Do Apple Wireless Earbuds Go on Sale

Yes, Apple wireless earbuds go on sale regularly—just not at the Apple Store. Major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart offer discounts of $20-$100 on AirPods throughout the year, with the deepest price drops occurring during Black Friday, Prime Day, and back-to-school seasons. Knowing where and when to look can save you serious money on these popular earbuds.

Key Takeaways

• Apple rarely discounts directly: The Apple Store almost never puts AirPods on sale, but authorized retailers frequently do.
• Best sale windows: Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Amazon Prime Day, and back-to-school season offer the deepest discounts, often $50-$100 off.
• Typical savings range: Standard AirPods see $20-$40 markdowns, while AirPods Pro and Max can drop $50-$100 during major sales.
• Older models discount first: When Apple releases new AirPods, previous generations often see clearance pricing of 20-40% off.
• Refurbished options exist: Apple’s Certified Refurbished store offers AirPods at 15-20% discounts with full warranties.
• Bundle deals matter: Retailers sometimes throw in gift cards or accessories that effectively discount the price further.
• Price tracking helps: Tools like CamelCamelCamel and Honey can alert you when AirPods hit your target price.

The Short Answer: Yes, But Not Where You’d Expect

Let’s cut right to the chase—yes, Apple wireless earbuds absolutely go on sale, but you won’t find these discounts at the shiny Apple Store on Fifth Avenue or at apple.com. Apple is famously stubborn about markdowns. The company rarely, if ever, drops prices on its current AirPods lineup directly through its own channels. This is part of their premium brand strategy. Think of it like buying a Ferrari—you’re paying for the badge as much as the car.

However, the moment you step into the world of authorized third-party retailers, a different story unfolds. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, Target, and B&H Photo routinely slash AirPods prices by $20 to $100 off the retail tag. According to a 2024 analysis by deal-tracking site Slickdeals, AirPods appeared in major promotional events an average of 14 times per year across major retailers.

So if you’ve been holding off on buying AirPods because the $129, $179, $249, or even $549 price tags felt steep, I’ve got great news for you. With the right timing and a little know-how, you can pay significantly less. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore exactly when, where, and how to snag Apple wireless earbuds at their lowest prices throughout the year.

Why Apple Doesn’t Discount Directly

Understanding Apple’s pricing philosophy helps explain why you’ll never see a “SALE” banner at the Apple Store. The company operates on a premium positioning model. Discounting AirPods at their own stores would dilute the brand’s prestige and hurt profit margins that already run between 30-40% on accessories. Instead, Apple lets retailers absorb the price cuts, which keeps the brand looking exclusive while still moving volume through third-party channels.

Who Discounts Apple Wireless Earbuds?

The short list of who sells AirPods at a discount is actually pretty long, which is great news for bargain hunters. Several major retailers regularly put Apple wireless earbuds on sale, and knowing who they are is your first step toward saving money.

Amazon: The King of AirPods Deals

Amazon is arguably the most reliable source for discounted AirPods. The retail giant runs frequent Lightning Deals and daily price fluctuations on AirPods models. During peak shopping events, Amazon has been known to drop AirPods Pro to as low as $179 (saving $70) and AirPods Max to $449 (saving $100). The key is timing your purchase around Amazon’s major sales events, which we’ll cover in detail later.

Amazon also sells “Renewed” AirPods, which are pre-owned units that have been inspected, tested, and cleaned. These typically run 15-30% cheaper than new models and come with a 90-day guarantee.

Best Buy: Frequent Flash Sales

Best Buy competes aggressively with Amazon on AirPods pricing. The electronics retailer matches most Amazon sales and sometimes offers exclusive bundles that include gift cards or Apple Music subscriptions. Best Buy also runs a competitive trade-in program where you can get credit toward new AirPods by trading in old electronics.

Walmart and Target: Surprise Discounts

Both Walmart and Target occasionally surprise shoppers with deep AirPods discounts, particularly during holiday seasons. These retailers sometimes undercut Amazon by a few dollars during Black Friday week, making them worth monitoring if you’re hunting for rock-bottom prices.

Other Authorized Retailers

Additional authorized Apple resellers frequently offer AirPods deals, including:

• B&H Photo Video: Known for excellent bundle deals, especially around holidays
• Costco: Members-only pricing that’s sometimes lower than anywhere else
• Sam’s Club: Similar to Costco, with occasional AirPods discounts
• Adorama: Photography retailer that often matches B&H’s pricing
• Newegg: Tech-focused deals, especially during tech sales events

Carrier and Phone Plan Discounts

Don’t overlook your wireless carrier. Companies such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile frequently offer AirPods as part of phone upgrade promotions or with new line activations. These deals can effectively discount AirPods by $100 or more when bundled with a qualifying phone purchase or service plan.

When Do Apple Wireless Earbuds Go on Sale?

