Black Friday is still weeks away, but early Black Friday deals on some of our favorite tech are already rolling in, including Apple’s AirPods. Both the flagship AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2 are on sale, knocking up to $100 off their regular prices. Whether you want pocketable earbuds for everyday use, premium noise-canceling headphones, or seamless Apple integration, these are some of the best prices I've seen recently. I don't expect these prices to go back up until after Black Friday, but with tech getting more expensive, I wouldn't wait too long if you've been planning to upgrade.
Want more deals? Check out our guide to the Best Early Black Friday Deals on Amazon, the Best Early Black Friday TV Deals, and Black Friday Deals at Home Depot. For headphone recommendations, check out our guides to the Best Wireless Earbuds, the Best Open Earbuds, and the Best Headphones for Working Out.
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Apple AirPods Pro 3 for $200 ($49 Off)
Apple
AirPods Pro 3
The flagship AirPods Pro 3 are Apple’s best AirPods yet. Upgrades include stronger noise-canceling, a new acoustic architecture for deeper bass, and redesigned ear tips for a more secure fit. The ear tips also keep my AirPods from slipping during longer runs and sweatier workouts. New tools include a built-in heart rate sensor for fitness tracking, live translation, and a camera remote to snap photos or videos on your iPhone. These earbuds are also the first AirPods to be IP57 rated against dust, sweat, and rain.
Right now, they are 20 percent off at Amazon, Target, and Walmart. There’s no telling if these discounts will change once Black Friday is here, so I’d grab a pair now if they’re on your wish list.
Apple AirPods Max 2 for $449 ($100 Off)
Photograph: Adrienne So
Photograph: Adrienne So
Photograph: Adrienne So
Photograph: Adrienne So
Apple
AirPods Max 2
The AirPods Max 2’s newer H2 chip improves active noise cancellation and transparency mode and enables a suite of intelligent features, including conversation awareness, live translation, and improved Siri interactions. The AirPods Max 2 are designed with a new high-dynamic-range amplifier for deeper bass, more natural vocals, and cleaner highs. The ear cuffs, while plush and comfortable for longer listening sessions, do trap some heat, but I have yet to find a pair of over-ear headphones that don’t.
At $549, the AirPods Max 2 can be a tough sell, especially with so many excellent, more affordable alternatives on the market. But $100 off, they’re a lot easier to justify, especially if you want the seamless integration that comes with Apple’s ecosystem.
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