When the AirPods Max launched in 2020, we lauded Apple's entrant to the over-ear headphones scene, giving them an Award in 2021. What we didn't realise was this was a case of one and done.
Because despite a very minor refresh in 2024, Apple has left the AirPods Max well alone. Meanwhile newer models have pushed the envelope for design, features, active noise cancellation (ANC) and sound quality. So if you're looking for an alternative to the AirPods Max, we can't blame you.
- Read all about the AirPods Max 2
- AirPods Max vs AirPods Max (2024): what's the difference?
23rd January 2026: We've replaced the original Bose QC Ultra Headphones with the 2nd Gen model, and the B&W Px7 S3 with the Sennheiser HDB 630. We've also made a couple of changes to the 'Also consider' section (see the 'Recent updates' section for full details).
I have 20 years' experience writing about headphones, and still remember my first Bose QC2s, complete with AAA battery. While Apple might dominate many categories, its headphones face fierce competition from more established industry rivals. That's truer than ever with the AirPods Max – unless you're an Apple diehard, chances are you'll be better served by one of the below.
The best AirPods Max alternatives we recommend in 2026
Why you can trust What Hi-Fi? Our expert team reviews products in dedicated test rooms, to help you make the best choice for your budget. Find out more about how we test.
Best overall
The latest AirPods Max update did nothing to improve the headphones' sound quality, which left the door wide open for Sony. The Award-winning XM6 don't only step through it, they rip it off its hinges and throw it out of the window.
They sound even better than their Award-winning predecessors, which sounded very good indeed.
“The way the headphones draw the edges of strings feels like they are extracting every ounce of information possible, leaving nothing left in the tank,” we wrote in our Sony WH-1000XM6 review.
The XM6 improve the dynamics and the sense of expression, and they uncover more texture and fine detail. And all aided by a sound field that’s as open as we’ve heard from a pair of wireless headphones at this price.
Noise cancellation is also improved (and it was already better than the AirPods Max's) thanks to the adaptive NC optimiser, which constantly adapts to changes in your environment as you move.
The design has been improved too – the earcups now fold into a ball for easy transporting, and they're more comfortable for long listening sessions. And they feature some tech borrowed from Sony's high-end Walkman portable music players.
Add to this that they build on an already very solid foundation in the form of the XM5, and you have true all-rounders that are a very worthy alternative to Apple's finest.
Read the full Sony WH-1000XM6 review
Best noise cancelling
By the time the original AirPods Max launched in 2020, Bose had been making over-ear headphones for decades. The US brand also invented active noise cancellation (ANC) technology. So if you want a pair of ANC headphones as alternatives to the AirPods Max, the QC Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are your best bet.
The latest model improves on the first-generation model in a few ways. You can listen to them wired over USB-C, the battery life has been extended to 30 hours, and their Immersive Audio mode has been upgraded with a new 'Cinema' option for movie watching (by far the best implementation of spatial audio tech, in our view).
Bose has also improved the noise cancellation and sound quality, too. The ANC now kicks in quicker to nullify sudden loud noises from outside in Aware mode – switch on the vacuum, and the ANC wastes no time in getting to work so you can still hear your music.
And while the 2nd Gen might have the same processor and sonic profile as the first, there are some small but significant gains that boost them in the all-important area of sound quality. They sound clearer and more detailed, while also more solid and musically tighter than their predecessors.
Playing Charli xcx’s Von dutch, the Bose make "synths surge with low-end texture and impetus, the beat pulsates with snap and crispness. It’s the same pleasingly smooth, bass-rich character Bose has long favoured, simply more insightful and precise than ever before," we wrote in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review.
Like all non-Apple headphones, they also work just as well with Android devices as iOS ones – handy if you switch mobile operating systems. For the ultimate in noise cancellation, look no further.
Read our full Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review
See how the 1st Gen model compares to Apple's over-ears: Bose QC Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) vs AirPods Max
Best battery life
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are massively superior to the AirPods Max in one regard, and quite inferior in another.
It's the build quality that doesn't match up, which was a surprise, given that the Momentum 3 Wireless were pure luxury. But next to Apple's finest, they look positively cheap.
So how are they superior? Battery life. At a staggering 60 hours, it's twice what some rivals offer, and three times the AirPods Max's.
They launched at a cheaper price than their predecessors as well, making them substantially more affordable than the AirPods Max. With household budgets still feeling the pinch after years of runaway inflation, that's quite a selling point.