Timing is everything when hunting for AirPods deals. While you might find a random price drop any day of the year, certain windows throughout the calendar consistently deliver the deepest discounts. Let’s break down the best times to buy.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday: The Biggest Sales

If there’s one time of year when Apple wireless earbuds practically fall off the shelves at deep discounts, it’s late November. Black Friday and Cyber Monday consistently deliver the best AirPods deals of the year. In 2023, for example, AirPods Pro dropped to $159 (a $90 discount), and AirPods 2 hit an all-time low of $79.

Here’s what you can typically expect during this window:

• AirPods (2nd generation): Often drops to $79-$89 (regularly $129)
• AirPods (3rd generation): Typically $129-$139 (regularly $179)
• AirPods Pro 2: Falls to $179-$199 (regularly $249)
• AirPods Max: Discounted to $449-$479 (regularly $549)

Deals often start appearing a full week before Black Friday and extend through Cyber Monday, giving you roughly 10 days to find the best price.

Amazon Prime Day: July’s Big Event

Amazon Prime Day, held in July, has become a major AirPods shopping event. While the discounts don’t always match Black Friday levels, Prime Day still offers solid savings of $30-$70 off most AirPods models. In 2024, Amazon ran a Prime Day event in July that featured AirPods Pro 2 at $169 and AirPods 3 at $129.

The catch? You need an Amazon Prime membership to access the deals, though some deals are available to non-members at slightly higher prices.

Back-to-School Season: August Through September

As students head back to class, retailers roll out promotions targeting students and parents. This back-to-school period often features AirPods deals, sometimes bundled with Apple Music student subscriptions or gift cards. Best Buy and Amazon are particularly aggressive during this window.

New Product Launch Windows

Here’s an insider tip: the best time to buy older AirPods is when Apple releases new ones. When Apple announces a new AirPods model, retailers slash prices on remaining inventory of previous generations. For instance, when AirPods 4 launched in late 2024, AirPods 3 prices dropped to as low as $129 at multiple retailers within days.

Holiday Season Sales

Beyond Black Friday, other holiday sales periods offer decent AirPods discounts:

• President’s Day (February): Modest $20-$30 discounts
• Memorial Day (May): Often features tech deals including AirPods
• Fourth of July: Amazon runs competing sales around Prime Day
• Labor Day (September): Back-to-school sales extend into this period

Random Flash Sales Throughout the Year

Don’t ignore the random Tuesday in March when Best Buy suddenly drops AirPods Pro by $50. These flash sales happen unpredictably and often last only 24-48 hours. Price-tracking tools can help you catch these surprise deals, which we’ll discuss shortly.

How Much Can You Save on Apple Wireless Earbuds?

Now that you know when and where to look, let’s talk numbers. The amount you can save varies significantly based on which AirPods model you want and when you buy. Here’s a realistic breakdown of potential savings.

Savings by Model

Different AirPods models discount at different rates. Generally, higher-priced models see larger absolute dollar discounts, while budget models see smaller cuts but bigger percentage savings.

AirPods (2nd Generation) – Entry Level: The standard AirPods 2 typically retail for $129 but frequently drop to $79-$99 during sales, representing savings of 23-39%. During exceptional sales, they’ve been spotted as low as $69, a 47% discount.

AirPods (3rd Generation): With a $179 retail price, these typically drop to $129-$149 during major sales. The best deals bring them down to $119, saving you $60 or 33%.

AirPods Pro 2: The premium earbuds retail at $249 and see some of the deepest discounts. Black Friday regularly brings them down to $179-$199, saving you $50-$70. During exceptional sales, AirPods Pro 2 have hit $159, a 36% discount.

AirPods Max: These luxury over-ear headphones carry a $549 price tag, making them the most expensive AirPods. When they go on sale, you can expect $50-$100 off, bringing them to $449-$499. That’s a significant but smaller percentage discount compared to other models.

Hidden Savings Through Gift Cards and Bundles

Sometimes the “discount” isn’t a price drop at all—it’s a gift card or bonus item. During major sales events, retailers like Best Buy and Target frequently offer:

• $25-$50 gift cards with AirPods purchases
• Free Apple Music subscriptions (3-6 months)
• Bundled accessories like cases or charging cables
• Free expedited shipping on already-discounted items

These effectively reduce your net cost, even when the listed price seems unchanged.

What About Apple’s Refurbished Store?

If you’re not set on buying from third parties, Apple’s Certified Refurbished store offers another path to discounted AirPods. Here’s what you need to know.

How Apple’s Refurbished Program Works

Apple sells refurbished AirPods directly through their website at a 15-20% discount. Each unit undergoes full testing, with damaged parts replaced and batteries verified at 80%+ capacity. Refurbished AirPods come in brand-new packaging with all original accessories and cables.

The best part? They include a full one-year Apple warranty, identical to new products. You can even purchase AppleCare+ for refurbished AirPods, extending coverage just like you would with new units.

