Best AirPods Max Alternatives: 6 Headphones Worth Your Money
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The dust has settled, and now that we know everything there is to know about the AirPods Max, we can determine whether they’re actually worth it or not. Spoiler! For most people, first-generation AirPods Max headphones aren’t the best option. Apple needs to address too many things before these become the best over-ear headphones in the market.
Don’t get me wrong; Apple’s AirPods Max are beautifully designed headphones with fantastic build quality, great sound, and an overall premium feel. That being said, the AirPods Max over-ear headphones do have some issues, especially when you consider you can’t turn them off. Ever. Instead, you need to use the Smart Case, which isn’t the most beautiful Apple product out there.
Not only that, but the price is too high for most people to consider seriously.
Fortunately, Apple’s late to the over-ear headphones party. There are already great alternatives on the market that have better sound, are more comfortable, and best of all, they’re cheaper.
Whether you’re an audiophile or just looking at other options, continue reading to browse the best AirPods Max alternatives you can buy.
Anker Soundcore Life Q20
If you’re on a budget, but you don’t want to compromise sound quality and noise cancellation, then these Anker Soundcore Life Q20 headphones are a great choice to start.
These Anker headphones are great for working from home (or anywhere loud). Their noise cancellation feature reduces ambient noises by up to 90%, making it almost impossible to hear low to mid-range noises like cars. Additionally, according to Anker, the Q20s are Hi-Res Audio Certified, which it’s only awarded to devices that can produce such exceptional sound. You can rest assured that you won’t have any issues enjoying your favorite music or listening to your latest podcast episode.
The best part of these headphones is the price. You get most of the cool features from other high-end headphones for a fraction of the cost, which is perfect for people on a budget.
Vankyo C751 Headphones
Another great option for people on a budget are these Vankyo C751 headphones. The only thing that’s hard to like about these headphones is the name. Other than that, these Vankyo headphones will give you an amazing sound experience and excellent noise cancellation, which will silence up to 90% of the background noise.
What’s also great about these headphones is the battery life. Vankyo says that the C751’s battery can last up to 30 hours. Not only that, but if you’re in a hurry, a quick 10-minute charge will give these headphones up to two hours of battery life.
Plus, they’re super portable. Unlike many other headphones on the market, you can fold these the C751 and carry them basically anywhere. And they do come with a small bag that’s better looking than the AirPods Max’s Smart Case.
Phillips PH805 Over Ear Headphones
These Phillips PH805 headphones are slick, compact, and powerful enough to last through anyone’s day. The PH805 headphones are one of the best-designed headphones on the list, but they also pack a punch for your ears.
Just like other options on the list, these over-ear headphones are Hi-Res Audio certified. Plus, they’re rocking 40mm neodymium acoustic drivers to produce strong bass and fine details in any song.
In addition to an amazing noise cancellation feature, these Phillips headphones also have a built-in mic with echo cancellation. Combine that with a pretty design, touch controls, and 30 hours of battery life, and you have some great headphones that’ll give you plenty of bang for your buck.
Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Headphones
It seems like the harder it is to pronounce the name, the better the headphones are. And the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 headphones aren’t the exception.
Compared to the AirPods Max, these headphones are quite a bit more expensive. But, if you’re an audiophile and you want (or need) the highest-end experience, these will be worth it. These are studio reference headphones, which means you’ll get high-quality audio, high-fidelity sounds with no compromises at all.
Granted, these headphones aren’t for everyone, but if you want the best, most accurate sounds from your music, the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 headphones are the best option for you, whether you work with music professionals or not.
Sony WHCH710N Headphones
We’re saving the two best options for last, but first up, we have the Sony WHCH710N headphones. Complicated to pronounce but a delight to hear.
Consider Sony’s budget option for premium over-ear headphones – for a couple of hundred bucks, you’ll get premium sound quality, noise cancellation, and up to 35 hours of battery life. Plus, the design and comfort of these headphones are outstanding.
They’re also light and portable; you can wear them for hours and even forget you had them on. Perfect if you’re always on the go.
There’s a small catch, though. You can’t find these just anywhere. The WHCH710N headphones are Amazon exclusive, so don’t expect to buy these at your local store. Other than that, these headphones are perfect for most folks. You’ll get great sound quality and a beautiful design for almost half of the AirPods Max’s price. It’s a no-brainer.
Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones
Last but not least, the biggest competition for the AirPods Max. These are probably the best headphones you can get for casual use, and they won’t cost you as much as Apple’s AirPods Max. We’re talking, of course, about the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones.
These headphones have everything that’s great about the previous Sony headphones and other excellent features from other headphones on the list, plus even more features like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa built-in.
The WH-1000XM4 headphones are great for casual users and audiophiles alike. You get state-of-the-art sound quality, a Dual Noise Cancellation feature, smart technology that helps to detect if you’re wearing them, as well as speak-to-chat technology that reduces the volume of the headphones when you’re in a conversation with someone.
The battery life is amazing as well. Not only do you get up to 30 hours of playback time, but you can get an extra five hours of battery life for just 10 minutes of charge.
If you want to purchase a pair of excellent headphones that you know will last a long time and you don’t mind spending a few hundred dollars, these are the best option for you.
