The best AirPods deals: cheapest US AirPods prices March 2024

airpods in the case being held
(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

Dead set on getting a pair of Apple headphones or earbuds in the new year, but don't want to pay full price?

You're not alone. Getting a decent discount on any Apple product is tricky at the best of times, as the company’s tech tends to retain its full value fairly well. 

But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some decent savings on Apple AirPods to be found if you look around, which is exactly what the team of bargain hunters at What Hi-Fi? has done. We’ve trawled stores to find the best AirPods deals currently running.  

Top of the list price-wise are the premium AirPods Max over-ear wireless noise-cancelling headphones, followed by the latest AirPods Pro 2 wireless ANC earbuds (with new USB-C charging case), and the standard AirPods 3 buds. You can still find big discounts on the older (and cheapest) AirPods 2, too, especially during the big sales seasons. 

Here's our guide to the lowest prices on all current AirPods, as well as a guide to finding the best option for your listening needs.

Apple AirPods Pro 2 was $249now $189 at Walmart (save $60)
Apple’s latest flagship ANC buds are our new five-star favourites. With impressive ANC, a hugely enjoyable sound that’s powerful, dynamic and subtle, along with personalised spatial audio and new Apple-centric features. Five stars

Apple AirPods Pro 2 <a href="https://goto.walmart.com/c/1943169/565706/9383?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FAirPods-Pro-2nd-generation-with-MagSafe-Case-USB-C%2F5020133971%3Fathbdg%3DL1102%26from%3D%2Fsearch" data-link-merchant="walmart.com"" target="_blank">was $249 now $189 at Walmart (save $60)
Apple’s latest flagship ANC buds are our new five-star favourites. With impressive ANC, a hugely enjoyable sound that’s powerful, dynamic and subtle, along with personalised spatial audio and new Apple-centric features. Five stars

Price check: <a href="https://goto.target.com/c/221109/81938/2092?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Fairpods-pro-2nd-generation-with-magsafe-case-usb-c%2F-%2FA-85978622" data-link-merchant="target.com"" data-link-merchant="walmart.com"" target="_blank">$190 @ Target

Apple AirPods 3&nbsp;was $170 now $150 at Target (save $20)
Improved sound, innovative Apple-centric features, spatial audio support and Pro-inspired redesign with shorter stems, but no ANC. They are a great choice for iPhone users and this deal comes with the Lightning charging case.

Deal also at Walmart

Apple AirPods 3 <a href="https://goto.target.com/c/221109/81938/2092?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Fairpods-3rd-generation-with-lightning-charging-case%2F-%2FA-85978614%23lnk%3Dsametab" data-link-merchant="target.com"" target="_blank">was $170 now $150 at Target (save $20)
Improved sound, innovative Apple-centric features, spatial audio support and Pro-inspired redesign with shorter stems, but no ANC. They are a great choice for iPhone users and this deal comes with the Lightning charging case.

Deal also at <a href="https://goto.walmart.com/c/1943169/565706/9383?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FApple-AirPods-3-White-In-Ear-Headphones-MPNY3AM-A%2F1123329439" data-link-merchant="walmart.com"" data-link-merchant="target.com"" target="_blank">Walmart

Apple AirPods 2was $129now $99 at&nbsp;Walmart (save $30)

Apple AirPods 2 <a href="https://goto.walmart.com/c/1943169/565706/9383?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.walmart.com%2Fip%2FApple-AirPods-with-Charging-Case-2nd-Generation%2F604342441%3Fathbdg%3DL1102%26from%3D%2Fsearch" data-link-merchant="walmart.com"" target="_blank">was $129 now $99 at Walmart (save $30)
The classic 2nd-gen AirPods with charging case feature the original longer stems design and forego any new Apple spatial audio or ANC features. But they dropped in price following the launch of the new AirPods 3 and are now the cheapest AirPods available.

Price check: <a href="https://goto.target.com/c/221109/81938/2092?subId1=hawk-custom-tracking&sharedId=hawk&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fp%2Fapple-airpods-2nd-generation-with-charging-case%2F-%2FA-54191097" data-link-merchant="target.com"" data-link-merchant="walmart.com"" target="_blank">$100 @ Target

AirPods Pro 2 deals

Apple AirPods Pro 2 

In-ear headphones: Apple AirPods Pro 2

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

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. 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

Wireless in-ear headphones: Apple AirPods 3

(Image credit: Apple)

Apple's latest '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 (now 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, the other with a Lightning connector wired case.

Read our full AirPods 3 review

AirPods 2 deals

Apple AirPods 2

Apple AirPods 2019

(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 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).

We also regularly see the price of this model drop down to under $100 (they went as low as $80 at Target), so it might be worth holding out for the lowest prices before buying.

Read our full AirPods 2 (2019) review

AirPods Max deals

Apple AirPods Max

Apple AirPods Max

(Image credit: What Hi-Fi?)

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 are never huge, we normally see decent deals (especially across all finishes) on the AirPods Max during the Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day sales, so keep your eyes peeled.

Read our full AirPods Max review

MORE:

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

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