Did Airpods Go on Sale Last Year

Yes, AirPods went on sale last year through multiple retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, with discounts ranging from $20 to $80 off depending on the model. The biggest sales events were Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, and back-to-school promotions. AirPods Pro 2 hit their lowest prices during these peak events, sometimes dropping to $159 or below.

Key Takeaways

• Yes, AirPods were on sale last year: Major retailers offered discounts of 15-30% off MSRP throughout the year, with the deepest cuts during holiday shopping events.
• Best times to buy: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, and back-to-school season consistently offered the lowest prices on AirPods.
• Typical discount range: AirPods (2nd gen) dropped to $89-$99, AirPods 3 to $129-$149, and AirPods Pro 2 to $159-$179 during peak sales.
• Where to find deals: Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and Apple’s own refurbished store were the top sources for AirPods discounts.
• Apple rarely discounts directly: Apple itself rarely offers discounts on new AirPods, so third-party retailers are your best bet for savings.
• Refurbished options exist: Apple’s Certified Refurbished store offers like-new AirPods at 15-20% off with full warranty coverage.
• Price tracking helps: Using tools like CamelCamelCamel or Honey can help you identify when AirPods hit their true lowest prices.

Did AirPods Go on Sale Last Year? The Short Answer

If you’re wondering whether AirPods went on sale last year, the answer is a resounding yes. AirPods were discounted multiple times across nearly every major retailer in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other markets. In fact, if you paid full retail price for any AirPods model last year, you probably missed out on significant savings.

Here’s the deal: Apple almost never discounts its own products directly. Walk into an Apple Store, and you’ll pay the full $129, $169, or $249 price tag every single day of the year. But the moment you step into the world of third-party retailers, things get interesting. Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and even carrier stores like Verizon and AT&T regularly slashed AirPods prices throughout the year.

According to data from price tracking site CamelCamelCamel, AirPods Pro 2 dropped to as low as $159 multiple times last year, which is $90 below the original MSRP of $249. The standard AirPods (2nd generation) hit $89 during flash sales, while AirPods 3 reached lows around $129. These weren’t one-time anomalies either. These prices appeared predictably during major shopping events, giving savvy shoppers plenty of opportunities to save.

Did You Know? The global wireless earbuds market was valued at over $50 billion in 2024, and AirPods hold approximately 31% of that market share. This dominance gives retailers strong incentive to discount AirPods as “doorbuster” deals to attract customers who then buy other items too.

When Did AirPods Go on Sale Last Year? Key Sales Events

AirPods didn’t just go on sale randomly. The discounts followed predictable patterns tied to major shopping holidays and events. If you understand these patterns, you can plan your purchases strategically and never pay full price again.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday (November)

The biggest AirPods sales of the year happened during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend. This is when retailers pulled out all the stops to capture holiday shopping dollars. Last year, Amazon dropped AirPods Pro 2 to $159, Best Buy matched that price with an additional gift card offer, and Walmart pushed AirPods (2nd gen) down to $89.

These deals started appearing as early as the week before Thanksgiving and extended through “Cyber Week.” Some retailers even offered price matching, meaning if you found a better deal elsewhere, they’d match it on the spot. This made November the absolute best month to buy AirPods if you wanted maximum savings.

Did You Know? In 2023, Black Friday online sales reached $9.8 billion in the United States alone, with electronics and accessories like AirPods being among the top-selling categories. AirPods consistently rank in the top 10 most-gifted tech items during the holiday season.

Amazon Prime Day (July)

Amazon Prime Day, typically held in July, was another golden opportunity for AirPods discounts. Last year’s Prime Day event featured AirPods Pro 2 at $179 and AirPods (2nd gen) at $99. These prices were nearly as good as Black Friday deals, making Prime Day a great alternative for anyone who missed the November sales.

The beauty of Prime Day is that it happens in summer, which is the opposite of holiday shopping season. This means less competition for inventory and sometimes even better selection of colors and models. If you needed AirPods before the holidays, July was your month.

