Apple's AirPods are built to last, but the pricing is hard to ignore. The AirPods Pro 2 carry an RRP of £229, and AirPods Max will cost £499. There are ways to get them for free or close to it.
Apple's "Back To School" Offer
If you're planning a major Apple purchase in the coming months, such as a new MacBook or iPad, watch for the offers available for students and future students ahead of the academic year.
Apple's annual higher education promotion gives university students free products with qualifying purchases. The timing depends on your location — Southern and Northern Hemisphere academic calendars run on different schedules.
The 2025 version of the offer has already appeared in several countries, including New Zealand. The New Zealand offer gives an indication of what to expect globally:
| Purchased Product | Freebie Options (pick one) |
|---|---|
| Mac (MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac) | AirPods 4 with Noise Cancellation, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Max |
| iPad (iPad Pro, iPad Air) | Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil USB-C |
To get free AirPods, buy a qualifying Mac and take advantage of the education offer when the academic year approaches. In some countries, the free AirPods are replaced with Apple gift cards that can be used to purchase them instead.
Claim Free Replacement AirPods
Existing AirPods owners may be entitled to a free replacement. Check whether your product is covered by AppleCare+ and use Apple's repair estimate tool to see what a replacement or repair would cost — make sure you enter the correct AirPods model for an accurate quote.
AppleCare+ covers free replacement or repair for battery issues. Accidental damage carries a £25 excess fee, which is still far less than buying a new pair outright.
Trade In Your Old Devices
Trading in an older device is a straightforward way to earn credit toward AirPods. Apple's official trade-in tool gives an estimated value upfront, and non-Apple products are also accepted.
For higher payouts, CEX, MusicMagpie, and Carphone Warehouse are worth checking, or list directly on eBay to keep more of the sale price.
Earn Free Cash Online
Playing games and completing surveys on Freecash earns real money toward an AirPods purchase. Sign-up takes five minutes and there's a wide range of games and tasks to choose from.
Earnings can be cashed out as gift cards, which apply directly toward AirPods in the Apple Store. Over 81.300.000 users have already earned on the platform, which holds a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot from over 285747 reviews.
