Apple’s third-generation AirPods are back down to their record-low Black Friday price. The discount on Amazon knocks $30 off the AirPods’ normal price of $170, making them just $140 right now. Given that this is the lowest price we’ve seen these AirPods go for, they’re likely to sell out. Amazon is also running a deal on Apple’s second-generation AirPods Pro, or the latest version of the Pro earbuds, which are down to $200. The 20% discount isn’t the lowest they’ve ever been, but it’s still $50 off the usual price and only $10 more than the all-time low.
The third-generation AirPods were released in 2021, with a completely new design. Apple shortened the stem, making the regular buds look more like the AirPods Pro, and tweaked the fit to make them more comfortable to wear. They’re lighter and angled in a way that’s supposed to hug your ear better and deliver sound more effectively. In our review, we gave the third-generation AirPods a score of 88.
Apple’s third-generation AirPods have also improved the durability of the non-professional model. These AirPods and the charging case are IPX4 rated for water and sweat resistance, which will be particularly useful for anyone using them during a workout. They feature Apple’s H1 chip, which offers Adaptive EQ – which Apple says “automatically tunes music to your ears” – and spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience. AirPods also support fast pairing and automatic switching between Apple devices. There’s also easy, hands-free access to Siri with the “Hey Siri” command.
Third-generation AirPods also have better battery life than previous models. On their own, the earphones last about six hours before needing a recharge, and up to 30 hours with the charging case. In Engadget’s tests, we found that the AirPods’ battery could actually be pushed up to seven hours. They also offer a quick charge, with about an hour of battery life after just five minutes in the MagSafe case.
