Black Friday 2026: AirPods deals
to buy now, wait for or skip
Our best buy is the AirPods Pro 3. Black Friday is 40 days away and Amazon has not announced its dates. We checked every current AirPods listing on October 18 to see which are worth buying now, which to wait on and which to skip.
How we picked: we shortlist by Amazon Best Seller rank and number of ratings, then compare published specs. We don't test these products hands-on.
By Jamilur Rahman, Founder & Editor · Updated October 18, 2026
- Owner reviews checked
- Features side by side
- Quick & easy compare
- Smarter purchase
The short answer
When do Black Friday 2026 deals start? Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26), and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Amazon has not announced its 2026 Black Friday sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday.
This page is a buying plan for AirPods sold on Amazon, written on October 18, after Prime Big Deal Days (October 6–7) and before the main sale. Buy now: AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods Max 2, which are both listed below Apple’s list price and sold by Amazon.com. Wait: AirPods 5, Apple’s newest base earbuds, which show no markdown yet. Skip: AirPods 4 with ANC, which AirPods 5 replace and which showed only used offers when we checked, and the older AirPods Max with USB-C, which costs more than the newer Max 2.
Don’t wait if your AirPods just died or you need a gift in hand by Thanksgiving week. Also check your phone first: most AirPods extras, such as Live Translation and heart rate tracking, need an iPhone, so Android owners get less from the Pro 3. If you already own AirPods Pro 2, the upgrade is a want, not a need. Every pair here is new and was sold by Amazon.com when we checked. Prices move daily, so tap “View on Amazon” for today’s number.
Compare them side by side
Everything that matters, in one table. Swipe to see all 5.
| Product | Best Buy Now AirPods Pro 3 Noise-cancelling earbuds |  Best Premium Buy AirPods Max 2 Over-ear noise-cancelling headphones |  Best New Model to Wait For AirPods 5 Open-ear noise-cancelling earbuds |  Skip This One AirPods 4 with ANC Open-ear noise-cancelling earbuds |  Skip This One AirPods Max (USB-C) Older over-ear headphones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BeastScore | 94 / 100 | 90 / 100 | 87 / 100 | 80 / 100 | 80 / 100 |
| Our call | Buy | Buy | Wait | Skip | Skip |
| Best for | Every iPhone owner | Home listening and travel | iPhone owners who want ANC at a lower price | Only as a new, sealed pair far below AirPods 5 | Only if it falls far below the Max 2 |
| Typical price (checked October 18, 2026) | $190–$210 | $440–$460 | $120–$140 | $100–$120 | $470–$490 |
| Model | 2025 model (current Pro) | Current Max (H2 chip) | Current AirPods 5 | Previous model | Older Max (H1 chip) |
| Newer model out? | No | No | No | Yes, AirPods 5 | Yes, AirPods Max 2 |
| Why it’s here | Already under Apple’s list price | Newer than the old Max and listed for less | New, with no markdown yet | Only used offers when we checked | Costs more than the newer Max 2 |
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BeastScore here is our overall rating out of 100, based on published specs and Amazon owner reviews. Prices change daily, so tap "View on Amazon" for today's price. We may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Why each one made the list
What each pick does best, where it falls short, and the typical Amazon price when we checked.
- 1. Best Buy Now
AirPods Pro 3
BeastScore 94 / 100Typically $190–$210 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)AirPods Pro 3 are Apple’s best earbuds, and Amazon’s listing already shows them below Apple’s list price. The listing says they remove up to 2x more noise than AirPods Pro 2, track heart rate for up to 50 workout types and support Live Translation, with up to 8 hours of listening with noise cancelling on one charge. They are sold by Amazon.com. A lower price on Black Friday is possible, but nobody knows, and waiting risks losing today’s discount. If you want one pair of AirPods for the holidays, this is the easiest buy on the page.
