You can get some scary-good deals on MacBooks, iPads, chargers and more. AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
Halloween may not be as big a shopping event as Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, but you can still scare up some spooktastic deals on Apple gear and accessories for various Apple devices. We hunted down 10 must-see bargains on MacBooks, iPads, AirTags, chargers, power stations, headphones and speakers.
Beats launched Powerbeats Fit earbuds on Tuesday, bringing a new design to the company’s sports-oriented audio devices. The new earbuds are the successors to the popular Beats Fit Pro earbuds.
The redesigned model brings enhanced comfort, improved durability and a more compact design while maintaining its predecessor’s $199.99 price point, Beats said.
“Reintroducing Beats Fit Pro as Powerbeats Fit — alongside Powerbeats Pro 2 — unifies our lineup under a name synonymous with athletic performance and gives customers a clearer choice between two distinct, fitness-first form factors,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports and Beats. “Powerbeats Fit combines the best of Beats Fit Pro with next-level comfort, durability, and portability — making it a worthy addition to the Powerbeats family.”
Beats offers a comprehensive set of case choices among iPhone 17 series models. Photo: Beats
Three new Beats iPhone cases designed for Apple’s latest iPhone 17 lineup include an array of color choices as well as kickstand and rugged options, the Apple subsidiary said Tuesday. Available choices cover the whole lineup — iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max.
“The overwhelming response to our Beats cases proved a core idea: users crave both style and serious utility,” said Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of Music, Sports and Beats. “With that in mind, we’ve engineered the next generation. The new Beats iPhone cases integrate protective features, delivering a significant leap in everyday innovation and functionality.”
Here’s the best look available of Powerbeats Fit. Screenshot: Apple
Apple dropped a teaser video for Powerbeats Fit, wireless earbuds the company has not yet formally announced, on Thursday. Details remain sketchy, but video of athletes wearing the in-ear audio devices revealed a bit about the hardware.
The video promises that Powerbeats Fit will be “fit for every move” when they launch this fall.
When both silence and music are bliss, make sure you pick the ideal noise canceling headphones or earbuds. Photo: Grok Aurora AI
Whether you’re navigating a noisy commute, seeking focus in a bustling office, trying to unwind during air travel or simply blissing out to your favorite tunes, the right pair of noise-canceling headphones can transform your audio experience. These sophisticated devices do more than just play music — they create a mobile personal sanctuary.
Active noise cancellation (ANC) technology has evolved dramatically in recent years, with options ranging from premium over-ear headphones to compact wireless earbuds. The best models excel not just at blocking out unwanted noise, but also deliver exceptional sound quality, comfortable fit and long battery life.
Our comprehensive guide discusses key factors like a model’s noise-reduction capabilities, audio performance, comfort during extended wear and additional features that enhance the user experience. Find help navigating the options to find your perfect audio companion below.
These are very solid noise-canceling earbuds for about $50 after discount. Photo: Apple
Right now you can get the best Amazon Prime Day Beats audio deals on great headphones and earbuds — some pretty close to their lowest prices ever. For example, a fresh price drop on Beats’ awesome flagship headphones, Beats Studio Pro, gives you a whopping $180 discount. At just $169.95, they’re 51% off and just $10 above their lowest-ever price.
Another great example? You can nab a whopping $80 off the excellent Beats Studio Buds+ at just $89.95 — a 47%-off discount! And you get the new Powerbeats Pro 2 sport earbuds for $198.95, or $80 off.
Beats Pill portable speaker, recently updated, is one of several on sale for Amazon Prime Day. Photo: Apple
Portable wireless speakers these days give home audio a run for its money — but you can take them anywhere (or enjoy them on the kitchen counter or in the shower). The likes of Beats Pill and Bluetooth boxes from companies like Bose, JBL and Soundcore keep getting smaller, more waterproof and better sounding. So gear up for summer barbecues and fall hayrides — or just having better audio in the kitchen, for that matter. Check out Prime Day speaker deals on wireless units below.
