The best AirPods deals: cheapest UK AirPods prices May 2024

In-ear headphones: Apple AirPods Pro 2
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

If you're in the market for a new pair of AirPods and are looking to land the best price, you've come to the right place. If you're a dedicated iPhone user, Apple's AirPods are probably the best wireless earbuds for you, as they work intuitively with your iOS device, bring Siri to life and give you greater immersion with music and films thanks to spatial audio support.

Below, you'll find the latest and best deal prices on every current AirPods model, including the five-star AirPods Pro 2 earbuds and the premium AirPods Max over-ear headphones. We'll also help you choose the right pair for you with our advice on each model, so you can ensure you get the best AirPods model for your listening needs.

While the Black Friday sales period is generally when you'll see the best deals, there are still plenty of discounts to be found at all times throughout the year, and we've highlighted the best deals and lowest AirPods prices below. 

We'll keep this page updated with all the best AirPods deals whenever we see a price drop, so check the lowest prices available before making a purchase.

Best AirPods deals

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) was £229 now £187 at On Buy (save £42)
Apple’s flagship ANC earbuds are five-star favourites and a must-have for iOS die-hards. Boasts impressive ANC, a hugely enjoyable sound, along with plenty of new features such as adaptive audio and conversation mode. We've seen the AirPods Pro 2 drop to just £199 during Black Friday sales, but prices are back up to its full RRP now. This On Buy deal is for the 2022 Lightning charging case model, but those wanting the new 2023 USB-C charging case model can pick it up at the retailers below. Five stars

AirPods Pro (2nd generation) was £229 now £187 at On Buy (save £42)
Apple’s flagship ANC earbuds are five-star favourites and a must-have for iOS die-hards. Boasts impressive ANC, a hugely enjoyable sound, along with plenty of new features such as adaptive audio and conversation mode. We've seen the AirPods Pro 2 drop to just £199 during Black Friday sales, but prices are back up to its full RRP now. This On Buy deal is for the 2022 Lightning charging case model, but those wanting the new 2023 USB-C charging case model can pick it up at the retailers below. Five stars

AirPods 3 was £179 now £146 at OnBuy (save £33)
Improved sound, innovative Apple-centric features, spatial audio support and Pro-inspired redesign with shorter stems, but no ANC for the newest base model. While it's still fairly pricey, any saving on the 3rd gen AirPods (such as this deal with the Lightning charging case) is worth considering.
Price check: £169 at John Lewis, Amazon, Apple

AirPods 3 was £179 now £146 at OnBuy (save £33)
Improved sound, innovative Apple-centric features, spatial audio support and Pro-inspired redesign with shorter stems, but no ANC for the newest base model. While it's still fairly pricey, any saving on the 3rd gen AirPods (such as this deal with the Lightning charging case) is worth considering.
Price check: £169 at John Lewis, Amazon, Apple

AirPods Max was £549now £499 at Amazon (save £50)
Apple’s wireless over-ear model is a five-star hit: superb-sounding, noise-cancelling, wireless cans with a stylish and premium design. The AirPods Max come with a big price tag, so £50 off the RRP on most colourways is a small but still welcome discount.
Five starsDeal also at John Lewis, Argos, Apple

AirPods Max was £549 now £499 at Amazon (save £50)
Apple’s wireless over-ear model is a five-star hit: superb-sounding, noise-cancelling, wireless cans with a stylish and premium design. The AirPods Max come with a big price tag, so £50 off the RRP on most colourways is a small but still welcome discount.
Five stars
Deal also at John Lewis, Argos, Apple

AirPods Pro 2 deals

AirPods Pro 2

Apple's flagship AirPods Pro 2 earbuds earned the brand its first five-star review for the in-ear models. Thanks to the powerful new H2 chip, the noise-cancelling is improved two-fold, sound quality is now on par with the class leaders, and there are plenty of additional user-friendly features. 

