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AirPods price: How much does each pair cost?

The Apple Tax is a very real thing, and here's how it'll impact each pair of headphones you buy.
By

Published onApril 3, 2021

A photo of the Apple AirPods Pro earbuds in a man's open palm.

If you have an iPhone, you’ve probably considered AirPods at one point or another. They’re a great addition to any iOS arsenal, but there’s no doubt that the Apple Tax is very real. Before you pick up a pair of premium earbuds, you have to know what you’re getting into. Here’s what you need to know about the price of all of Apple’s AirPods.

See also: The best headphone deals

The more features you want, the more you can expect to pay. We’ll kick things off with the standard AirPods without wireless charging and work our way up from there.

How much is the standard AirPods price?

Apple new AirPods 2 outside of the case resting on a book.

Apple launched its first-ever pair of AirPods way back in 2016 with a wired charging case for $159. They ran on the custom W1 chip in the first generation, followed by a second-generation H1 chip. Both generations also include Siri integration and up to 24 hours of battery life with the charging case. These days, you can probably track down a pair for a much more reasonable $129, though. Check out our best prices in the widget below.

Apple AirPods with Charging Case press render
Apple AirPods with wired charging case
Just because they're the most affordable AirPods doesn't mean that they're lacking. These wired charging AirPods still offer a high-end music experience with the design you know and love.

If you’re a wireless charging die-hard, you can expect to spend a bit more money. Apple’s more advanced AirPods look identical to the base model, and they launched for $199. You can usually find them nowadays for about $159, and you’ll get the same suite of features as mentioned above. Check out our best prices below.

Apple AirPods with Charging Case press render
Apple AirPods with Wireless Charging Case
These wireless earbuds pack the same form factor as the original Apple AirPods with all of the wireless charging goodness.

What about the AirPods Pro?

AirPods Pro with case

Those of you willing to spend a little more money can get the much-improved AirPods Pro. They come with an original price tag of $249, but you get a lot more for your money. Apple added soft ear tips for some extra comfort, and you finally get an IPX4 rating for sweat and splash resistance. The AirPods Pro are quite a bit smaller than the standard AirPods, and they bring Active Noise Cancelling into the equation in a big way.

See also: Apple AirPods Pro review

Retailers often run sales on Apple’s high-end ‘buds, and you can check out the pricing below:

airpods pro
Apple AirPods Pro
Apple's first noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds.
Apple's high-end wireless earphones include features like active noise cancellation and transparency mode so you can still hear the world around you.

Can I afford the AirPods Max?

The Apple AirPods Max in white against a slatted wood surface.
Adam Molina / Android Authority

If you have dreams of over-ear Apple headphones, you may want to consult your wallet first. Apple’s newest AirPods Max crank the luxury to 10 and the price tag to 11. They’ll set you back a cool $549, but they offer the most technology that Apple could fit into the form factor. You can test out class-leading noise-cancelling and even a powerful spatial audio setting that makes you feel like you’re in the heart of the action.

See also: Apple AirPods Max vs Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700: Who wears the crown?

We haven’t been lucky enough to find many sales thus far, but here are your best chances to buy the premium cans:

AirPods Max in black on a white background.
Apple AirPods Max
Grade-A noise-cancelling headphones with a sleek design.
Apple's debut noise-cancelling headset rocks an H1 chip in each headphone, and has best-in-class ANC. This powerful headset is for niche consumers, and works well within the Apple ecosystem.
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