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Best AirPods deals: Save on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max

Some of the most popular Apple deals for people are to do with AirPods. The earphones are incredibly simple to use and a must-have for anyone already part of the Apple ecosystem. Must have they may be but that doesn’t mean you have to pay full price for them. That’s why we’ve picked out all the best AirPods deals currently available so you can save whether you’re looking to buy the cheapest AirPods or the high-end AirPods Max. Let’s take a look at what’s out there and answer any other questions you may have.

Today’s best AirPods deals

Depending on if you prefer AirPods that can be charged entirely wirelessly or if you don’t mind needing a Lightning cable, you have plenty of options. The standard Apple AirPods (2nd gen) are highly affordable but if you can, stretch to the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd gen) with wireless charging and fantastic active noise cancellation to block out the surrounding world while you exercise. For staying at home and watching movies, you can’t go wrong with the Apple AirPods Max either.

Do AirPods come with free Apple Music?

Yes, AirPods come with free Apple Music so you instantly have an extensive library of music at your disposal. All you need to do is make sure that your iPhone or iPad is running the latest version of iOS or iPadOS. From there, pair the AirPods to the device, then open the Apple Music app. Once you open it and sign in with your Apple ID, you simply need to tap ‘Get 6 months free’ to start your six months of Apple Music without having to pay a cent. The deal is eligible with all AirPods listed above, as well as many Beats and the HomePod range too.

Can you try AirPods before you buy them?

If you head to an Apple store, you can try AirPods on before buying them, checking they’re the right shape and size for you. However, if you’re buying online, you’re mostly committed to the purchase. You could try Amazon’s return policy but it’s likely you’ll pay some of the cost even if it’s just shipping expenses.

The better way to try out AirPods is to find a friend who also owns a pair. That way, you can try them for size and see if they feel the right fit for you. Remember — some AirPods like the AirPods Pro range have different silicone tips so there’s generally a size for everyone.

What’s the difference between AirPods and AirPods Pro?

It’s worth reading up on the differences between the AirPods Pro 2 and the AirPods 3. The simplest difference is that the AirPods Pro 2 have some of the best active noise cancellation around making them one of the best noise-canceling earbuds you can buy right now. Both types of AirPods have Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking but it’s the ability to block out the world that makes the AirPods Pro 2 so tempting. You might think you’re fine simply cranking up the volume but once you try it, you won’t be able to deal with having no ANC again. That’s how good it is.

The other option is to buy the cheapest AirPods — the AirPods (2nd generation). These are good AirPods for those on a budget but they lack Spatial Audio and, of course, ANC.

When is the best time to shop AirPods deals, and should you wait?

For AirPods deals, the absolute best time of year to buy tends to be during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales. Sought-after tech like AirPods always see price cuts straight after Thanksgiving so this is a good time to buy. However, a close second is Prime Day in July. It’s technically an Amazon-only event, hence the name, but other retailers also get in on the act with their own sales so you can often find excellent discounts on AirPods.

Other sales events can also be worth checking out. Times like Memorial Day and Labor Day often see modest price cuts although these tend to be similar to those we see all year around. The nice thing about AirPods of all types being so popular is that they’re often discounted to some degree.

More Unmissable Deals

Jennifer Allen
Jennifer Allen is a technology writer with over 10 years of experience. She primarily writes about the best deals coverage…
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