Why keep a portable monitor in a setup with an ultra-wide curved display? It's nice to have a separate hub for chats and such. Photo: [email protected]
Seems like smallish portable monitors are cropping up more often lately as fixtures in computer setups featuring other display options. Today’s dual-Mac setup sports a massive curved external display with an 18-inch portable just below, front and center.
And those aren’t the only two screens. A tablet mounted on an arm comes into play too, but it’s not an iPad.
Since other recent changes, I added two 5K touchscreen displays and a mechanical keyboard. And yeah, please pardon my hideous cables. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
After several years of covering the Cult of Mac setups beat, I still rarely write about my own. But major new upgrades call for it. Since a spate of recent changes, I’m still rocking the M4 Pro MacBook Pro as my main daily driver. But I replaced dual 4K external displays with a pair of 5K touchscreen displays. And I dipped my toe into the world of serious mechanical keyboards for the first time.
Here's a rapid red USB-C to USB-C cable running between a Pill speaker and a smartphone. Photo: Beats
With Tuesday’s Beats Cables launch, Apple subsidiary Beats officially entered the charging accessories market with its first-ever collection of reinforced charging cables. They bring the brand’s signature style to an often overlooked but essential product category. Available at apple.com, new Beats Cables feature a tangle-free woven design specifically engineered to prevent fraying and increase durability.
Each type of headphone has plenty to recommend it. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
Ever wondered how closed-back and open-back headphones differ? Is one or the other better for your uses in your computer setup and elsewhere? What the heck is “impedance?” I recently experimented with both open- and closed-back cans in my evolving setup. I’ve laid out all the considerations and key differences for you below. And you can find my gear in the links list at the bottom of this article.
Twilight blue is one of the new Beats iPhone 16 case colors, in addition to sunrise pink.
Apple subsidiary Beats surprised everyone when it sprang new cases for the iPhone 16 series handsets, its first-ever iPhone cases. And now, surprisingly, you can get bold new Beats iPhone 16 case colors — sunrise pink and twilight blue. If you’re looking for more iPhone options, you might find this documentary on Bono: Stories of Surrender an interesting read. That’s in addition to the four original colors, which weren’t too boring in the first place (Beats is known for colors in its products, Apple … not so much).
Whether plugged into the speaker via the included cable for lossless audio or used via Bluetooth, Beats Studio Pro bring fantastic sound. Photo: David Snow/Cult of Mac
While I’ve focused on my own workstation just a few times in several years of handling Cult of Macsetups coverage, it’s hard to resist an opportunity to extoll the virtues of my favorite over-ear headphones while they’re deeply discounted for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I added the headphones to my workstation recently, and right now you can pick up Beats Studio Pro at Best Buy for $159.99. That’s about $10 less than the discount I nabbed on Amazon for the normally $350 cans (although you should not pay that full price because you usually don’t have to).
Update: This fantastic Black Friday deali s still in effect for Cyber Monday!
Get Beats headphones and earbuds with big discounts this Cyber Monday. Photo: Beats
The best Cyber Monday deals on Beats headphones and earbuds are now live. You can get many Beats headphones and earbuds at their lowest prices ever. A fresh price drop on Beats’ flagship headphones — the Beats Studio Pro — brings a whopping $190 discount. At just $159.99, they make a great alternative to other premium headphones.
Get a pair of Beats Solo Buds true wireless earbuds at a great price.
Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Need a good pair of earbuds at an even better price? These Beats Solo Buds have dual-layer drivers, axial-aligned drivers and a custom-built acoustic architecture. They sound expensive, but you can actually get a pair of these earbuds for just $59.99 (regularly $79) in our Beats Solo Buds sale.
Hey, look at that: Now Beats is making iPhone 16 cases! Photo: Beats
You know what else comes along whenever Cupertino busts out a new set of handsets like the new iPhone 16 lineup? New iPhone cases and accessories. The company trotted some out at its “It’s Glowtime” event Monday, and in a surprise move, so did its audio subsidiary Beats.
But neither appeared to include a replacement material for the much-maligned FineWoven leather alternative that came out with iPhone 15 cases. Apple’s new cases are clear and silicone models. Beats’ cases feature a hard polycarbonate back and flexible sides.
