Apple just recently launched its first-ever over-ear headphones called the Apple AirPods Max and people are going nuts. First of all, a pair of these headphones costs a whopping $549! That’s $300 more than the AirPods Pro that people already love! The AirPods Max is also considerably more expensive compared to other headphones made by audio experts such as Bose and Sony. So is it worth the price?
Not everyone is entirely sure, to be honest. The AirPods Max is currently out of stock and will be so for the next 12 to 14 weeks on Apple’s online store. That means that even though you might have the budget to try it out, you still won’t be able to at the moment. If you’re on the hunt for a good pair of headphones, there are tons available on the market that offer amazing features at a much lower price. Here are some of the best Apple AirPod Max alternatives that you can check out today.
Sony WH-1000XM4
The best alternative you can get would be the Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones. Some may even argue that it’s THE BEST pair of headphones in the market today. With that claim, it only retails at $350, which is $199 lower than the AirPods Max. That’s definitely a bang for your buck! What’s even better is that this pair of headphones is currently on sale at Amazon for only $278, which is already a deal that you should grab if you can.
The Sony WH-1000XM4 features strong active noise cancellation (ANC) and real-time upscaling of compressed music. It’s made for audiophiles who know their music and their sound incredibly well. These headphones can also run up to 30 hours of battery life, which is so much more than the capacity of the AirPods Max. It has five built-in microphones that help in blocking noise from outside.
Aside from these amazing features, these headphones are also comfortable to wear thanks to their cushioned ear cups and headband. It also features touch controls and accelerometers that automatically pauses music when you take your headphones off. You can use your own USB-C to charge this device. It comes in black, blue, and silver.
Beats Solo Pro
Another famous name in the game is Beats by Dr. Dre. If you’re already a fan of their products, one great alternative to the AirPods Max is the Beats Solo Pro. It only costs $300, which is significantly more affordable than the AirPods Max, and the quality is guaranteed. These headphones feature active noise cancellation so you get to enjoy your music with peace. On the other hand, if you want to still be aware of your surroundings, you can simply turn on the transparency feature.
This pair of high-performance wireless noise-cancelling headphones is designed with the Apple H1 headphone chip as well as the Class 1 Bluetooth. This ensures a wider range of connection and fewer dropouts. If you’re not using an Apple device, you can still enjoy these headphones with an Android phone. Still, pairing it with an iPhone has its perks like its hands-free controls feature through Hey Siri.
The Beats Solo Pro can also run up to 22 hours of battery life with ANC and transparency turned on. If you turn both features off, you can use these headphones for up to 40 hours. In case you’re in a hurry and the battery is running low, you can charge it for just 10 minutes and it can run up to 3 hours of playback thanks to its fast fuel charging feature.
Bowers & Wilkins PX7
In case you got more budget up your sleeve, you can opt for the Bowers & Wilkins PX7, which retails at $400. It’s still more affordable compared to the AirPods Max but the quality is amazing. This brand is known as the speaker supplier of Abbey Road Studios, which was used by the Beatles. If that’s not saying something in terms of quality, then I don’t know what is.
This pair of headphones is designed using carbon fiber to ensure durability and longevity but lightness at the same time. You’re guaranteed comfort with this, as its ear cups come with a soft composite that feels like leather on the skin. Of course, it also features active noise cancellation so you don’t have to worry about any external noise.
Plus, these headphones are compatible with the new aptX Adaptive codec, which means that they’re capable of playing higher quality music with a higher bitrate. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 can run up to 30 hours of wireless battery life so you can go on a day without charging it at all. It’s a pair of headphones that’s definitely worth the price.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
Ever heard of the Bose QC25 and QC35 headphones? These are incredibly popular headphones that were used in airplane cabins thanks to their superb quality and features. It’s successor, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is currently the one to beat. It features a sleek design and weighs lighter than most over-ear headphones in the market today.
These headphones can run up to 20 hours of wireless battery life, which isn’t that bad considering the quality you’re getting. They can also be optimized for Alex and the Google Assistant through just the press of a button. To say that this pair of headphones is versatile is an understatement. While it does feature amazing noise cancellation, you can also activate its Conversation Mode so you can still hear your surroundings even with the headphones on.
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You left out the Shure Aonic 50 for $349. Not quite as good at ANC as Bose and Sony but much better sound.