing to know about Apple’s AirPods this year is that the main lineup from Apple has changed subtly in the past few months. Presently, when we travel to the we only see four offerings — the AirPods 4, AirPods 4 with ANC, AirPods Pro 2, and AirPods Max.
What does this mean? It could suggest that it is either time to get or not to get the older AirPods 2 or AirPods 3. On the one hand, they’ll likely be at their cheapest ever price when a sale hits. On the other, they’re not exciting enough for Apple to list them up front on their own page. We now know exactly where Apple’s priorities lie, and it isn’t with these older models. If you’re budget minded and aren’t offended by wearing a classic, however, the AirPods 2 and AirPods 3 are still items to look at.
For the forward-minded, be aware that the AirPods 4 and AirPods 4 with ANC are very new. This will really be our first chance to see what kind of a deal Apple is willing to offer on them. Likewise, the AirPods Max have had a controversial update (and have new color variations). Meanwhile, there has been endless conjecture on what new AirPods Max 2 will bring, including what the pricing will be.
This all leaves the AirPods Pro 2. They’re new enough to be on Apple’s store page but not new enough to have an orange ‘new’ tag. That leaves them as the AirPods with the best overlap between deal potential and newness.
How we chose these AirPods Prime Day deals
We know what we’re looking for when it comes to great deals. That’s because we seek them out every day of the year so when a major sales event like Prime Day comes around, we’re confident we’re the experts at finding good deals. In each case, we don’t just settle on one price. We search all the major retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, to find where the lowest prices are. From there, we collate the best prices and list them here, regularly updating when something drops even lower.
Crucially, we don’t feature anything that sounds inferior or potentially dubious. There are fake AirPods around so that’s why we focus on reputable retailers that guarantee good quality products. We do our research and make sure to only highlight deals that we would buy ourselves.
Arranging them in order of price also saves you a little time as you can simply focus on the deals you can afford. In all, that means there’s no need for you to look for yourself. Instead, you can trust in us to seek out the best options and the cheapest prices. We check back regularly, appreciating that Prime Day season can cause prices to change rapidly.