After early ridicule, Apple AirPods have become an increasingly common sight.
Unfortunately, Apple's wireless headphones don't come cheap. If you buy them directly via the Apple website, you can expect to pay $159 for a set with a wired charging case and $199 for AirPods with a wireless charging case.
So, where you can find cheap Apple AirPods? Keep reading to find out.
1. Mac of All Trades
Mac of all Trades is an online store that specializes in selling refurbished Apple hardware. The store comes with a strong reputation. Since its founding back in 1995, it has become one of the most popular places to buy second-hand Macs.
Because Mac of All Trades can only sell what it has in stock at a given moment, the availability of refurbished AirPods can fluctuate. Demand is high; when some do become available, they quickly sell out. There are often times when the site has none in stock.
As per the company's FAQ page:
"The current stock count of each model is noted in its listing and updates real-time."
However, if you're not in a rush to get your hands on a pair, it makes sense to bide your time and watch the site for a couple of weeks. When AirPods are available on Mac of All Trades, the prices are often unbeatable. The many discounts mean the store usually is cheaper than Apple's refurbished hardware store.
All the products you buy from Mac of All Trades come with a 90-day warranty. There's also a 14-day guaranteed refund period.
2. Amazon
If you'd prefer to buy a pair of new Apple AirPods, Amazon is an essential store to keep your eye on.
As is often the case on Amazon, you can pick up a good deal if you're happy to wait. There are often flash discounts that last for a few days, as well as the big annual events like Black Friday and Prime Day.
To underscore the difficulty of landing yourself Apple AirPods for cheap, even the mighty Amazon is often out of stock on the latest model.
The best way to maximize your chances of getting Apple AirPods for the lowest price is to subscribe to Prime. You'll get access to sales exclusively available to Prime members, along with free shipping.
Remember, if you're a student, you can join the Prime Student plan. It offers significant additional savings.
3. Newegg
We're big fans of Newegg, so it won't surprise you to to learn that the company offers perhaps the best selection of cheap Apple AirPods.
Several new and refurbished Apple AirPods are available. There are listings for both the latest and previous- generation models. Prices can fluctuate on a site like Newegg, but at the time of writing, the cheapest Apple AirPods available were a refurbished pair for $139. The most expensive was in excess of $200.
If you've never bought on Newegg before, you've got nothing to worry about. The site offers a full return policy for items it ships and has a Marketplace Guarantee for third-party sellers.
4. Best Buy
Best Buy is another store that offers both new and refurbished Apple AirPods; it occasionally offers substantial discounts too. It's also the only shop on this list that has a physical presence. If you go to your local Best Buy store, you might be able to find a deal that's not available on the web.
At of this writing, the prices on the refurbished models vary between $155 and $200, depending on the condition and the generation.
New AirPods on Best Buy's website are the regular price. Again, keep your eyes peeled for cheaper AirPods on Black Friday.
Don't Forget to Look for Coupon Codes
Before you convince yourself that you've found the cheapest AirPods, you should do a quick scan on various coupon sites to see if you can bag yourself an additional few dollars of discount.
A couple of coupon sites worth checking out are:
- RetailMeNot: Has savings for several Apple products across a number of websites. There are even some savings available for Apple's official online store.
- SlickDeals: Lets you search by product and by store, giving you the best possible chance to find yourself a bargain.
Both RetailMeNot and SlickDeals will apply your discount at checkout---just make sure you start your hunt by clicking on the appropriate link on the sites' homepages. And remember to be smart in your search. For example, you might be able to find a discount coupon for a store that stocks Apple AirPods, rather than for the specific product itself.
Apple AirPods Cheap Alternatives
Apple products are expensive. If you've checked out a few of the stores we've talked about, you'll quickly see that huge discounts on AirPods are almost non-existent. Perhaps it's worth checking out some cheap alternatives to Apple AirPods instead.
Here are our top three picks:
Samsung Galaxy Buds: The most significant difference between the Samsung Galaxy Buds and AirPods is the way they sound; the Galaxy Buds have in-ear noise cancellation to block out external noise.
Soundcore Anker Liberty Air: A set of Soundcore Anker Liberty Air buds are even cheaper than the Galaxy Buds. They offer five hours of battery life and come with three different-sized ear tips.
Treblab X5: The best budget AirPod alternative is the Treblab X5. These wireless earphones are specifically for use when exercising. The clever hook and lightweight design mean they won't fall out of your ear, even during vigorous movement.
Where to Buy Cheap AirPods
So after all this, where is the best place to find cheap Apple AirPods?
Sadly, there's no right answer. The high demand means that savings are hard to find. The only way to score yourself a great deal is to be patient and monitor all the sites in tandem. If you see a deal that looks unusually good, grab it while you can.
Once you score some AirPods, have a look at our AirPods tips to get even more out of them. You can even use your AirPods with Android and other devices.