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

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

AirPods are a great gift for the iPhone owner in your life who doesn’t splurge on tech themselves. There are several models to choose from, from the affordable AirPods 3 to the luxury AirPods Max. Whichever you choose, right now is a great time to buy a pair.

Also: The best Black Friday deals: Live updates

We’ve seen steep discounts on favorite AirPods models, like the AirPods Max, which just got a $150 discount, and the AirPods Pro, which is $95 off right now. Whether you’re the type of person to know exactly what you’ll be buying for every loved one this holiday, or whether you’re going to shop around and let inspiration (or deals) come to you organically, you can get ahead of the holiday shopping hubbub by perusing early deals right now. ZDNET has reviewed every pair of AirPods on this list, and our deal-hunting experts will help you cut through the noise to find the best option for you to buy or gift.

Our favorite Black Friday AirPods deals

AirPods Pro 2: $154 (save $95 at Amazon): These are our favorite AirPods out of the entire lineup — and they’re mighty cheap with this $95 discount (the lowest price we’ve seen yet). The AirPods Pro 2 is one pair of Apple headphones with noise cancellation. 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 Apple released earlier this fall, but it’s still $10 cheaper than the original price. Wait until Black Friday for a possibly more substantial deal.

AirPods 3: $154 (save $15 at Amazon): This AirPods model is not as new as the AirPods 4 that came out earlier this year. These came out in 2021, so they’re a little old. You’ll find spatial audio, a 30-hour battery life, and adaptive EQ in the earbuds, but look elsewhere for noise cancellation.

AirPods Max: $400 (save $150 at Best Buy): Apple released a newer AirPods Max model, adding a USB-C charging port to the over-ear headphones, so select colors from the older generation are cheaper right now, like the sky blue AirPods Max that are $150 off the original price. The price of the earlier AirPods Max model is lower than ever.

AirPods (Second Generation): $89 (save $40 at Walmart): These AirPods are the most basic available. If you prefer a no-frills listening experience, this Walmart deal isn’t pretty good.

Current price: $154

Original price: $250

The AirPods Pro 2 are our favorite Apple AirPods for a reason — three reasons, actually. They fit most ear sizes, are great for all-day wear, and boast the best noise-canceling out of the Apple earbuds lineup. You’re getting six hours of battery life out of these buds, enough to power you through a workout or two or nearly the whole day at the office. Plus, Apple recently updated the AirPods Pro 2 to include a hearing aid feature that turns these buds into helpful hearing devices — a game-changing development that will give those who are hard of hearing an affordable sound amplifier. Pretty cool, right?

Current price: $165

Original price: $179

This discount is small, at only $15 off — but discounts on brand-new Apple products are rare. These are the newest Apple AirPods that come with an H2 chip (the same chip in the AirPods Pro 2), active noise cancellation, and spatial audio. Given how new the earbuds are, it makes sense the discount isn’t huge. Perhaps as we get closer to Black Friday, we will see a more impressive price cut.

Current price: $399

Original price: $550

Apple released an upgraded AirPods Max in September with a USB-C port replacing the brand’s signature Lighting port. The new lineup includes more colors, that new port, and not much else. What that means for you is that you can buy the older version of the AirPods Max with many of the same features as the new headphones but at a cheaper price. For example, the older model AirPods Max is $150 off, the lowest price we’ve seen yet. Not bad at all.

Best Black Friday AirPods alternatives: Deals live now

Beats Studio Buds: $79 (save $71 at Amazon): Want that Apple ecosystem compatibility without the high AirPods prices? These Beats Studio Buds offer seamless Apple connectivity for a fraction of the price.

Beats Solo Buds: $50 (save $30): These are the most bare-bones Beats Buds (say that three times fast). They don’t come with 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 at Denon): These earbuds deliver clear and crisp sound and are half off right now.

Beats Studio Buds+: $130 (save $40 at Amazon): The Beats Studio Buds+ is a step up from the Studio Buds with active noise cancellation and 12 more hours of listening time.

Sony WF-1000XM5: $228 (save $72 at Amazon): These are some of the most impressive earbuds you can buy with vivid sound, good noise cancellation, and all of those Sony special touches.

Soundcore A40 noise-canceling earbuds: $45 (save $35 at Amazon): Customers on Amazon call these earbuds “spectacular” with great sound for an affordable price.

Beats Solo 4: $100 (save $100 at Amazon): With up to 50 hours of battery life and comfortable ear pads, you could listen to music with these on for days.

Sonos Ace Headphones: $349 (save $100 at Amazon): These Sonos headphones bear a shocking resemblance to Apple’s AirPods Max.

FAQs

When is Black Friday?

Black Friday is happening today, on Nov. 29 this year.

When is Cyber Monday?

Cyber Monday is Dec. 2 this year, and you can find deals on everything from household appliances to high-tech devices on the web.

Are AirPods deals really better on Black Friday?

I’ve seen the price of AirPods drop by some $10 or $20 less than their usual discount price during events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Prime Day. Brands like Apple usually have a discount price they use during non-holiday events. For example, I’ve seen the price of the AirPods Pro 2 be around that $200 price range, even though its full price is $250. On a deals event day, the price dips to around $180 or less.

How did we choose these Black Friday deals?

ZDNET only writes about deals we think are actually worth your while. I know the price of every AirPods model and what they regularly discount for. So when I evaluate deals, I consider all of this information before including a product in a roundup or writing a spotlight on the deal.

We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we’re recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing — in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.

Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?

Typical sentiment would be that you can still shop in person but you can find deals online through most major online retailers like: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more.

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

You’ve got lots of AirPods options this Black Friday. Do you want an over-ear headphone, like the AirPods Max (that is running a $150 discount right now), or a tried-and-true noise-canceling pro, like the AirPods Pro 2? Those are two of our favorite AirPods models. Other models, like the AirPods 3 and 4, offer different fits without the silicon ear tips that stabilize your ear. The AirPods 4 is the latest model, so don’t expect massive sales on the product just yet. Normally, brands will discount their older models with the best deals. That explains why the AirPods Max with the Lightning port have a $150 discount, while the new AirPods Max with the USB-C port are $100 more expensive on Amazon.

Is there an Apple student discount available?

Apple Education cuts the price of select Apple products, like MacBooks and iPads, but it doesn’t seem like you can get discounts on AirPods.

Can you get free Apple Music with your AirPods?

When you purchase a new Apple device, like AirPods, you are eligible for three free months of Apple Music, the platform’s streaming service.

What are the best Black Friday 2024 deals?

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

And more Black Friday deals: