At a Glance
- Apple’s newest earbuds hit shelves Sept. 19 for $249 and are already $30 off at major retailers.
- Best Buy, Amazon, Target, B&H, Costco and others are shaving up to $35 off or bundling free services.
- Trade-ins, store cards and memberships can push total savings past $100 in some cases.
Why it matters: Early buyers can lock in the 2026 award-winning buds for up to 12% below list price while scoring months of Apple services at no extra cost.
Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 arrived in September and retailers are already cutting the $249 sticker price. News Of Losangeles tracked every current offer so you don’t pay full price on the earbuds crowned best for 2026.
Where to save right now
- Best Buy – $30 off list plus up to $35 extra for trading in AirPods Pro 2 or $130 for AirPods Max. New or returning subscribers also receive two free months of Apple TV and three free months each of Apple Music and Apple Fitness Plus.
- Amazon – $30 markdown with no trade-in required.
- Target – 5% back for Target Circle Card holders; three free months of Apple Music for new subscribers.
- B&H – $10 off list and 5.5% instant rebate (about $14) when you pay with the store’s Payboo card.
- Costco – $10 off and two free years of AppleCare+ with membership.
- Adorama – 5% off when you use the Adorama Edge credit card; units on back-order.
Apple itself keeps the earbuds at full price but throws in 3% Daily Cash for Apple Card purchases and free engraving on direct orders.
What you get for $249
The third-generation Pro model is the first update since 2022. Upgrades include:
- Slightly smaller chassis and five ear-tip sizes for a tighter seal.
- IP57 water- and dust-resistance, up from IPX4 on the Pro 2.
- 10-hour battery per charge.
- Live translation, in-ear heart rate monitoring and tracking for more than 50 workout types.
Sound quality, noise cancellation and microphone performance earned the buds top honors in News Of Losangeles‘s 2026 best earbuds vote.
How the deals compare
| Retailer | Up-front Price | Extra Savings | Total Possible Deal Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Buy | $219 | Trade-in up to $130 + 5 mo. services | ~$349 value |
| Amazon | $219 | None | $30 off |
| Target | $249 | 5% back + 3 mo. Apple Music | ~$37 off |
| B&H | $239 | 5.5% tax rebate | ~$24 off |
| Costco | $239 | 2 yr. AppleCare+ ($59 value) | $69 off |
| Adorama | $249 | 5% card discount | $12 off |
Apple rarely discounts first-party hardware at launch, so third-party retailers are driving early price cuts. Inventory is already tightening-Adorama lists the buds on back-order and Costco requires membership access.
Key takeaways
- The lowest no-strings price today is $219 at Best Buy and Amazon.
- Shoppers with older AirPods can push total savings above $100 via Best Buy’s trade-in.
- Costco’s bundle delivers the highest added value if you want AppleCare+.
- All discounts stack with Apple’s three free months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness Plus for new subscribers.
Grab the deal that matches your shopping habits; Apple itself isn’t expected to cut the price any time soon.
