Here are the best AirPods deals you can get right now
Apple's AirPods 4 with ANC are a tempting upgrade, even when they're not on sale. | Photo by Chris Welch / The VergeIf you know where to look, you can often score discounts on Apple's ever-expanding AirPods lineup. Both the newer AirPods Max and AirPods 4 (with and without ANC) now consistently receive discounts, as do the latest AirPods Pro with USB-C. The same goes for the original AirPods Max, which are nearly indistinguishable from the last-gen model aside from the switch to a USB-C connector and a few new color options.
Below, we've rounded up the best deals currently available on each model, including both iterations of the AirPods 4, the latest AirPods Pro, and the AirPods Max.
The best AirPods 4 dealsApple AirPods 4Apple's AirPods 4 improve on previous models with better sound, clearer voice calls, and an even more comfortable design. For $50 extra, you can purchase a model with active noise cancellation and wireless charging.
Where to Buy:AirPods 4 with Active Noise CancellationThe fancier version of the new AirPods 4 offer support for active noise cancellation, a wireless charging case that can use either Qi or Apple Watch pads, and a speaker in the case that chirps to help you find it.
Where to Buy:At its September event, Apple introduced the AirPods 4, a pair of wireless earbuds available in two variations: a $129 standard model and a $179 noise-canceling model. Both versions represent significant upgrades over the third-gen AirPods, with a more comfortable design and improved audio performance. They're also better for taking calls thanks to Apple's Voice Isolation feature, which focuses the mics on your voice so you can be heard more clearly in noisy environments.
The $179 AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation offer a surprisingly effective noise-canceling mode, a helpful transparency mode, and several other Pro-level features. The latest AirPods Pro do a better job of tuning out noise, but the AirPods 4 with ANC still do a good job of reducing sound. They also feature other perks formerly reserved for Apple's top-of-the-line earbuds, including wireless charging and a case with a built-in speaker that allows you to easily track it down via Apple's Find My app.
Although they launched at the end of last year, we've consistently been seeing discounts on both versions of the AirPods 4. Right now, for instance, the standard AirPods 4 are on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Staples for $119 ($10 off), which doesn't match their all-time low of around $99 but remains a decent discount. The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation, meanwhile, are on sale at Amazon and Walmart for $159.16 (about $20 off), which, again, is an okay deal but not the best we've seen.
Read our full AirPods 4 review.The best AirPods Pro (second-gen) dealsApple AirPods Pro (second-gen) with USB-C charging caseThe second-gen AirPods Pro improve upon Apple's original pair with much better noise cancellation, sound quality, and onboard volume controls. The latest refresh also ships with a USB-C charging case, as opposed to Lightning.
Where to Buy:In 2022, Apple released the second-gen AirPods Pro, which feature a similar build to the first-gen model but offer better noise cancellation, swipe-based controls, and an extra-small pair of swappable silicone ear tips for smaller ears. Apple followed up a year later with a minor refresh, one that features a USB-C charging case and an upgraded IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. The newest model also supports lossless audio when used with Apple's new Vision Pro headset and doubles as a pair of FDA-approved hearing aids.
As far as deals go, Apple's updated AirPods Pro with USB-C are currently available at Amazon and Walmart for $199 ($40 off), which falls short of their Black Friday low of $153.99.
Read our AirPods Pro with USB-C impressions.The best AirPods Max dealsApple AirPods MaxApple's AirPods Max feature exemplary build quality, sound phenomenal, and keep up with the best at noise cancellation. Read our review.
Where to Buy:The AirPods Max aren't the iconic in-ears that have become synonymous with the AirPods name. They're large and luxurious, comprised of aluminum, steel, and mesh fabric that remains comfortable during extended listening sessions. They also sport excellent noise cancellation, Apple's spatial audio feature, and expansive, balanced sound, even if they lag behind some of their peers when it comes to bass response and features. They're not the best noise-canceling headphones for most people -blame the sticker price - but it's hard to find a better pair of Bluetooth headphones if you're an iPhone user.
At the beginning of September, Apple replaced the first-gen Max witha new model that features support for USB-C charging and a few new color options. As of writing, they're on sale at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy in select colors starting at $479.99 ($70 off), which is their second-best price to date and $30 shy of their all-time low. Keep in mind that you can also occasionally pick up the first-gen model for less than $400, but right now, we're not seeing any deals of note on the original pair.
Read our original AirPods Max review.