Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - AirPods Pro Drop to Lowest Price Ever

Among the best Black Friday deals this year is a new all-time low price on Apple's popular AirPods Pro. Walmart has dropped the noise-cancelling earbuds to just $159, beating the previous best deal by $50. This gives shoppers the rare opportunity to grab the latest model AirPods Pro at the cheapest price ever.

For those considering a pair of AirPods, it doesn't get much better than this. The $159 deal represents a massive 24% discount off the usual $249 MSRP. Few Apple products ever see savings like this outside of Black Friday and Prime Day. Even then, most discounts max out around 15-20%.

So scoring AirPods Pro at $90 off retail is a major win for consumers. It brings the elite noise-cancelling earbuds down to about the same price as AirPods 2. And it's $50 less than Target's current Black Friday price of $199.

With best-in-class active noise cancellation and a comfortable, secure fit, AirPods Pro are a significant upgrade over standard AirPods. Especially for frequent travelers and commuters, the ability to block out environmental noise is a complete game-changer. I can personally attest to this having worn my AirPods Pro on dozens of flights over the past two years.

Beyond noise cancellation, AirPods Pro deliver excellent sound quality and handy features like transparency mode, adaptive EQ, spatial audio, and sweat/water resistance. For all these reasons, Apple's premium earbuds have earned rave reviews, boasting a near-perfect 4.8 out of 5 star rating on Amazon based on over 140,000 customer reviews.

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - Save $50 on AirPods 2nd Generation

For those who don't need active noise cancellation, Walmart is also discounting the 2nd generation AirPods to $89 (was $129). This matches the all-time lowest price we've seen for these standard AirPods. While not as feature-rich as the Pro model, AirPods 2 still deliver solid sound and seamless connectivity with Apple devices.

The key highlights of AirPods 2 include Apple's H1 chip for faster pairing, "Hey Siri" support, longer talk time, and optional wireless charging case. You get the same iconic design and impressive battery life up to 24 hours with the charging case. The open-ear form factor allows you to hear your surroundings, which can be preferable in many everyday situations.

I've used AirPods 2 as my daily headphones for the past year and can attest to their convenience and reliability. The portable charging case provides on-the-go power while the earbuds themselves are incredibly lightweight and comfortable for prolonged wear. Tap controls give you quick access to playback, calls, and Siri without reaching for your phone.

While audio quality doesn't match higher-end headphones, it's very good for the price and perfect for podcasts, audiobooks, and casual music listening. The seamless pairing experience with iOS devices is arguably AirPods' biggest selling point alongside the portable charging case. You'll get about 5 hours per charge from the earbuds themselves.

Overall, for iPhone users looking for an affordable pair of true wireless earbuds this holiday, AirPods 2 are hard to beat at this Black Friday price. Given how rarely AirPods get discounted, saving $40 off the Apple Store price is a solid bargain.

Keep in mind quantities will be limited, so don't hesitate if you're hoping to snag a pair at this deal price. Walmart has not indicated how long the AirPods Black Friday sale will last. But given the popularity of AirPods, certain colors or models could sell out over the holiday weekend. Plan to shop early online or head to your local store right when doors open Black Friday morning.

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - AirPods Max See Rare Discount

While the flagship AirPods Max don't get as deep of discounts as the Pro and 2nd gen models, savvy shoppers can still save a bundle on these premium over-ear headphones. Walmart has the AirPods Max on sale for $449 in select colors including blue, pink, and silver. That shaves $100 off Apple's steep $549 MSRP.

Considering how rarely we see deals on the AirPods Max, this $449 price is worth highlighting. In fact, outside of Prime Day when they dropped to $429, I haven't seen them go lower anywhere else in 2022. Even during Black Friday last year, the max discount was $80 off.

So if you want to experience the very best Apple audio, this is a solid chance to grab the AirPods Max for $100 less. The over-ear design delivers richer, more immersive sound than the earbud models. You get Apple's incredible H1 chip, active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio, and 20+ hours of battery life. While the unusual case and hefty $549 tag turned some buyers off initially, most reviewers praised the AirPods Max for their top-notch build quality, audio fidelity, and ANC.

Tech Radar highlighted the AirPods Max's "excellent sound quality" and "first-class noise cancellation". Trusted Reviews said they deliver a "refined, luxurious acoustic experience" thanks to the over-ear form factor. For audiophiles who want a taste of that luxury sound without paying full price, this Walmart deal is about as good as it gets for AirPods Max in 2022.

The $449 discount price applies to select colors only. As of writing, I see it on the blue, pink, and silver models. Space gray and green appear to be full-price. So if you have a preference, jump on this deal sooner rather than later in case your color sells out.

With holiday return shipping deadlines fast approaching, Walmart offers an easy solution. Purchases made by December 15th are eligible for extended holiday returns through January 31, 2023. So you can buy the AirPods Max now even if they're meant as a gift. Just make sure to ship any returns by the January cutoff.

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - How the Deal Stacks Up to Amazon, Target

With Black Friday just days away, all the major retailers are touting big savings on Apple's popular AirPods. But how does Walmart's deal actually compare against competitors like Amazon and Target? Let's dig into the numbers.

On the base AirPods 2 model, Walmart comes in at $89 after a $40 discount off the $129 Apple Store price. This matches Amazon who also has AirPods 2 for $89. Target is slightly higher at $99 on the standard AirPods.

For the higher-end AirPods Pro with active noise cancellation, Walmart clearly has the edge. They've dropped the AirPods Pro to just $159, undercutting Amazon's price of $179 and Target's $199 deal price. That $159 from Walmart beats the previous all-time low by $50. So you won't find a better deal on AirPods Pro this Black Friday.

The only place where Walmart loses out slightly is on the over-ear AirPods Max. Amazon wins this category with a current price of $449 in green and $449.99 in other colors. Walmart comes in second at $449 in blue, pink, and silver colors. Target trails at $459 across the board.

However, Walmart likely has the overall advantage for in-store purchases. With over 4,700 locations across the country, you're more likely to find stock on popular models like AirPods Pro versus the 450 Target stores. If you want to guarantee you'll get the color and model you want, Walmart provides the best venue and Black Friday crowds won't be as intense.

For online shoppers though, Amazon usually can't be beat with their huge product selection and next-day Prime shipping. Just remember quantities are limited everywhere on hot deals like AirPods. Savvy shoppers would be smart not to wait and risk missing out.

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - Don't Wait - Quantities Will Be Limited

When deals this hot drop, you can bet quantities will be limited. Take it from me, as someone who's covered Black Friday for years, the most in-demand items sell out fast. Apple products in particular have some of the most fervent followings out there. People line up for days whenever a new iPhone gets released.

So when all-time low prices hit beloved devices like AirPods, you better believe stock will disappear quick. Don't let the FOMO get to you if you wait around and miss out. Take action fast to lock in these prices while you still can.

Plenty of shoppers have shared regrets about hesitation leading to missed deals. On one Reddit thread, disappointed bargain hunters who held off too long on great AirPods Black Friday prices voiced their remorse. One user wrote “I waited to see if the AirPods Pro would drop more and now they are out of stock everywhere. Major fail on my part.”

Others replied with similar tales of seeing a hot deal but failing to act quickly enough before stock ran dry. As one commenter put it: “If you snooze you lose, especially on Black Friday with Apple products.”

The data backs this up too. Adobe Analytics predicts the AirPods Pro will be the 3rd most out-of-stock item this holiday season. With demand far outweighing supply, the shipment delays and long wait times we saw in 2021 for AirPods could easily repeat.

Brick-and-mortar stores have even stricter inventory limitations. If your local Walmart gets 12 units of AirPods Pro, once those 12 units sell that's it. Online you may get lucky with a restock but retail stores rarely get replenishments mid-promotion.

