The best cheap AirPods deals and sales in July 2024

You can often get discounts on Apple’s popular AirPods if you know where to look. Since Apple launched the third-generation AirPods in late 2021, we’ve seen second-generation entry-level models consistently start at under $100. Now that the second-generation AirPods Pro have been on the market for nearly two years, we’re also seeing their prices drop more frequently. We’ve even seen great deals on updated AirPods Pro with USB-C.

Before we dive into the deals, though, we want to remind you that this year’s Prime Day will take place on July 16th and 17th. We’ve seen some great deals on AirPods in the past, so if you’re in the market for a pair, it might be worth the wait. If you can’t, though, here are the best deals on every model right now, including entry-level AirPods, AirPods Pro, third-generation AirPods, and AirPods Max.

In 2021, Apple dropped the price of second-generation AirPods (now the entry-level model) from $159 to $129. However, it now only sells models with a wired charging case that charges via a standard Lightning cable. Despite their age, we found the easy-to-use second-generation AirPods still offer excellent wireless performance and solid battery life, making them a good choice if you can live without a wireless charging case.

During Black Friday, Apple’s most affordable headphones dropped to an all-time low of $69 (a $60 discount) at numerous retailers. However, the second-generation earphones are currently only available on Amazon and Walmart and come with a Lightning charging case for $89 ($40 off), matching their second-highest price to date.

Read our AirPods (2nd generation) review.

With support for the company’s MagSafe technology and a $179 price tag, Apple’s third-generation AirPods are generally considered the middle-of-the-road product in Apple’s current AirPods lineup. The shorter stem also results in a more subtle design, while improved sound and features (such as sweat and water resistance), support for spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and longer battery life make them better than previous-generation models. A big improvement.

In 2022, Apple quietly launched a new third-generation AirPods product, which is slightly cheaper and equipped with a Lightning charging box. Unfortunately, they’re currently only on sale at B&H Photo for $159.99 (a $10 discount), and neither Amazon nor Walmart are offering the usual $30 discount. That being said, Costco members can purchase the MagSafe option for $149.99 (a $30 discount), and B&H Photo members can purchase the MagSafe option for $169.99 (a $10 discount).

Read our AirPods (3rd generation) review.

In 2022, Apple released the second-generation AirPods Pro, which were built similarly to the first-generation model but offered better noise cancellation, swipe-based controls, and a pair of ultra-small replaceable silicone ear tips that fit smaller ears. Apple followed this trend last year with a minor update, a USB-C charging case, and an upgraded IP54 water and dust resistance rating. The latest models also support lossless audio when used with Apple’s new Vision Pro headphones.

Apple’s updated AirPods Pro are currently on sale on Amazon for $199 (a $50 discount), which is about $20 less than the all-time low we saw in late April. They’re also available at Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, but the full retail price is only about $249.

Check out our hands-on experience with AirPods Pro with USB-C.

AirPods Max are not the iconic in-ear headphones that have become synonymous with the AirPods name. They’re spacious and luxurious, made from aluminum, steel, and mesh fabric to stay comfortable during long listening sessions. They also feature excellent noise cancellation, Apple’s spatial audio capabilities, and a spacious, balanced sound, although they lag behind some peers in bass response and features. They’re not the best noise-cancelling headphones for most people—blame the price tag—but if you’re an iPhone user, you’d be hard-pressed to find better Bluetooth headphones.

Woot and other retailers have previously discounted the AirPods Max to $409. The best you can do right now, though, is get it on Amazon and B&H Photo for $479.95 (about $69) — which is still one of the best deals we’ve seen so far this year.

Read our AirPods Max review.