Apple AirPods Max are down to just $399 in all colors except green: who needs Prime Day?

Apple AirPods Max on red TR background with Prime Day deals badge

(Image credit: Apple)

Let's not mess around: you'll almost certainly have heard of the Apple AirPods Max, Apple's first (and still, Apple's only) premium headphones – and you'll know that usually, they're $549. Only today, they're just $399 in all colorways except green at Amazon! This is not a drill.

To be crystal clear, the AirPods Max have never hit a price this low until today. We saw them briefly disocunted to $429 way back in August 2022 (and then to $449 during Black Friday, last November) but this? This is unheard of. It's $30 cheaper than they've ever been. This deal is without doubt one of the best early Amazon Prime Day deals live now and also one of the top Amazon Prime Day headphones deals going – and remember, Prime Day proper isn't until July 16 and 17.

A saving of 27% at Amazon is always a good feeling, but this huge discount on Apple's most aspirational, active noise-cancelling, head-tracked spatial audio toting, premium over-ears is a joy unlike any other.

Our advice? If you were on the fence about clicking 'buy' before, this super saving is your cue to move.

The early Prime Day AirPods Max deal you can't miss

Apple AirPods Max: was $549 now $399 at Amazon
The Apple AirPods Max are down to their lowest price ever, thanks to this never-before-seen deal at Amazon! The $150 discount on the original MSRP makes these elite cans a lot more affordable – and there's no catch unless you were desperate for the green colorway, which is the only finish still hovering at $479. This is the full unadulterated Apple AirPods Max experience. Dolby Atmos sound makes them exceptionally good for listening to movies privately, while they also block out environmental noises around you.

The Apple AirPods Max are still Apple’s most premium headphones. In our Apple AirPods Max review, we noted that despite their now relative age (having launched in December 2020) they're still sitting pretty among the best-sounding headphones we’ve ever tested and are easily the best noise-cancelling headphones around for Apple users.

The sound quality is nothing short of remarkable, with an open and beautifully neutral, layered soundstage. If you own an Apple iPhone or iPad, deploying spatial audio provides an immersive, head-tracked option, too.

These are truly some of the best headphones around. Could this extra-special discount mean the hotly anticipated AirPods Max 2 aren't far from launch? Possibly. But what of it? The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have since entered the flagship fray and although they sound very good and cost a little less, this is premium Apple territory – to wear these is to feel extra special.

The AirPods Max are unlike any other elite headphone, there's a classy quality to them that cannot be matched, in my humble opinion. At this price, they'll still make you very happy indeed. That said, if you're after Apple's in-ear designs, our dedicated Prime Day AirPods deals roundup is the place to go. Good luck!

More early Amazon Prime Day deals

Apple: AirPods and iPads from $79.99
Audible: three months free
Back to school: essentials and tech from $5
Gaming: free PC games until July 16
Kitchen: coffee makers from $24.99
Kindle: three months Kindle Unlimited
Laptops: deals from $179.99
Music Unlimited: five months free
Smart home: up to 61% off cameras
Tablets: Fire tablets from $54.99
TVs: cheap TVs from $64.99
Vacuums: Shark from $149.99

Becky became Audio Editor at TechRadar in 2024, but joined the team in 2022 as Senior Staff Writer, focusing on all things hi-fi. Before this, she spent three years at What Hi-Fi? testing and reviewing everything from wallet-friendly wireless earbuds to huge high-end sound systems. Prior to gaining her MA in Journalism in 2018, Becky freelanced as an arts critic alongside a 22-year career as a professional dancer and aerialist – any love of dance starts with a love of music. Becky has previously contributed to Stuff, FourFourTwo and The Stage. When not writing, she can still be found throwing shapes in a dance studio, these days with varying degrees of success.