Table of Contents
Black Friday is the single best time of year to buy AirPods — full stop. Every year, Apple’s wireless earbuds and headphones hit their lowest prices of the year during the week around Thanksgiving, and 2026 is shaping up to be no different. If you’re planning to buy AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 3, or the new AirPods Max 2, here’s exactly when to shop, what kind of pricing to expect, and how to avoid overpaying before the real deals land.
When Is Black Friday 2026?
Black Friday 2026 falls on Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26). Cyber Monday follows on Monday, November 30, 2026. In practice, though, “Black Friday” AirPods deals rarely stay confined to a single day anymore. Retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, Walmart, and Target typically start rolling out early AirPods discounts in the first two weeks of November, with pricing getting progressively better as Thanksgiving week approaches — then holding steady (or dipping slightly further) through Cyber Monday.
If you want the absolute lowest price and don’t mind some risk of stock running out, waiting until Black Friday itself or Cyber Monday tends to pay off. If you’d rather lock in a strong discount without the stress of tracking daily price drops, early-to-mid November is usually safe.
Current AirPods Lineup and List Prices (2026)
Before diving into deal predictions, here’s what Apple currently sells and at what price, since Black Friday discounts are always measured against these numbers:
- AirPods 4 — $129 (no Active Noise Cancellation)
- AirPods 4 with ANC — $179
- AirPods Pro 3 — $249
- AirPods Max 2 — $549 (released March 2026, with the new H2 chip, improved noise cancellation, and Live Translation)
Every one of these models has already seen deep discounts earlier in 2026 during Prime Day and the retailer-driven “Black Friday in July” sales events — which gives a strong signal for what to expect this November.
AirPods Black Friday 2026 Deals: Dates, Predicted Prices & Everything You Need to Know
Predicted Black Friday 2026 AirPods Prices
Based on pricing trends from Prime Day, Black Friday in July, and historical Black Friday patterns from 2024 and 2025, here’s what each model is likely to hit this year.
AirPods 4 — Predicted Black Friday Price: $79–$99
The base AirPods 4 have already dipped to $99 multiple times in 2026, and last year’s Black Friday saw them hit an all-time low of $69. Expect a similar or slightly higher floor this year, likely in the $79–$99 range depending on the retailer. The ANC version, which normally sells for $179, has already dropped as low as $135–$145 mid-year and should land closer to $119–$139 on Black Friday.
AirPods Pro 3 — Predicted Black Friday Price: $169–$199
AirPods Pro 3 launched at $249 in September 2025 and have already seen deals as aggressive as $190–$200 during the summer 2026 sales cycle. Given how consistently Amazon and Best Buy compete on this model, a Black Friday price between $169 and $199 is a realistic expectation — potentially the best price you’ll see on this generation until next year’s holiday season.
AirPods Max 2 — Predicted Black Friday Price: $399–$449
As Apple’s newest and most expensive audio product, the AirPods Max 2 ($549 MSRP) is the one to watch closely. It’s already dropped as low as $429–$449 during summer 2026 promotions. Since this is the model’s first Black Friday, retailers may be more aggressive to drive volume — a price around $399–$449 is plausible, with Amazon and Best Buy the most likely to lead on discounting.
Where to Find the Best AirPods Black Friday Deals
AirPods Black Friday 2026 Deals: Dates, Predicted Prices & Everything You Need to Know
Not all retailers discount AirPods the same way. Here’s how the major players typically differ:
- Amazon — Usually the fastest to match or beat competitor pricing, with deals that update multiple times per day during Black Friday week. Best for catching the lowest price the moment it drops.
- Best Buy — Frequently the first to break a new all-time low, especially on AirPods Pro and AirPods Max. Often includes added perks like extended returns for members.
- Walmart — Competitive on the base AirPods 4 model, sometimes undercutting Amazon by $10–$20 outside major sale windows.
- Apple Store (Direct) — Rarely offers direct discounts, but sometimes bundles gift cards with purchases instead of price cuts. Generally the worst place to buy AirPods on Black Friday.
- Costco — Reliable year-round pricing on AirPods Pro that’s often close to Black Friday pricing even outside the sale window, useful if you’re a member and don’t want to wait.
AirPods Comparison: Which Model Should You Buy on Black Friday?
| Model | Best For | MSRP | Predicted BF Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AirPods 4 | Budget buyers, iPhone basics | $129 | $79–$99 |
| AirPods 4 (ANC) | Noise cancellation on a budget | $179 | $119–$139 |
| AirPods Pro 3 | Best all-around, workouts, travel | $249 | $169–$199 |
| AirPods Max 2 | Premium sound, over-ear comfort | $549 | $399–$449 |
If you want the best value-to-performance ratio, AirPods Pro 3 is typically the sweet spot during Black Friday — you get noise cancellation, a secure fit, and premium sound without paying Max-tier prices.
Tips to Get the Best AirPods Deal This Black Friday
- Track prices before the sale. Use browser tools or retailer price-history pages to see whether a “deal” is actually lower than what the item sold for a month earlier — some Black Friday discounts are smaller than they appear.
- Don’t assume Apple Direct has the best price. Apple almost never discounts AirPods directly; third-party retailers consistently beat Apple’s Black Friday (non-)deals.
- Watch for early November drops. Retailers often release “Black Friday preview” pricing 1–2 weeks early to capture early shoppers — these can sometimes match the final Black Friday price.
- Check refurbished and certified pre-owned listings. Apple Certified Refurbished and Amazon Renewed often carry additional discounts stacked on top of standard sale pricing, especially on older AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 3 stock.
- Buy early if stock matters more than price. Popular colors (especially for AirPods Max 2) sell out quickly once a deep discount goes live — sometimes within hours.
AirPods Black Friday 2026 Deals: Dates, Predicted Prices & Everything You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Black Friday 2026 start? Black Friday 2026 is officially November 27, but most retailers begin offering AirPods discounts starting in early-to-mid November, with prices typically improving as the date approaches.
Will AirPods Pro 3 get a Black Friday discount in 2026? Yes. AirPods Pro 3 have already seen discounts as steep as $190–$200 mid-year, and Black Friday pricing is expected to match or beat that, likely landing in the $169–$199 range.
Is Black Friday or Cyber Monday better for AirPods? Cyber Monday deals typically mirror Black Friday pricing rather than beating it. If a deal you want is live on Black Friday, it’s usually safe to buy then rather than waiting.
Are Apple Store Black Friday AirPods deals worth it? Generally no. Apple rarely discounts AirPods directly during Black Friday, so third-party retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart are almost always the better option.
What’s the lowest price AirPods have ever hit on Black Friday? The standard AirPods 4 hit an all-time low of $69 during Black Friday 2025 — a useful benchmark for what’s possible if this year’s competition among retailers is similarly aggressive.
AirPods Black Friday 2026 Deals: Dates, Predicted Prices & Everything You Need to Know
Final Thoughts
If you’ve been waiting to buy AirPods, Black Friday 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest opportunities of the year, particularly for the AirPods Pro 3 and the brand-new AirPods Max 2. Set a price target based on the ranges above, keep an eye on Amazon and Best Buy starting in early November, and be ready to buy quickly once your target model hits its floor — the best AirPods deals rarely last more than a day or two.
This guide will be updated as official Black Friday 2026 pricing is confirmed by retailers.