Best cheap Apple Airpods and AirPods Pro deals

In less than a decade, Apple's AirPods have gone from being the butt of a joke to one of the more iconic true wireless earbuds in the market.

Even if they aren't the first, cheapest or the best the category has to offer, the AirPods are still far and away one of the most popular options. That said, they're not the thriftiest set of earbuds around. Fortunately, if you're smart about where and when you shop, there's ample savings to be had.

This article is our one-stop shop for AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max deals in Australia. In other words, it's a guide to everything you need to know if you're looking to save money on Apple's wire-free headphones and earbuds.

The current incarnation of Apple's baseline AirPods is in its third generation. This version of the AirPods takes its cues from the more premium AirPods Pro, with shorter stems and a more subtle design.

When it comes to battery life, the Apple AirPods 3 come with 6 hours per charge and another 30 hours in the case. That said, the big takeaway in our review was that the broader shift in design is likely going to be the bigger factor when it comes to making the higher asking price worth it.

Even the cheapest set of AirPods are still relatively expensive compared to other entry-level options. That said, if you know where to look, you might be able to get these earbuds for a little less. Check out the table below for a round-up of AirPods 3 pricing in Australia.

Given how pricey the regular AirPods are, it doesn't cost that much more to spring for the truly premium AirPods Pro instead. The biggest reason to do so is the addition of noise-cancellation, which makes every part of the listening experience a little bit cleaner.

As usual, you might be able to get these earbuds for a little less if you know where to look.. Check out the table below for a round-up of AirPods Pro pricing in Australia.

In 2023, Apple also introduced a new version of the second-generation AirPods Pro that features a carry-case that charges using USB-C rather than the now-ancient Lightning cable. The best deal on that version of Apple's expensive earbuds can be seen below.

The AirPods Max aren't just the only set of Apple AirPods that come with an over-ear design, they're far and away the most expensive set of noise-cancelling headphones that Apple sells. That said, that premium does come with a fair few perks.

Our review of the AirPods Max found that Apple's over-ear wireless headphones work hard for that price.

We've rounded up the best deals for the AirPods Max below.

Here's how much each set of AirPods retails for Australia:

• Apple AirPods (2nd Gen) starts at $219
• Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) starts at $279
• Apple AirPods Pro starts at $399
• Apple AirPods Max starts at $899

The good news is that the best deals on Apple's AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max can be found all over the place. Here's the list of retailers we use to spot and track the best deals on the Apple AirPods, AirPods Pro and AirPods Max.

• Amazon
• JB Hi-Fi
• Catch.com.au
• Kogan
• Bing Lee
• The Good Guys

Apple has put a lot of effort into making the process of using the AirPods and AirPods Pro with the iPhone as painless as possible.

The AirPods are the one to go with if you're looking to spend as little as possible and don't mind missing out on features like noise-cancelling and spatial audio. If you're not a stickler for sound quality, it's hard to go too wrong for the conveniences offered by the standard model.

The AirPods Pro cost a little more but features better design and sound quality. If you're looking for the best AirPods, these are probably what you're after. 

The AirPods Max are expensive enough that they won't be the right fit for everyone. However, they are the only option if you prefer an over-ear form factor. Still confused? Take a look at the comparison table below.

Once upon a time, you'd have to wait for the end of the financial year or boxing day sales to snag a good price on the latest Apple earbuds. Nowadays, cheap AirPods deals are a dime a dozen. Even so, it can sometimes pay to wait for the right seasonal discount.

Here's a quick shortlist of times and events that can be better than usual when it comes to cheap AirPods.

• Back to School sales (January)
• EOFY sales (June/July)
• Pre-Christmas sales (Early December)
• End of year and boxing day sales (Late December)
• Prime Day (typically July)
• Black Friday (November)