32 Best Apple Black Friday Deals (2022): Apple Watch, iPads, AirPods
Need a new Apple Watch, MacBook, or iPhone case? Now’s the time to snag one at a discount….
Apple isn’t holding a Black Friday sale per se, but it is throwing in a gift card when you purchase an iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, AirPods, or an accessory directly from its store. That’s … fine, but Apple devices are expensive—we don’t blame you if you don’t want to pay full price. To help you save money, we’ve hunted down discounts on all our favorite Apple gadgets, and more, from third-party retailers. These are the best Apple Black Friday deals around.
Updated November 25, 2022: We added the 2nd-generation AirPods as a cheap alternative to the Pros, and updated prices and links throughout.
We test products year-round and handpicked these deals. Products that are sold out or no longer discounted as of publishing will be crossed out. We’ll update this guide throughout the Black Friday and Cyber Monday weekend.
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Jump to a Topic: iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, AirPods, Beats, Accessories, Apple Gift Card Deals
iPad and MacBook Deals
Even though Apple added a 10th-generation iPad to the lineup last month, it’s too expensive for an entry-level iPad. The ninth-generation tablet (8/10, WIRED Recommends) remains the best iPad for most people. Not only is it affordable, especially with this discount, but it also packs a 12-MP camera with support for Center Stage to keep you in the frame during video calls. There’s a physical Touch ID-enabled Home Button (for those who prefer it), a True Tone display that adjusts the screen’s color temperature depending on the lighting around you, and 64 GB of storage.
The iPad Mini (8/10, WIRED Recommends) makes an excellent travel companion. It’s small enough to slip into my tote or backpack, and the 8.3-inch display is great for reading ebooks or watching movies. Equipped with an A15 Bionic processor (the same one powering last year’s iPhone 13), it’s fast enough to handle both taxing apps and games. With second-generation Apple Pencil support, you can also use it as a notebook or sketchpad. It’s dipped to this price before, but it’s still a solid deal.
The 2022 iPad Air (8/10, WIRED Recommends) uses the same M1 processor found in the 2020 MacBook Air. You get a 10.9-inch LCD screen, slim bezels, USB-C port, and Touch ID on the power button. This tablet is lighter and nearly as compact as the cheapest iPad, but you get a larger screen—making this a nicer slate for getting work done. Note: To see the full deal you must go to the checkout page, just adding it to your cart will not show the discount.
This is last year’s iPad Pro model with the M1 processor. The new sixth-generation iPad Pro (7/10, WIRED Review) that debuted last month is also on sale for $999 ($100 off), but the updates are so incremental you should save your cash and just snag the 2021 version instead. Use the $100 you save to buy the second-gen Apple Pencil.
MacBook Deals
Apple introduced a new design with its latest MacBook Air (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which is also powered by the new M2 chipset. It has plenty of power for most everyday tasks, solid battery life, and a 1080p webcam. You also get a MagSafe connector so the laptop won’t fly off if you trip on the cable. It’s pricier than its predecessor, but this discount helps remedy that. Just remember that the chipset doesn’t let you connect this machine to more than one external display.
Even though the M1-powered MacBook Air (9/10, WIRED Recommends) came out in 2020, it’s still one of the most powerful laptops you can buy for this price. And it’s our favorite budget MacBook to recommend. It has great performance, battery life (it’ll easily last you a full workday), and an improved keyboard (that won’t break). It’s also slim and lightweight, which makes it great for travel.
The 14-inch MacBook Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) from 2021 comes with a variety of upgrades. On the outside, it has a boxier chassis, plenty of ports (including a MagSafe charging port), a 1080p webcam, and a stunning 14.2-inch display with ProMotion (which has a frame rate of 120 Hz). The M1 Pro under the hood offers excellent performance and can handle almost any demanding project you toss at it. (It’s confusing, but the M1 Pro is more powerful than the M2.)
With the 16-inch MacBook Pro (512 GB), you’ll get the same features as the 14-inch model. But since it’s massive, it’s not the easiest MacBook to travel with and barely fits in most of my tote bags or backpacks. Regardless, the extra screen real estate is awesome, especially if you spend most of your work days staring at a computer while on the go. This model frequently dips to this price, but this is still a solid deal.
