Skip to main content

Quick! Apple AirPods are the cheapest they have ever been

Apple AirPods
Riley Young/Digital Trends

Start reaching for your wallet because Amazon has the run-of-the-mill AirPods with Charging Case for just $129 — the cheapest we’ve seen the iconic Pods to date. But what does that translate to in terms of a cold, hard discount? These puppies are down a massive $30 from the usual $150.

The best thing about the AirPods is how simple they are. Just pop one in each ear, and the tunes will start flowing. Need to adjust the volume, send a message, place a call, create a calendar event, or find the answer to a pressing question? Double-tap a Pod to ask Siri and she’ll take care of it.

However, decide to fork out an extra $40 and you won’t need to lift a finger to communicate with Siri. That’s because the AirPods 2, which have beenreduced from $200 down to only $169, are always listening. All you need to do is mumble “Hey, Siri!” and you’re ready to roll — no tapping required.

  • Apple AirPods with Charging Case — $129 ($30 off)
  • Apple AirPods 2 with Wireless Charging Case — $169 ($30 off)

But the main reason you might want to consider the more expensive model is battery life. If you often find yourself on a call, the two-hour talk time on the standard AirPods isn’t going to cut it. You’ll want the four hours that comes with the AirPods 2. Both last for around five hours of music playback.

The other notable difference? The AirPods 2 come with a Wireless Charging Case, which can be charged … well … wirelessly. The actual capacity is the same though, with it delivering the same 24-hour reserve as the Charging Case bundled with the regular AirPods, so it probably won’t be a dealmaker.

So, which do you need? Well, as we’ve said before, if you can live without wireless charging, don’t mind having to tap a Pod to fire up Siri, and can live with the two-hour talk time, then look no further than the AirPods. You can snap up a pair for an absolute bargain. For everyone else, it’s the AirPods 2.

Or is it?

If you’re after the absolute best Apple has to offer, you will want to turn your attention to the AirPods Pro. At $250, they aren’t cheap, but they do sit at the head of the AirPods table, introducing a smaller, more compact design; noise cancellation; sweat-resistance; and interchangeable eartips.

Looking for more fantastic offers? Take a look at our Deals Hub.

Editors' Recommendations

Josh Levenson
Having spent half a decade writing about the latest AV, mobile and social news for some of the world’s largest…
Apple AirPods Max 2: what we know, what we want, and how much it will cost
The Apple AirPods Max on a surface, viewed from the side.

Apple's first set of wireless headphones -- the AirPods Max -- launched to great fanfare in 2020. At $549, the aluminum-clad cans raised eyebrows for their price and design. But despite their cost and some odd design decisions (like the lack of an off switch), reviewers were nearly unanimous with their praise, especially for the Max's standout features, active noise cancellation (ANC), and transparency mode. Is there room for improvement? Absolutely.

Do we actually know anything about the AirPods Max 2? No, we do not. Given that the original AirPods Max are more than two years old, we'd have expected at least some hints at this point, if not full-on leaks. But so far all we've got are crickets.

Read more
AirPods Black Friday deals: Save on AirPods Pro and Max
Best Black Friday AirPods Deals

Black Friday may have been and gone for another year, but the best Black Friday deals are still around. Below, we've picked out all the best AirPods Black Friday deals so you can save big on some of the most popular earphones and headphones around. Whether you're looking to buy some cheap AirPods or you want to go all-in and buy the high-end but luxurious AirPods Max, there's sure to be a great deal for you here. These are just some of the best Apple Black Friday deals around with plenty more options out there. Keep reading while we take you through them all.

Read more
A Canadian grocery store is selling second-gen AirPods for just $89
Apple AirPods second generation with charging case on a wooden desk.

Canada, the home of hockey, doughnuts, and free health care, is now one of the best places to buy the second-gen Apple AirPods. In an unusual move, No Frills -- a grocery chain owned by Canadian food retail giant George Weston Limited -- is selling the super-popular wireless earbuds for as low as $119 Canadian, which approximately converts to $89 U.S., according to Canadian tech site Mobile Syrup, making this by far the best price you'll find right now.

It's not unusual to see smaller brands like Skullcandy or Panasonic selling budget-friendly earbuds at the ends of grocery store aisles, but it's less common to see Apple do it, and even rarer to see the company's products so deeply discounted. The regular (and current) price on Apple.com, as well as Amazon and Best Buy, is $119 U.S. for the second-gen AirPods with a Lightning-only charging case.

Read more