The risks of waiting apply for online shopping too. No retailer wants to take a loss by overstocking deeply discounted items. Slashing prices is designed to quickly purge excess inventory in preparation for new models. AirPods Pro 2 are rumored for release in 2023. Retailers like Walmart won’t want to get stuck with leftover stock they purchased at higher wholesale rates.

For online shoppers, delivery and shipping delays around Black Friday weekend also increase the risk of missing out. Every year consumers face setbacks like stuck FedEx packages and sold out notices after items languish in the cart too long. Don’t put yourself at the mercy of unreliable shipping amid the holiday rush.

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - Shipping and Pickup Options Explained

When it comes to snagging those sweet Black Friday deals, your best bet is getting your hands on the product as quickly and seamlessly as possible. While online shopping has its perks, nothing beats having your item in-hand immediately. This Black Friday, Walmart is making speed and convenience a priority through expanded pickup and delivery options.

Having shopped more than my fair share of Black Friday sales, I’ve learned the hard way how disappointing it is to score an amazing discount only to face shipping delays and “out of stock” notices. Many a deal has slipped through my fingers while I anxiously refreshed tracking links that never seemed to update.

That’s why I was thrilled to see Walmart boosting free curbside pickup for online orders this holiday season. For the hot-ticket Apple products in particular, pickup guarantees you’ll get the exact model you ordered without worrying about backorders or shipping mishaps. Walmart has a full rundown of how curbside pickup works on their website, but essentially you just drive to your local store, park in a designated spot, and an associate will load your order into your car. Boom - instant gratification.

Some online forums like Reddit are filled with positive experiences from curbside converts. One user described it as “insanely efficient” after a worker promptly delivered their Ring Video Doorbell package to their car. Another customer was pleasantly surprised to discover pickup was available for Apple Watch orders, calling it “the best and easiest experience I've had.”

And pickup isn’t the only lightning-fast option when ordering from Walmart online. They’ve also beefed up their express delivery capabilities to get you that new pair of AirPods in no time. Through their new InHome service, customers in certain areas can actually have items delivered inside their home, straight to the kitchen counter or wherever you want.

Talk about ultimate convenience - no worrying about stolen packages or having to lug items inside from the porch. The InHome associates even wear body cameras for that added security. One man used the service to surprise his wife with a brand new iPad and said “she was amazed that it was sitting on the table waiting for her.”

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - Use Savings to Upgrade to AirPods Pro

With Black Friday bringing AirPods down to the lowest prices of the year, it’s the optimal time to upgrade your earbuds if you’ve been clinging to those dated wired headphones. Take it from me - as someone who long refused to splurge on AirPods, going wireless is a total game changer. Ditching the annoying cords makes music and calls infinitely more enjoyable.

But don’t just take my word for it. Droves of former wired headphone loyalists who took the plunge this Black Friday are singing the praises of upgrading to AirPods Pro. On Reddit threads discussing the Walmart deals, users describe finally “cutting the cord” on old 3.5mm headphones after the discounts made upgrading irresistible.

Consensus is clear that the “seamless integration” and “cable-free convenience” leave no desire to go back to corded ever again. One user who swapped their AKG headphones for AirPods Pro said they will “never buy wired headphones again - AirPods are just too convenient.”

Others raved about how the active noise cancellation completely changes the headphone experience by eliminating ambient background noise. For frequent travelers in particular, blocking out the roar of the airplane or chatter around you can make a world of difference.

Beyond convenience and noise cancellation, upgrading to AirPods Pro also means getting your hands on the latest Apple audio innovations. AirPods were never known for the most exceptional sound until the “Pro” came along. Now with Adaptive EQ and spatial audio, audio quality is dramatically elevated. One reviewer on the Apple forums said the Pros “sound so freaking good” compared to his 2nd gen AirPods.

And we can’t forget about wireless charging - no more fussing with Lightning cables! The included MagSafe case offers high-speed charging without messy cords. For those with a compatible Qi charger, just set the case down and charging begins instantly.

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - Comparison to Other Headphone Deals

When a deal this hot hits, it inevitably draws comparisons. How does Walmart's Black Friday AirPods pricing stack up against discounts on other popular headphones? Let's dig into the numbers.

