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Don’t want to pay full price for the AirPods Pro 3? The Pro 2 are at their cheapest – and still a great choice

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There’s no better earbuds for iOS users than Apple’s AirPods, and the AirPods Pro 2 are a solid option for people who want Apple’s premium earbuds without paying full price for them. There are only three categories in which the Pro 2 earbuds lag behind the Pro 3: noise-canceling performance, lack of in-ear heart rate sensing, and water resistance. 

Also: Shop the best AirPods deals for Black Friday 2025

Still, the AirPods Pro 2 have plenty of strengths, and they’re at their lowest-ever price of $139 at Walmart. Despite official Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales being weeks away, early, steep deals like these are hard to beat, especially for early shoppers. 

I recommend the AirPods Pro 2 for iOS users who don’t need all of the advanced features the Pro 3 offer, but want a more premium experience than the AirPods 4 with ANC.

The AirPods Pro 2 are equipped with Apple’s advanced H2 chip, the same audio processor found in the AirPods Pro 3. This chip is responsible for powering audio features like Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and Live Translation. The AirPods Pro 2 also feature an auto-pause function, which automatically pauses your media when you fall asleep.

Also: The AirPods Pro 2 have dropped to a new low price – here’s why they’re still legit in 2025

The AirPods Pro 2 may not have in-ear heart rate sensing, but their charging case offers an extended battery life, providing 30 hours of total battery life compared to the AirPods Pro 3’s 24 hours. The AirPods Pro 2 also feature Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Hearing Aid mode, and an IP54 rating, providing protection against dust and splashes.

<!–> AirPods Max in Orange and AirPods Pro 2
Jada Jones/ZDNET

The AirPods Pro 2 were refreshed in 2023, but don’t let their age make you think they’re an incapable pair of earbuds. I’ve worn them religiously for years, and greatly appreciate their noise-canceling abilities, Siri integration, and advanced audio features.

Still, if you want the latest and greatest, the AirPods Pro 3 are your best bet. They offer better noise cancellation than the Pro 2, enhanced device tracking capabilities, protection against water submersion, two additional hours of continuous playtime, and in-ear heart rate monitoring.

If Apple’s Pro-level earbuds seem too advanced for your everyday needs, consider the AirPods 4 without ANC. They’re great for people who use their AirPods solely for listening to music or taking hands-free phone calls. They’re also on sale right now for $85 at Walmart–>, Best Buy<!–>, Amazon–>, and Target<!–>.

How I rated this deal

Apple products are in high demand; therefore, they are rarely on sale and rarely available at a significant discount without any strings attached. However, Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 are regularly on sale. Despite their frequent sales, the lowest price we had seen before was $169. I gave this deal a 5/5 for its 2023 release date, the quality of the product, and the quality of the deal. 

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Source: Information Technologies - zdnet.com