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Macworld
If you’re planning to buy AirPods, timing your purchase can make a big difference to how much you pay. Apple rarely discounts AirPods itself, but retailers frequently cut prices – particularly around Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday.
October 2026 is an interesting time to buy because Apple has recently refreshed much of the range. The AirPods 5 launched in September 2026, joining the AirPods Pro 3, introduced in September 2025, and the AirPods Max 2, which arrived earlier in 2026. That means there is relatively little reason to wait for an imminent replacement if you want one of Apple’s current range of AirPods.
There is, however, a very good reason to wait a few days if you’re reading this at the beginning of October: Amazon’s October Prime Day sale takes place on October 6 and 7, and AirPods regularly receive substantial discounts during major sales events.
In this guide we’ll explain when the best time is to buy each AirPods model, whether you should buy now or wait, which older AirPods are worth considering at clearance prices, and the times of year when you’re most likely to find a bargain.
When to buy AirPods: At a glance
| When | AirPods 5 | AirPods Pro 3 | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | Buy during Prime Day | Buy during Prime Day | WaBuy during Prime Day |
| November 2026 | Buy during Black Friday sales | Buy during Black Friday sales | Buy during Black Friday sales |
| December 2026 | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Early 2027 | Buy | Buy | Buy |
Best AirPods deals right now
U.S.
- AirPods Pro 3: $234 ($15 off, MSRP $249)
- AirPods 5: $129 ($0 off, MSRP $129)
- AirPods Max 2: $479 ($80 off, MSRP $549)
U.K.
- AirPods Pro 3: £200 (£19 off, RRP £219)
- AirPods Max 1: £424 – Clearance
What is the worst time to buy AirPods?
The worst time to buy AirPods is generally immediately before a major sale, or just before Apple replaces the model you’re considering.
That’s particularly relevant right now. Amazon’s October Prime Day sale takes place on October 6 and 7, so paying full price for AirPods just a few days before the sale would make little sense unless you need them immediately.
What is the best time to buy AirPods?
Major sales events are generally the best time to buy AirPods. Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday are particularly worth watching because Apple’s headphones and earbuds frequently receive significant retailer discounts.
The savings can be substantial. AirPods Pro 3 have previously dropped from their $249 MSRP to $169, while AirPods Max 2 have already been available for $399 rather than $549.
That doesn’t mean you should never buy between sales. If the AirPods you want are already close to their historical low, there’s little reason to wait simply because another sales event will eventually arrive.
Should you buy AirPods now or wait?
For most people, yes — but wait for Prime Day if you can
Foundry
For most people, October 2026 is a good time to buy AirPods – but wait until the October 6–7 Prime Day sale if you can.
Apple has recently refreshed the standard AirPods and AirPods Max ranges, while AirPods Pro 3 are only around a year old. That removes much of the risk that comes with buying immediately before a product refresh.
The bigger question is therefore not whether a new generation is about to arrive, but whether you can get the current model at a good price.
Read our AirPods Buying Guide to understand how the different AirPods compare and find out which is best for you.
| Model | Our advice |
|---|---|
| AirPods 5 | Buy, but wait for Prime Day if possible |
| AirPods Pro 3 | Buy, particularly when discounted |
| AirPods Max 2 | Buy only if you specifically want Apple’s over-ear headphones; look for a substantial discount |
| AirPods 4 | Clearance purchase only |
| AirPods Pro 2 | Consider only at a significant discount |
Should you buy AirPods 5 now or wait?
Buy – but wait for a Prime Day discount if you can.
The AirPods 5 only arrived in September 2026, so there’s little reason to wait for another generation. They are also much easier to recommend than the AirPods 4 they replace because Active Noise Cancellation is now standard.
AirPods 5 start at $129 with a USB-C charging case. Apple also sells a $149 version with a Wireless Charging Case, which adds wireless charging, a speaker for Find My, volume adjustment by swiping the stems and slightly longer battery life.
The new generation also brings improved sound and stronger noise cancellation. Apple says AirPods 5 remove up to 50 percent more external noise than AirPods 4 with ANC.
We think the $149 Wireless Charging Case version is the better choice for most buyers because it costs only $20 more and adds several useful features.
Our recommendation: Buy AirPods 5 if you prefer an open-ear design. If you aren’t in a hurry, wait until Prime Day on October 6–7 to see whether either version is discounted.