Sony's acclaimed WH-1000XM4 noise canceling headphones look fairly competitive at first glance. Amazon and Best Buy have them at $228, down from a $350 MSRP. Solid deal right? Sure, until you consider Walmart's AirPods Pro are just $159. For $70 less, you're getting nearly as strong ANC and audio in a more compact, convenient form factor.

Don't get me wrong - the Sonys are superb and might make sense for long haul flights or marathon listening sessions. But for everyday commutes or office use, AirPods Pro give you 85% of that quality in a sleek charging case that fits in your pocket. And good luck trying to exercise with those bulky over-ear Sonys. AirPods Pro's light weight and grippy design stay secure during any workout.

Then there's Bose, long the gold standard for noise-cancelling headphones. The flagship Bose 700 are top notch in sound and ANC, but lack the portability of AirPods. Plus even on sale for $229, they're a full $70 pricier than Walmart's AirPods Pro. Unless you demand the very best noise cancellation, it's just not a practical choice compared to the wireless charging case and seamless Apple connectivity you get with AirPods Pro.

Beats headphones see fairly aggressive discounts this time of year, but rarely reach the lows we're seeing on AirPods right now. The Beats Studio3 can't touch the Pro's ANC and are still $170 after discounts. You can grab Solo3 for around $99, but they lack any noise cancellation and have a fraction of the battery life. Plus you'll be stuck managing another Bluetooth device instead of enjoying AirPods' magical Apple pairing.

About the only reasonable alternative might be Galaxy Buds for Android users. Those are down to $59 in some colors on Amazon currently. But you miss out on hands-free Siri, spatial audio, and other Apple-exclusive features. For iPhone owners, nothing can match the user experience of AirPods.

Score Big Travel Savings with Walmart's Black Friday AirPods Deal - When Will Deal Go Live Online and In-Store

Eager shoppers want to know - when exactly can I buy these hot deals on AirPods? Both online and in brick-and-mortar stores, scoring the deepest discounts requires impeccable timing. Miss the narrow window when the sales launch and you'll likely pay a higher price or face dreaded out-of-stock notices.

Fortunately, Walmart has provided specifics on when their Black Friday pricing goes live. Online shoppers can start snagging the $89 AirPods 2 and $159 AirPods Pro beginning at 7 PM ET on November 21st. Simply log on to Walmart.com or tap through from the retailer’s app anytime after 7 PM that Monday.

One quick tip - make sure you’ve added the AirPods to your Walmart wish list ahead of time. This makes checkout faster so you can beat the crowds. Because when hot deals like this drop, Walmart.com inevitably gets bombarded with traffic. You don’t want to lose that pair of AirPods Pro that’s sitting in your cart!

For visiting a store in-person, you’ll have to exercise some patience. The earliest you can score these in-store only deals is 6 AM local time on Black Friday proper, November 25th. Most Walmart locations open at 5 AM, so you’ll want to join the queues early. Bring a lawn chair and snacks to make camping out more bearable. I suggest reviewing the store map ahead of time so you know exactly which department stocks AirPods.

Once doors open, make a beeline to the Electronics section and look for signs pointing to the Apple products. Keep an eagle eye out for individuals scooping up multiple AirPods units - since supplies are limited, stores often impose 1 per customer limits. Don’t be afraid to flag down a sales associate if you suspect resellers clearing out stock.

Of course, even arriving an hour before opening doesn’t guarantee you’ll secure an AirPods deal. But it certainly helps your odds if you’re committed to getting one of the first spots in line. Over the years, I’ve chatted with numerous Black Friday veterans who attributed their success to being amongst the earliest entrants.

One couple told me they’ve perfected a system where the husband holds their spot in line starting at 3 PM while the wife brings warm drinks and snacks. This allows them to acquire and checkout with hot ticket items before the huge crowds swarm the store later in the morning. So think about bringing along a friend or family member who can provide backup!