Apple unveiled new AirPods last year, and while you might be considering buying the brand's latest earbuds, you shouldn't forget about the sweet discounts that activate on earlier models once Apple releases new hardware -- especially if you're looking for a new pair of high-quality noise-canceling earbuds. Amazon currently has a great deal on the AirPods Pro 2, our pick for the best AirPods model that you can buy.
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The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen), which are some of our favorite earbuds and our top pick out of the AirPods lineup, keep getting lower and lower price at select retailers. At Amazon, the pair are on sale for $169, an $80 discount for an impressive pair of earbuds with stellar noise cancellation and native iOS compatibility.
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The AirPods Pro (2nd Gen) tops ZDNET's best AirPods list because they offer impressive sound quality, immersive noise cancellation, all-day comfort, and a wireless charging case. With six hours of battery life and Apple's latest H2 chip, you're getting the most modern tech in these Apple earbuds.
And, because the case can utilize wireless charging, you can plunk it down on a MagSafe charger, an Apple Watch charger, or a Qi-compatible charging mat for non-Apple tech products.
The AirPods Pro 2 are great for iOS users and iPhone owners, as they boast certain features that seamlessly integrate with your phone. My favorite is the in-ear text notifications, which will read the texts you've received to you without having to look at your phone.
Also: 4 headphones I swear by (and how I use each pair differently)
ZDNET editor-in-chief Jason Hiner says the pair are the most easily recommendable of the four AirPod models. "That's because they fit almost every type of ear, they are very comfortable to wear, and they include all of the best and latest features that Apple has to offer in headphones. Plus, they get a bonus set of new features as part of the iOS 17 update, which won't come to any of the other AirPods," he writes.
If you're ready to replace that old pair of wired earbuds with one of our favorite wireless earbuds, you might as well hop on this AirPods Pro 2 deal. Plus, check out ZDNET's list of the best headphones for working out.
Looking for the next best product? Get expert reviews and editor favorites with ZDNET Recommends.
How I rated this deal
Based on ZDNET's rating system, these 20% savings grant this AirPods Pro 2 deal a 3/5 Editor's deal rating. This deal nearly matches what Apple sells the earbuds for during sales events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, when the earbuds go as low as $170. But we've seen better savings and have an inkling that once Prime Day deals activate next week, you'll get the earbuds for even lower.
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