I found 3 AirPods deals live ahead of October Prime Day (and 3 not live yet)

Utsanjan Maity
October 02, 2026

Looking to upgrade your audio gear ahead of October Prime Day? Discover the best early AirPods deals on standard earbuds, noise-canceling models, and premium over-ear headphones before Prime Big Deal Days officially begins.

three pairs of airpods on graphic background

Early AirPods Deals to Shop Before Prime Big Deal Days

Do not be alarmed, but we are officially about a week away from October Prime Day. The major savings event, formally named Prime Big Deal Days, marks the kick-off of the holiday shopping season. It is consistently one of the best times of the year to buy tech like AirPods on sale.

The main sale officially starts on October 6. However, in the days leading up to the main event, deal hunters are actively tracking all the best early discounts on Apple wireless earbuds. While we have not seen price drops on the newly announced AirPods 5 yet, there are already several promising price cuts on other models.

For anyone who tests and reviews headphones and earbuds year-round, it is easy to understand why Apple users invest in this lineup. The seamless integration with iOS devices and high-quality audio make them a top choice. From a deal expert perspective, buying them on sale makes the decision even smarter.

Before diving into individual reviews, here is a quick breakdown of the top early discounts currently available across major retailers:

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apple airpods pro 3

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Smart shopping during major sales events comes down to timing. Grabbing discounts at the right moment ensures you get the best value before inventory sells out. Below, you will find a list of the three best early AirPods deals live right now, alongside three potential sales you might want to hold off on for the time being. Be sure to check back for expanded October Prime Day event coverage.

Interested in exploring broader savings across different tech brands? You can also check out early October Prime Day deals already live on Apple, Beats, Fire TV, and Garmin.

The Top Early AirPods Deals Worth Buying Today

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Featured Deal: Apple AirPods 4

Price: $99 at Walmart (List price: $129, Save $30)

Why We Picked the Apple AirPods 4

Consider the humble AirPods 4. What these earbuds lack in active noise cancellation, they make up for with an attractive budget entry price of $99. With the announcement and launch of the AirPods 5, the AirPods 4 represent the last model offered in the standard line without active noise cancellation.

For some listeners, omitting ANC is actually ideal, while for others, the lower price point is simply the main priority. Either way, this holiday shopping season is likely your last opportunity to grab these specific earbuds on sale before remaining stocks deplete. Keep in mind that while $99 is a good price, it remains higher than their record low price of $69. However, availability may become tight as the shopping season progresses, given that they have already sold out on Amazon.

More Active AirPods Deals Available Right Now

If you want premium audio features like noise cancellation or over-ear luxury, two additional early discounts stand out:

AirPods Deals You Should Wait On for Now

Not every current discount is automatically worth jumping on. Some newer products have barely seen price reductions, while older models are priced too close to their upgraded counterparts. Here are three early offers that you should probably skip or wait out:

  • The standard AirPods 5: These have only received one small deal consisting of a modest $4 price drop since launching on September 18. Because they are brand new to the store shelves, even a minor price dip is noticeable. However, as the holiday shopping event ramps up, a more significant discount could easily appear.

  • The AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case: This model has not dropped in price at all yet. Major price cuts on brand-new releases are rare, but Prime Big Deal Days could bring a surprise drop. Buying them at their full list price is still generally a better value than purchasing older alternatives at marginal discounts.

  • The AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation: At first glance, paying $149 down from $179 seems like a solid deal. However, the newer AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case shares that same $149 retail price while offering an improved feature set, including better active noise cancellation and upgraded sound quality with equal battery life. To make the older AirPods 4 with ANC a sensible purchase, its price would need to drop well below $149.

Timing your purchase effectively ensures you maximize savings while avoiding outdated tech. Keep an eye on ongoing sales trends to secure the best early AirPods deals as Prime Big Deal Days approaches.



from Mashable
-via DynaSage