Pros and Cons of Refurbished AirPods

Pros:

• Discounted 15-20% off retail
• Full Apple warranty included
• AppleCare+ eligible
• 30-day return window
• Genuine Apple products, not third-party substitutes

Cons:

• Limited inventory (popular models sell out fast)
• Older models more commonly available
• No customization options
• Sometimes only certain colors/versions are in stock

The main downside is selection. Apple’s refurbished inventory changes frequently, and you can’t always find the exact model you want. If you’re flexible on generation or features, though, refurbished AirPods offer a fantastic value with the security of buying directly from Apple.

Smart Strategies for Catching AirPods Sales

Knowing about sales is one thing—actually catching them is another. Here are proven strategies for staying on top of AirPods deals without spending hours every day refreshing retailer websites.

Set Up Price Alerts

Price-tracking tools are your best friend for AirPods shopping. These services monitor prices across retailers and notify you when items hit your target price:

• CamelCamelCamel: Amazon-specific price tracker that shows historical price charts and sends alerts
• Honey: Browser extension that tracks prices and applies coupon codes automatically
• Keepa: Detailed Amazon price history with customizable alerts
• Slickdeals: Community-driven deal site where users post AirPods deals as they appear
• Rakuten: Cashback site that often combines with sale prices for extra savings

Follow Deal Communities

Online deal communities can give you a significant edge. Subreddits like r/AirPods and r/DealFinder on Reddit are filled with users who post deals the moment they appear. The community-driven approach means you often hear about sales before they even hit major deal sites.

Use Cashback and Rewards Programs

Stack your savings by combining sales with cashback offers. Programs like Rakuten (formerly Ebates), TopCashback, and even credit card rewards can add another 2-10% back on your AirPods purchase. Some credit cards also offer extended warranty protection on electronics purchases, adding another layer of value.

Consider Bundle Deals Carefully

Bundles can be tricky. Sometimes a “bundle” includes items you don’t want at inflated values to make the deal seem better than it is. Before purchasing a bundle, calculate the individual value of each component and compare it to buying items separately. A true bundle deal gives you genuine savings on items you’d actually buy anyway.

Be Patient With New Releases

If you’re not in a rush, waiting 3-6 months after a new AirPods release can save you significant money. Retailers often discount previous-generation models when new ones launch, and these older models still offer excellent performance for most users.

What About Older AirPods Models?

Let’s talk about clearance pricing on older AirPods models. When Apple discontinues a product or replaces it with a newer version, retailers need to clear out inventory. This creates opportunities for massive savings.

Why Older Models Are Great Buys

Think of older AirPods like last year’s smartphone model. The technology hasn’t become obsolete overnight. An AirPods 2 from 2019 still works perfectly well in 2025, connects to all Apple devices, and delivers solid sound quality. Unless you need the absolute latest features like Adaptive Audio or the newest chip, older models offer tremendous value.

Where to Find Clearance Deals

Clearance AirPods appear most often at:

• Amazon’s “Warehouse Deals”: Open-box and overstock items at deep discounts
• Best Buy Outlet: Open-box clearance center with Geek Squad certified items
• Walmart Clearance: Both online and in-store clearance sections
• Refurbished resellers: Sites like Back Market and Swappa sell certified pre-owned AirPods

Risks to Watch For

While clearance deals offer great savings, be cautious about:

• Counterfeit products: Stick to authorized sellers to avoid fakes
• Limited return policies: Clearance items may have shorter return windows
• Battery degradation: Refurbished or used units may have reduced battery life
• Missing accessories: Some clearance items lack original packaging or cables

The Bottom Line: Yes, AirPods Go on Sale Frequently

Let’s bring it all together. Do Apple wireless earbuds go on sale? Absolutely—they go on sale regularly, with significant discounts available throughout the year if you know where and when to look.

The key insights to remember are simple. The Apple Store itself rarely discounts AirPods, but authorized retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target offer frequent markdowns. Black Friday and Cyber Monday deliver the deepest discounts, often saving you $50-$100 on premium models. Amazon Prime Day in July is the second-best sales event, with back-to-school season rounding out the top three windows.

For maximum savings, combine sales timing with price-tracking tools, cashback programs, and bundle deals. If you’re not in a hurry, waiting for new model releases can snag you older AirPods at 30-40% off retail. And don’t forget about Apple’s own refurbished store, which offers 15-20% savings with full warranty coverage.

The most important takeaway? Never pay full price. With AirPods going on sale 14+ times per year across various retailers, patience and strategic timing can save you anywhere from $20 to $150 on your next pair. Set up price alerts today, mark your calendar for upcoming sales events, and you’ll be enjoying your discounted AirPods before you know it.

Happy deal hunting, and enjoy your new wireless earbuds—at a price that won’t make your wallet cry!