Back-to-School Season (July-August)

Retailers know that students need tech for the upcoming school year. Last year, both Best Buy and Target ran back-to-school promotions that included AirPods bundles. Sometimes these came with free accessories, gift cards, or even Apple Music subscriptions thrown in.

While the price discounts during back-to-school weren’t always as deep as Black Friday, the added value from bundles made these deals worth considering. A $20 gift card with your AirPods purchase effectively reduces your out-of-pocket cost when you factor in what you’d spend that gift card on anyway.

Other Notable Sale Events

Beyond the big three events (Black Friday, Prime Day, back-to-school), AirPods went on sale during several other occasions throughout the year:

• President’s Day (February): Modest discounts of $10-$20 off most models
• Memorial Day (May): Mid-range deals, often matching Prime Day pricing
• Labor Day (September): Pre-holiday warm-up deals
• Singles’ Day (November 11): International shopping event with significant discounts
• Year-end clearance (December): Last-chance deals on remaining inventory

Think of these sales events like waves at the beach. The big events (Black Friday, Prime Day) are the massive waves that come rarely but offer the biggest rewards. The smaller events are the everyday ripples that still give you something, just not as dramatic. Smart shoppers learn to surf both.

How Much Did AirPods Go on Sale Last Year? Price Breakdown by Model

Not all AirPods models went on sale equally. The older the model, the deeper the discounts tended to be, since retailers wanted to clear inventory to make room for newer versions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what you could expect to pay for each AirPods model last year.

AirPods (2nd Generation) Sale Prices

The AirPods 2, released in 2019, were the budget-friendly option and saw the most aggressive discounts. With a retail price of $129, these regularly dropped to $89-$99 during sales events. The absolute lowest price recorded by price trackers was around $79 during a flash sale on Amazon.

For most people, AirPods 2 at $89 represented exceptional value. You got the core Apple experience, seamless iPhone integration, and decent sound quality for under $100. This made them popular gifts and a go-to option for people who didn’t need noise cancellation.

AirPods (3rd Generation) Sale Prices

AirPods 3, with their redesigned look and spatial audio support, had a retail price of $169. During sales, they typically dropped to $129-$149. The lowest recorded price was around $119 during Black Friday.

At $129, AirPods 3 offered a sweet spot for people who wanted modern features without paying for the Pro models. The discount wasn’t as dramatic as AirPods 2, but saving $40 on a premium product is still meaningful.

AirPods Pro 2 Sale Prices

The flagship AirPods Pro 2, with active noise cancellation and adaptive transparency mode, were originally priced at $249. These saw substantial discounts, regularly dropping to $179 and sometimes hitting $159 during peak events. Some bundled deals included AppleCare+ or charging accessories.

The $159 price point for AirPods Pro 2 was considered the deal of the year by many tech reviewers. At that price, you were getting premium noise-cancelling earbuds for less than many competitors’ mid-range offerings. Sony, Bose, and Samsung all have flagship earbuds that cost more even on sale.

Did You Know? According to a 2024 consumer electronics report, AirPods Pro 2 were the best-selling noise-cancelling earbuds globally, with over 60 million units sold. The frequent discounting helped Apple maintain this dominance against Android-focused competitors.

AirPods Max Sale Prices

AirPods Max, Apple’s over-ear headphones, were the least discounted model due to their $549 price point and slower sales velocity. However, they did see occasional drops to $449-$479 during major sales events. The discounts were smaller in percentage terms but larger in absolute dollar amounts.

Where Did AirPods Go on Sale Last Year? Best Retailers for Deals

Knowing when sales happen is only half the battle. You also need to know where to look. Different retailers offered different prices, bundle deals, and additional perks. Here’s your guide to the best places to find discounted AirPods.

Amazon: The Price Leader

Amazon consistently offered the lowest prices on AirPods last year. The platform’s competitive marketplace, with multiple sellers competing for the Amazon Prime badge, drove prices down further than almost anywhere else. Amazon also offered the convenience of fast, free shipping for Prime members.

