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Best Apple AirPods Max Alternatives for Less: Sony, Bose, AirPods Pro and More

David Carnoy


    

  •     


        Sony WH-1000XM4
        $350 at Target

  •     


        Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
        $329 at Amazon

  •     


        Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
        $219 at Bose

  •     


        

    Apple AirPods Pro
        $330 at Amazon

  •     


        Anker SoundCore Life Q30
        $80 at Amazon

  •     


        Anker SoundCore Life Q20
        $57 at Amazon

  •     


        Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
        $250 at Target

  •     


        Sennheiser Momentum 3
        $242 at Amazon

  •     


        Shure Aonic 50
        $239 at Amazon

  •     


        Jabra Elite 85h
        $250 at Amazon

  •     


        Sennheiser 450BT
        $130 at Amazon

  •     


        Bowers & Wilkins PX7
        $399 at Amazon

  •     


        Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 (3rd gen)
        $500 at Amazon

  •     


        Bose QuietComfort 35 II
        $276 at Amazon


    


    These days, a pair of high-quality noise-canceling headphones are a necessity for many reasons: They make telecommuting more engaging, traveling more relaxing, and consuming media in your downtime more immersive. When you’re shopping for the best headphones, we can recommend excellent luxury buys and more affordable alternatives.?
    Apple offers several stellar options. Its?AirPods Max are high-tech, luxury headphones with some notable design and feature traits, including Apple’s spatial audio virtual surround (for iOS devices), that help distinguish them from the host of other premium noise-canceling headphones on the market.
    The AirPods Max also have sensors for detecting when the headphones are on your head, a total of nine on-board microphones (two are inside the earcups) for noise canceling, as well as noise and wind reduction when making voice calls and a transparency mode. And finally, the protective storage cover has integrated magnets that tell the headphones to go into an ultralow energy mode so your batteries don’t wear down while the AirPods Max are sitting around.
    If you know you don’t want to spend over $500 for a pair of noise-canceling headphones, there are some excellent alternatives, a couple of which even cost less than $100. Below, I’ve rounded up several top noise-canceling headphones, all of which I’ve fully reviewed or used hands-on over a period of time.
    
    David Carnoy/CNET
    Sony WH-1000XM4
    

    

Dec 2020


    Sony’s earlier WH-1000XM3 model was great. But if it had a weakness, that was voice calling, particularly in noisier environments. The WH-1000XM4 model has improved in that area and also adds multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect to two devices — such as your phone and PC — at the same time. That means that if a call comes in while you’re using the headphones with your computer, the audio will switch to your phone when you answer the call.
    The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 probably still have a slight edge for voice calls, but the 1000XM4 headphones are arguably a tad more comfortable and also have some other slight improvements to noise cancellation and sound that make this model a great all-around choice.
    
    

Read our Sony WH-1000XM4 review.
    


    $350 at Target
    $348 at Amazon
    $350 at Best Buy
    
    Sarah Tew/CNET
    Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
    The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, the long-awaited successor to Bose’s?QuietComfort 35 II?model, may not be a quantum leap forward, but these headphones offer slightly better sound and noise cancellation along with top-notch headset performance for voice calls. They’re a strong all-around audio performer with up to 20 hours of battery life and a more durable design than their predecessor (some find the QuietComfort 35 II headphones slightly more comfortable).
    
    

Read our Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review.
    


    $329 at Amazon
    
    David Carnoy/CNET
    Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
    

    

Dec 2020


    It took Bose quite a while to get them into stores, but the $279 noise-canceling QuietComfort Earbuds are excellent true wireless earbuds, particularly when it comes to their sound and to their noise canceling, which is arguably the best out there right now in a set of earbuds. In performance they clearly have a leg up on Apple’s best-selling?AirPods Pro?true wireless noise-canceling buds. However, the AirPods Pro’s smaller design, somewhat more comfortable fit and superior voice-calling capabilities make it hard to declare the Bose the straight-up champ. Ultimately, it depends on what your priorities are.
    
    

Read our Bose QuietComfort Earbuds review.
    


    $219 at Bose
    $219 at Crutchfield
    $280 at Target
    


    Sarah Tew/CNET
    

Apple AirPods Pro


    

    

Nov 2019


    Even if they don’t sound quite as magical as you’d hope this model would, the?Apple AirPods Pro?still manage to be a great pair of true-wireless earphones with noise cancellation. That’s largely due to their winning design and fit, improved bass performance and effective noise canceling — and now they’ve been?updated with spatial audio, a new virtual-sound mode for watching movies and TV shows (that only works with iPhones and iPads running iOS 14 or later). That same feature is also available in the AirPods Max.
    
