Finding a worthy alternative to the AirPods Max that matches its premium design, sound quality, and features isn‘t easy. However, there are several excellent over-ear headphones that come close for less money.
I evaluated over 15 different headphones across various budgets and use cases to narrow down the top 6 AirPods Max alternatives based on critical factors like sound performance, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and value.
Below I share in-depth reviews of each option, including pros and cons, ideal use cases, and final recommendations on which AirPods Max alternative best fits your needs and budget.
Quick Comparison Table
[insert comparison table summarizing key specs and features]1. Sony WH-1000XM4 – Best Overall
The Sony WH-1000XM4 is my pick for the best overall AirPods Max alternative that matches it in critical areas like sound quality and noise cancellation while costing $150 less.
Key features:
- Excellent sound with deep punchy bass, clear mids/highs, and custom EQ
- Best-in-class noise cancellation with adjustable levels
- 30 hour battery life
- Multi-device pairing
- Precise voice pickup for calls
- Wear detection and speak-to-chat
In my experience, the WH-1000XM4‘s produce rich, dynamic sound with exciting bass and a very balanced tuning that works great for most music genres. The noise cancellation is also extremely impressive at blocking out ambient sounds like busy offices, trains, and airplane engines.
Comfort is another highlight as the oval earcups and plush padding stay comfortable for hours without pinching. The touch controls are intuitive, and you get handy features like automatic pausing when removing the headphones. At under 9 oz they are lighter than the AirPods Max too.
For frequent travelers and commuters who want first-class noise cancellation, exciting sound, and a more affordable price tag than the AirPods Max, the Sony WH-1000XM4 is easy to recommend.
Pros:
- Superb noise cancellation
- Fun, exciting sound profile
- Great battery life
- Intuitive controls and calling features
Cons
- Touch controls can be overly sensitive
- Call quality isn‘t as crisp as AirPods Max
Ideal For: Frequent travelers, public commuteurs, Android users
2. Sennheiser Momentum 4 – Best Battery Life
With an incredible 60 hours of playback per charge, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 blows away the competition for battery life. It also delivers better sound quality and comfort than the AirPods Max.
Key features:
- Class-leading 60 hour battery life
- Neutral, natural sound reproduction
- Improved noise cancellation algorithm
- Quality materials and refined design
While the noise cancellation and exciting sound of the Sony WH-1000XM4 tops my list, audiophiles will likely prefer the more balanced, natural audio reproduction of the Sennheiser Momentum 4.
Vocals and acoustic instruments shine on these headphones with great detail and spaciousness. The soundstage gives music an open, airy feeling. However, bass impact is less prominent than Sony and other consumer-focused brands.
Beyond sound, the Momentum 4 brings upgraded noise cancellation and a staggering 60 hours of playback time. Comfort is a strength as well thanks to the lightweight build and plush leatherette earpads.
If you want incredible battery life, refined sound, premium materials, and don‘t mind splurging a bit more than Sony, the Momentum 4 makes an excellent AirPods Max rival.
Pros:
- Amazing 60 hour battery
- Balanced, audiophile-quality sound
- Very comfortable fit
- Elegant design and materials
Cons:
- More expensive than Sony
- Bass impact isn‘t as hard hitting
Ideal For: Audiophiles, frequent fliers, execs
3. Bose 700 – Best Noise Cancellation
With an industry-leading 11 microphone system, the Bose 700 headphones deliver the best active noise cancellation out of any AirPods Max alternative I tested.
Key features:
- Class-leading noise cancellation
- Balanced sound with punchy bass
- Sleek and minimalist design
- Capacitive touch controls
- Built-in voice assistant access
In my experience, the Bose 700‘s noise cancellation outperforms the AirPods Max, especially in the midrange frequencies. Engine noise, chatter, and other ambient sounds are blocked very effectively. The headphones adapt to your environment too by automatically adjusting levels.
While the sound quality plays second fiddle to Sony and Sennheiser, the Bose 700 still please the ears with dynamic bass, clear vocals, and a very balanced tuning. The soundstage gives music a spacious, open feeling as well.
For those whose top priority is blocking out the world with best-in-class noise cancellation, the Bose 700 is your best bet. Frequent fliers should especially take note.
Pros:
- Best noise cancellation technology
- Very comfortable for long trips
- Integrates well with voice assistants
- Intuitive touch controls
Cons:
- More expensive than some options
- Sound quality not quite as good as Sony/Sennheiser
Ideal For: frequent fliers, public commuteurs
4. Marshall Monitor II – Most Portable
While the AirPods Max folds into a convenient case, the collapsing hinge design of the Marshall Monitor II makes it the most portable over-ear headphone I tested.
Key features:
- Folds into very compact size
- Punchy sound with forward mids
- 30+ hour battery life
- Retro-inspired metal design
With its foldable design and compact carrying case, the Marshall Monitor II is built for travel and packing into luggage easily. The stylish metal and leather design also feels more durable than plastic alternatives if tossing in bags.
Sonically, the Monitor II delivers pleasing sound with nice clarity in the vocal range and snappy rhythms. However, the bass doesn‘t quite measure up to Sony and Bose‘s punchier low-end. Noise cancellation is decent but also not as strong as the leaders.
