AirPods are pricey gifts. I’m giving my wife a pair this Christmas (hopefully she isn’t reading this), and that one gift alone pushed me well past our budget cap. Even on sale, most of Apple‘s wireless earbuds still cost over $100, if not $200. And while I love my AirPods Pro, if you don’t want to worry about keeping ’em charged or cutting the cord, Apple’s wired EarPods are a much simpler option. They’re down to just $11 — really — and available with both Lightning and USB-C connectors.
Amazon
Apple stopped including EarPods with new iPhones back in 2020, making this deal the best — and cheapest — way to get them.
$11 at AmazonWhy is this a good deal? 💰
AirPods are some of the most sought-after earbuds on the market, but they often cost north of $100 for the very basic pair. Compare that to these EarPods, which deliver audio just about as comfortably. Right now they’re just $11, one-eighth the price of their wireless siblings. That’s just $1 more than their all-time low.
Why do I need these? 🤔
I love my AirPods, as do millions of others, but some buyers prefer the simplicity of a wired pair. My better half prefers EarPods, though I am trying my best to convince her that AirPods 4, especially with noise-cancelling, are a better option, especially if you travel. That said, at their cheapest ever price, those very AirPods are 10 times the cost of these EarPods, so if you’re focusing on bang for your buck, the cord is coming with.
Don’t want to deal with charging your earbuds? That’s another reason to opt for EarPods. They also come with a built-in remote to control music, phone calls and volume. If your phone doesn’t have a USB-C port, they’re also available with a 3.5mm plug and a Lightning connector.
Another benefit? With these tethered to your device, you’ll be less likely to drop them while on a walk or hike. (Getty)
What reviewers say 💬
Think wired headphones are a thing of the past? Think again. These EarPods have over 17,000 five-star fans, which is quite a bit of love. Over 10,000 pairs were bought in the past month, so it’s safe to say the demand for analog is alive as ever.
Pros 👍
“These are perfect for calls and Zoom meetings because they never run out of battery and have the best microphone,” one happy customer wrote.
Sometimes old school is just better. “I like the old-fashioned wired headphones,” said one retro reviewer, adding that they are “happy to be able to use the controls to flip through my songs and adjust volume.”
Any gamers out there? This is one seriously inexpensive alternative to an expensive headset, according to this PC user: “Since my PC case has bottom-front USB ports, I decided to try these EarPods. I was shocked that not only the audio works perfectly, but the microphone and volume controls do too. Honestly, this turned out to be a legit alternative to using a full headset.”
Cons 👎
Yet another five-star customer added that the “only catch is that you can’t charge [your] phone and listen to media at the same time.”
“People will definitely be able to hear your music if your volume is set above the halfway point,” warned a four-star listener. “Also, the port is pretty flexible, which can be annoying because if you’re not careful, it could bend or break over time.”
Amazon
Still rocking an older iPhone or iPad? These come with a Lightning cable that will plug right in.
Amazon
Forget batteries, range and cases, just plug these in and you’re ready to rock.
If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.