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There are plenty of options if you're on the lookout for a new pair of wireless earbuds or headphones, and Apple is responsible for a ton of them. Some of the best headphones you can buy are in the AirPods lineup, and then there are those from its Beats sub-brand to consider as well. Whether you're listening to music, podcasts, audiobooks or anything else, Apple likely has something to meet your needs. But these things definitely aren't the cheapest around.
But that doesn't mean there aren't any savings to be had. With over two decades of experience covering the tech landscape, David Carnoy is CNET's resident audio expert. He, along with members of 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 Target. That's a respectable $60 discount compared to Apple's price, and just $21 more than the all-time lowest price we've seen on this pair.
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 chock-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 pink color variant, but you can still save around $100 on most other colors.
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.
Battery Life Rated up to 9 hoursNoise Canceling NoMultipoint NoHeadphone Type Wireless earbudsWater-Resistant Yes (IPX4 -- splash-proof)
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.
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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.
Watch this: AirPods Pro 2 Review: Hard to Beat for Apple Users
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