Pros- Apple’s listing calls it the world’s best in-ear noise cancelling
- Heart rate sensing for workouts
- Live Translation through Apple Intelligence on iPhone
Cons- Costs more than AirPods 5
- Best features need an iPhone
- In-ear silicone tips are not for everyone
- 2. Best Premium Buy
AirPods Max 2
BeastScore 90 / 100Typically $440–$460 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)AirPods Max 2 are the newer Max, and Amazon lists them below Apple’s list price and below the older Max. The listing says they run on the H2 chip, offer up to 1.5x more noise cancelling than the previous generation, support lossless audio over USB-C and add Live Translation. Battery life is up to 20 hours with noise cancelling on. Premium headphones are a big purchase, so a markdown on the current model is worth taking. A bigger cut on Black Friday is possible, but this is already a fair price.
Pros- Newer H2 chip and stronger noise cancelling than the older Max
- Lossless audio over USB-C
- Up to 20 hours of battery with noise cancelling on
Cons- Costs far more than AirPods Pro 3
- Over-ear size is bulkier than earbuds for travel
- Best features need an iPhone
- 3. Best New Model to Wait For
AirPods 5
BeastScore 87 / 100Typically $120–$140 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)AirPods 5 are Apple’s newest base AirPods. The listing says they have improved Active Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design, plus Adaptive Audio, Live Translation, an IP57 rating and up to 4 hours of listening with noise cancelling, or up to 20 hours with the case. They are sold by Amazon.com at Apple’s price, with no markdown shown. A model this new may get its first cut during Black Friday, so wait if you can. If you need earbuds now, buy them. A version with a wireless charging case costs more.
Pros- Newest base AirPods with improved noise cancelling
- IP57 dust, sweat and water resistance
- Costs far less than AirPods Pro 3
Cons- No markdown shown yet
- Open-ear fits usually isolate less than in-ear tips
- Up to 4 hours of listening with ANC on one charge
- 4. Skip This One
AirPods 4 with ANC
BeastScore 80 / 100Typically $100–$120 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)AirPods 4 with ANC were Apple’s step-up base earbuds, and AirPods 5 now replace them. The listing still says they have Active Noise Cancellation, the H2 chip and Adaptive Audio, which is a solid feature set. The problem is the offer. When we checked on October 18, the page showed only a used “Like New” offer from Amazon Resale, not a new unit from Amazon.com. A used price is not a Black Friday deal. We would buy AirPods 5 or AirPods Pro 3 instead, unless a new, sealed pair appears far below AirPods 5.
Pros- Active Noise Cancellation in an open fit
- H2 chip with Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness
- Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking
Cons- Replaced by AirPods 5
- Only used offers when we checked
- Not a new unit from Amazon.com today
- 5. Skip This One
AirPods Max (USB-C)
BeastScore 80 / 100Typically $470–$490 on Amazon (checked October 18, 2026)This is the older AirPods Max, sold with a USB-C port. The listing says it uses the Apple H1 chip, has pro-level noise cancelling and a Digital Crown for controls, and it is still a premium pair of headphones. But the newer AirPods Max 2 was listed for less when we checked, with a newer chip and stronger noise cancelling. Paying more for the older model makes no sense. Only consider this one if a Black Friday deal pushes it well below the Max 2.
Pros- Premium over-ear build with memory foam cushions
- Digital Crown for volume and calls
- Automatic switching between iPhone, iPad and Mac
Cons- Replaced by AirPods Max 2
- Costs more than the Max 2 today
- Older H1 chip, not H2
All 5 compared, in one look
See every pick on one chart, or tap one to put it head to head with AirPods Pro 3. Ratings out of 10 are our estimates from published specs and Amazon owner reviews, not hands-on tests. Bigger shape = better.
- Deal valueAirPods Pro 3 · 9.4/10
- How newAirPods 5 · 9.8/10
- Noise cancellingAirPods Pro 3 · 9.8/10
- iPhone extrasAirPods Pro 3 · 9.8/10
- Buy-now confidenceAirPods Pro 3 · 9.4/10
Which one should you buy?
Find your situation below. That's your pick.
BuyAlready below Apple’s list price on Amazon and still Apple’s top earbuds. A lower Black Friday price is possible, but waiting risks losing today’s discount.
- You have an iPhone
- You want the best noise cancelling in earbuds
- You work out with earbuds
BuyThe newer Max is listed below the older one and below Apple’s list price. A fair price for premium headphones, and a bigger cut on Black Friday is not guaranteed.
