Black Friday AirPods deals: what to expect for 2021
It's going to be an interesting year for Black Friday AirPods deals in 2021. We could either see some excellent record low prices on the second generation model, or they won't be on the shelves at all. That's because the AirPods 3 are still slated for release before the annual sales kick off. Whatever happens, these offers are some of the most competitive of the year, which is why we're helping you prep early.
If there is a new base model tee'd up, we will likely see the second generation taking major price cuts well ahead of November. It's worth keeping a close eye on these developments over the next few weeks, then, as better prices on older models are likely just around the corner.
The AirPods Pro and Max are, however, primed for some excellent Black Friday AirPods deals. Both models carry a premium price tag, but the Pros have been on the shelves for a while now and the luxurious Max cups have been slowly dropping their cost since release. We're expecting record low prices on both of these models in 2021.
The entire lineup has now had plenty of time on the shelves, including the 2021 AirPods Max. That means we're expecting big things from this year's Black Friday AirPods deals - especially considering we've had brand new record discounts on each model for the past two years.
We're rounding up all our latest Black Friday AirPods deals predictions right here, and keeping this page topped up with all the latest news that might impact this year's sales. Stay tuned, because we'll be bringing you all the best discounts as soon as they land right here, so bookmark this page for the main event.
When will Black Friday AirPods deals start?
Black Friday officially lands on November 26 in 2021. Recent years have seen those discounts arriving earlier and earlier though. Last year, for example, retailers were launching early Black Friday deals as soon as October.
This year, we'd recommend keeping a close eye on AirPods deals as early as possible. With the launch of the AirPods 3 on the horizon, we may well see retailers offering incredibly low prices on the previous generation in order to shift stock ahead of the new model.
Watch out for AirPods deals over the next couple of weeks, then, because - as we've seen this previous devices, older stock won't be guaranteed for November.
Where will the best Black Friday AirPods deals be?
We'll be bringing you all the best Black Friday AirPods deals as soon as the sale kicks off right here. However, if you're going it alone it's worth keeping these retailers in your back pocket. These stores have been offering the best prices on Apple's luxury buds for the last few years now, and should definitely be a starting point.
US:
Amazon: Regularly has the lowest prices around
B&H Photo: Often price matches during sales events
Newegg: Flash sales can offer record breaking discounts
Verizon: Fewer discounts but excellent prices during sales
Walmart: Matches Amazon's record low prices
UK:
Amazon: Usually has the best prices on Apple devices
Argos: Same day delivery available
Currys: Great prices and extra subscription trials included free
Laptops Direct: Often has the best prices around but £5 shipping
Very: Regularly price matches record lows
Black Friday AirPods deals: what we expect to see
The second generation earbuds usually see some heavy discounts in Black Friday AirPods deals, but that tradition could be muddied by a new release. Apple didn't announce the new AirPods 3 at its recent September event, however a report from Digitimes claims that the AirPods 3 have entered mass production.
It's rumored, then, that Apple is spacing out its 2021 releases in the final quarter of the year, likely gearing up for a new AirPods announcement later on. We may well see new buds on the shelves before Black Friday AirPods deals kick off, then. If that's the case you'll want to keep a close eye on 2nd generation prices, as they will likely plummet immediately following the announcement before quickly running out of stock.
However, if the AirPods 3s are delayed then the second generation will see some stunning additional discounts in this year's offers.
The 2019 AirPods with a standard charging case have dropped to $99 so far this year, matching a very quick flash sale over Black Friday last year. However, the wireless charging model has been spotted at $20 less than its $149 Black Friday price in the last few months. If the AirPods 3 weren't releasing, we'd be expecting these discounts to return in November, potentially dropping by another $10 on the day itself.
Black Friday AirPods Pro deals: what we expect to see
The AirPods Pros could fare a little better. So far, the lowest price we've ever seen for the ANC earbuds has been $169.99, a Black Friday discount that has popped up a couple of times in 2021. Considering the new release and the age of these buds, then, we're expecting a more significant discount come November, potentially down to $149.99.
Black Friday AirPods Max deals: what we expect to see
The biggest discounts might be reserved for the AirPods Max, but only because it's got the highest starting price. These luxury cups initially launched in December last year at $549, but quickly dropped to $499 throughout 2021. We've been seeing $489.99 price tags far more regularly over the last few weeks.
That may well be the cost we return to in this year's Black Friday AirPods deals, though we wouldn't be surprised to see an additional $10 or $20 off the price here.
How to find the best Black Friday AirPods deals
We've been tracking Black Friday AirPods deals for a few years now, which means we've picked up some handy tricks to getting the very best offers along the way. Of course, we'll be rounding up all the biggest discounts right here, but if you're looking for some solo deal hunting tips, you'll find our top three just below.
1. Know what you want to buy
Knowing which model of AirPods you'll be shopping for in November means you can head straight into the sales and find the lowest price without wasting too much time comparing specs. Of course, it's always important to stay flexible - if a more expensive model has taken a huge price cut, it may well be the better value option.
You're deciding between the second generation AirPods with a standard charging case, a wireless charging version, the AirPods Pro and the AirPods Max. However, this year, the AirPods 3 may come along to disrupt that hierarchy. It's worth keeping a close eye out for more announcements on the latest model if you are looking to spend between $150 and $199.
2. Get there early
Black Friday AirPods deals are some of the biggest on the shelves come November, so the biggest discounts often sell out quickly. If you're looking for the best price possible we'd recommend you get in as early as you can. While there may be other offers later on in the weekend, they likely won't beat the record price low we might see at the start of the event.
3. Price check
Once you've found the perfect deal it's important to make sure it really is the perfect one. While many retailers simply price match each other over Black Friday, some stores can get away with a slightly lower sales price (though watch out for hidden shipping fees). It's more likely, however, that you'll find a retailer offering additional incentives to shop through them. You might find the same price available, but with free subscriptions, gift cards, or accessories also up for grabs.
Today's best deals
If you can't wait for November (and if the AirPods 3 have anything to do with it you shouldn't), you'll find all of today's lowest prices on Apple's true wireless earbuds and headphones just below.
AirPods don't make great gaming headphones, but we're rounding up our expectations for this year's Black Friday gaming headset deals and Black Friday PS5 headset deals elsewhere. It's worth doing some research if you are on the hunt for some new cups, with our guide to the best gaming headsets on the market right now.
Or, to complete your ecosystem, check out our predictions for the best Black Friday iPad deals in 2021.
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