Cyber Monday deal: While they’re no longer the latest model, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 are still among the best earbuds you can buy. Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are generally better, but they’re also a lot more expensive, and plenty of people can still get a lot out of the Pro 2.

They get even more appealing today thanks to this steep post-Cyber Monday discount. You can still grab them for just $135 at Woot, the lowest price we’ve seen yet. That makes them a way better value and a truly fantastic pickup for anybody hoping for an audio upgrade. This discount might not return, so get it while you can.

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CNET’s key takeaways

• You can get these amazing earbuds for just $135 right now at Woot.
• My teenager loves everything about them.
• The sound quality is exceptional.
• The noise cancellation can help give you some peace, even in a busy home.

My 13‑year‑old daughter loves her music and her privacy, and for years she wanted a pair of AirPods. They’re not cheap, so I kept buying her more budget options, like the Amazon Echo Buds. Those kept disappearing, though, so I finally ponied up for the AirPods Pro 2.

I picked them up during last year’s sales, and they were definitely well‑received. She’s happy, she uses them every day, and she hasn’t lost them yet. The AirPods Pro 2 are currently on sale at Woot for $135, a great price for a high‑quality pair like these, and one of the lowest we’ve ever seen.

What about the AirPods Pro 3?

The AirPods Pro 3 weren’t available when I bought the Pro 2, but they were rumored. As CNET’s resident headphone expert David Carnoy summarized in his AirPods Pro 2 vs. Pro 3 comparison, the newer model is “significantly improved in the four most important areas: fit, sound quality, noise cancellation and battery life.” They also add heart‑rate monitoring, like the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2.

While those upgrades are impressive, a lot of people won’t notice the differences or make the most of the new features. And with the AirPods Pro 3 currently on a smaller sale at Amazon for $220 ($30 off list), the Pro 2 at $135 is a much better value.

Why I didn’t get the AirPods 4 instead

Why did I choose AirPods Pro 2 instead of the AirPods 4 with ANC? First, as I mentioned in another article about a different pair of earbuds I bought, I think sealed, in‑ear buds are better than open‑design models like the AirPods 4. The seal creates another layer of noise isolation and contributes to superior sound quality. And if you want to pay attention to the world, you can always engage ambient sound mode — Apple calls transparency mode. 

Also, at the time, Carnoy considered the Pro 2 the best Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds: “While we’re quite impressed with those new models — and with the AirPods 4 ANC in particular — the AirPods Pro 2 remain arguably the best Apple AirPods you can buy if you don’t mind having silicone ear tips jammed in your ears,” he said.

My daughter uses earplugs all the time to help her sleep, so she definitely qualifies as someone comfortable putting things in her ears. Like her fingers, when I start using words like “sigma,” “skibidi” and “relatable” to try to connect with her.

I asked Carnoy about the Pro 2s potentially not fitting in her kid‑size ears, and he reassured me that the range of eartips that come with the Pro 2s “now include XS, so they should fit.”

Do AirPods make a great gift?

It took me years to finally understand, but yes, for someone looking for wireless earbuds, AirPods — especially the Apple AirPods Pro 2 — make the perfect gift. And that’s true whether you’re a teenage girl or not.