The downside? Amazon inventory could be inconsistent, and popular models sometimes sold out during peak events. If you saw a good price, you had to act fast. Setting up price alerts through CamelCamelCamel or the Amazon app helped shoppers snag deals before they disappeared.

Best Buy: The Bundle King

Best Buy didn’t always have the absolute lowest prices, but they made up for it with valuable bundles. Last year, Best Buy offered AirPods Pro 2 with a $50 gift card during Black Friday, which effectively made them cheaper than Amazon once you factored in the gift card value.

Best Buy also offered price matching, so if Amazon had a better price, you could often get Best Buy to match it and still receive the gift card. This made Best Buy a top destination for savvy shoppers who knew how to stack deals.

Walmart: The Budget Option

Walmart focused on the entry-level AirPods models, often having the best prices on AirPods 2 and sometimes AirPods 3. Their prices weren’t always the absolute lowest, but they were competitive and Walmart’s free shipping or in-store pickup options made them convenient.

Target: The RedCard Advantage

Target offered modest AirPods discounts, but RedCard holders got an additional 5% off. Combined with Target’s Circle deals and the ability to use Target gift cards earned through programs like Target Circle, smart shoppers could stack multiple savings on top of the base discount.

Apple’s Refurbished Store

Apple’s own Certified Refurbished store is an underrated option. Last year, refurbished AirPods Pro 2 were available for around $199-$209, which is $40-$50 off the new price. These came with new batteries, fresh packaging, and the same one-year warranty as new products.

Buying refurbished from Apple is like buying a “like new” car directly from the dealership. You get the same quality assurance as a new product, just at a discount because someone returned it or it was used as a display model.

Carrier Stores and Electronics Retailers

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile sometimes offered AirPods deals, especially when bundled with phone purchases or new line activations. These weren’t always the cheapest options, but the bill credits over 24-36 months could make them attractive for people upgrading their phones anyway.

Costco and Sam’s Club also carried AirPods, sometimes at slightly lower prices than mainstream retailers, though inventory was limited and membership was required.

Why Do AirPods Go on Sale? Understanding the Business Behind the Discounts

You might wonder why Apple, a company known for premium pricing, allows its products to be discounted so frequently. The answer lies in understanding the retail ecosystem and Apple’s strategic position within it.

Apple Doesn’t Officially Discount, But Allows It

Apple maintains strict pricing control through “Minimum Advertised Price” (MAP) policies. Retailers can’t advertise below certain thresholds without risking their partnership with Apple. However, Apple turns a blind eye to many discount tactics because widespread availability and visibility actually help AirPods sell.

Think of it like this: Apple is the movie studio, and retailers are the theaters. The studio wants ticket prices to stay high, but they also want as many people as possible watching the movie. Theaters discount tickets on Tuesday nights because empty seats earn nothing. Similarly, retailers discount AirPods because unsold inventory earns nothing, and lower prices actually drive volume that benefits Apple’s market share goals.

The Ecosystem Lock-In Strategy

AirPods at a discount are still profitable for Apple in the long run. Once you buy AirPods, you’re more likely to buy an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch in the future. You’re more likely to subscribe to Apple Music or Apple TV+. The initial discount is essentially a customer acquisition cost for Apple’s broader ecosystem.

According to Apple’s own financial reports, the Wearables, Home, and Accessories category (which includes AirPods) generated over $37 billion in revenue in 2024. The strong AirPods sales numbers, boosted by discounts, support continued investment in this product line.

Competitive Pressure

Apple faces fierce competition from Samsung Galaxy Buds, Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds, and countless other wireless earbuds. Discounting AirPods helps Apple maintain market share against these competitors, especially during key shopping periods when consumers are actively comparing options.

How to Never Miss an AirPods Sale Again

Now that you understand the sales landscape from last year, you can use this knowledge to save money on future AirPods purchases. Here are practical strategies to ensure you always get the best possible price.

