When it comes to audio quality, Apple’s AirPods Max headphones beat all of their rivals. So it’s no surprise that they’re one of the most popular headphones on the market. Still, if you want to buy a pair, you’ll have to be comfortable with the hefty price tag – the current retail price of the AirPods Max on Apple is $549. So, for those looking to save, this might not be the best option.
Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable options just as good as the Apple device. I’ve tested plenty to find the best options, telling you the pros and cons of each so you can decide what’s best for you and your needs. Here’s our curated list of more affordable Bluetooth and wired options, including Apple’s own Beats Studio Pro.
What’s the cheapest alternative to the AirPod Max
With so many different options, it’s hard for you to choose one. However, if I had to choose one? I would say the best cheap alternative to the AirPods Max are Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones. With great sound, active noise cancellation (ANC), a strong feature set, and best-in-class voice call quality, the WH-1000XM5s won CNET’s Editors’ Choice award in 2023. It remains an amazing piece of tech even 2 years later.
Of course, if you’re looking for something even cheaper but still capable of delivering high quality, Sony’s entry-level CH-720N are worth it. They’re lightweight and comfortable, with good sound and great noise cancellation.
What’s the best overall alternative to the AirPod Max?
Again, with so many options? It’s a tough choice. But I like the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones. While they’re not as feature-packed as some of the other options here, what they have makes them stand out from the crowd. The comfort level of these is out of this world, even if you’re wearing them with glasses and/or for long periods of time. The noise cancellation is also top notch, and if you make a lot of calls these headphones are for you. They also don’t rely on micro-USB charging, which is a huge win for anyone who enjoys the simplicity of USB-C.
I’ve tested hundreds of headphones over the past 20 years, and I’ve fully reviewed all of my picks on this list or had hands-on experience with them. I’ll be sure to update it when more models are released in 2025. But if you decide you want Apple after all, check out our list of the best Apple AirPods.
When you have a product that so many people love, change can be risky. This is the case with Sony’s WH-1000XM5, which are the fifth-generation headphones in the 1000X series, which were first released in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless and have become increasingly popular as they get better with each generation.
Over the years, Sony has made a few changes to the design, but nothing as dramatic as the changes made with the WH-1000XM5. Aside from the higher price tag, most of those changes are good, and these Sony headphones have some dramatic improvements to voice-calling performance, as well as better noise cancelling and more refined sound. They also use the Sony Headphones Connect app which is an excellent companion app.
Available in three colour options (grey, blue and black), the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 headphones offer some significant improvements over the first-generation version. These headphones are not only more comfortable – they weigh 307 grams – but they sound better and offer better noise-cancelling and voice-calling performance, as well as better noise reduction. I don’t think there’s a better option than the lighter and more comfortable Sony WH-1000XM5.