How to Pre-Order the Apple AirPods 3 (Plus the Best Deals on AirPods Pro and More)
The highly-anticipated third generation of the wireless earbuds arrive Oct. 26 — here's how to get them before they potentially sell out.
Plus Icon
Danielle Directo-Meston
E-Commerce Editor
More Stories by Danielle
- You Want Those Tattoos From ‘The Bear’? Call Benny Shields
- The Best 4K Smart TVs for Watching Live Sports
- Best Face Forward: Hollywood’s 20 Best Skin Secrets & Beauty Biohacks
October 20, 2021 5:02pm
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Show additional share options
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share on Reddit
- Share on Tumblr
- Share on Whats App
- Send an Email
- Print the Article
- Post a Comment
Add us as a Google Preferred Source
Courtesy of Amazon
- Share on Facebook
- Share on X
- Show additional share options
- Share on LinkedIn
- Share on Pinterest
- Share on Reddit
- Share on Tumblr
- Share on Whats App
- Send an Email
- Print the Article
- Post a Comment
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, we may receive an affiliate commission.
At long last, Apple announced its highly-anticipated AirPods 3 at Monday’s Unleashed event — along with 14- and 16-inch MacBook Pros (and speedy new M1 Pro and M1 Max processors to go with them), fresh colorways for the HomePod mini speaker, a new voice-only tier for Apple Music and the forthcoming macOS Monterey set to roll out Oct. 25.
Priced at $179, the third-generation AirPods have a new look that makes them nearly identical to the AirPods Pro, were it not for the lack of rubber ear tips. They’re also equipped with a new sound driver and support Adaptive EQ, resulting in better sound quality than its predecessor. And they’re now also resistant to sweat and water, so fitness enthusiasts can sport them during workouts. If you plan to wear them while watching content with Dolby Atmos, the new AirPods work seamlessly with your surround-sound movie and TV viewing, now that the wireless earbuds support spatial audio and head tracking.
Related Stories
Lola Blankets' Early Black Friday Sale Delivers Half Off Hollywood's Most Coveted Throws
The 5 Best Home Projectors for Movie Buffs, From 4K to Portable Picks
Apple AirPods 3. Courtesy of Apple
You can also expect a longer battery life, as the included charging case can power up the earbuds for four additional charges. Apple says you’ll get about six hours of non-stop listening, and up to 30 hours of battery life with the case. MagSafe and wireless charging work with the new AirPods, and you can get an hour of use when you charge them for five minutes.
AirPods 3 vs. AirPods Pro: How do they compare?
The AirPods 3 are a worthy alternative to the AirPods Pro, which are currently $199 (down from $249) and are also water- and sweat-resistant and feature spatial audio. The Pro versions have rubber ear tips and active noise canceling, two features that don’t come in the AirPods 3. However, the new wireless earbuds boast a design similar to the Pro devices, meaning they also have a shorter stem with a touch button.
Apple AirPods 3 with the charging case. Apple
Are There Pre-Order Deals on the AirPods 3?
The short answer is no. Unlike Apple iPads that had pre-order deals on Amazon and brick-and-mortar retailers such as Best Buy, Target and Walmart, you won’t find the same savings on the AirPods 3. However, you can still save on the second-generation AirPods (while they’re still in stock) and the AirPods Pro, which have been on sale for $50 to $60 off since last year.
How to Pre-Order Apple AirPods (3rd Gen) Online
The AirPods 3 arrive Tuesday, Oct. 26 in stores and for those who have pre-ordered online at Apple. In addition to pre-buying on the tech company’s website (in-store pickup isn’t yet available), here are a few other ways to shop the latest AirPods online for shipping or in-person pickup.
Adorama The online tech retailer will start shipping pre-orders starting Oct. 26.
Apple AirPods 3 (pre-order) $179
Amazon Pre-ordered AirPods 3 will start shipping on the release date, and two-day Prime delivery is available (you can get your earbuds as early as Oct. 28)
Apple AirPods 3 (pre-order) on Amazon.com
Best Buy The electronics retailer will ship pre-orders on the release date, but you won’t be able to pick up online orders in Best Buy stores.
Apple AirPods 3 (pre-order) $179
Target As of press time, the delivery window is between Oct. 27 to Nov. 1 for those who pre-order the AirPods 3. Target isn’t yet offering in-store Drive Up or Pick Up service for online orders.
Apple AirPods 3 (pre-order) $179
Walmart Pre-ordered AirPods 3 can arrive as soon as Oct. 28, but note that in-store pickup for online orders isn’t available.
Apple AirPods 3 (pre-order) $179
The Best AirPod Deals to Shop Right Now
The second-generation AirPods and the AirPods Pro still have generous markdowns online. Shop the best deals on AirPods earbuds and headphones (plus a few accessories) at Amazon below.
Apple AirPods with Charging Case (2nd Gen)
Apple AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods Pro (reg. $249) $259.95 on Amazon.com
Apple AirMax Headphones in Pink
Apple AirPods Max, Other Colors Avail. (reg. $549) $549.00 on Amazon.com
Apple MagSafe Charger
Apple MagSafe Charger (reg. $39) $32.99 on Amazon.com
Apple Lightning USB Cable
Apple Lightning USB Cable (reg. $19) on Amazon.com
Read More About:
THR Newsletters
Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day
More from The Hollywood Reporter
-
Designer Rebecca Minkoff Drafts Model and Reality TV Star Grace Ann Nader for Capsule Collection
-
Skyler Gisondo on His Style Evolution, Landing His First Fashion Campaign With Bonobos and Playing Ariana Grande’s Fiancé in ‘Focker-in-Law’
-
Book to Scream: How Literature Has Fueled 35 Years of Orlando’s Halloween Horror Nights
-
Lola Blankets’ Early Black Friday Sale Delivers Half Off Hollywood’s Most Coveted Throws
-
Heidi Klum Reveals This Year’s (Very Bloody) Halloween Costume
-
Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2026: Paris Hilton as Britney Spears, Lisa Rinna as Kylie Jenner and More
The Definitive Voice of Entertainment News
Subscribe for full access to The Hollywood Reporter
Most Popular
Michael Douglas Shares Update on Jack Nicholson: “He’s Well. He Has Disappeared”
“Viewer Fatigue” Hitting Fox News Ratings, Lachlan Murdoch Says
Best Celebrity Halloween Costumes 2026: Paris Hilton as Britney Spears, Lisa Rinna as Kylie Jenner and More
‘Klara and the Sun’ Director Taika Waititi Calls Critics “Sad Lost Souls” Over Negative Reviews
Netflix’s New Releases Coming in November 2026
Martha Stewart Responds to Backlash Over Halloween Costume Depicting Homeless Person: “Never My Intention”
‘Criminal Minds: Evolution’ Cast Reacts to Show’s Cancellation: “There’s So Many More Stories to Tell”
Must Reads
Sacha Baron Cohen Gets Real About Backlash, Death Threats and Resurrecting Ali G
By Lacey Rose
The Emancipation of Charli D’Amelio: How the TikTok Queen Took Back Her Life