Should you buy AirPods Pro 3 now or wait?
Buy – particularly if you find them well below $249.
AirPods Pro 3 launched in September 2025 and remain Apple’s most capable earbuds. They improve on AirPods Pro 2 with a more comfortable and secure fit, stronger noise cancellation, improved battery life and a heart-rate sensor.
They also have a significant battery-life advantage over AirPods 5, lasting up to eight hours with ANC enabled compared with four or five hours for the two AirPods 5 packages. AirPods Pro 3 additionally support Apple’s Hearing Test, Hearing Aid and Hearing Protection features.
Their $249 price is much higher than the $129/$149 AirPods 5, but discounts can dramatically narrow that gap. AirPods Pro 3 have previously fallen as low as $169, making sales events particularly attractive times to buy.
Our recommendation: Buy if you want the strongest noise isolation, longer battery life, a secure in-ear fit or Apple’s health and hearing features. At full price, compare carefully with AirPods 5; at a substantial discount, AirPods Pro 3 become much more compelling.
Should you buy AirPods Max 2 now or wait?
Buy if you specifically want AirPods Max – but look for a discount rather than paying $549.
AirPods Max 2 are relatively new, so waiting for an imminent replacement isn’t the main concern. The bigger issue is value.
The second-generation model adds the H2 chip and features including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation and Live Translation. Sound quality, Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode remain excellent.
However, our review found that Apple failed to address several longstanding complaints, including the headphones’ weight, Smart Case and inability to be switched off manually.
That makes the price particularly important. AirPods Max 2 cost $549, but the updated Prime Day roundup has already recorded a $399 deal – $150 below MSRP.
Our recommendation: Don’t wait because – Apple isn’t expected to update the AirPods Max soon. Instead, wait for a good discount unless you particularly want them immediately.
Should you buy AirPods 4?
Only at a substantial clearance discount.
AirPods 5 have replaced AirPods 4 and now include Active Noise Cancellation as standard while starting at the same $129 MSRP previously charged for AirPods 4 without ANC.
That makes older AirPods 4 difficult to recommend unless retailers cut their prices significantly. The standard model fell to $99 during Prime Day, but now that AirPods 5 cost $129, we’d want to see an even lower clearance price before choosing the older generation.
Our recommendation: Buy the ANC equipped version only if the price is exceptionally low.
Should you buy AirPods Pro 2?
Only at a significant discount.
AirPods Pro 2 are still capable earbuds, but AirPods Pro 3 improve the fit, battery life and noise cancellation and add heart-rate sensing.
The older model can still make sense if retailers are clearing stock at a sufficiently low price. But the closer its price gets to a discounted pair of AirPods Pro 3, the less attractive it becomes.
Our recommendation: Consider AirPods Pro 2 only if they’re substantially cheaper than AirPods Pro 3 and you don’t need the newer model’s heart-rate feature.
Should you buy older or refurbished AirPods?
Screenshot
Foundry
Older AirPods can make sense when retailers are clearing stock, but compare the price with the model that replaced them rather than focusing on the percentage discount from the original MSRP.
You should also be careful when buying an older generation simply because it appears heavily discounted. The percentage saving can be misleading if the replacement model offers significantly more for a similar price. AirPods 5, for example, start at the same $129 price originally charged for AirPods 4 without ANC, but now include Active Noise Cancellation as standard.
You should be particularly cautious when buying AirPods from marketplaces or unfamiliar sellers. Counterfeit AirPods can closely resemble genuine products, and unusually low prices – particularly on second-hand marketplaces – can be a warning sign.
If you’re considering an older model, check the exact generation, charging case and condition, and make sure the seller is reputable.
When does Apple release new AirPods?
Unlike the iPhone, AirPods don’t follow a simple annual update schedule.
AirPods Pro 3 launched in September 2025, AirPods Max 2 followed in 2026, and Apple introduced AirPods 5 in September 2026.
Because the three main AirPods families have all been updated relatively recently, the current lineup doesn’t present the obvious “wait because a replacement is imminent” problem that sometimes occurs with Apple products.
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Title: Best time to buy AirPods in 2026: Buy now or wait?
Sourced From: www.macworld.com/article/351745/should-i-buy-airpods-now-or-wait-best-price.html
Published Date: Thu, 01 Oct 2026 13:36:12 +0000
