Best cheap AirPods deals and sales in January 2026

AirPods Pro 3 shown on small block
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Whether you need new AirPods for your workouts or just want the best noise cancelling earbuds around, there are plenty of great AirPods deals to choose from right now.

Amazon has the base AirPods 4 on sale for $99. This is just $30 shy of their all-time price low. Meanwhile, AirPods Pro deals are a little harder to come by. That said, Amazon has the AirPods Pro 3 on sale for $239, which is a minor $10 off.

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Best cheap AirPods deals

Apple AirPods 4
Apple AirPods 4: was $129 now $99 at Amazon
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The AirPods 4 boast a new design, which Apple has refined with "50 million data points" to create the most comfortable AirPods ever. They also feature Apple's H2 chip, which delivers clearer calls with Voice Isolation, and a new, hands-free way to interact with Siri. The AirPods 4 also have USB-C charging and include up to 30 hours of listening time. In our AirPods 4 review, we said the Editor's Choice earbuds bring Apple's wireless earbuds lineup into the modern day with Pro-level features for less.

Apple AirPods 4 w/ ANC
Apple AirPods 4 w/ ANC: was $179 now $168 at Amazon
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These AirPods 4 have all the same great features as the base AirPods 4, except they also include Active Noise Cancellation. They also feature Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode, and Voice Isolation. It's a modest, but welcome price cut.

Best cheap AirPods Pro deals

Apple AirPods Pro 3
Apple AirPods Pro 3: was $249 now $239 at Amazon
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The AirPods Pro 3 feature 10 hours of battery life, improved sound, and superior ANC. They're comfortable and have plenty of sizing options to make sure you can find the best fit for you. In our AirPods Pro 3 review we said the Editor's Choice buds deliver the upgrade iPhone users have been waiting for with improved battery life, stronger noise cancellation, and smart new features like Live Translation, which delivers real-time translations to your ears.
Price check: $249 @ Walmart | $249 @ Best Buy

Best cheap AirPods Max deals

Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max: was $549 now $449 at Amazon
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The AirPods Max are Apple's premium, retro-style headphones. They feature large ear cushions, a digital crown, active noise cancellation, and Spatial Audio. The latter feature uses head tracking to offer a surround sound experience. In our AirPods Max review, we said the 'phones offer exceptional noise-cancelling, a luxurious design, and sophisticated soundstage.
Price check: $549 @ Best Buy

Best refurb cheap AirPods deals

Refurb Apple AirPods Pro: was $249 now $169 @ Amazon
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Refurb Apple AirPods Pro: was $249 now $169 @ Amazon
Want cheap AirPods? Amazon has the renewed AirPods Pro on sale for $169. That's the best cheap AirPods Pro sale we've seen from any retailer (for a refurbished model). They're also backed by a 90-day Amazon guarantee. The AirPods Pro offer both sweat and water resistance (IPX4 certified) along with built-in noise cancellation.

Cheap AirPods sales history

Generally speaking, AirPods sales fluctuate from $99 to $129 (for the standard AirPods), so any cheap AirPods sales within that price range are a good deal. Anything above $139, and we'd recommend waiting for the next batch of AirPods sales. (Keep in mind that the standard AirPods hit an all-time price low of $69 on Black Friday).

Meanwhile, the AirPods 3 hit $139 in November, which is their best price ever. The new AirPods Pro 2nd (2022) hit an all-time low of $179 this spring. They can be found for $199 regularly, even outside of major holidays. Finally, the AirPods Max traditionally cost $549, but Amazon recently had them on sale for just $399, which has been their all-time price low.

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AirPods deals history

Model

Apple Store (MSRP)

Lowest price

AirPods 4

$129

$69

AirPods 4 w/ ANC

$179

$99

AirPods Pro 3

$249

$199

AirPods Max

$549

$399

Which cheap AirPods should you get?

The Editor's Choice AirPods 4 are great for most Apple fans. For $129, you get redesigned acoustic architecture with the addition of modern AirPods features like Personalized Spatial Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Head Gestures — all very Pro-level features coming in for less than the cost of the AirPods Pro 3 ($249). In fact, the biggest difference between AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 might be that the latter's battery life is a little lackluster in comparison.

The pricier AirPods Pro 3 offer the same features as the AirPods, but are rated IP57 which protects them against dust, sweat, and water. This level of protection allows them to handle everything from sweaty workouts to rainy commutes without damaging them. That wasn't the case for the AirPods Pro 2 or AirPods 4, which are only covered for sweat-resistance. The new AirPods Pro 3 are also the first to include a dedicated heart rate sensor, no Apple Watch required. They even sync with Workout Buddy for Apple Intelligence-based workout guidance and Apple Music to launch a workout playlist automatically.

Make sure to check out our AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods 4 comparison for a side-by-side look at both earbuds.

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Louis Ramirez

As deals editor-in-chief at Tom’s Guide, Louis is constantly looking for ways to avoid paying full price for the latest gadgets, appliances, and apparel. With over 10 years of deals-hunting experience, Louis price checks against multiple retailers and searches high and low for the best deals to bring readers. He's also always on the look out for the best coupon codes to use when shopping. A born-and-bred New Yorker, Louis is also an avid swimmer and marathoner. His work has appeared on Gizmodo, CNET, and Time Out New York.

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