[ad_1]
From the original AirPods to the higher-end AirPods Pro, you’ll find Apple’s wireless earbuds hanging on the ears of pedestrians everywhere. If you’re eyeing a new pair for yourself (or someone else), there’s always a deal to be had on the wireless earbuds and headphones. Lucky for you, we’ve done all the deal-hunting and have listed the very best offerings below. For example, you can
save up to $100 on the AirPods Max
right now, and that’s just the beginning.
Also: Best Apple MacBook and Mac Mini deals available right now
Save $50
Arguably the most iconic AirPods of Apple’s arsenal, the second generation earbuds are not the newest on the market, but make for stellar audio accessories, especially for iPhone users. ZDNet’s resident AirPods listener, Jason Cirpriani, reviewed the earbuds in 2019 and praised the enduring battery life, quick pairing via Apple’s H1 chip, and overall ease of use. That said, a new and sealed box of these AirPods can be hard to come by. After some digging around, it looks like Amazon, Best Buy, and Target are all offering the earbuds for just $109 ($50 off). Hurray for options!
Save $10
The third-generation AirPods is the latest addition to Apple’s audio portfolio. That means it’s equipped with the company’s latest sound features like Spatial Audio — previously exclusive to the AirPods Pro and Max, and a MagSafe compatible charging case. Where it falls short is the lack of noise cancellation, which may be a deal-breaker for some. The $179 AirPods rock a much shorter stem design, putting it closer to the looks of the AirPods Pro than the second-generation buds. That said, while this model of AirPods launched just months ago, there’s always a deal to be had. The cheapest option right now (besides buying a used or refurbished model) is from Amazon and Walmart for $150 ($29 off). The discount will show at checkout.
Save $60
With active noise-cancellation, superb audio quality that hits the right notes in the lows, mids, and highs, and seamless integration with iPhones, there’s no surprise that the two-year-old AirPods Pro still sits atop ZDNet’s best wireless earbuds of 2022 list. When reviewed, we found the AirPods Pro to have some of the best microphone and call quality among wireless earbuds, and the cushioned ear tips provide a snug fit no matter the ear shape and size. Right now, Amazon, Best Buy, and Target are selling the AirPods Pro for $189 ($60 off), which is close to the all-time lowest price.
Save $100
There was no bigger flex than when Apple revealed its premium over-the-ear headphones, the AirPods Max for $549. The price tag is a bit to swallow, and ZDNet’s Jason Cipriani and Jason Perlow had the same idea when initially testing the headset. Shortly after, the two agreed that while expensive, the AirPods Max had the sound quality and performance to justify the ask. A key feature, Spatial Audio, even produces a surround sound experience similar to that of IMAX theaters. Apple didn’t skimp on the hardware either, with a cool-to-the-touch stainless steel polish running from one earmuff to the other. The best deal can be found on Amazon and Target, with various colors discounted down to $449 ($100 off). Best Buy is offering the same discount but only for the green model.
More: Jason Cipriani’s AirPods Max review | Jason Perlow’s AirPods Max review
Which model of AirPods should I buy?
When shopping for Apple AirPods, you will come across four different models: 2nd and 3rd generation AirPods, AirPods Pro, and AirPods Max. These are the factors that should sway you into one over the others.
- AirPods (2nd Generation): An icon for wireless earbuds, pick up the 2nd generation AirPods if you’re on a budget but still want stellar audio performance.
- AirPods (3rd Generation): The newly-released 3rd generation AirPods bring longer battery life than the predecessor, Apple’s Spatial Audio, and wireless charging.
- AirPods Pro: Get the AirPods Pro if you want the best wireless earbuds Apple has to offer. It has exceptional microphone and sound quality, active noise-cancellation, and rubberized ear tips for added comfort.
- AirPods Max: The Max is for those who prefer over-the-ear style headphones and willing to pay extra for premium hardware and an impressive sound performance.
Do AirPods work with Android devices?
Fortunately, you can pair AirPods to non-Apple devices, including Android phones, tablets, and desktop computers via Bluetooth. However, you will miss out on a couple of features like “Hey Siri” voice commanding and AirPods tracking via Apple’s Find My app, and the inability to process Apple’s AAC codec means the audio streaming quality won’t be as good as it is on Apple devices.
What if I lose an AirPod?
If you ever lose an AirPod or both, there are a couple of ways you can find or replace them.
- Apple’s Find My app: Like tracking a lost iPhone, you can use the Find My app to track the location of your lost AirPod(s). Note that this will only work if the earbuds are paired to your iOS device via Bluetooth and the app can only locate the earbuds, not the charging case.
- Purchase a spare AirPod from Apple: Your second option is to purchase a left or right AirPod directly from the Apple store. Currently, Apple sells spare earbuds for the AirPods (2nd and 3rd generation) and AirPods Pro. They sell for $69 and $89 each, respectively. Learn more about Apple’s replacement and repair service here.
If you only lost one AirPod and still have the second with the charging case, you can still use it as is.
Interested in more tech deals and reviews? Subscribe to the ZDNet Recommends newsletter and let our expert reviewers scour the internet for only the top products, services, and deals for you.
[ad_2]
Source link