6 Ways to Get Apple AirPods for Free (and Cheap)

Apple's AirPods are built to last, but the pricing is hard to ignore. But 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.

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.

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.

Earn Cash Online with Reward Platforms

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 85.600.000 users have already earned on the platform, which holds a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot from over 293332 reviews.

Download on the iOS app store and get started. 

Get AirPods in iPhone Bundle Deals

Mobile providers regularly offer bundles to attract iPhone buyers, and AirPods are a common inclusion. If you're in the market for a new phone, checking bundle deals is one of the most reliable ways to get AirPods at no extra cost.

Enter Contests and Giveaways

Contests and giveaways are less reliable than other methods, but entering them costs nothing. Companies and influencers regularly run AirPods giveaways, typically in exchange for social actions like likes, shares, or newsletter sign-ups.

For example, dog collar brand Bark And Shout offered a pair of AirPods Max to a newsletter subscriber. Watching social media for similar promotions puts you in the pool without spending anything.