We don't need to explain why you want AirPods. Apple's adoption of true wireless earphones revolutionized the market and have sold in huge numbers since then. You see them in the ears of journalists, colleagues, and celebrities all the time — especially in our age of remote work and Zoom meetings.
The real question is, should you buy one now, or be disappointed when a new model is released in a few weeks? Here's what we know, and our recommendations.
AirPods: Price and specs (last update: October 2021)
The third-generation AirPods start at $179 and take some design cues from the AirPods Pro. They have shorter stems with a touch-sensitive click zone on the stem, just like the AirPods Pro. The charging case is shorter and wider, and supports wireless charging and MagSafe (in addition to charging via the Lightning connector).
The new AirPods feature a new driver design for better sound and support for head-tracking spatial audio in supported video apps, just like the AirPods Pro. They don't have rubber tips or noise-canceling technology like the AirPods Pro, though. Apple claims the battery will last six hours, an hour longer than the second-generation AirPods.
The second-generation AirPods are still available at a new low price of $129. This price does not include the wireless charging case, which is no longer available.
AirPods: Why you should buy them
If you're looking for basic non-Pro AirPods, you have two options. The new and improved third-generation AirPods are now priced at a reasonable $179, which is actually less than the $199 for the second-generation that includes the wireless charging case. Given the pace at which new AirPods are released, we expect this model to last a few years before being updated again.
If you don't care about the latest model, the second-generation AirPods just dropped $30, so they're more affordable than ever. What's more, they often sell for around $99, which is very affordable.
AirPods: Why you should wait
The best reason to wait is that you don't see any good deals right now — AirPods are often discounted as long as you don't buy from Apple, so you don't have to wait long to get your next one.
Another possible reason to wait — if you're looking for cheaper AirPods, Apple is reportedly working on just that. But there's no indication yet of when they'll be released, and there's not much evidence to back up the report, so you might just have to look for third-generation AirPods on sale.
Recent rumors have suggested that Apple will unveil USB-C charging AirPods instead of Lightning at its September 12th event. It's unclear which AirPods models this might apply to, or if there will be any other changes to them. If you're interested in a USB-C charging case, it might be a good idea to wait.
Recommendation: buy/wait
The third-generation AirPods have started getting some small discounts, and the second-generation model just dropped in price. No matter which model you're interested in, you should go get a pair. It's still a while before we get fourth-generation AirPods, so your third-generation AirPods won't be obsolete anytime soon.
If you really want the USB-C charging case (instead of Lightning), wait for the September 12th event to see if there's an update. If things like this don't matter to you, you're probably safe buying AirPods right now.