By estherdidsang@gmail.com 
Apple’s AirPods are some of the best earbuds money can buy. Even older models are still solid options. But gear this good often comes with a high price tag. Not to worry — CNET’s team of shopping experts has your back. We’ve scoured the web for the best ways to save right now, including a new record-low price on the new AirPods Max 2.
You can find direct discounts on most of the latest AirPods, and a lot of them are close to or at their record-low price right now. For example, the brand-new AirPods Max 2 just hit shelves, but we’ve already found a record-low offer.
If you want something built with workouts in mind, there are some solid Beats deals worth checking out, notably on the Beats Fit Pro. Prices shift quickly, so if something catches your eye, buying sooner is generally smarter than later.
If you want to cast a wider net, our full roundup of the best headphone deals has savings on Sony, Bose and other top brands worth checking out alongside these AirPods offers.
Best AirPods deals
The new and improved AirPods Pro 3 are now $200 at Amazon, which is a 20% discount. I found that the Pro 3 “delivers upgrades across the board, from fit and noise cancellation to sound quality and battery life,” earning the buds a CNET Editors’ Choice award.
The new second-gen AirPods Max offer some serious improvements, including better noise canceling, improved sound and new features like Live Translation. Apple’s full price for the pair is $549. Amazon just dropped all colors to a new record-low price of $509, saving you an impressive $40 right now.
This Amazon deal knocks the basic AirPods 4 down to $99, which is $30 higher than the record-low of just $69. Our AirPods 4 review noted that the new design is a better fit for a wider range of ear sizes, an advantage over the previous generation.
The AirPods 4 may not be quite as cheap or as small as the AirPods 3, but they sound much better and offer more features. Note that this is the version without active noise cancellation.
Apple’s AirPods 4 with ANC are now $30 off, which drops the price to less than $150. With active noise cancellation, they’re perfect for focusing at work, on the road, or on other important tasks. The powerful H2 chip makes it easy to toggle ANC with transparency mode whenever you need to remain alert. With a battery life of up to 4 hours on a single charge and an extra 20 hours when you use your case, these earbuds are perfect for long trips and can handle work meetings.
I called the noise canceling a “game changer” in my review. These offer most of what you expect from the AirPods Pro 2, with an open-earbud design. I also noted that these were the “first open buds I’ve tried to have active noise canceling that actually works.” If that combination is what you need, look no further.
The AirPods Max 2 just hit shelves, so the soon-to-be-discontinued AirPods Max with USB-C are seeing steep discounts of $100 off across a variety of color options. In our AirPods Max review, we noted that, “if you’re looking for a high-end experience, the AirPods Max deliver one.”
Currently, the orange and purple pairs are down to $449. The blue and midnight pairs are $480 and the starlight color is at $500. Double-check the price before ordering.
If you still like a good pair of old-fashioned wired earphones, Amazon is knocking a few bucks off the Lightning-equipped EarPods. The USB-C and 3.5mm aux versions are not currently discounted.
Best Beats deals
If you find over-ear headphones to be a little bulky, the Beats Solo 4 are an excellent alternative. They’re one of my favorite pairs of on-ear headphones, with excellent sound quality, battery life and voice-calling performance. They lack active noise cancellation but support spatial audio if you’re an Apple user. Plus, they deliver an impressive 50 hours of listening time per charge. They’re also lightweight at just 217 grams, and the plush ear cushions help reduce outside noise.
The black and gold and metallic pink color options are down to $110. The rest of the colors are down to $130, still a $70 savings.
The Beats Studio Buds are an excellent option for those on a tighter budget. They have a slim, stemless design, active noise cancellation and an impressive 36-hour battery life. They also support some convenient Android features, making them an excellent AirPods alternative if you’re not an iPhone user.
Our Studio Buds review called these a “surprise hit.” Our reviewer liked the buds overall but noted that there was “probably some room for discounts on these Beats.” Considering these are currently up to $55 off, now is a great time to snag a pair.
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, phone calls or listening to your favorite podcast on a commute. Select colors are also down to $60 right now, making them a high-quality pair of earbuds at a low price.
In my Beats Flex review, I praised the balanced sound, calling them a solid neckband-style pair of earbuds I mostly enjoyed using. The price tag made them more appealing, and at the current discount, that is even more true for this pair.
Beats Fit Pro are perfect for workout enthusiasts and travelers who want a lightweight pair of earbuds with a case that easily fits in pants pockets. They offer up to 7 hours of battery life and are IPX4 water-resistant.
Apple AirPods pricing 2026
| Model | Apple store price | Best price right now | Best all-time price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 3 | $249 | $200 | $184 |
| AirPods 4 | $129 | $99 | $69 |
| AirPods 4 with ANC | $179 | $149 | $99 |
| AirPods Max | $549 | $449 | $429 |
| AirPods Max 2 | $549 | $509 | $509 |
How we choose AirPods deals at CNET
Apple makes some of the most popular earbuds on the market, so we’re always on the lookout for 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 on some of the latest Beats headphones and earbuds, as they’ve incorporated Apple hardware since the company was purchased in 2014.
Don’t see something you like? Not married to the Apple brand? Our collection of the best headphone deals has something for everyone from other popular companies.