Engadget has been testing and reviewing consumer tech since 2004. Our stories may include affiliate links; if you buy something through a link, we may earn a commission. Read more about how we evaluate products.
AirPods Pro hit all-time low prices with Amazon Prime Day deals
The best October Prime Day discounts we could find on four generations of Apple AirPods.
The newest Apple earbuds are the AirPods Pro with the new USB-C charging case, which were announced during Apple's Wonderlust iPhone event last month. Thanks to Amazon's Prime day sale for October 2023, those buds are down to an all-time low price of $189. The original version with the Lightning charging case are down to the same price. Of course other AirPods are on sale now too, including earlier generations of the AirPods and the over-ear AirPods Max. Whichever AirPods you pick, they'll make great gifts for the iPhone users in your life. Or if you need to replace an older pair of earbuds, now is a good time to do so. And if you've just snagged your first iPhone and are looking for a pair of earbuds that will seamlessly pair up with it, the AirPods Pros are the best option out there. These are the best AirPod deals we could find for Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days event.
Apple AirPods Pro
The updated version of the AirPods Pro now come with a USB-C MagSafe charging case.
The second-generation AirPods Pro with USB-C have dropped to $189 for Prime Day, which is a new record low. Apple made a ton of small but noticeable improvements to these models, so now they have better sound quality, noise cancelation and Transparecy Mode. There remains no competition if you have an iPhone and live within the Apple ecosystem — these are the best earbuds to get if you fall into that category.
The latest Pro earbuds have the same design as the previous version, and that's because most of the changes are on the inside. Like other AirPods, the AirPods Pro have Apple's H1 chip, which enables most of the iOS and macOS-specific features.
If you're interested in the version with the original Lightning charging case, you can save on those bud too. They're also down to $189 and have the same, excellent Transparency mode and helpful iPhone syncing ability.
Read our full review of Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro.
Apple AirPods (3rd gen)
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
The latest, standard AirPods have much better sound quality than before, along with improved comfort and battery life.
Apple's third-gen AirPods are on sale for $150 right now. These buds are leaps and bounds better than their predecessor, with big improvements in sound quality, battery life and overall comfort. While they lack ANC, they are a good option for any Apple lover who just wants a reliable pair of wireless earbuds.
These AirPods also have Apple's H1 chip inside, which enables features like hands-free Siri access. Apple also brought down features like spatial audio and Adaptive EQ here, so they do have a more advanced edge than some other earbuds in the same price range.
Read our full review of Apple's AirPods (3rd generation, 2021)
Apple AirPods (2nd gen)
The most affordable AirPods you can get have improved wireless range and a decent battery life.
The second-generation AirPods have dropped to $89 for Prime Day, which is close to their record-low price. These earbuds are a bit old at this point, but if you have less than $100 to send and want a pair that work seamlessly with iPhones and other Apple devices, they fit the bill. They fit similarly to Apple's basic wired EarPods and they have decent wireless range, but we ultimately recommend spending a tad bit more and getting the 3rd-gen AirPods if you can afford them.
Apple AirPods Max
Photo by Billy Steele / Engadget
Apple's premium, over-ear headphones are quite comfortable and they have excellent audio quality.
Apple's high-end AirPod Max headphones are on sale for $479 right now, which is a $50 discount. While there are better wireless headphones out there at prices that won't empty your wallet, the AirPods Max are good for Apple lovers and those who want a comfortable yet unique design, excellent sound quality and good battery life. And since they cost $550 normally, it's always better to wait until they're on discount like they are now to buy them.
Read our full review of the AirPods Max.
Other headphone deals
Your October Prime Day Shopping Guide: See all of our Prime Day coverage. Shop the best Prime Day deals on Yahoo Life. Follow Engadget for Prime Day tech deals. Learn about Prime Day trends on In The Know. Hear from Autoblog’s experts on the best Fall Prime Day deals for your car, garage, and home, and find Prime Day sales to shop on AOL, handpicked just for you.
