Airpods max first-gen get a shocking price cut – should you grab one?

Forget the hype surrounding the AirPods Max 2. A far more compelling deal has emerged, offering a significant discount on the original AirPods Max, and it’s worth a serious look, even for those perpetually chasing the latest tech. Woot, Amazon’s off-price retailer, is slashing prices on the 2020 model, bringing it down to a remarkable $399.99 – a full $150 less than its usual $549.99 price tag, and even undercutting Amazon’s current offer on select colors.

Is last year’s flagship still worth the investment?

Let’s be clear: this isn’t a fire sale of obsolete tech. The first-generation AirPods Max, despite their age, remain a formidable contender in the premium headphone space. We're talking about excellent sound quality, a remarkably powerful Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) system that still holds its own, and a Transparency Mode that’s genuinely convenient. The personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking is a feature many will appreciate, and a solid 20-hour battery life provides ample listening time between USB-C charges.

The comparison to current top-tier Bluetooth headphones from Sony and Bose is valid, of course. They might boast newer features, but the $399.99 price point drastically alters the equation. Woot's discount extends across five color options, adding to the appeal, while Amazon is only offering the reduced price on purple and starlight. Keep in mind, however, that this deal comes with a 90-day warranty, a shorter period than Apple's standard coverage, and the H1 chip is, predictably, lacking some of the advancements found in the H2-powered AirPods Max 2.

The deal is slated to last five days, but previous Woot flash sales have ended prematurely due to high demand, so speed is of the essence. While larger discounts might surface in the future, there’s no guarantee. For Apple devotees who’ve long coveted the AirPods Max's distinctive design and premium features, this is a moment to act. Don't get bogged down in the minutiae of chip generations; the core experience remains undeniably compelling for a price this low.