Dead set on getting a pair of Apple AirPods but don't want to pay full price? You're not alone. And while massive savings on Apple's headphones aren't the easiest to come by, you can usually find a deal or two across the current range of wireless earbuds and headphones that will suit your budget.
Whether you're looking for convenience from the take-anywhere AirPods buds, or want the over-ear comfort of the AirPods Max, most models are on the receiving end of a discount at the time of writing, so there are savings to be had.
As always, though, we are never sure how long these deals are hanging around for – so if you see a discount you like, grab it now before it disappears...
AirPods Pro 2 deals
Apple 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 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. And 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're the only wireless earbuds you'll ever need.
Note that in 2023, Apple has swapped out the old Lightning connecter charging case with a new USB-C charging case. There's no change to the earbuds themselves or to the sound quality, but take note when buying online to make sure you pick the correct case option for you.
Read our full AirPods Pro 2nd generation review
AirPods 3 deals
Apple AirPods 3
Apple's 'standard' AirPods advance closer to the Pro model, with a smart redesign (shorter stems) and full support for spatial audio thanks to added head-tracking capabilities. Battery life is stronger than the older AirPods 2 (30 hours vs 24 hours) while the sound is balanced, clear and detailed.
The AirPods 3 might lack active noise-cancelling (you'll need to splash out on the AirPods Pro models above), but they're a great all-round package with plenty to offer Apple device owners. Again, note that there are two options: one with a wireless charging case and the other with a Lightning connector wired case.
Bear in mind that there's a fourth generation of AirPods on the way, possibly in around September or October 2024, so it might be worth waiting until then if you want the new pair or you're thinking of holding out for the AirPods 3 to drop even further in price.
Read our full AirPods 3 review
AirPods 2 deals
Apple AirPods 2
Apple might have launched the newer AirPods 3, but the cheaper and older AirPods 2 remain a great everyday pair of hassle-free true wireless earbuds. They offer a good combination of performance, reliability and convenience, and are currently the cheapest AirPods that Apple makes (until the fabled AirPods Lite ever see the light of day). They connect like a dream to your Apple device too.
Right now, we are seeing these go as low as $69, so if you're seeing them any higher than that, it might be worth holding out, or opting for the newer AirPods 3 instead.
Read our full AirPods 2 (2019) review
AirPods Max deals
Apple AirPods Max
In 2020, Apple finally delivered its first over-ear, noise-cancelling, wireless headphones: the AirPods Max. They're large, rather heavy and expensive... and very good indeed, nabbing a five-star review and a 2021 What Hi-Fi? Award. Their exceptional build quality is as premium as the price, and they offer superb sound and noise-cancelling.
Their authenticity, detail, crispness and spaciousness elevate their audio quality enough to be considered alongside proper hi-fi products in this class. They work best with iOS devices, naturally, with cinematic spatial audio and Siri voice control amongst the many Apple-only features.
While the discounts on Apple's over-ears were never usually major, with the AirPods Max 2 rumoured to be arriving soon we are seeing bigger and bigger deals that could be worth a look.
Read our full AirPods Max review
MORE:
AirPods 4: release date rumours, price predictions, specs and features we want to see
Best AirPods: Apple's wireless headphones ranked and rated
AirPods Pro 2 (2022) vs AirPods Pro: what are the differences?
AirPods 3 vs AirPods 2: what's the difference? Should you upgrade?
AirPods Max 2: release date rumours, potential price, features and spec leaks
