Does Airpods Go on Sale for Black Friday

AirPods absolutely go on sale for Black Friday, and shoppers can expect some of the year’s steepest discounts during this shopping event. In fact, Black Friday AirPods deals have become legendary among bargain hunters, with prices dropping as much as $80 to $150 off regular prices. Whether you’re eyeing the AirPods Pro, AirPods Max, or standard AirPods, Black Friday offers the perfect opportunity to snag these premium earbuds at a fraction of the cost.

Picture this: it’s Black Friday morning, you’re scrolling through deal after deal, and suddenly you spot AirPods at half price. Your heart skips a beat. Is it real? Can AirPods actually go on sale for Black Friday? The answer is a resounding yes, and you’re about to discover everything you need to know to grab the best deal possible.

Black Friday has become the Super Bowl of consumer electronics sales, and AirPods consistently rank among the most sought-after items. In 2023 alone, AirPods were among the top five most-purchased tech gifts during the holiday shopping weekend, according to Adobe Analytics. With their premium price tags, finding AirPods on sale feels like striking gold, and Black Friday is when that gold is most accessible.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer looking to enter the Apple ecosystem, an upgrade seeker wanting the latest AirPods Pro 2, or a gift hunter searching for the perfect present, this guide will walk you through everything about AirPods Black Friday sales. We’ll cover historical discounts, where to find the best deals, how to avoid counterfeits, and insider tips that could put extra cash back in your wallet.

Key Takeaways

• AirPods Are Discounted Every Black Friday: Apple products, including AirPods, consistently see significant price cuts from major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target during Black Friday sales events.
• Average Discounts Range From $30 to $150: Depending on the model, shoppers can expect savings between 20% and 50% off the original retail price.
• AirPods Pro and AirPods Max See the Biggest Drops: Premium models typically receive larger percentage discounts compared to standard AirPods.
• Deals Start Before Black Friday: Many retailers launch “early Black Friday” AirPods deals weeks ahead of the actual shopping holiday.
• Counterfeit Risks Increase During Sales: Discounted AirPods sold by unauthorized sellers may be fake, so buying from reputable retailers is crucial.
• Cyber Monday Offers a Second Chance: If you miss Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday typically features comparable or even better AirPods discounts.
• Trade-In Programs Can Stack Savings: Combining Black Friday discounts with Apple or retailer trade-in offers maximizes your discount potential.

Do AirPods Actually Go on Sale on Black Friday?

Let’s cut straight to the chase: yes, AirPods absolutely go on sale during Black Friday. This isn’t a myth or a marketing gimmick. It’s a real, recurring event that happens every single year, and the discounts are substantial enough to make even the most skeptical shoppers reach for their credit cards.

Apple itself rarely discounts its products directly, but third-party retailers aggressively slash AirPods prices to attract customers during the Black Friday shopping frenzy. Think of it like this: Apple is the fancy restaurant that never runs promotions, but the food delivery apps offering that same restaurant’s meals at discounted rates? That’s your Black Friday AirPods deals.

Historical Black Friday AirPods Discounts

Looking at past Black Friday sales reveals a clear pattern of significant savings on AirPods models. Let’s break down what shoppers have seen in recent years:

• AirPods (2nd Generation): These have dropped from $129 to as low as $69-$79, representing savings of $50-$60.
• AirPods (3rd Generation): Original prices of $169 have dipped to around $99-$119, saving buyers $50-$70.
• AirPods Pro (2nd Generation): The $249 price tag has fallen to $149-$179, a discount of $70-$100.
• AirPods Max: These premium headphones have seen the most substantial markdowns, dropping from $549 to $399-$449, saving shoppers $100-$150.

Did you know that in 2022, AirPods Pro were briefly available at just $159 on Amazon during Black Friday week? That’s a 36% discount off the original $249 price, making it one of the best AirPods deals of the entire year. Such deals typically sell out within hours, sometimes minutes.

Why Retailers Discount AirPods So Heavily

You might wonder why retailers slash prices on already-premium products. The answer lies in strategy and competition. Think of Black Friday as a retailer’s chance to shine. When Best Buy advertises AirPods at $50 off, they know shoppers will flock to their site. Once there, customers often add other items to their carts, boosting overall sales.

