Best Black Friday Apple AirPods deals 2024: Sales are now on for top models and generations

Black Friday sales are officially online and if you’re thinking about how nice a new pair of AirPods would be, then today is the right day to buy them. But don’t buy without checking out the best deals on these earbuds and headphones first.

AirPods are a great gift for the iPhone owner in your life who isn’t invested in the tech themselves. There are several models to choose from, from the budget AirPods 3 to the luxury AirPods Max. Whatever you choose, now is a great time to buy a pair.

Also: The best Black Friday deals: live updates

We’ve seen significant discounts on favorite AirPod models like this AirPods Maxwhich just got a $150 discount, and the AirPods Pro, which is currently $95 off. Whether you’re the type of person who knows exactly what to buy for everyone you love this holiday season, or you shop around and let inspiration (or deals) come to you on their own, you can get ahead of the savings Avoid the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping by checking out the deals now. ZDNET has reviewed every pair of AirPods on this list and our bargain experts will help you find the best purchase or gift option for you.

Our favorite Black Friday AirPods deals

• AirPods Pro 2: $154 (Save $95 on Amazon): These are our favorite AirPods from the entire lineup—and with this $95 discount (the lowest price we’ve seen to date), they’re very affordable. The AirPods Pro 2 are Apple noise-cancelling headphones. Plus, they just got a new feature that turns them into hearing aids.
• AirPods 4: $119 (Save $10 at Amazon): This isn’t the best deal on the new AirPods that Apple released earlier this fall, but it’s still $10 off the original price. Wait until Black Friday for a potentially bigger deal.
• AirPods 3: $155 (Save $14 on Amazon): This AirPods model isn’t as new as the AirPods 4 that came out earlier this year. These came out in 2021, so they are a bit old. You’ll find spatial audio, 30 hours of battery life, and adaptive EQ in the earbuds, but look elsewhere for noise cancellation.
• AirPods Max: $400 (Save $150 at Best Buy): Apple has released a newer AirPods Max model that adds a USB-C charging port to the over-ear headphones, so select older-generation colors are currently cheaper, like the sky blue AirPods Max These are $150 off the original price. The price of the previous AirPods Max model is lower than ever.
• AirPods (second generation): $89 (Save $40 at Walmart): These AirPods are the simplest on the market. If you prefer a no-frills listening experience, this Walmart deal isn’t great.

Best Black Friday AirPods alternatives: Deals live now

• Beats Studio Buds: $79 (Save $71 on Amazon): Want compatibility with the Apple ecosystem without the high AirPods prices? These Beats Studio Buds offer seamless Apple connectivity at a fraction of the price.
• Better than Solo Buds: $50 (Save $30): These are the most basic Beats Buds (let’s say that three times fast). They don’t have noise cancellation, but they have an 18-hour battery life and are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time.
• Denon PerL Pro: $149 (Save $150 on Denon): These earbuds deliver crisp and clear sound and are currently half price.
• Beats Studio Buds+: $130 (Save $40 on Amazon): The Beats Studio Buds+ are an evolution of the Studio Buds with active noise cancellation and 12 hours more listening time.
• Sony WF-1000XM5: $228 (Save $72 on Amazon): These are some of the most impressive earbuds you can buy, with vibrant sound, good noise cancellation, and all those special Sony touches.
• Soundcore A40 noise canceling earbuds: $45 (Save $35 on Amazon): Customers on Amazon describe these earbuds as “spectacular” with great sound at an affordable price.
• Better than Solo 4: $100 (Save $100 on Amazon): With up to 50 hours of battery life and comfortable ear pads, you can listen to music for days.
• Sonos Ace headphones: $349 (Save $100 at Amazon): These Sonos headphones bear a striking resemblance to Apple’s AirPods Max.

FAQs

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday takes place today, November 29th this year.

When is Cyber ​​Monday?

Cyber ​​Monday falls on December 2nd this year and you’ll find deals on everything from home appliances to high-tech gadgets online.

Are Black Friday AirPods deals really better?

I’ve seen the price of AirPods drop about $10-$20 below the usual discount price during events like Black Friday, Cyber ​​Monday, or Prime Day. Brands like Apple typically offer discount pricing that they take advantage of during non-holiday events. For example, I saw that the price of the AirPods Pro 2 is around the $200 price range, even though the full price is $250. On a deal event day, the price drops to around $180 or less.

How did we choose these Black Friday deals?

ZDNET only writes about offers that we believe are actually worth it for you. I know the price of each AirPods model and what is regularly discounted. So when I evaluate offers, I take all of this information into account before including a product in a summary or writing a focus on the offer.

We also looked at customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the offerings we recommend. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing – in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The aim is to provide the most accurate advice so you can shop smarter.

Where to shop for the best Black Friday and Cyber ​​Monday deals?

The typical opinion would be that you can still shop in person, but you can find deals online at most major online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more.

How do I know which AirPods to choose this Black Friday?

There are plenty of AirPods options available to you this Black Friday. Do you want over-ear headphones like the AirPods Max (currently on sale for $150 off) or a tried-and-true pro noise-canceling headphone like the AirPods Pro 2? These are two of our favorite AirPod models. Other models, like the AirPods 3 and 4, offer different fits without the silicone ear tips that stabilize your ear. The AirPods 4 are the latest model. So don’t expect big sales for the product yet. Usually brands offer their older models with the best deals. That explains why the AirPods Max with Lightning connector is $150 off, while the new AirPods Max with USB-C connector are $100 more expensive at Amazon.

Is there an Apple student discount?

Apple education is slashing the price of select Apple products like MacBooks and iPads, but it doesn’t look like you’ll be able to get discounts on AirPods.

Can you get free Apple Music with your AirPods?

When you buy a new Apple device like AirPods, you’re entitled to three free months of Apple Music, the platform’s streaming service.

What are the best deals for Black Friday 2024?

ZDNET’s experts have now searched live Black Friday sales to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Black Friday deals so far, sorted by category:

And more Black Friday offers: