Bethan Girdler-Maslen
If you're looking for the best AirPods deals in 2023, you've come to the right place as we've rounded up the best prices on the standard AirPods, the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. This guide (which we update every month) is designed to help you find the right pair of Apple earbuds or headphones for your listening needs, preferences and budget.
As there are a number of different options available, it can be hard to decide which AirPods are the right ones for you. However, if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem, these can easily be some of the best wireless earbuds you can buy. If you want some earbud or headphone options that don't come from Apple, check out our guide to the best noise-cancelling earbuds or the best wireless headphones.
List of AirPods generations
To help you understand the differences, we've split them out below to give a quick overview of each one's features so you can more easily compare the prices and benefits of each model.
This way, you'll be able to see important features at a glance, like the fact that the AirPods Pro have noise-cancellation, compared to the latest AirPods 3rd gen which do not. All of this and more is worth considering when it comes to choosing between the best AirPods deals to shop today.
The best AirPods deals
The standard Apple AirPods are currently available in two versions: a 3rd Generation and a 2nd Generation model.
The 3rd Gen model is the latest release (first on sale in October 2021) and comes with a number of additional new features. These include Spacial Audio that attempts to create a simulated surround sound effect and support for the MagSafe wireless charging case. With better sound quality, an improved fit, longer 6-hour battery life and a shorter stem design these are ones we'd recommend.
The 2nd Gen model is the older of the two and was released in 2019. Because of that they are generally the cheaper option so could be a better choice if you're on a budget. They do lack a lot of the audio and design improvements seen in the latest 3rd Gen model, so you will have to weigh up whether it's worth the $50/£50 difference in price between the two.
The best AirPods Pro deals
The standout feature of the AirPods Pro compared to the standard AirPods is the inclusion of active noise cancellation, which will help block out unwanted external sound. Released in 2019, the AirPods Pro also have a more comfortable fit and clearer audio. The battery life is limited to just 4.5 hours but this increases to more than 24 hours with the included MagSafe charging case.
In March 2022, we saw the AirPods Pro fall to its cheapest ever price on Amazon so it's worth keeping an eye out during sales seasons like Easter and Black Friday to find cheap deals on this model.
The best AirPods Max deals
The AirPods Max are Apple's most premium headphones. The over ear design ensures the best quality audio and superior noise-cancellation compared to all the other in-ear AirPods. Memory foam cushions ensure a comfortable fit, which is definitely appreciated when you can get a listening time of up to 20 hours on a single charge. With all this power, they are the most expensive Apple AirPods but you can find the latest deal prices below.
Originally priced at £549, the AirPods Max were given a £120 price cut in March 2022 in the Amazon Spring sale. This was the lowest price the AirPods Max had ever dropped to, so you should still be looking to pay around £300-£400 on these premium Apple headphones.
Why you should buy Apple AirPods or AirPods Pro
Apple products have always been famed for their built quality and design and the AirPods are an excellent example of this mentality.
Apple has always put user experience at the forefront of everything they do. The AirPods are compact but last up to 24 hours with one charge, connect to your iPhone automatically and even turn themselves on automatically.
The long battery life is thanks to the upgraded H1 chip that now also supports hands free controls using the Siri voice assistant.
AirPods Pro sound way better, fit more securely and have noise cancelling – they are more like 'proper' true wireless buds for music listening, rather than a great lifestyle product that's part earbud and part Bluetooth headset for voice calls.
We most likely won't see new AirPods until 2021, and it's hard to imagine they'll differ radically from the current buds. So if you want cheap AirPods, you should get them now, for a discounted price.
About AirPods deals
Our pricing widgets generally find the best prices all the time but if you want some manually checked, curated deals, these are the current best AirPod deals, offers and sales, with choice price cuts in the UK, USA and further afield.
The newer AirPods – sometimes known as AirPods 2, AirPods (2019) or AirPods gen 2 – have slightly better battery life than the first gen and the ability to summon Siri with voice alone, where the first version required a tap of your ear.
Some models come with a wireless charging case, which is also compatible with all other AirPods. Other than that, it is very hard to tell the difference between the first and second generation AirPods. That's why it's worth looking out for deals on remaining stocks of them.
The even newer AirPods Pro are a different kettle of, um, true wireless buds. They sound way, way better because they fit so much more firmly in your ear, and have better drivers. They also add noise cancellation, 'adaptive' EQ and the ability to read texts out to you. AirPods Pro come with wireless charging as standard rather than as an option.
As we're into June, we anticipate many deals on AirPods, especially in the Amazon Prime Day sale. This huge sales event is happening in July so make sure you're an Amazon Prime member before you shop the sales to find some cheap AirPods.
Apple AirPods come in two variants, one with a charging case that charges via Lightning to USB and the more expensive Wireless Charging Case which charges via a wireless (Qi-compatible) charging mat or Lightning connector. Both cases are capable of holding multiple charges for the headphones. In general you'll get 5 hours of use from a fully charged brace of AirPods, and the case has enough power in it to get you through a full 24 hours in total. The AirPods don't need to be inside while the case charges.
AirPods Pro only come with a wireless charging case, and also only come in white.
The standard price for AirPods with charging case is £159/$159. With a wireless case, £199/$199. AirPods Pro are £249/$249.
T3's Apple AirPods review
AirPods alternatives
If the prices above are still a bit much, check out our picks for the Best Apple AirPods alternatives or maybe take a look at some other iPhone friendly options in our Beats headphone deals and Best Bose deals pages.
Apple AirPods are a perfect match for the iPhone, and designed to sync instantly and allow easy control of Siri and Apple Music.
However, at the end of the day, they're a pair of Bluetooth true wireless buds, and as such will pair with plenty of other phones and laptops. You could even pair them with an Android phone but note that they won't sync automatically as they would with an iPhone, you'll have to manually pair them, the old fashioned way and obviously they won't give you access to Siri.
Accessorise your AirPods
Fancy a new Apple iPhone to go with those AirPods? Then check out T3's authoritative best iPhone guide. It's a complete run down of every phone Apple currently sells.