Jump to a Topic: iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, AirPods, Beats, Accessories, Apple Gift Card Deals
Apple Watch Deals
The Apple Watch (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is our favorite Apple Watch in the lineup. In addition to a blood oxygen level sensor, ECG reader, and heart rate monitor, Apple also introduced a wrist-based temperature sensing feature that tracks your skin temperature. This can be super useful for tracking your period and fertility. It also comes with Crash Detection, which uses two new motion sensors, a high G-force accelerometer, and an improved gyroscope to detect when you’ve been in a severe car crash and connect you to emergency services.
We recommend the second-generation Apple Watch SE to most people—especially if you don’t need the complex capabilities of the Series 8 like the ECG sensor, temperature sensor, or the ability to check your blood oxygen. But it’s more than capable of tracking your health and fitness and, with the latest S8 chip, you’ll also get Crash Detection and the redesigned compass app. It’s compatible with WatchOS 9 too, which means you won’t miss out on any of the latest software features.
This is the first discount we’ve seen on Apple’s luxury smartwatch (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s meant for folks that tend to take on more extreme outdoorsy activities. It has the best battery life you’ll find on an Apple Watch mostly because it’s much bigger than the standard Apple Watch and can accommodate a bigger battery. There’s a loud siren in case you’re lost in the woods, and a spare Action Button to trigger specific and configurable actions.
AirPod and Beats Deals
The second-gen AirPods Pro (9/10, WIRED Recommends) come with upgrades like improved noise canceling and better battery life—you’ll get six hours with the buds and 24 hours in the case, which will certainly get you through a full workday. The charging case also comes with new features like the ability to sync it with Apple’s Find My app (which will emit a beeping sound to help you locate them), and the option to charge it on an Apple Watch puck. Read our Best Wireless Earbuds guide for more.
The AirPods Pro above are the better choice, but if you don’t want to spend $200, these are actually discounted for once. We think they’re OK, not great.
Apple owns Beats, and WIRED associate editor Parker Hall says these are his favorite Apple-made headphones to recommend to most people (9/10, WIRED Recommends). They’re extremely comfortable, sound great, and pair seamlessly with all your Apple devices (just like standard AirPods). They also come in many colors and look a lot more stylish than Apple’s own earbuds. These are especially great for workouts as they have earfins to better stay in your ears.
Still worried about your earbuds falling out? The Powerbeats Pro (8/10, WIRED Recommends) offer an even more secure fit that will stay put. These also sound better than Apple’s standard AirPods and get nine hours of battery life from a single charge. They’ll automatically pause your music or move a call back to your phone when your take one out of your ear. Read our Best Wireless Earbuds for Working Out guide for more recommendations.
The Studio3 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) are a bit old at this point, but they’re still a great pair of over-ear headphones that are also really comfortable. Other notable features are great noise cancellation, excellent Bluetooth range, and instant pairing with Apple devices. Android users, on the other hand, might experience worse battery life, but they’ll still be able to connect via Bluetooth just fine.
Apple Accessories
There are plenty of third-party MagSafe chargers out there, but Apple’s official charger will power up your iPhone the quickest (15 watts) because it aligns precisely with the spot that allows for the best power transfer. But with an annoyingly short 3-foot cable, it’s tough to use your phone while it’s charging unless you’re right next to where it’s plugged in.
The MagSafe Duo is a great choice if you have both an iPhone and an Apple Watch, with respective spots for both. It folds in half too, which makes it really easy to travel with. It’s just far too expensive for what it does, but this deal makes it a bit more stomachable.
Apple’s official MagSafe case has clicky buttons, accurate cutouts for ports, and the entire bottom edge of the phone is protected too. The case also comes in a variety of colors, although only certain ones are on sale depending on whether you’re shopping for the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, or 14 Pro. It can be a magnet for lint and dust though.
Satechi’s 3-in-1 Magnetic Wireless Charging Stand is compact, but accommodates everything you need. You can squeeze in your Apple Watch at the back, wireless earbuds at the front of the base, and the iPhone can float on the stand nearby in portrait or landscape orientation.
This deal requires Amazon Prime, but if you’re a subscriber you can score a good deal on one of our favorite MagSafe desktop chargers. The front of the orb is where you can stick your iPhone to wirelessly charge it, but on the back are two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and three AC outlets. It makes managing all those pesky cables under the desk so much easier.