They also support aptX Adaptive – one of the highest-quality Bluetooth codecs around – cementing their position as a premium pair of cans.
ANC, meanwhile, is of a decent standard, while wired listening doesn't require your cans to have any juice left, meaning you can simply plug them into the source and keep on listening if the battery runs flat and you can't get to a charger.
The Momentum 4 might not blow you away in terms of looks, but this is a sonic win for Sennheiser. The sound presentation is clear and direct in a way that commands your attention, with the Momentum 4 feeling sharp and sprightly, with an added leanness that doesn't come at the expense of substance across the frequencies.
They may not lead the field here, but if you're after the cheapest of the premium rivals to the AirPods Max, the Sennheisers are a solid alternative.
Read the full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review
Best for audiophiles
Even over five years since their debut in December 2020, the AirPods Max still sound very good. But if you're looking for an alternative that provides audiophile levels of performance from a wireless pair, Sennheiser has the answer.
The HDB 630 sound so great principally because of a neat accessory that comes with them. Once plugged into your device, it enables said device to support the same high-quality Bluetooth codec as the headphones themselves. So no longer will your overpowered headphones be fed by an underpowered smartphone.
Using the accessory, your phone will support aptX Adaptive, as do the Sennheisers. Which will give you hi-res 24bit/96kHz listening.
The result? A significant boost to clarity and solidity, as we found in our Sennheiser HDB 630 review. "These are wonderfully smooth and natural sounding headphones, full of shape and dynamism across the frequency range," we wrote.
Listening to Christine And The Queens' Mountains (we met), there's a ton of midrange texture to the vocals, while the presentation is dynamic yet precise. There's plenty of scale, but it all remains musically cohesive, making for "the most informative and entertaining sound we’ve heard from wireless headphones at this price." High praise.
They even match the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless' 60-hour battery life – though that drops to 45 hours when using the dongle.
Wired listening comes courtesy of USB-C and 3.5mm connections. Both cables come bundled in the box.
The noise cancellation is the only real disappointment. Not that it's bad, it's just surpassed by plenty of rivals. It does isolate you well enough, but others are more successful when it comes to muting the world beyond the earcups.
But audiophiles will still find plenty to like about these genuine AirPods Max alternatives.
Read the full Sennheiser HDB 630 review
Best for luxury
You want eye-catching wireless cans that make a mighty impression before you've even clamped them over your noggin? Say hello to the Focal Bathys.
Focal’s entrance into the burgeoning premium Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones market wasn't exactly a surprise considering its presence at the premium end of the wired space, but we're still pretty knocked out by the success of its first foray.
The gorgeous-looking Bathys are highly recommended for anyone after the convenience of portability in a premium pair of headphones at this price, earning a five-star recommendation and plenty of fans along the way.
The wireless headphone performance is among the most engaging we have heard at this level, offering space and breadth with plenty of aggression, spark and passion, too. If you want them to double up as home headphones for longer listening stints, which they are more than comfortable enough to wear for, know that going wired via the built-in DAC/USB-C port does add a degree of refinement and tightness to the delivery.
They do need power to be listened to, even with wires, so just bear that in mind if you're taking them out and about.
Noise cancellation is fairly non-intrusive to the performance, too, and if you need it – as we did on two flights during testing – it does a decent job of diminishing distracting outside world noise from your music listening in ‘Silent’ mode.
Overall, a spectacular pair of premium wireless headphones that signal Focal's intentions pretty clearly in this market. Watch out, Apple!
They have since been surpassed by the Award-winning (and pricier) Bathys Mg (see the 'Also consider' section). But the original Bathys are much closer to the AirPods Max in terms of price.
Read the full Focal Bathys review
Also consider
The best (other) AirPods Max alternatives we've tested:
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 (S2): The AirPods Max have pretty much stood still, while other models continue to evolve. The Px8 S2 might be pricier than the Max, but they're worth every penny, with a luxurious feel and impressively spacious audio.
Shure Aonic 50: Shure's first wireless headphones are very good, but do have room for improvement. They dig up an outstanding level of detail with a solid low end, but the carry case is as bad as the AirPods Max's, and the noise cancelling pales in comparison to the best around.
Dali IO-8: A previous 'best audiophile' entry, the IO-8 sound clean, crisp and detailed, with expressive dynamics and a pleasingly rhythmic drive. Battery life and build quality are also terrific, though the controls could be more responsive.
