Best cheap AirPods deals and sales for December 2022

If you know where to look, there are often great discounts available on Apple’s popular – but often expensive – AirPods. Since Apple launched the third-generation AirPods last year, we’ve seen the entry-level second-generation starting price drop from $159 to $129. And now that you can buy the second-generation AirPods Pro, we’re seeing even better discounts on the last-generation Pro and other models. For your convenience, we’ve put together the best deals currently available on each model, including the entry-level AirPods, the AirPods Pro, the third-generation AirPods, and the AirPods Max.

The best deals on entry-level AirPods (2nd generation).

Last year, Apple cut the list price of the second-generation AirPods — now the entry-level model — from $159 to $129. However, it now only sells the model with a wired charging case, which charges via a standard Lightning cable. Despite their age, we found that the easy-to-use second-generation AirPods still offer great wireless performance and reliable battery life, making them a great choice if you can live without a wireless charging case.

Right now, you can pick up Apple’s most affordable pair of earbuds for $89.99 ($40 off) at Target and Walmart, which is just $10 shy of their all-time low. You can also buy the model with the wireless charging case for $139.99 ($20 off) from Adorama.

The best AirPods deals (third generation).

With support for the company’s MagSafe technology and an asking price of $179, Apple’s third-generation AirPods are often considered the middle child in Apple’s current AirPods lineup. The shorter stems also make for a more subtle design, while improved sound and features like sweat and water resistance, support for spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and improved battery life make them a nice improvement over the last-generation model.

Back in September, Apple quietly introduced a new option for the third-generation AirPods that comes with a Lightning-only charging case, one that costs $10 less than the option with a MagSafe charging case. However, since you can currently buy the first-generation Noise Canceling AirPods Pro for $159.99, we recommend buying it instead. We don’t recommend buying the AirPods with a Lightning-only charging case, as the MagSafe-compatible model regularly goes on sale for less than MSRP. Right now, for example, you can buy them for about $169 ($10 off) at Staples and Sam’s Club (if you’re a member).

The best AirPods Pro deals

In case you missed it, Apple announced the second-generation AirPods Pro at its “Far Out” event in September, a pair of earbuds with a similar construction to the first-generation model, but with better noise cancellation. They also have swipe controls, come with Apple’s new H2 chip, and have an extra small pair of interchangeable silicone tips for smaller ears. Despite just coming out a few months ago, they’re already on sale at Amazon, Best Buy, and Target for $199.99 instead of $249, which is their lowest price ever and on Black Friday. Read our review.

If the second-generation AirPods Pro are too expensive for you, rest assured: we often see discounts on the first-generation AirPods Pro. They have better sound quality than the non-premium models mentioned above, as well as active noise cancellation. They also come with interchangeable silicone tips – albeit three, not four – and support Apple’s Spatial Audio feature, which adds an immersive surround sound effect to selected content.

Last year, Apple launched a new configuration of the AirPods Pro with a wireless charging case that supports Apple’s MagSafe technology, just like the third-generation AirPods. The noise-canceling, MagSafe-ready earbuds typically cost $249, but they’re currently available from Verizon for $159.99, which is their all-time lowest price. If you prefer another store, you can also pick them up at Walmart for $20 more.

The best AirPods Max deals

The AirPods Max are not the iconic in-ears that have become synonymous with the AirPods name. They are large and luxurious, made of aluminum, steel and mesh fabric that remain comfortable during extended listening sessions. They also offer excellent noise cancellation, Apple’s spatial audio feature, and wide, balanced sound, even if they lag behind some of their peers when it comes to bass response. They’re not the best noise-canceling headphones for most people — blame the $550 sticker price — but it’s hard to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that sound better and have more intuitive controls.

While Woot and other retailers have reduced the AirPods Max to just $409 in the past, prices have since gone up across the board. Right now, for example, the Max retails for around $449 at Amazon (in gray) and $444.99 at the Micro Center, though you’ll need to live nearby to pick them up at your local store. If you prefer more color options and online delivery, you can also buy them from Best Buy for $479.