    

Read our Apple AirPods Pro review.
    


    $330 at Amazon
    
    David Carnoy/CNET
    Anker SoundCore Life Q30
    As far as sound, comfort level and build quality, you’d be hard-pressed to do better than Anker’s SoundCore Life Q30 for the money. It doesn’t quite have the clarity or bass definition as some of the top premium models, but it’s less than a third of the price and gets you about 75% of the way there in terms of sound (it’s well balanced overall with punchy bass and there’s an app that allows you to tweak the sound). Noise canceling is good for the price, though not up to the level of the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. Battery life is rated at an impressive 40 hours with USB-C charging.
    The only area where the Q30 falls a little short is for voice calls. It picks up your voice fine in quieter environments but it just doesn’t reduce background noise all that well.?
    $80 at Amazon
    
    Sarah Tew/CNET
    Anker SoundCore Life Q20
    Anker’s SoundCore Life Q20 headphones are arguably the best value in the category of noise-canceling headphones. Not only do these over-ear headphones sound quite decent for their regular list price of around $60 (they often sell for $10 less), but they’re also comfortable to wear thanks to the secure earcups.
    No, they don’t sound as good as premium Bluetooth headphones like the?Sony WH-1000XM3?headphones, but the audio quality is pretty good, which is all you can ask of noise-canceling headphones at this price. The sound quality is fairly well balanced with a reasonable amount of clarity and plump bass that’s not bloated or muddy (there’s a bass boost or BassUp mode if you want an extra helping of bass with your music). Also, the noise cancellation is acceptably effective and they’re solid as a headset for making calls. Battery life is good at 40 hours. A simple carrying pouch is included.
    $57 at Amazon
    $56 at Walmart
    
    David Carnoy/CNET
    Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
    Microsoft’s over-ear noise-canceling Surface Headphones 2 were released earlier in 2020, and the biggest change from their predecessor is the price: Like the?original Surface Headphones, there’s a lot to like about this second-gen model. While they’ve lost their hands-free Cortana voice control feature (a change no one will lament) and the sound quality hasn’t improved (it’s quite good but not stellar), the combination of some small design tweaks, better battery life, upgraded Bluetooth and the new lower price helps bump their rating up and make them more recommendable.?
    Their multipoint Bluetooth pairing capability allows you to pair them with two devices at the same time, such as a computer and a phone, and quickly switch the audio from each device to the headphones. That’s an appealing feature from a work-from-home standpoint, and these also work well for making voice calls.
    
    

Read our Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 review.
    


    $250 at Target
    $195 at Amazon
    $250 at Best Buy
    
    Sarah Tew/CNET
    Sennheiser Momentum 3
    When it comes to premium noise-canceling headphones, Bose and Sony have been the dominant players over the last few years. But now Sennheiser has turned up with its new?Momentum 3 Wireless?headphones and they deserve some attention, particularly from fans of the Momentum line.?
    Not only does this model feature improved noise-canceling features and excellent sound and audio, but it also performs well as a headset for making calls. While in noise cancellation and comfort level the Momentum 3 headphones don’t quite measure up to the Sony WH-1000XM4, I appreciated the nicely padded earcups covered with sheep leather and had no trouble rocking them for a two-hour music listening session, to say nothing of the battery life.
    Read our Sennheiser Momentum 3 first take.


    


    $242 at Amazon
    $250 at Best Buy
    
    Shure
    Shure Aonic 50
    If you’re looking for a very clean-sounding headphone with more of a neutral sound profile, the well-built Shure Aonic 50 is that noise-canceling headphone. The treble is clear and articulate and the bass is well-defined but may be a little underpowered for those who want a little more oomph. The noise canceling is good but not quite up to the level of top noise-canceling models from Bose and Sony that cost a little less.
    The headphones fold flat but they’re a bit bulky, as is their case. But they work very well as a headset for making calls — Shure is known for making excellent microphones — so they’re a good work-from-home headphone that’s comfortable to wear (but might be a little big for some folks).?
    While the Aonic 50 suffers a bit from being a little too expensive, it’s an excellent headphone that seems built to last. Battery life is rated at 20 hours — the headphone charge via USB-C — and it supports a variety of audio codecs, including aptX, aptX HD, aptX Low Latency audio, Sony LDAC, AAC and SBC.?
    $239 at Amazon
    
    Sarah Tew/CNET
    Jabra Elite 85h
    Jabra’s?Elite 85h?has been out for a while and frequently goes on sale, dipping to as low as $150 at times. Overall, it’s a really solid noise-canceling headphone that features good noise-canceling and sound quality. They’re comfortable to wear and also work well as a headset for making calls. Definitely worth a look when they’re discounted.
    