AirPods also serve as “gateway products.” Once someone buys AirPods, they’re more likely to purchase other Apple products later, creating long-term customer value for retailers who partner with Apple. This is why discounts can be so generous. Retailers aren’t just thinking about today’s profit; they’re investing in future sales.

Which AirPods Models See the Biggest Black Friday Discounts?

Not all AirPods are created equal when it comes to Black Friday bargains. Some models see deeper discounts than others, and knowing which ones offer the best value can help you prioritize your shopping strategy.

AirPods Pro: The Crown Jewel of Black Friday Deals

AirPods Pro consistently rank as the most discounted AirPods model during Black Friday sales. With their premium features like active noise cancellation, transparency mode, and silicone tips, these earbuds carry a higher retail price, which means retailers have more room to offer significant discounts.

In 2023, AirPods Pro 2 hit an all-time low of $149 during Black Friday week, down from their $249 MSRP. That’s a $100 savings, or roughly 40% off. For premium wireless earbuds with industry-leading noise cancellation, this is an incredible value that rarely appears outside the Black Friday shopping window.

AirPods Max: The Luxury Discount Champion

The AirPods Max, Apple’s over-ear headphones, see the highest dollar-amount discounts during Black Friday. While the percentage discount might not always be the steepest, the raw savings are substantial. A $150 discount on a $549 product represents serious money.

Think of AirPods Max Black Friday deals like buying a luxury car at a used car lot. The car is still luxurious, but you’re paying significantly less. In 2023, shoppers could snag these premium headphones for around $399-$429, saving $120-$150 off retail.

Standard AirPods: Solid Savings on Entry-Level Options

Standard AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation) typically see more modest discounts in percentage terms, but they still offer meaningful savings. The 2nd generation AirPods, in particular, have been discounted to as low as $69 during Black Friday sales, representing nearly 50% off their original $129 price.

These entry-level AirPods make excellent gifts, starter Apple ecosystem products, or backup earbuds, making their Black Friday discounts particularly attractive for budget-conscious shoppers.

Where to Find the Best AirPods Black Friday Deals

Knowing where to shop is just as important as knowing when to shop. While AirPods deals appear across many retailers, some consistently offer better prices, selection, or reliability than others.

Major Retailers Worth Checking

Amazon: As the world’s largest online retailer, Amazon typically offers competitive AirPods deals with the convenience of fast shipping for Prime members. Amazon’s Lightning Deals and Gold Box deals during Black Friday week often include limited-time AirPods discounts that disappear quickly.

Best Buy: As Apple’s largest retail partner, Best Buy frequently matches or beats Amazon’s AirPods prices. Their Black Friday ads are highly anticipated, and shoppers can often combine deals with their membership rewards program for additional savings.

Walmart: Known for aggressive pricing strategies, Walmart often features AirPods in their Black Friday circular with rollback prices that undercut competitors. Their deals tend to focus on standard AirPods models.

Target: Target’s Black Friday sales include AirPods deals, and their RedCard holders get an additional 5% discount, stacking nicely with Black Friday prices. Target Circle deals may also apply to electronics during this period.

Apple’s Own Black Friday Offering

While Apple rarely discounts AirPods outright, they offer Black Friday Apple gift cards with qualifying purchases. For example, buying AirPods directly from Apple during Black Friday might net you a $25-$75 Apple gift card, which you can use toward future purchases. It’s not a direct discount, but it’s essentially free money for the Apple ecosystem.

Did you know that Apple’s “Black Friday” promotion is technically a four-day shopping event? It typically runs from Black Friday through Cyber Monday, giving you extra time to take advantage of gift card offers.

Carrier Deals and Bundle Savings

Wireless carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile sometimes offer AirPods as part of Black Friday phone promotions. Adding a new line or upgrading your phone could net you free or heavily discounted AirPods. If you’re already planning a phone upgrade, this route might offer the best overall value.

