The best AirPods deals for September 2024

If you know where to look, you can often snag discounts on Apple's ever-popular AirPods. While we're unlikely to see any significant deals on the upcoming AirPods 4 and updated AirPods Max before their September 20 release, Apple's second- and third-generation AirPods are still often available at a deep discount. The same goes for the original Max, which is almost indistinguishable from the previous model aside from the addition of a USB-C port.

Here, we've rounded up the best deals on each model right now, including the second and third-generation AirPods, the latest AirPods Pro with USB-C, and the last-gen AirPods Max. We'll update this guide once the new AirPods are widely available, but in the meantime, be sure to check out our hands-on impressions of Apple's latest earbuds.

Before they were discontinued along with the announcement of the AirPods 4, the second-generation AirPods were Apple's entry-level earbuds. Despite only launching in 2019, they still offer excellent wireless performance, great usability, and reliable battery life, making them a solid choice if you can live without a wireless charging case or some of the more advanced software features of Apple's newer H2 chip.

The second-generation AirPods originally launched with an MSRP of $159, but Apple eventually dropped the list price to $129. However, we often see them sold for even less. Currently, you can buy them at Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy for around $89 ($49 off), which is just $11 below their all-time low.

Read our review of the AirPods (second generation).

With support for the company's MagSafe charger and a $179 price tag, Apple's third-generation AirPods were once considered the middle child in Apple's AirPods lineup. The shorter stems also made 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 made them a nice improvement over their predecessor.

However, the new AirPods 4 with active noise cancellation will soon replace the third-generation AirPods in Apple's lineup. The new earbuds will also cost $179 when they debut, but they have a few extras that were previously reserved for the Pro models, including ANC, a helpful transparency mode, and a case with a built-in speaker. You can also squeeze the stem to control media playback – a feature that's also available on the entry-level AirPods Pro 4.

The AirPods 4 with ANC sound like a significant upgrade overall, and we'll be publishing our review of both models soon. But if you can't wait until then or don't care about the updates, the third-generation AirPods are still available from several retailers.

Currently, you can buy the third-generation AirPods with a Lightning charging case at Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart for $149.99 ($19 off), which is $30 off their all-time low. However, the better deal is on the MagSafe option, which is available to Costco members for $149.99 ($30 off) through September 12. Non-members are also eligible for the discount, but must pay a surcharge that brings the price up to $157.49, which is a decent deal but still far from their all-time low of $129.99.

Read our review of the AirPods (third generation).

In 2022, Apple launched the second-generation AirPods Pro, which are similar in design to the first-generation model but offer better noise cancellation, swipe-based controls, and an extra-small pair of replaceable silicone ear tips for smaller ears. Apple followed them up with a minor update last year that adds a USB-C charging case and an improved IP54 rating for water and dust resistance. The latest model also supports lossless audio when used with Apple's new Vision Pro headset, and will soon serve as an FDA-approved hearing aid as well.

Apple's updated AirPods Pro recently dropped to a new low price of $168.99 ($81 off), but right now you can only buy the USB-C model from Amazon and Costco for around $199 ($50 off). Note, however, that you'll need a Costco membership to take advantage of the latter deal.

Read our practical impressions of the AirPods Pro with USB-C.

The AirPods Max aren't the iconic in-ears that have become synonymous with the AirPods name. They're big and luxurious, made from aluminum, steel, and mesh that stays comfortable even during longer listening sessions. They also have excellent noise cancellation, Apple's spatial audio feature, and spacious, balanced sound, even if they lag behind some of their rivals in terms of bass response and features. For most people, they're not the best noise-cancelling headphones – blame the price – but it's hard to find a better pair of Bluetooth headphones if you're an iPhone user.

On September 20, Apple will replace the first-generation Max with a new USB-C model. Aside from USB-C support and a few new color options, these are the exact same headphones that Apple introduced in late 2020. Thankfully, if you don't mind a Lightning connector, you can still buy the original Max from Amazon and B&H Photo starting at $429 ($120 off), which is about $30 off their all-time low price.

Read our review of the AirPods Max.