- You want over-ear comfort at home or on flights
- You want lossless audio over USB-C
- You want the newer Max for less than the old one
WaitNew at Apple’s price with no markdown yet. Wait for a first cut unless you need earbuds now.
- You want newer earbuds at a lower price
- You hate in-ear tips
- You can wait for a first markdown
SkipAirPods 5 replace it, and the page offered only used “Like New” units when we checked. Skip unless a new pair appears well below AirPods 5.
- A new sealed pair drops well below AirPods 5
- You hate in-ear tips
- You do not need the newest model
SkipThe newer Max 2 is listed for less today. Don’t pay more for the older model.
- It falls far below the AirPods Max 2
- You do not need the H2 chip
- You want the older Max for a specific color
AirPods Pro 3
Apple’s best earbuds, already below Apple’s list price on Amazon.com. If you buy one pair of AirPods before Black Friday, make it these.
- Up to 2x more noise removed than Pro 2
- Heart rate sensing
- Live Translation
Quick tips before you buy
Most extras, like Live Translation and heart rate tracking, need an iPhone. AirPods still pair with Android as Bluetooth earbuds, but you lose those extras.
Look for “Sold by Amazon.com” and a new product, not “Renewed” or “Used.” New Apple products from Amazon.com come with Apple’s one-year warranty.
AirPods Pro 3, AirPods 5, AirPods 4 and AirPods Max look alike in search. Read the title before you add to cart.
AirPods Pro 3 use in-ear silicone tips, and AirPods 5 are open-ear. If you hate tips, AirPods 5 may suit you better.
Quick answers
When does Black Friday 2026 start on Amazon?+
Black Friday is Friday, November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is Monday, November 30. Amazon has not announced its 2026 sale dates yet. In past years its Black Friday deals started about a week before Black Friday and ran through Cyber Monday. If it repeats that pattern, early deals could start around November 20. That is a guess, not an announcement.
Will AirPods Pro 3 be cheaper on Black Friday?+
Nobody knows before the sale. AirPods Pro 3 are already listed below Apple’s list price on Amazon. If you wait, you may get a further cut, but you also risk today’s discount ending. We call them a buy now because the current price is already a clear markdown on Apple’s newest Pro earbuds.
Is it better to buy AirPods Pro 3 now or wait?+
Buy now if you want them for the holidays or your current pair is failing. Wait only if you are happy to risk losing the current discount for a chance at a lower one. Compare any Black Friday price with the band on the card above.
Are AirPods Max worth it on Black Friday?+
The newer AirPods Max 2 are worth a look at a markdown. They were listed below the older AirPods Max when we checked, so the older Max is the one to skip. If you only want earbuds, AirPods Pro 3 cost far less, and their listing claims the world’s best in-ear noise cancelling.
Should I buy AirPods 4 or AirPods 5 on Black Friday?+
AirPods 5 are the newer model and the safer buy. AirPods 4 with ANC showed only used offers on Amazon when we checked. If a new, sealed AirPods 4 appears far below AirPods 5, it could be worth a look. Otherwise pick AirPods 5, or AirPods Pro 3 if you want the best noise cancelling.
What is a good Black Friday price for AirPods?+
Use the price band on each card, checked October 18, 2026. A price at or below that band is a good price for today. A crossed-out “was” price only shows Apple’s list price and does not prove the deal is good. Write down the band for the pair you want before the sale starts.
Are AirPods from Amazon new and covered by Apple’s warranty?+
Yes, when the listing is sold by Amazon.com and says new. Avoid “Renewed” and “Used” listings if you want a new pair with Apple’s one-year warranty. AppleCare+ is optional, and some listings bundle it at a higher price.
Keep comparing
AirPods Pro 3 vs Galaxy Buds 4 Pro vs Bose QC UltraThe three biggest noise-cancelling earbuds, head to head.
AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QC UltraThe three best noise-cancelling headphones, head to head.Prime Big Deal Days: Apple deals worth buying (and what to skip)AirPods, iPad, MacBook Air, Apple Watch and AirTag: what to buy and what to skip on October 6–7.