MLB star Shohei Ohtani wears the upcoming Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 earbuds during batting practice. You can wear them starting sometime next year. Photo: Beats
The sleek, stylish Beats Powerbeats Pro earbuds, which loop over the ear and dangle via earhook, have appealed to fitness enthusiasts since their release way back in 2019. Beats finally dropped a teaser video for the next model Wednesday. But it shows precious little information beyond a glimpse of the buds on a popular MLB pitcher. And a reference saying we should see Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 coming in 2025. As Apple enhances cross-device compatibility, it’s also exploring innovative features such asearbuds that translate to improve user experience across languages and regions.
Pretend you're at a concert every time you listen to music with a pair of Beats Solo 4 headphones, now on sale for $129.99! Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
We’re not judging you for still using wired earbuds or headphones, but it’s 2024. You deserve audio accessories that free you up and make it feel like you’re enjoying a personal concert, like these Beats Solo 4 wireless headphones.
If you want an audio upgrade, these headphones’ ultra-plush ear cushions and custom 40mm transducers will do the trick. And while they list for $199, you can get a pair of Beats Solo 4 headphones for just for $129.99 with our new, open-box sale.
You have your choice of big deals on MacBook Pro with M3, M3 Pro or M3 Max chips. Photo: Apple
Some great deals on Apple gear only last for a day, like Woot’s nice discounts on 12.9-inch iPad Pro (2021) and Beats Solo3 headphones. Others may last longer, but for an unknown amount of time, like the price war we’ve been tracking between Amazon and Best Buy. Loads of M3 MacBook Pro models are on sale. See some sample below.
These $179.99 noise-canceling Beats headphones are the real deal. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
If you buy enough stuff on the internet, you cultivate a healthy skepticism when deals sound too good to be true. That’s especially true when it comes to name-brand tech — like, for instance, when you see Beats headphones on sale.
Audio gear from Beats (a company Apple acquired for $3 billion a decade ago) has been popular for so long that third-party sellers have made a cottage industry out of Beats knockoffs.
But there’s nothing like the real thing, and Cult of Mac Deals has limited stock of authentic Beats Studio Pro headphones for just $179.99. That price is almost half off the MSRP of $349. And that discount is possible because these Beats headphones, released in 2023, are “new open box” inventory.
Pairing them with Apple (or Android) devices and using Apple (or Google) Find My will be easy. Photo: Beats
You can preorder the newly updated Beats Solo Buds headphones June 18 and expect shipping to commence June 20, Apple subsidiary Beats by Dre said.
At just about half the cost of AirPods 3 and ready-made to pair with Apple devices with long battery life and a truly tiny case, the new buds could be a tempting get for a lot of folks. And big sound is promised, too, according to the video below.
UPDATE: As noted above, Beats Solo Buds became available to order today, Tuesday, June 18, and should ship starting Thursday.
Photos showing celebrities like Lebron James with the speaker started surfacing in April 2024. Photo: Beats
A cryptic new video ad featuring basketball star Lebron James rapping along with L’il Wayne suggested Monday that the long-rumored return of the discontinued Beats Pill+ speaker could be just one week away.
That’s if the video’s ending reference to “The Predicament 6.25” means the updated speaker, which celebrities have been photographed carrying around recently, will launch next Tuesday.
Save 45% on these $110 Beats Fit Pro Earbuds. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Beats Fit Pro earbuds deliver rich, immersive sound and powerful bass. These noise-canceling earbuds are serious AirPods Pro competitors (see our comparison), and they bring your music, podcasts and calls to life. Grab a pair, and you’ll enjoy every note and beat with clarity and depth, whether you’re using an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy.
Wirecutter recently called Beats Fit Pro “a great choice for Apple fans who want the easy pairing and ‘Hey Siri‘ voice-control convenience of AirPods, but with a more-secure fit and better controls.” And now you can get these high-quality earbuds at a massive discount, thanks to our new, open-box sale.
Apple’s Beats lineup is expanding with two new products: Beats Solo Buds and Beats Solo 4. They offer long battery lives and attractive price points.
Both offerings won’t rival Apple’s AirPods in any way but price, but if you frequently switch between Android and iPhone, you might like Beats’ new options.