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ARTICLE ADCyber Monday may be over, but you can still find some lingering deals on excellent pairs of Apple AirPods, including the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. But you'll want to hurry -- these deals may not last much longer.
Also: The best Cyber Monday deals still live
We've tested and reviewed every pair of AirPods on this list, and our deal-hunting experts will help you find the best option to buy or gift.
Our favorite Cyber Monday AirPods deals still live
AirPods 4: $119 (save $10 at Amazon): This isn't the best deal on Apple's new AirPods 4, which were released earlier this fall, but it's still $10 cheaper than the original price. Wait until Cyber Monday for a possibly more substantial deal. AirPods 3: $155 (save $14 at Amazon): This AirPods model is not as new as the AirPods 4 that came out earlier this year. These came out in 2021, so they're a little old. You'll find spatial audio, a 30-hour battery life, and adaptive EQ in the earbuds, but look elsewhere for noise cancellation. AirPods Max: $499 (save $50 at Best Buy): Apple released a newer AirPods Max model, adding a USB-C charging port to the over-ear headphones, so select colors from the older generation are $50 off right now. This isn't as big of a discount as we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but it's better than nothing.The AirPods Pro got a new feature this fall that turns the earbuds into hearing aids. You can use the device to take a hearing test and bring the diagnosis to your doctor, or you can simply use the earbuds to hear more. But let's say you want AirPods for the regular headphone uses, like music-listening and noise-canceling. They are stellar at both and offer Apple ecosystem compatibility for easy setup. This discount is not quite as good as what we saw during Black Friday and Cyber Monday ($154 was the lowest price), but it's pretty close.
This discount is only $14 off -- but discounts on brand-new Apple products are rare. These are the newest Apple AirPods that come with an H2 chip (the same chip in the AirPods Pro 2), active noise cancellation, and spatial audio. Given how new the earbuds are, it makes sense the discount isn't huge.
Apple released an upgraded AirPods Max in September with a USB-C port replacing the brand's signature Lighting port. The new lineup includes more colors, that new port, and not much else. What that means for you is that you can buy the older version of the AirPods Max with many of the same features as the new headphones but at a cheaper price.
Best Cyber Monday AirPods alternatives: Deals live now
Beats Studio Buds: $79 (save $71 at Amazon): Want that Apple ecosystem compatibility without the high AirPods prices? These Beats Studio Buds offer seamless Apple connectivity for a fraction of the price. Beats Solo Buds: $50 (save $30): These are the most bare-bones Beats Buds (say that three times fast). They don't come with noise cancellation, but they have an 18-hour battery life and are comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time. Denon PerL Pro: $149 (save $150 at Denon): These earbuds deliver clear and crisp sound and are half off right now. Beats Studio Buds+: $150 (save $20 at Amazon): The Beats Studio Buds+ is a step up from the Studio Buds with active noise cancellation and 12 more hours of listening time. Sony WF-1000XM5: $228 (save $72 at Amazon): These are some of the most impressive earbuds you can buy with vivid sound, good noise cancellation, and all of those Sony special touches. Soundcore A40 noise-canceling earbuds: $45 (save $35 at Amazon): Customers on Amazon call these earbuds "spectacular" with great sound for an affordable price. Beats Solo 4: $100 (save $100 at Amazon): With up to 50 hours of battery life and comfortable ear pads, you could listen to music with these on for days. Sonos Ace Headphones: $335 (save $100 at Amazon): These Sonos headphones bear a shocking resemblance to Apple's AirPods Max.FAQs
When was Cyber Monday?
Cyber Monday was Dec. 2 this year, and you could find deals on everything from household appliances to high-tech devices on the web.
Are AirPods deals really better on Cyber Monday?
I've seen the price of AirPods drop by some $10 or $20 less than their usual discount price during events like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, or Prime Day. Brands like Apple usually have a discount price they use during non-holiday events. For example, I've seen the price of the AirPods Pro 2 be around that $200 price range, even though its full price is $250. On a deals event day, the price dips to around $180 or less.
How did we choose these Cyber Monday deals?
ZDNET only writes about deals we think are actually worth your while. I know the price of every AirPods model and what they regularly discount for. So when I evaluate deals, I consider all of this information before including a product in a roundup or writing a spotlight on the deal.
We also looked over customer reviews to find out what matters to real people who already own and use the deals we're recommending. Our recommendations may also be based on our own testing -- in addition to extensive research and comparison shopping. The goal is to deliver the most accurate advice to help you shop smarter.
Where can you shop the best Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals?
You can find deals in stores or online through most major online retailers like: Amazon, Walmart, Best Buy, Target, and more.
How do I know which AirPods to choose this Cyber Monday?
You've got lots of AirPods options on sale for Cyber Monday. Do you want an over-ear headphone, like the AirPods Max (that is running a $150 discount right now), or a tried-and-true noise-canceling pro, like the AirPods Pro 2? Those are two of our favorite AirPods models. Other models, like the AirPods 3 and 4, offer different fits without the silicon ear tips that stabilize your ear. The AirPods 4 is the latest model, so don't expect massive sales on the product just yet. Normally, brands will discount their older models with the best deals. That explains why the AirPods Max with the Lightning port have a $150 discount, while the new AirPods Max with the USB-C port are $100 more expensive on Amazon.
Is there an Apple student discount available?
Apple Education cuts the price of select Apple products, like MacBooks and iPads, but it doesn't seem like you can get discounts on AirPods.
Can you get free Apple Music with your AirPods?
When you purchase a new Apple device, like AirPods, you are eligible for three free months of Apple Music, the platform's streaming service.
What are the best Cyber Monday 2024 deals still live?
ZDNET's experts have been searching through Cyber Monday sales live now to find the best discounts by category. These are the best Cyber Monday deals so far, by category, many of which are still available:
Cyber Monday TV dealsCyber Monday phone dealsCyber Monday laptop dealsCyber Monday gaming PC dealsCyber Monday smartwatch and fitness tracker dealsCyber Monday Amazon dealsCyber Monday Best Buy dealsCyber Monday Walmart dealsCyber Monday Sam's Club dealsCyber Monday Apple dealsCyber Monday iPad dealsCyber Monday AirPods dealsCyber Monday Apple Watch dealsCyber Monday Kindle dealsCyber Monday streaming dealsCyber Monday soundbar and speaker dealsCyber Monday robot vacuum dealsCyber Monday Nintendo Switch dealsCyber Monday PlayStation dealsCyber Monday Samsung dealsCyber Monday Verizon dealsCyber Monday Roku dealsCyber Monday VPN dealsCyber Monday Dell dealsCyber Monday deals under $25And more Black Friday deals:
Black Friday deals under $100Black Friday headphone dealsBlack Friday tablet dealsBlack Friday monitor dealsBlack Friday gaming dealsBlack Friday security camera dealsBlack Friday storage and SSD dealsBlack Friday portable power station dealsBlack Friday Chromebook dealsBlack Friday HP dealsBlack Friday Roborock deals