Best cheap AirPods deals and sales for May 2023

If you know where to look, there are often great discounts available on Apple’s ever-popular AirPods. Since Apple launched the third-generation AirPods towards the end of 2021, we’ve seen the entry-level second-generation starting price slowly drop to around $100. And now that you can buy the second-generation AirPods Pro at most retailers, we’re seeing even better discounts on the last generation Pro and other models. Even other Apple earbuds, including the fitness-focused Beats Fit Pro, are on sale right now for just $159.95 ($40 off).

Below, we’ve put together the best deals currently available on each model, including the entry-level AirPods, the AirPods Pro, the third-generation AirPods, and the AirPods Max.

In 2021, Apple lowered the list price of the second-generation AirPods — now the entry-level model — from $159 to $129. However, it now only sells the model with a wired charging case, which charges via a standard Lightning cable. Despite their age, we found that the easy-to-use second-generation AirPods still offer great wireless performance and reliable battery life, making them a great choice if you can live without a wireless charging case.

We’ve seen Apple’s most affordable earbuds drop to just $79.99, but right now they’re only on sale for $99 ($30 off) at Amazon, Walmart, and Verizon. If you prefer the model with the wireless charging case, it’s also available from Adorama for $139.99 ($20 off).

Read our AirPods (second generation) review.

With support for the company’s MagSafe technology and an asking price of $179, Apple’s third-generation AirPods are often considered the middle child in Apple’s current AirPods lineup. The shorter stems also make for a more subtle design, while improved sound and features like sweat and water resistance, support for spatial audio with dynamic head tracking, and improved battery life make them a nice improvement over the last-generation model.

Back in September, Apple quietly introduced a new, slightly cheaper option for the third-generation AirPods that comes with a Lightning-only charging case. They’re currently selling for just $10 less than the option with a MagSafe charging case at places like Best Buy and Walmart — or $20 less at Amazon — but we’d recommend buying the MagSafe-compatible model given the subtle price difference between the two configurations. The latter is available from B&H Photo for $174.95, or from Sam’s Club and Costco for about $170 if you’re a member of either wholesaler.

Read our AirPods (third generation) review.

In case you missed it, Apple announced the second-generation AirPods Pro at its “Far Out” event in September, a pair of earbuds with a similar construction to the first-generation model, but with better noise cancellation. They also have swipe controls, come with Apple’s new H2 chip, and have an extra small pair of interchangeable silicone tips for smaller ears.

They usually retail for $249, but right now they’re on sale from Verizon for $199.99, which is close to their all-time low. If you prefer another store, you can also buy them for $229 from Amazon and Walmart, or for $189.99 if you live near a Micro Center.

Read our AirPods Pro (second generation) review.

The first-generation AirPods Pro are also still on sale, and sometimes much cheaper than the second-generation model. They have better sound quality than the non-premium models mentioned above, as well as active noise cancellation. They also come with interchangeable silicone tips – albeit three, not four – and support Apple’s Spatial Audio feature, which adds an immersive surround sound effect to selected content.

In late 2021, Apple launched a new configuration of the first-generation AirPods Pro with a wireless charging case that supports Apple’s MagSafe technology, just like the third-generation AirPods. They used to sell for $249, but they’re now available for $199 at B&H Photo. That’s a far cry from their all-time low of $129.99 and their typical retail price of around $159. That’s why we recommend getting the second-generation AirPods Pro while they’re on sale or waiting for the first-generation model to go on sale. drops in price.

Read our original AirPods Pro review.

The AirPods Max are not the iconic in-ears that have become synonymous with the AirPods name. They are large and luxurious, made of aluminum, steel and mesh fabric that remain comfortable during extended listening sessions. They also offer excellent noise cancellation, Apple’s spatial audio feature, and expansive, balanced sound, even if they lag behind some of their peers when it comes to bass response. They’re not the best noise-canceling headphones for most people — blame the $550 sticker price — but it’s hard to find a pair of Bluetooth headphones that sound better and have more intuitive controls.

While Woot and other retailers have reduced the AirPods Max to just $409 in the past, prices have since gone up across the board. Right now, for instance, the Max is only on a modest discount at Amazon, Best Buy, and Costco (members only), where you can pick them up in select colors for $479.99 ($69 off). If you live near a Micro Center, you can also pick them up for $469.99 ($79 off) in a variety of colors.

Read our AirPods Max review.