Apple AirPods are hitting some of their lowest prices ever as retailers gear up for the holiday shopping season. The second-generation AirPods Pro with USB-C have dropped to $149 at Costco, matching their all-time low, while the newer AirPods 4 models see consistent $30 discounts across major retailers.
Apple's AirPods lineup is seeing significant price cuts as the company navigates an increasingly competitive audio market heading into the critical holiday season. The most dramatic discount hits the second-generation AirPods Pro with USB-C, now available to Costco members for $149 - a full $100 off their original $249 retail price and matching the lowest price ever recorded for the model. For non-Costco members, Walmart offers the same earbuds for $199, still $50 below retail. These aggressive cuts come as Apple phases out the second-gen model in favor of the newly launched AirPods Pro 3, which retail for $249 and feature a built-in heart rate sensor plus live translation capabilities. The older model maintains FDA-approved hearing aid functionality and works with Apple's Vision Pro headset for lossless audio - features that keep it competitive despite lacking the newer health tracking capabilities. The standard AirPods 4 are down to $119 from their $129 launch price at both Amazon and Walmart, while the noise-canceling variant drops to $149.99 from $179. Industry analysts note these aren't the steepest cuts we've seen - both models hit $30 lower during earlier sales events - but the consistent pricing across retailers suggests coordinated inventory clearing rather than competitive pressure. Market dynamics tell a more complex story. Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra earbuds have been gaining ground with audiophiles, particularly in the premium noise-canceling segment where AirPods Max compete. The $549 AirPods Max, now discounted to around $495 at major retailers, haven't received meaningful updates since their USB-C refresh last year - leaving them vulnerable to newer competitors with better battery life and more advanced features. The pricing strategy becomes clearer when viewed against Apple's broader audio roadmap. The company recently launched the AirPods Pro 3 with health monitoring capabilities, positioning them as lifestyle devices rather than just audio accessories. By aggressively discounting older models, Apple creates clear upgrade paths while maintaining market share in lower price tiers. Retail partners are playing along enthusiastically. consistent $30 discounts across AirPods 4 models suggest locked-in promotional agreements, while dramatic $100 cut on AirPods Pro 2 leverages the warehouse club's membership model to move premium inventory. Supply chain sources familiar with strategy indicate more aggressive discounting could arrive during Black Friday weekend, particularly on the older AirPods Max model. The timing aligns with broader consumer electronics trends - premium audio device sales typically spike 40% during the November-December window, making this inventory clearing critical for Q1 positioning. What makes this particularly interesting is how balances margin protection with market share defense. Unlike iPhone pricing which rarely sees dramatic cuts, AirPods pricing flexibility reflects both the competitive landscape and confidence in the product ecosystem's stickiness.
