If you’ve been thinking about picking up a new pair of AirPods or treating yourself to a MacBook, but the high prices have been putting you off, Labor Day deals are here to help. Buying a new phone or laptop usually costs a fortune — especially with all the recent price hikes. But the good news is you can score some great discounts right now if you’re ready to upgrade your gear.

Price cuts on Apple products are rare, so this is as good a time as any to pick up some new tech. So far, CNET’s shopping experts have found over 30 incredible deals on Apple tech. Keep checking back, as we’ll be updating this page throughout Labor Day weekend with all the best Apple deals.

Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money.  

Best Labor Day iPad deals

If you need top-end performance, you can’t go wrong with the iPad Pro. With a cutting-edge M5 processor, this advanced iPad is the best tablet out there for power users. Creatives will get a lot out of this powerful Apple tablet.

The Apple iPad Air is versatile and lightweight, with the powerful M4 chip for max performance in a smaller package. It’s compatible with the next-gen Apple Pencil Pro. And right now it’s $100 off at Amazon.

• iPad Pro, 13-inch (M5, 256GB): $1,399 (save $100). Apple’s fastest iPad with the biggest and best display it’s ever had, too.
• iPad Mini, 8-inch (A17 Pro, 128GB): $569 (save $30). This smaller, more portable model may be ideal for some.
• iPad 11-inch (A16, 128GB) : $399 (save $50). A solid everyday tablet for most at under $400 right now.
• iPad Air, 13-inch (M4, 128GB): $849 (save $100). If you prefer a larger display, the 13-inch model of Apple’s latest Air tablet is also on sale.

Best Labor Day AirPods and Beats deals

Apple’s latest AirPods 4 with ANC are now a modest $30 off. With active noise cancellation, they’re perfect for focusing at work, while traveling, or during other important tasks. Its powerful H2 chip makes it easy to toggle between ANC and transparency mode whenever you need to stay alert. The battery life lasts up to 4 hours on a single charge and adds an extra 20 hours with the case.

Our audio reviewer and expert, David Carnoy, gave these earbuds a glowing review, saying that the “noise canceling really is a game-changer” and noting that they have most of what you expect from the AirPods Pro 2 in an open-ear design. He also said that “they’re the first open buds I’ve tried to have active noise canceling that actually works.” So if that is the combination you need, look no further.

Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 are the latest generation of the company’s premium earbuds. They sport industry-leading active noise-cancellation technology and heart rate-sensing abilities, plus spatial audio and great sound.

The Beats Solo 4 headphones are an excellent alternative to bulky over-ear models. They’re one of our favorite pairs of on-ear headphones, with our reviewer commending them for their sound quality, battery life and voice-calling performance. They lack active noise cancellation but support spatial audio if you’re an Apple user. Plus, they deliver an impressive 50 hours of listening time per charge. They’re also lightweight at just 217 grams, and the plush ear cushions help reduce outside noise.

Amazon is currently offering a modest discount on the latest AirPods 4. You’ll save $30. Our AirPods 4 review noted that the new design is a better fit for a wider range of ear shapes, an advantage over the previous generation.

Our review also noted that the AirPods 4 “may not be quite as cheap or as small as the AirPods 2 but they sound a lot better and have a lot more features.” Given the much lower price during the sales, these make for an absolutely no-brainer purchase.

Best Labor Day Mac laptop and desktop deals

Our overall favorite laptop, the M5 MacBook Air, is the latest model in Apple’s lightweight lineup. This basic model comes with 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage and is now $150 off, with other more advanced configurations also on sale.

Grab the most advanced laptop in Apple’s lineup. It has a stunning display, powerful hardware and the powerful M5 chip, along with a decent 1TB of storage.

The M5 Pro MacBook Pro is one of Apple’s most powerful options, and this model comes with a 16.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR display, the ultra-powerful chip with 18 CPU cores and 20 GPU cores, 24GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. That makes this machine great for gamers and creators alike. This version also includes Thunderbolt 5 connectivity.