Set Up Price Alerts

Use free tools like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon), Honey, or Keepa to track AirPods prices over time. These tools show you price history charts so you can see if a current “sale” is actually a good deal or just a marketing trick. They also let you set alerts that notify you when prices drop below your target threshold.

Price tracking is like having a personal assistant who watches store prices 24/7 and texts you the moment something goes on sale. You don’t have to check daily. The tools do the work for you.

Know Your Baseline Prices

Before buying, check the historical lowest price for the AirPods model you want. This is your “rock bottom” target. If a current sale is close to that price, buy immediately. If it’s not, wait for a better deal. Last year’s data is a good predictor of this year’s pricing patterns.

Stack Your Savings

The biggest savings come from stacking multiple discounts. For example, buy AirPods from Best Buy during a sale when you have a coupon, use a cashback credit card, and earn rewards points. Each layer of savings adds up. Last year, some savvy shoppers effectively got 25-30% off AirPods by combining store sales, credit card rewards, and cashback apps.

Consider the Timing of New Releases

Apple typically releases new AirPods in September or October. When new models launch, the previous generation often gets steeper discounts as retailers clear inventory. If you don’t need the latest features, buying the previous generation right after a new release can save you significant money.

Buy Refurbished from Apple

Don’t overlook Apple’s Certified Refurbished store. The products are essentially new, come with full warranties, and cost 15-20% less. This is one of the few ways to buy directly from Apple at a discount.

The Bottom Line on Last Year’s AirPods Sales

To directly answer the question “did AirPods go on sale last year?” the answer is definitively yes, multiple times, through numerous retailers, with significant savings available to anyone who knew when and where to look. AirPods Pro 2 hit $159, AirPods 3 dropped to $129, and AirPods 2 fell as low as $79-$89 during peak events.

The key to getting the best AirPods price is understanding that these sales follow predictable patterns. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Prime Day, and back-to-school season are your best bets. Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are your best retailers. And price tracking tools are your best friends for timing your purchase perfectly.

Looking ahead, there’s no reason to expect this pattern to change. As long as Apple maintains its premium pricing strategy and retailers compete for your dollars, AirPods will continue to go on sale multiple times throughout the year. The question isn’t really if AirPods will go on sale, but when and how much. Based on last year’s data, you can confidently predict that similar deals will return, and you’ll be ready to snag them.

Whether you’re buying AirPods for yourself, as a gift, or to upgrade from an older pair, remember this simple rule: never pay full price. With a little patience and the right tools, you’ll always find AirPods at a discount worth celebrating.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the lowest price for AirPods Pro 2 last year?

AirPods Pro 2 hit their lowest price of around $159 during Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales last year. This represented a $90 discount off the original $249 MSRP, making it the best deal of the year for premium noise-cancelling earbuds.

Did Apple itself ever discount AirPods last year?

Apple rarely discounts new AirPods directly, but their Certified Refurbished store offered AirPods at 15-20% off throughout the year. Refurbished units came with new batteries, fresh packaging, and a full one-year warranty, making them an excellent way to save.

When is the best time of year to buy AirPods on sale?

The best times to buy AirPods on sale are during Black Friday (November), Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day (July), and back-to-school season (July-August). These events consistently offer the deepest discounts, with prices often 25-30% below MSRP.

Are discounted AirPods from third-party sellers legitimate?

Yes, when buying from reputable retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target, discounted AirPods are completely legitimate. However, be cautious of third-party marketplace sellers offering prices that seem too good to be true, as counterfeit AirPods do exist.

How much did AirPods 3 go on sale for last year?

AirPods 3 regularly dropped to $129-$149 during sales events last year, with the lowest price of around $119 recorded during Black Friday. The original retail price was $169, so these sales represented savings of $20-$50.

Should I wait for AirPods to go on sale or buy at full price?

You should almost always wait for a sale if you can. AirPods go on sale multiple times per year, and paying full price means missing out on predictable discounts of 20-35%. Set up price alerts and wait for the next major sales event to get the best deal.