The best early Cyber Monday Apple deals of 2021, including the Apple AirPods, Mac Mini M1, and MacBook Air
Prices are accurate at the time of publication.
When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.
Apple;Alyssa Powell/Business Insider
MacBooks, iPads, AirPods, and other Apple products fall to all-time lows for Black Friday and Cyber Monday — often with short-lived stock. That means you'll have to act fast and know what you want to buy, in order to ensure you don't miss a rare deal.
Cyber Monday, the online-exclusive follow-up to Black Friday, lands on November 29 this year, and several deals have already launched ahead of the event this weekend. Though better prices may arrive when the sale officially begins, you can find discounts on AirPods, the Apple Pencil, Mac Mini, and MacBook Air right now.
Keep in mind, however, that Cyber Monday Apple deals are still pending, so some discounted items aren't listed for sale just yet. It's also unclear if we'll see price drops on some of the company's newer items, like its latest MacBook Pro and iPad models. We'll update this page as new deals go live.
Best Cyber Monday deals on Apple Watches
Apple Watch Series 7
Our pick for the best Apple Watch overall, the Series 7, improves slightly on the Series 6 with a larger screen and thinner bezels. It offers the same health and fitness sensors as its predecessors, like blood oxygen saturation measurement and an ECG scanner. We're not sure if this brand-new model will see any deals on Cyber Monday this year, but we'll update this section with any discounts we come across.
Apple Watch Series 6
Though Apple no longer sells the Series 6 directly through its store, you can still find this model at other retailers. Since performance is basically the same as the Series 7, the Series 6 remains a good buy when it's available at a discount.
Apple Watch SE
If you're looking to spend a little less, consider the Apple Watch SE. Apple's lower-priced watch comes with all of the basic functionality of the Series 7 and 6, but without blood oxygen monitoring, an always-on display, or ECG monitoring.
Apple Watch Series 3
The Apple Watch Series 3 has been on the market for four years, but it's still a decent smartwatch if you can find it for the right price. It runs the latest Apple Watch software, so you'll see many of the same basic features offered by the SE and Series 6/7.
We don't typically recommend the Series 3 unless it's on sale, due to its age and low storage space, but if you can find one discounted during Cyber Monday, it could be worth a buy for shoppers on a budget. You shouldn't pay any more than $169 for the 38 mm or $199 for the 42 mm.
The best Cyber Monday deals on AirPods
Apple AirPods Pro
Apple's Pro AirPods offer active noise cancellation, improved audio, and customizable ear tips as improvements over the base model. They're a bargain at $200, but the lowest price we've seen so far is $169 at retailers.
Apple AirPods (second generation)
Looking to spend a little less? Apple's second-gen AirPods are on sale now. These AirPods offer convenient features like quick pairing, hands-free Siri access, and automatic playing and pausing, but without the Pro's more advanced features and higher price tag.
Apple AirPods (third generation)
The third-generation AirPods feature a revised design with upgrades over its predecessor. They have shorter stems, improved audio drivers, longer battery life, a wireless charger, and IPX4 water and sweat resistance. They just launched on October 26, and already we're seeing discounts bringing their price down to just $149.99.
Apple AirPods Max
Though they're pricey, the Apple AirPods Max offer excellent sound quality and a comfortable build with superb noise cancellation. They're not for everyone, but audiophiles and Apple aficionados can save up to $80 so far on these proper headphones.
Best Cyber Monday deals on iPads
Apple iPad (2021)
The ninth-generation iPad features an A13 Bionic processor and second-generation Apple Pencil compatibility. It's the cheapest iPad you can buy and offers solid performance, making it one of the best options for casual users. You can buy one with a cellular plan from T-Mobile/Sprint or Verizon and receive a $200 gift card. However, for T-Mobile/Sprint customers, you'll need to subscribe to a 10GB or larger data plan to receive the rebate.
Apple iPad Air (2020)
With its sharp screen, updated design, and newer Apple Pencil compatibility, the 2020 iPad Air is a good choice for those planning to use it a bit more seriously, like for work. It's USB-C compatible and also features a Touch ID sensor on the top lock button. Unfortunately, we're not seeing any iPad Air deals right now, but Apple's $200 gift card rebate promotion appears to apply to this model as well.
Apple iPad Pro
The newest iPad Pro is the ideal choice for creative professionals. It brings faster performance and better cameras than Apple's other available models — for a bigger price tag. Unfortunately, we're not seeing any deals on the 2021 11-inch model right now. However, Apple's gift card promotion applies here as well.
Apple iPad Mini
Apple's smallest tablet is an ideal option for Apple fans that prioritize portability above all else in a tablet. The new 2021 iPad Mini features USB-C charging, improved camera specs, an A15 Bionic chip, and compatibility with the second-generation Apple Pencil. This is also available with T-Mobile/Sprint and Verizon's cellular plan gift card deal.
Apple Pencil
Apple's proprietary stylus, the Apple Pencil, comes in two different models. The first-generation pencil uses a Lightning charger and works with earlier iPad generations. The second-gen model improves upon its predecessor with a sleek, seamless design, wireless charging, and a magnetic attachment to your iPad. It's compatible with every iPad that charges with USB-C.