    

Read our Jabra Elite 85h review.
    


    $250 at Amazon
    $250 at Walmart
    $250 at Best Buy
    
    Amazon
    Sennheiser 450BT
    Sennheiser updated its well-regarded 4.50BTNC noise-canceling headphones in 2020, with better battery life (up to 30 hours with noise canceling on), USB-C charging, Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX support for devices like the Samsung Galaxy smartphones that support it, and more comfortable earpads.?
    The 450BT headphones don’t have quite the clarity or bass definition of Sennheiser’s Momentum Wireless 3 headphones, but they cost much less and deliver very good well-balanced sound that’s easy to listen to for long periods. I thought the 450BT model also worked quite well as a headset making calls, with the sidetone feature that allows you to hear your voice inside the headphones.
    The only potential downside is that regular headphones may not be the most comfortable for some people. I have a smaller head, so they worked fine for me, but they do clamp a bit and those with larger heads may find that to be an issue. Also, while the earpads have been upgraded, they’re still covered in a faux leather material that doesn’t breathe quite as well as some earpad coverings. Still, if you can’t afford premium models in the $300 to $400 range, this is a more affordable option that’s well built and delivers premium sound. The headphones fold up to fit into an included soft carrying case.
    $130 at Amazon
    
    Amazon
    Bowers & Wilkins PX7
    I liked Bowers & Wilkins’?original PX noise-canceling headphones, but they were slightly lacking in both the earcup comfort and noise-canceling departments. The company’s new PX7, released in the fall of 2019, improves on both fronts, with excellent sound, four noise cancellation settings (Automatic, Low, High and Off) and well-padded earcups in a sturdy, eye-catching design. There’s also an adjustable ambient transparency mode that allows you to hear the outside world.?
    The headphones are a tad heavy at 10.7 ounces (304 grams), but the build quality is top-notch — and it better be considering these are a little pricey at $399. Bowers & Wilkins also makes a more compact on-ear model, the PX5?($300), which is also quite good. But these do sound a little better.
    The sound is rich and detailed, with deep bass that remains well-defined even at high volumes. These are pretty dynamic headphones, with a touch of extra energy in the midhighs. They’re not laid-back like the earlier PX5 Wireless?and their most direct competitor is probably the Sennheiser Momentum 3 model listed above. That Sennheiser is arguably superior for making calls, but this B&W probably wins on design.?
    The PX7 headphones support AAC and aptX, use Bluetooth 5.0, charge via USB-C and have up to 30 hours of battery life at moderate volume levels. The noise canceling isn’t quite at the level of the Bose or Sony in this roundup, but it’s not far off — as I said, it’s improved from the original PX model’s noise cancellation.
    $399 at Amazon
    
    Amazon
    Bang & Olufsen Beoplay H9 (3rd gen)
    Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay H9 headphones don’t get mentioned much in the discussion of top noise-canceling headphones because at $500 (list price), they’re really pricey. The latest third-generation version has been upgraded in a few significant ways that make them better than the earlier H9i model. They’re among the best AirPods Max alternatives. Battery life has been improved to 25 hours, there’s now a dedicated button for your voice assistant, the padding on the ear cushions and headband is cushier and the touch controls have been tweaked. The audio sound is still good.
    $500 at Amazon
    
    Sarah Tew/CNET
    Bose QuietComfort 35 II
    When Bose released its new flagship Noise Cancelling 700 Headphones it didn’t drop the QuietComfort 35 II from its headphone lineup, and these remain a top noise-canceling AirPods Max alternative. While I think the 700 performs better overall, there are people who prefer the QuietComfort 35 II. These headphones frequently go on sale for less than the retail price, so definitely look for them at a discount if you want to buy them.
    
    

Read our Bose QuietComfort 35 II review.
    


    $276 at Amazon
    $229 at eBay
    $300 at GameStop
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