• Mac Mini (M6, 16GB, 256GB): $995 (save $19). High-level performance in a tiny package, preorder now for a Sept. 22 release and save $20.
• MacBook Air 15-inch (M5, 16GB, 1TB): $2,005 (save $39). This M5 MacBook Air with a 15-inch display may be a better choice for those who prefer a larger screen.
• Studio Display 27-inch 5K monitor: $1,504 (save $95). A reasonable discount on the model with a standard display.
• MacBook Air 15-inch (M4, 16GB, 1TB): $1,499 (save $300). This previous-gen model still has a ton to offer, and it’s a bargain now that you can grab this configuration for over 15% off.
• MacBook Neo 13-inch (512GB): $785 (save $15). This is a rare chance to score some slight savings on Apple’s most affordable MacBook.

Best Labor Day Apple Watch deals

Apple’s latest wearable is among the best on the market. This GPS model has a 46mm Always-On Retina display and all the top fitness and connection features you’d expect from our highest-recommended model.

The Apple Watch SE 3 is Apple’s budget option right now. With two colors to choose from, this deal saves you a modest $10 when compared to its original retail price.

More Labor Day Apple deals

This Apple Pencil Pro is $30 off and pairs perfectly with your compatible iPads to draw, take notes and more. This Pro version is more precise and uses gestures and haptic feedback for a better user experience. Plus, it attaches magnetically for wireless pairing and charging.

Note-takers and artists should definitely consider adding an Apple Pencil to their iPad setup, and now you can pick up the second-generation model with a modest $7 savings.

If you’re looking for iPhone deals, be sure to check out our roundup of all the best phone sales to score one at a great price.

Additionally, for those who qualify for Apple’s education savings, you should note that there are additional savings to be had thanks to Apple’s back-to-school promo.

Does Apple offer Labor Day sales?

While the Apple Store doesn’t run a Labor Day sale — and rarely offers discounts outside of educational promos — it is possible to find deals on Apple devices and accessories from authorized retailers. The best deals usually accompany big events like Prime Day or a major holiday, which is why Labor Day is an excellent time to shop for Apple sales. If you’re looking to spend less, try foregoing the latest releases. You’ll find bigger discounts on previous-generation models or refurbished devices. 

Where are the best Labor Day sales?

You can find major savings for Labor Day at hundreds of retailers. Some of the places you can shop for significant savings are Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot and Walmart. You’ll find plenty of smaller retailers hosting Labor Day sales as well.

How we choose the best Labor Day deals

At CNET, we have a team of expert shoppers and deal hunters whose experience spans years spent helping buyers distinguish between major sales and routine deals. That includes Black Friday, Prime Day, Fourth of July and countless other shopping events. We’ve gotten very good at weeding out scams and superficial savings. We look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time when choosing a deal to show you.

• Real discounts mean exactly that. We look at the price history for all items sold to make sure no manufacturers are inflating prices to make the discount seem more substantial than it is.
• Quality reviews are important for any product, but especially for big purchase items like grills, furniture and appliances. If it breaks the first time you use it, the discount isn’t really worthwhile.
• Remaining sale time is a huge part of our vetting process. If a deal seems like it will only be around for a short while or will only be available for the remaining stock, we’ll let you know upfront so you don’t come back to the deal later only to be disappointed.

Adrian is a deals writer on the Commerce team at CNET. With a love of books, entertainment, travel, tabletop games and, yes, even fandom, they can often be found at concerts, RenFest, Dragon Con or at home binge-watching everything from new hits to classics. After graduating from Kennesaw State with a BA in English and Professional Writing, Adrian had a short gig in casting, followed by a long stint teaching English lit, theater and film, before transitioning into commerce writing in 2021. Adrian enjoys sharing insights and favorite finds with their readers.

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Oliver Haslam has been writing about phones, computers, games, and anything else that takes a battery or plugs in for more than he’d like to admit.

With a focus on mobile and laptops, Oliver is never too far away from whatever social network is trending today and is never short of an opinion to share.

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