How to Spot Genuine AirPods Deals (And Avoid Counterfeits)

Here’s an unfortunate reality: the popularity of AirPods combined with their premium pricing makes them a prime target for counterfeiters. During Black Friday, when everyone is hunting for deals, fake AirPods flood marketplaces, especially third-party sellers on Amazon and eBay.

Red Flags That Signal Fake AirPods

Imagine buying a designer handbag at 90% off from a random street vendor. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The same logic applies to AirPods. Genuine AirPods Pro 2 won’t sell for $50 from an unknown seller. That’s not a deal; that’s a scam.

Common red flags include prices significantly lower than market rates, sellers with limited feedback or history, packaging that looks “off” or has spelling errors, and serial numbers that don’t check out on Apple’s coverage website. Counterfeit AirPods might look identical to genuine ones, but they typically lack proper sound quality, noise cancellation, and integration with Apple devices.

How to Verify Authentic AirPods

Every genuine pair of AirPods has a unique serial number printed on the charging case. You can verify authenticity by going to Apple’s official “Check Coverage” website and entering this serial number. If the number doesn’t match a real Apple product, you’ve got fakes.

Buying directly from Apple, authorized retailers like Best Buy, or major established retailers on Amazon (sold and shipped by Amazon, not third-party sellers) is the safest approach. The “Fulfilled by Amazon” badge doesn’t guarantee authenticity; you want “Sold by Amazon” or “Sold by [Major Retailer].”

Tips and Strategies for Scoring the Best AirPods Black Friday Deals

Walking into Black Friday without a strategy is like going into a buffet without a plan. You might eat, but you won’t eat well. Here are battle-tested strategies for maximizing savings on AirPods.

Start Your Research Early

Black Friday AirPods deals don’t appear suddenly on Thanksgiving night. Major retailers leak their Black Friday ads weeks in advance, sometimes as early as early November. Websites like BestBlackFriday.com, TheBlackFriday.com, and retailer’s digital ad previews can give you a head start on knowing what deals to expect.

Creating a price tracking strategy also helps. Tools like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon), Keepa, and Honey track price histories, helping you determine whether a “Black Friday deal” is genuinely discounted or just a marketing tactic.

Set Up Deal Alerts

Modern deal hunters don’t rely solely on checking websites manually. Set up alerts on sites like Slickdeals, DealNews, and RetailMeNot to receive notifications when AirPods hit your target price. The moment a deal drops, you’ll know, giving you a competitive edge over slower shoppers.

Following deal-focused social media accounts and subreddits like r/blackfriday and r/deals can also provide real-time deal information. These communities often spot and share deals within minutes of them going live.

Know Your Models and Prices

Before Black Friday arrives, familiarize yourself with current AirPods models and their regular retail prices. Knowing that AirPods Pro 2 retail for $249 helps you instantly recognize a good deal at $179 or a great deal at $149. Without baseline knowledge, you can’t judge deal quality.

It’s also worth noting that Apple released AirPods 4 and AirPods Pro with USB-C in late 2024, which means Black Friday 2025 might see especially deep discounts on older models as retailers clear inventory. Staying current with product launches helps you anticipate deal patterns.

Combine Discounts When Possible

Stacking savings is where the real magic happens. If you have a Target RedCard, stack that 5% discount on top of Black Friday prices. If you’re a Prime member, look for additional Prime-exclusive deals. Cashback apps like Rakuten offer percentages back on purchases from major retailers, essentially giving you extra discount on already-discounted prices.

Student discounts through UNiDAYS or Student Beans can sometimes be combined with Black Friday deals, offering additional savings on Apple products purchased through Apple’s education store.

Don’t Forget Cyber Monday

If you miss Black Friday deals or they sell out before you can purchase, Cyber Monday is your second chance. Many retailers extend their AirPods deals through Cyber Monday, and some even offer fresh discounts. Think of Cyber Monday as Black Friday’s encore performance. Sometimes the second show is even better than the first.

What to Do If You Miss Black Friday AirPods Deals

Life happens. Maybe you were working. Maybe deals sold out in seconds. Maybe you simply forgot. If you miss the Black Friday window, don’t panic. You still have options.