Then there’s the Anker 623 magnetic wireless charger. This dock looks a bit like a flask, but the top “lid” has a hinge, allowing it to be angled out. That’s where you place your iPhone to recharge it wirelessly, and you can adjust the angle so it sits upright. In this position, you can plop your AirPods behind the iPhone to recharge them wirelessly at the same time. It’s one of our favorites.
This Satechi wall charger can power up three USB-C devices up to 108 watts. That’s plenty of power to charge your 16-inch MacBook Pro and iPad Air at the same time.
You can attach these circular Bluetooth trackers to your wallet, luggage, keys, or bike. That way, if you misplace it or someone steals it, you can easily track its location using Apple’s Find my app. However, it’s worth noting that AirTags do come with their fair share of serious problems, so it’s important to know how to check if you’re being tracked by one.
Apple’s Smart Folio Keyboard isn’t our favorite keyboard case—especially if you prefer springy feedback—but it is silent. It’s one of the thinnest keyboard covers out there. Since it uses Apple’s Smart Connector, it doesn’t require pairing or charging either. This one is compatible with the 11-inch iPad Pro (2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation) and iPad Air (4th and 5th generation).
This is our favorite keyboard case in our roundup of Best iPad accessories. It comes with a built-in keyboard, trackpad, and kickstand. You can also detach the keyboard when you don’t need it, and simply use the kickstand—which comes in handy when you’re using your iPad to watch movies. It connects via Apple’s Smart Connector too, which means you don’t need to worry about pairing it via Bluetooth or worry about charging it. This one is compatible with the past three basic iPads (not the 10th-gen iPad). Other versions for different iPads are also on sale.
Anker’s compact cylinder-shaped charger has a phone platform that flips up, allowing you to snap your phone in place. There’s room to charge your AirPods too. In the box, you’ll also get a cable and adapter. We also like this Anker wireless power bank, which is also on sale for $55 ($25 off). It comes with a built-in kickstand.
There’s nothing more frustrating than when your phone constantly falls off the charging mount if the ride gets even slightly bumpy. You don’t have to worry about that with iOttie’s Velox charging mount. We’ve been using it for more than a year now and it has yet to fall off even once. It’s easy to set up too, just install it right onto your air vent.
The Courant Mag:1 charger is certainly on the luxurious side—complete with Italian leather and matte aluminum. It also comes with a really nice 6-foot braided cord. However, despite Courant’s claims on its website, it’s important to note this charger will recharge your iPhone at 7.5 watts (not 15 watts).
If you spend a lot of time playing mobile games on your iPhone, the Backbone One (8/10, WIRED Recommends) is an excellent accessory. Simply plug the Lightning connector into the phone, stretch the controller over it, and you’re all set. It also comes with support for Xbox Remote Play, Steam Link, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PS Remote Play, and GeForce Now. This is the lowest price we’ve tracked yet.
These iPhone cases from Totallee don’t offer the most protection, but they’re some of the thinnest out there. So, while it won’t protect your phone from damage if you drop it, it’ll at least keep your phone safe from everyday scuffs without adding much bulk. It’s available for a variety of iPhone models.
Most of us are familiar with PopSockets phone grips and mounts. They might change your life. Save on MagSafe mounts, and more of the company’s famous grips.
Apple Store Gift Card Deals
Between November 25 and November 28, you’ll get a gift card when you purchase certain Apple products from the Apple Store in person, online, or through the app. The value of the gift card will depend on the specific gadget, but we’ve rounded up the best offers below. You can check out the full list of gift card offers here.
- $25 Gift Card: MagSafe Duo Charger, Apple Pencil (2nd-generation), and Smart Folio Keyboard.
- $50 Apple Gift Card: iPad Air, iPad Mini, Apple Watch SE (2nd-generation), AirPods Pro 2nd- generation), Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and Beats products including Studio3 Wireless, Solo3 Wireless. Powerbeats Pro, Fit Pro, and Studio Buds.
- $150 Apple Gift Card: MacBook Air (M1), MacBook Air (M2), and 24-inch iMac.
- $250 Apple Gift Card: 14-inch MacBook Pro and 16-inch MacBook Pro.
Jump to a Topic: iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, AirPods, Beats, Accessories, Apple Gift Card Deals
Black Friday Retailer Sales
Want to browse the sales yourself? Here are a few top retailers participating in Black Friday deals.
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