Best Cyber Monday iPhone deals
iPhone 13
Since it's still very new, deals on the iPhone 13 are not very common. If you're hoping to snag a discount on one, this is the best time to try. Notable features of the newest generation include 120Hz refresh rates for the Pros, sensor-shift optical stabilization, Cinematic Mode, and Photographic Styles.
If you have an eligible iPhone to trade in, you can take advantage of these carrier deals on an iPhone 13 right now:
- Get up to $1,000 credit after trade-in from AT&T.
- Get up to $900 in credit after eligible trade-in from T-Mobile.
- Get up to $440 in credit after trade-in from Verizon.
iPhone 12
Now a generation old, the iPhone 12 is more likely to see deals this Cyber Monday than it was last year. The iPhone 12 lineup was Apple's first series of smartphones to come with 5G. The phones offer a boost in camera quality over older models that makes them better at taking photos in dark environments. Unfortunately, the iPhone 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max models are out of stock as of the time of writing.
Current trade-in deals you can take advantage of when buying an iPhone 12 include:
- Get up to $900 in credit after an eligible trade-in from T-Mobile.
- Get up to 50% off after trade-in from Verizon.
Best Cyber Monday deals on MacBooks and Macs
MacBook Air
The 2020 MacBook Air is light and extremely portable, but its M1 chip means that it's still powerful enough for students and those looking for a laptop for casual work. Like Apple's other recent laptops, it comes with the company's improved Magic Keyboard, which is much more comfortable and durable than the keyboards on older models released from 2015 onward. It's now just $100 off at most retailers.
MacBook Pro
MacBook Pro
Apple's latest MacBook Pro lineup includes brand-new 14- and 16-inch models, while carrying over the 13-inch model released in 2020. The new MacBook Pros come with the M1 Pro or M1 Pro Max chip, greatly improving their performance power. Meanwhile, the 13-inch model from last year uses the regular M1 chip.
It's unlikely that we'll see big deals on the newest models this Cyber Monday, but we'll list any discounts we find here. So far, all we're seeing is $50 off list price from some retailers.
Apple Mac Mini (M1)
Apple's M1 processor brings serious performance gains to the Mac Mini compared to its Intel-powered predecessor, making it an ideal choice for those who want a fast Apple desktop at a decent price.
Best Cyber Monday deals on Beats headphones
Beats Studio3
If you want the ease-of-use of AirPods but in an over-the-ear format, check out the Beats Studio3. They offer long battery life and noise cancellation at a more affordable price, making them an ideal choice if blocking out distractions is a priority for you.
Beats Solo Pro
The Beats Solo Pro are a compelling choice for those looking for a solid pair of on-ear headphones. They come with Apple's newer H1 chip unlike the Studio3, which means they should be able to connect to Apple devices more quickly than headphones powered by Apple's older chip.
PowerBeats Pro
If you're interested in AirPods but aren't wild about their fit, consider the PowerBeats Pro. These true wireless earbuds have a lot of the same technology as AirPods — like quick pairing and auto play and pause — but come with a different design that wraps around the ear for a more secure fit. They also offer impressively long battery life and are sweat resistant, making them worth checking out if you're after a pair of workout headphones.
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones
With Apple's W1 chip for fast pairing with your iPhone, Siri support, and 40 hours of battery life, the Beats Solo3 are a solid option for Apple loyalists who prefer an on-ear fit versus earbuds or over-ear headphones.
Apple Cyber Monday deals FAQs
Does Apple offer deals on Black Friday and Cyber Monday?
Apple rarely offers discounts on its products directly through its own store, and Black Friday and Cyber Monday are no exception. If you're hoping to snag an iPad or MacBook deal, you're better off checking out other retailers, like Amazon or Best Buy. Apple is, however, offering gift card promotions on its iPad line and carrier-supported trade-on offers for iPhone 13 models.
Should I buy from Amazon, Target, Best Buy, or Walmart?
Many of these retailers offer very similar deals on products like the AirPods and the Apple Watch, which means you'll have a couple of options should one retailer go out of stock. In instances where multiple retailers offer the same product at the same price, consider which retailer is most convenient for you in terms of shipping options. If you have an Amazon Prime membership and want to get the product as fast as possible, it might make more sense to purchase through Amazon. But, if you'd rather pick up the item at your nearby Target or Best Buy, you should consider ordering from your preferred brick-and-mortar retailer. Regardless of which major retailer you buy it from, Apple will support and service the product.
Do these stores offer curbside pickup?
Yes, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart all offer curbside pickup. But, you should check with your local retailer since the rules may vary by location and items purchased.
How do we choose the best Apple deals?
We select products that meet our high standard of coverage based on testing and research. This includes testing Apple's products as well similar devices from its main competitors.
We also research prices across retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Best Buy and compare them against Apple's prices to find the deals that are worth paying attention to.
How do I return an Apple product?
While the major retailers have generous return policies at the moment, there are exceptions on Apple products. Usually, that means a shorter return window or very specific rules in what you can return.