Cyber Monday and Beyond

Cyber Monday deals often mirror Black Friday discounts, so you have a real chance to score similar savings. Additionally, some retailers extend “Cyber Week” deals throughout the following week, keeping AirPods prices low for several days after the main event.

Beyond Cyber Monday, January sales often include lingering holiday inventory clearance. Retailers wanting to clear excess AirPods stock will sometimes discount further in early January, though selection may be limited to less popular colors or models.

Consider Refurbished Options

Apple sells certified refurbished AirPods at significant discounts, typically 15-20% off retail prices. These products are fully tested, come with new batteries and cases, and include a full one-year warranty. Refurbished AirPods are essentially new products at used prices, available year-round but particularly worth considering if you miss Black Friday.

Trade-In Programs

Apple’s trade-in program offers credit toward new AirPods when you trade in old devices. While the trade-in value for older AirPods might be modest ($25-$50), combining this credit with a Black Friday or Cyber Monday discount can lead to substantial total savings. Best Buy and other retailers also offer trade-in programs with similar benefits.

Did you know that Apple occasionally runs “Get Up” deals that stack trade-in values with promotional credits? In past years, trading in old AirPods combined with a new purchase has yielded total savings exceeding $100, making this strategy worth considering even outside Black Friday.

Final Verdict: Are AirPods Black Friday Deals Worth It?

After exploring every angle of AirPods Black Friday sales, the verdict is clear: absolutely yes. AirPods go on sale for Black Friday every year, with discounts ranging from $30 to $150 depending on the model. These aren’t superficial markdowns designed to trick you; they’re genuine savings that make premium Apple earbuds accessible at significantly lower prices.

The key to success lies in preparation. Know your target model, understand fair pricing, set up alerts, buy from reputable retailers, and act quickly when deals appear. With AirPods Pro 2 reaching $149 and AirPods Max dropping below $400 in past years, the savings are real and substantial.

Black Friday AirPods deals represent one of the best opportunities all year to enter or expand your Apple audio ecosystem. Whether you’re buying for yourself or someone else, the combination of premium product and significant discount is hard to beat. Just remember to verify seller authenticity, act fast on the best deals, and don’t forget that Cyber Monday offers a backup opportunity if Black Friday deals slip through your fingers.

The bottom line? AirPods go on sale for Black Friday, and smart shoppers who prepare in advance can save serious money on some of the best wireless earbuds available. Start your research now, set those alerts, and get ready to score an incredible deal this Black Friday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do AirPods really go on sale during Black Friday?

Yes, AirPods consistently go on sale during Black Friday every year, with discounts ranging from $30 to $150 off regular retail prices. Major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target all offer substantial Black Friday AirPods deals that represent some of the lowest prices available all year.

Which AirPods model has the biggest Black Friday discount?

AirPods Max typically see the largest dollar-amount discounts ($100-$150 off), while AirPods Pro models often see the biggest percentage discounts (30-40% off). Standard AirPods also receive meaningful markdowns, though the absolute savings are smaller than premium models.

When do AirPods Black Friday deals start?

AirPods Black Friday deals often start appearing in early to mid-November as retailers launch “early Black Friday” promotions. The heaviest discounts typically drop on Black Friday itself (the day after Thanksgiving), with many deals extending through Cyber Monday and Cyber Week.

Are Black Friday AirPods deals legit or are they counterfeits?

Black Friday AirPods deals from major authorized retailers like Apple, Best Buy, Amazon (sold by Amazon directly), Walmart, and Target are legitimate. However, deals from unknown third-party sellers, especially at suspiciously low prices, may be counterfeit. Always verify serial numbers and buy from reputable sources.

Can I get AirPods for free on Black Friday?

While you typically can’t get AirPods completely free on Black Friday, some carrier promotions offer free or heavily discounted AirPods with new phone purchases or line activations. Additionally, Apple sometimes offers gift cards with AirPods purchases during their Black Friday promotion, essentially providing store credit.

Is Cyber Monday better than Black Friday for AirPods deals?

Cyber Monday deals on AirPods are usually comparable to Black Friday discounts, and sometimes retailers offer slightly different models on each day. If you miss Black Friday deals, Cyber Monday provides an excellent second chance at similar savings, making it worthwhile to check both days.