Battery life has increased to six hours in the earbuds, with 24 extra hours with the charging case, which now has a built-in speaker to emit tones. A fourth XS ear tip is included for an even better fit, and a new "Adaptive" Transparency Mode damps down loud and sudden harsh noises to great effect. Thanks to the recent iOS 17 software update, you also get nifty new features like Adaptive Audio (which dynamically adjusts the ANC according to our surroundings) and Conversation Mode (which pauses music when it recognises that you're speaking).

But it's the excellent sound quality that's king here. Weighty, detailed, open and with plenty of dynamic subtlety, these really are accomplished performers. For iOS users, they might be the only wireless earbuds you'll ever need.

Do note that in 2023, Apple swapped out the old Lightning connecter charging case with a new USB-C charging case and a new £229 price in the UK. There's no change to the earbuds or the sound quality, but take note when buying online to make sure you pick the correct case option.

Read our full AirPods Pro 2nd generation review

AirPods 3 deals

AirPods 3

Wireless in-ear headphones: Apple AirPods 3

A step in the right direction for Apple.  (Image credit: Apple)

Apple's third-gen AirPods advance closer to the Pro model, with a smart redesign and full support for spatial audio thanks to added head-tracking capabilities. Battery life is stronger than the older AirPods 2 (30 hours over 24 hours) while the sound is balanced, clear and detailed.

The AirPods 3 might lack active noise-cancelling (you'll need to spend more for the AirPods Pro) but they're a great all-round package with plenty to offer Apple device owners. Again, note that there are two case options: one with a wireless charging case and the other with a Lightning connector wired case.

Also note that a fourth generation of AirPods is on the way, likely in around September or October this year, so it may be worth holding off until then if those sound like your perfect pair or, conversely, you're holding out for the AirPods 3 to tumble even further when the next-gen model finally arrives.

Read our full AirPods 3 review

AirPods 2 deals

AirPods 2

Apple AirPods 2019

Small, smart and increasingly affordable, the second-gen AirPods are often discounted. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Apple might have launched the newer AirPods 3, but the cheaper and older AirPods 2 remain a great everyday pair of hassle-free wireless earbuds. They offer a solid combination of performance, reliability and convenience, and are currently the cheapest AirPods that Apple makes (until the fabled AirPods Lite finally arrive).

We regularly see the price of this model drop down to under £100, so keep your eyes peeled for a deal and you'll be handsomely rewarded.

Read our full AirPods 2 (2019) review

AirPods Max deals

AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max

Superb over-ear headphones, whether you're an Apple fan or not. (Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

In 2020, Apple finally delivered its first over-ear, noise-cancelling, wireless headphones: the AirPods Max, and while we found them to be large, rather heavy and very expensive, we also thought they were some of the finest headphones of any type produced by the Californian brand. With a five-star review and a 2021 What Hi-Fi? Award to their name, the Max offer exceptional build quality, superb noise-cancelling and, most importantly, some of Apple's best-ever sound. 

Their authenticity, detail, crispness and spaciousness elevate their audio quality enough to be considered alongside genuine hi-fi products at this price point. They work best with iOS devices, naturally, with cinematic spatial audio and Siri voice control amongst the many Apple-only features. If you're an Android user, you might want to consider worthy rivals such as the Focal Bathys, the Sony WH-10000XM5 or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones.

While the discounts are never huge, we normally see decent deals (especially across all finishes) on the AirPods Max during the sales period leading up to Christmas, so keep your eyes peeled.

Read our full AirPods Max review

MORE:

Best AirPods: Apple's wireless headphones ranked and rated

AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2: what's the difference? Should you upgrade?

AirPods Max 2: release date rumours, potential price, features and spec leaks

AirPods 4: release date rumours, price predictions, specs and features we want to see

Kashfia Kabir
Hi-Fi and Audio Editor

Kashfia is the Hi-Fi and Audio Editor of What Hi-Fi? and first joined the brand over 10 years ago. During her time in the consumer tech industry, she has reviewed hundreds of products (including speakers, amplifiers and headphones), been to countless trade shows across the world and fallen in love with hi-fi kit much bigger than her. In her spare time, Kash can be found tending to an ever-growing houseplant collection and hanging out with her cat Jolene.

With contributions from