AirPods 4 vs. Airpods Pro 2: Which Prime Day deal should you buy?

Prime Day hasn't always delivered good deals on Apple, but something has changed this year. We've already been treated to impressive deals on iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, and AirPods, which is great news for Apple fanatics looking to upgrade for less.

The bad news is that so many deals can leave shoppers feeling confused. Which deal offers the best value for money? Do you really need the latest model? Should you wait for something better to drop? These are all legitimate questions, and we're here to try and answer them.

Prime Day 2025 has delivered discounts on Apple AirPods 4 ($99) and Apple AirPods Pro 2 ($159.99). According to camelcamelcamel, that's the lowest-ever price for the Apple AirPods 4. On the other hand, Apple AirPods Pro 2 dropped to $153.99 in last year's Black Friday. So does that mean you should opt for the AirPods 4 at a record-low level? Not quite.

In our roundup of the best AirPods to buy, Mashable's Apple expert Bethany Allard writes that the Apple Airpods Pro 2 offer "well-rounded sound, impressive active noise cancellation, plenty of portability, and a price that (if you catch it at the right time) doesn't exceed $200." Well that time has come, folks.

We asked Bethany Allard to compare these Prime Day deals: "The short version of this matchup: if you want active noise cancellation, grab the AirPods Pro. The longer version: the AirPods Pro drop down to $159.99 less frequently than the AirPods 4 drop down to $99, making it a better deal to grab when you spot it. They’re also an all around better pair of earbuds, with ANC, four sizes of silicone ear tips for a more secure fit, and an additional hour of listening time per charge (even with ANC). If you’re between these two deals, I recommend going with the Pros."