Amazon’s fall Prime event tends to be the best moment before the holidays to snag Apple hardware at a discount from list price. Apple itself doesn’t usually discount its products, but other retailers take advantage of the event to shift current and past‑gen Macs, iPads, AirPods and Apple Watch models at genuinely competitive pricing. By parsing through where the best savings usually end up, what type of discounts to look out for, and insider tips on confirming a markdown is actually legitimate, we put together the following.
Best MacBook Sales to Take Advantage of This Prime Day
If you’re in the market for a MacBook, the best bang for your buck tends to be the MacBook Air.
The M2 Air has seen numerous budget‑friendly lows from major retailers, while the newer M3 Air (13‑ and 15‑inch) has witnessed consistent discounts since release. A good rule: lean toward 16GB of unified memory if you’re a heavy multitasker and are editing photos and video; the base 8GB can become a bottleneck for pro workflows over time. And keep an eye on storage — Apple’s 256GB SSD tiers can be less speedy than at higher capacities because there are fewer chips of NAND, so a 512GB model is a better bet over time when it’s on sale.
For creators, the MacBook Pro with M3 Pro or M3 Max will get lighter cuts, but still large reductions in some configurations. If you use Final Cut Pro or Logic, err on the side of chips with more GPU cores and a minimum of 32GB memory. You can use price‑tracking services such as Camelcamelcamel and Keepa to easily check whether a “Prime Day price” is truly lower than previous lows by a meaningful amount.
AirPods and audio deals to get this Prime Day
AirPods usually offer some of Prime’s most consistently winning deals. AirPods Pro (USB‑C): Already often discounted far below “normal” retail, it’s still a strong choice for iPhone owners, where class‑leading ANC meets the Adaptive Audio of the H2 chip and good call quality. Both standard AirPods typically also end up dropping to entry‑level prices, so they should be an easy recommendation for students or as a second pair.
For over‑ear headphone listening, AirPods Max are occasionally discounted. If you’re eyeing them, consider whether spatial audio, the Apple ecosystem benefits, and premium build will make up for the premium over excellent third‑party ANC cans. Industry tracker Circana says premium headphone sales are still strong, despite volatility in broader consumer electronics, and Prime events typically push these models to their lowest prices of the year.
Deals on iPad and Apple Pencil to watch this Prime Day
iPad deals are consistent in how they work: the more mainstream iPads and iPad Air get the largest percentage reductions, while there’s a little less off iPad Pro, but it’s still substantial.
If you’re note‑taking, sketching, or marking things up in apps and PDFs like a boss, consider how Pencil compatibility is going to fit into your buying plans. Apple Pencil Pro features like squeeze and barrel roll are a perfect fit for the new iPad Air, while budget iPads have often bundled quite nicely with Apple Pencil (USB‑C). Storage is also important: 64GB fills quickly; if you can, jump to 256GB once the price difference narrows during the event.
Individuals who edit 4K video or work across large Procreate canvases will enjoy the newer chips and displays in the Pro line. But for most students and road warriors, the iPad Air or base iPad is the wiser spend should that price gap widen during Prime Day sales.
Apple Watch and daily accessories worth a look
Apple Watch deals focus on Apple Watch SE for new buyers and the mainline series for health features like ECG, SpO2, and skin temperature sensing. The hardy model designed for endurance athletes occasionally dips into triple digits, though the stock can be volatile — particularly when it comes to less‑common band/frame options.
Don’t sleep on accessories. AirTag multi‑packs often cost less than what you’d pay for a single tag, and are now confirmed as a travel must‑have. MagSafe chargers, cases, and Apple TV 4K streamers often match their best non‑holiday prices, so it’s a good way to close the loop on your setup.
How To Recognize A Real Deal And Not Get FOMO
Compare against all‑time lows, not just “list price.” Chart the past year with Camelcamelcamel or Keepa and set your sights on a new low (or match the prior floor). Adobe Analytics has historically shown elongating Prime Day–esque discounts all season long, but early fall is still a great time to bank savings — especially when it comes to headphones, smartwatches, and previous‑gen tablets.
Cross‑shop major retailers. Both Best Buy and Walmart are known to run deals that price‑match Amazon on marquee events, often with added bonuses like extended returns or open‑box discounts. If you’re upgrading, wait for trade‑in credits from Apple’s new trade‑in program or carriers for iPhone bundles; the effective price can beat a straight discount once you account for gift cards or bill credits.
Expert picks and use cases for different shoppers
Students and commuters will want to track down MacBook Air deals with 16GB of memory and 512GB storage, as well as discounts on AirPods Pro for silent study sessions and commutes. Casual streamers and families will find good value in bundles of iPad or iPad Air with Apple Pencil and Apple TV 4K. Fitness‑minded shoppers should aim for an affordable Apple Watch SE or upgrade to the flagship series for advanced health sensors; serious endurance athletes may be able to rationalize the rugged model if discounts pull it more in line with the mainstream range.
Bottom line: For the MacBook Air, the AirPods Pro, iPad or iPad Air, and Apple Watch SE or mainline series — historically those categories have provided some of the steepest cuts. Check the price history, get in line with the configuration that works for your workflow, and be ready to strike when it drops to a historically low tally.