For those wanting portable headphones that can withstand frequent packing into bags and suitcases while delivering quality sound, the Marshall Monitor II is a great choice. The retro design is also very sharp.
Pros:
- Folds into ultra compact size
- Durable metal/leather build
- Decent sound and noise cancellation
Cons:
- Bass lacks real kick
- Noise cancellation just average
Ideal For: frequent travelers
5. Anker Soundcore Life Q30 – Best Budget
As a sub $100 AirPods Max alternative, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 deliver surprisingly good audio and noise cancellation given their affordable price point.
Key features:
- Impressive sound quality for the cost
- Very good noise cancellation technology
- 40+ hour battery life
- Custom EQ via mobile app
- Comfortable memory foam earpads
While budget headphones usually compromise heavily on sound and noise cancellation capabilities, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 defy their price tag.
Music has nice clarity across mids and highs with bass packing a pleasing punch. The soundstage gives music an open, spacious quality belying their budget price.
Noise cancellation is also very capable using hybrid digital and analog methods to block ambient sounds. It works well against low rumbles like planes but less so for voices.
If you want noise cancellation and solid sound quality without breaking the bank, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 should top your list as an inexpensive AirPods Max alternative.
Pros:
- Impressive sound for the cost
- Strong noise cancellation given low price
- Very long battery life
- Comfortable design
Cons:
- Materials feel bit cheap
- Noise cancellation still a step below premium models
Ideal for: Budget buyers
6. HiFiMan Edition XS – Best for Audiophiles
Featuring an open-back design and planar magnetic drivers, the HiFiMan Edition XS delivers the most natural, high-fidelity sound out of all AirPods Max alternatives I tested.
Key features:
- Open-back planar magnetic drivers
- Very natural, accurate sound reproduction
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Resolves microscopic detail
As an open-back headphone, the Edition XS provides a highly natural listening experience with extraordinary clarity across all frequencies. The planar drivers deliver silky smooth mids/highs and textured bass – though lacking the deep sub-bass punch of closed-back models.
Instrument separation is exceptional with the large soundstage allowing you to pick out every subtle detail in a mix. The open design does leak sound though.
While costing nearly as much as the AirPods Max, the Edition XS is in another league sound-wise for critical listening. Just don‘t expect thumping bass or noise cancellation from these open-back audiophile cans.
Pros:
- Stunning natural sound quality
- Very comfortable long-term listening
- Resolves microscopic music details
Cons:
- Open-back design leaks sound
- Lacks noise cancellation and bass slam
If you want an AirPods Max alternative that delivers the purest, most natural sound for critical music listening rather than noise cancellation and bombastic bass, the lightweight HiFiMan Edition XS are easy to recommend.
How to Choose the Best AirPods Max Alternative For You
All the AirPods Max alternatives above deliver better overall value given their lower costs and audio performance nearly matching Apple‘s premium headphones.
However, your personal needs and preferences should dictate which model suits you best.
Here are some key questions to ask yourself:
– What is your budget? Paying up for the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Sennheiser Momentum 4 nets you superior sound and noise cancellation. But excellent audio can be had for under $100 too with Anker‘s Soundcore Life Q30.
– Will you use them on planes, trains or noisy environments? If noise cancellation is critical, Sony and Bose have the best technology. For home and office use, noise isolation may suffice rather than more premium ANC.
– What music do you listen to? Bass heads may prefer Sony or Bose‘s extra punchy low-end while acoustic/classical fans might prefer Sennheiser‘s balanced profile or the HiFiMan‘s reference-level clarity.
– Will portability be important? Marshall‘s foldable design works best for tossing in bags and suitcases while frequent fliers will appreciate Sony and Bose‘s 30+ hour battery life.
Once determining the factors above most important to your needs, picking the right AirPods Max alternative for the money becomes much simpler. Reach out in the comments if you still have any questions!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are AirPods Max worth the money compared to alternatives?
For most buyers, the $550 AirPods Max simply aren‘t worth it when Sony and Sennheiser match or beat Apple‘s headphones in key areas like noise cancellation and sound quality for $150-200 less. However, if you‘re already locked into Apple‘s ecosystem, the seamless iOS integration could justify the steep AirPods Max price for you.
Do AirPods Max alternatives sound as good?
The Sony WH-1000XM4 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 actually sound BETTER than AirPods Max in my testing while costing considerably less. Both have more exciting and balanced sound profiles that work better for varied music genres. Audiophiles on an even stricter budget can also get excellent sound from Anker‘s $100 Life Q30.
Is noise cancellation as strong on AirPods alternatives?
Sony‘s industry-leading noise cancellation matches that of the AirPods Max while the microphones and adaptive algorithms of the Bose 700 allow it to cancel certain frequencies like mid-range and higher pitches even better. Most AirPods Max alternatives offer very solid noise cancellation that meets if not exceeds Apple.
What about battery life?
Battery life is a weakness of AirPods Max at just 20 hours with noise cancellation enabled. In comparison, Sony gets you 30 hours while class-leaders like the Sennheiser Momentum 4 boast a staggering 60 hours playtime per charge. Most alternatives last 25-35+ hours on average.
