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AirPods are the one Apple product line that didn’t get more expensive this year. Apple raised Mac and iPad prices in June 2026 and left AirPods out, so AirPods Pro 3 still list at $249.
That makes AirPods the easiest place to find a real Black Friday deal on Apple gear. AirPods Pro 3 already dropped to $179 in October sales, below last Black Friday’s $219.99, and the new AirPods 5 bring noise cancellation down to $129.
So on November 27, my targets are AirPods Pro 3 at $179 or less and AirPods 5 at $109 or less. Every model below shows its list price and the number I’d wait for.
AirPods Prices Right Now
These are Apple’s current US prices. Apple still sells the AirPods 4 next to the new AirPods 5.
| Model | Noise cancellation | US list price |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods 5 | Yes | $129 |
| AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case | Yes | $149 |
| AirPods 4 | No | $129 |
| AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | $179 |
| AirPods Pro 3 | Yes, the strongest of Apple’s earbuds | $249 |
| AirPods Max 2 | Yes | $549 |
The AirPods 5 give you noise cancellation for $50 less than the AirPods 4 with ANC. There’s no reason to buy either AirPods 4 model at full price now.
Black Friday 2025 vs 2026
Last Black Friday, retailers took $29 to $150 off AirPods. This year’s list prices are the same, and the cheapest model now includes noise cancellation:
| Model | Black Friday 2025 price | 2025 list price | 2026 list price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 4 / AirPods 5 | $69 (AirPods 4) | $129 | $129 (AirPods 5 with ANC) |
| AirPods Pro 3 | $219.99 | $249 | $249 |
| AirPods Max / AirPods Max 2 | $399 (AirPods Max) | $549 | $549 (AirPods Max 2) |
List prices held, and AirPods Pro 3 have already sold below last year’s Black Friday price. For AirPods, this Black Friday can match or beat 2025.
Apple kept its own prices and handed out gift cards from November 28 to December 1, 2025. They were worth $25 with AirPods 4, $50 with AirPods Pro 3 and $75 with AirPods Max.
What’s Moving AirPods Prices
AirPods sit outside most of the pressure that pushed other Apple prices up this year.
The memory shortage skipped AirPods so far. Apple June price increase on 17 products because of the AI-driven memory chip shortage, and AirPods weren’t among them. Earbuds use far less memory than a Mac or an iPad. A Jefferies forecast, covered by Notebookcheck, still has memory rising 30% to 40% in the last quarter, so that could change next year.
New models are pushing old ones down. The AirPods 5 arrived in September 2026 at the same $129 as the AirPods 4, with noise cancellation added. That leaves the AirPods 4 near the end of their run, which usually means clearance prices.
Retailers are already competing. October sales took $70 off AirPods Pro 3 and $120 off AirPods Max 2. Those are the prices Black Friday has to beat.
What to Expect This Black Friday
Apple is quiet about 2026 so far. October’s AirPods discounts make me fairly confident about this:
- Likely: AirPods Pro 3 at $179 to $199 at major retailers.
- Likely: clearance prices on the AirPods 4 as the AirPods 5 take over.
- Likely: an Apple gift card with AirPods again over Black Friday weekend.
- Possible: a first discount of about $20 on the AirPods 5.
- Possible: AirPods Max 2 at $399 to $429.
- Unlikely: Apple cutting its own AirPods prices.
Where I’d buy:
| Model | US list price | Black Friday target |
|---|---|---|
| AirPods 5 | $129 | $109 or less |
| AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case | $149 | $129 or less |
| AirPods Pro 3 | $249 | $179 or less |
| AirPods Max 2 | $549 | $429 or less |
| AirPods 4 (no ANC) | $129 | $79 or less, as a budget pick |
Which AirPods to Buy
All of these pair instantly with an iPhone and switch between your Apple devices. The difference is noise cancellation strength, fit and battery.
AirPods 5
AirPods 5 are the AirPods I’d buy for most people, because they now include noise cancellation at $129.
- Active Noise Cancellation, H2 chip and Live Translation
- Up to 4 hours of listening with ANC on, and up to 20 hours with the case
- Black Friday target: $109 or less
The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case cost $20 more and add about an hour per charge. Pay the extra only if you already use a wireless charger every day.
AirPods Pro 3
AirPods Pro 3 are for commuters, frequent flyers and anyone in a noisy office who wants the strongest noise cancellation in an Apple earbud.
- Silicone ear tips for a tighter seal, and up to 8 hours with ANC on
- Heart rate sensing and a hearing aid feature
- Black Friday target: $179 or less
AirPods Max 2
AirPods Max 2 are for people who want over-ear headphones that switch easily between Apple devices, and they’re only worth it at a big discount.
- Over-ear design with the H2 chip and up to 20 hours of battery
- Up to 1.5 times the noise cancellation of the first AirPods Max, according to Apple
- Black Friday target: $429 or less
FAQs on AirPods Black Friday
Will AirPods be on sale for Black Friday 2026?
Yes. AirPods weren’t part of Apple’s 2026 price increases, and AirPods Pro 3 already dropped to $179 in October. Expect similar or slightly better prices at major retailers.
Should I buy AirPods 4 or AirPods 5?
AirPods 5. They cost the same $129 as the AirPods 4 and add noise cancellation. Buy AirPods 4 only at a clearance price of about $79 or less.
Are AirPods Pro 3 worth it over AirPods 5?
Yes if you commute, fly or work somewhere noisy. AirPods Pro 3 have stronger noise cancellation, ear tips for a better seal and about twice the battery life with ANC on.
Does Apple discount AirPods on Black Friday?
No. Apple gave an Apple Gift Card of $25 to $75 with AirPods last year. Retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy and Walmart offer the actual discounts.
Are AirPods Max 2 worth buying on Black Friday?
Only at $429 or less, and only if you want over-ear headphones that work smoothly across your Apple devices.
Final Remarks
My pick is the AirPods 5 at $109 or less for most people, and AirPods Pro 3 at $179 or less if you need stronger noise cancellation. Skip the AirPods 4 at full price now that the AirPods 5 cost the same with ANC.
MacBook, iPad and Apple Watch deals are on my Apple Black Friday deals page.