Apple AirPods on sale for $95, but there's one catch

Rick Brolda/CNET

Problem: You want Apple AirPods, but don't want to pay $159 to get them. No problem: Today only, and while supplies last, Woot has refurbished AirPods with Charging Case (2nd-gen) for $95.

Hang on: refurbished? Yep, that's the catch. In this case, "Grade A refurbished" and "sanitized, cleaned and tested," so they should be pretty close to new in terms of appearance and performance. And they're backed by a 90-day Woot warranty, plenty of time to make sure everything's working properly.

For sake of comparison, Amazon currently sells the AirPods new for $120, smack in the middle between list price and this refurb deal. That makes the decision even tougher, if you ask me.

Woot also has refurbished AirPods Pro with Charging Case for $155, which is $42 off the Amazon price. If you're concerned about the ick factor associated with used earbuds, know that AirPods Pro have rubber tips that are presumably not used (or you could easily replace them with new tips).

Last year, wondering if they'd work well or be visibly used (and gross), I bought a pair of refurbished AirPods Pro from an eBay seller. Price paid: $168. End result: They looked like new and have served me well ever since.

Your mileage may vary, of course.

Truth be told, I really like AirPods -- both varieties. But I've also found three great AirPods Pro alternatives that cost less, and CNET's David Carnoy compiled a big list of true-wireless earbuds priced less than AirPods.

My question for you: Assuming like-new condition, would you be willing to buy refurbished earbuds? Or is the thought of it just too icky?