Sony WH-1000XM5: The XM5 won a What Hi-Fi? Award three years running, and deservedly so. Great sound, excellent design and superior noise cancellation make these fantastic all-rounders. And now the XM6 are here, the chances of a deal are high.
Focal Bathys Mg: If money is no object, the Bathys MG are for you. They take wireless headphones to a whole new level with impeccable build quality and a wonderfully balanced sound.
How to choose
Chief among the AirPods Max's skills are wireless connectivity and active noise cancelling (ANC). So any alternative you're looking at will have to offer both of those.
Wireless connectivity means the cans will need a battery, and ANC is a real battery drain. The AirPods Max manage 20 hours of run time before needing a recharge. Look for at least a similar battery life from any alternative headphones on your shortlist, though nowadays most are closer to 30 hours, and certain pairs hit 60!
While we're on noise cancelling, some pairs have gradients of noise cancelling, and some just have two settings: on or off. What's best for you really depends on how much you'll use the noise cancelling, and in which situations.
As well as noise cancelling, Apple's on-ears offer a transparency mode, which allows in outside sound. It's handy if you'd like to hear a station announcement, or to have a quick chat with a friend or colleague, and don't want to take your headphones off.
Lots of other headphones have the same feature, but it can come under different names (like talk through).
How we test
We test most products in our state-of-the-art testing rooms, but AirPods Max alternatives are a little different. One of their main selling points is noise cancellation, and you can't test that in a quiet room.
Instead we head out into the field, using them on packed trains, in crowded pubs, down busy streets and in chatty offices. Like all products we test, we use them as if we had bought them in order to see how they really perform.
We don't take manufacturers' claims at face value, but test every aspect of the headphones ourselves. Does the battery life match what the maker claims? How does call quality fare? We download any partnering mobile apps and control the headphones that way, and of course consider comfort and ease of use during our long listening sessions.
We always compare AirPods Max alternatives to rival headphones in their price bracket, as testing in isolation is like wearing blinkers. Our stock room is packed with the best headphones of all makes and styles from the last few years, so we're never short of comparison pairs.
And with over 100 years of experience between us, our reviews team is one of the most seasoned in the business.
We pool that knowledge on every review, agreeing all verdicts as a team rather than allowing one member to have solely their say on a product. That way we avoid personal preference and make sure we haven't missed anything.
We aren't guided by PR companies or sales people when it comes to how many stars we award, and we never have been. We're proud of the reputation we've built over nearly 50 years as the home of honest, accessible and unbiased reviews – our only goal is to help you buy the best kit possible for your budget.
For more, check out our how we review page.
F.A.Q
Are any headphones better than the AirPods Max?
Yes they are. The AirPods Max may have widened the market for wireless headphones, creating a new level above the then industry leaders, but plenty of rivals have since stepped in to challenge them. All of the above pairs work better with Android devices than the AirPods Max, some have better noise cancellation and some sound better too.
What is the Android equivalent of AirPods Max?
There's not one Android equivalent, but all of the above offer the same features to Android users as to iOS. Which is not something that's matched by the AirPods Max.
Are AirPods Max even good?
It depends. For Apple users, they're pretty great. But if you don't use an iOS device, you won't be able to use all their features. That's a lot of money to spend without reaping the full benefit. In that case, you might be better off with one of the AirPods Max alternatives suggested here.
When are AirPods Max 2 coming out?
They're out now! The 2024 model is more of a refresh than a proper sequel – the only initial changes were new colour schemes and a USB-C port in place of the Lightning one. But Apple subsequently added lossless playback and wired listening.
Recent updates
- 23rd January 2026: Replaced the Bose QC Ultra Headphones with the recently reviewed 2nd Gen model, and the B&W Px7 S3 with the Sennheiser HDB 630. Replaced the B&W Px8 with the Px8 S2 in 'Also consider'. Removed the Mark Levinson No. 5909 from 'Also consider' as they are no longer on sale.
- 4th November 2025: Replaced Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 with Focal Bathys MG in 'Also consider'. Updated intro to mention recent headphone launches. Added 'What Hi-Fi? Awards winner' line to Sony WH-1000XM6 entry.
- 4th July 2025: Replaced Sony WH-1000XM5 with XM6. Moved XM5 to 'Also consider'.
- 28th April 2025: Replaced Dali IO-8 with Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3. Moved Dali IO-8 to 'Also consider'.
- 11th February 2025: Replaced Mark Levinson No. 5909 with Dali IO-8. Moved Mark Levinson No. 5909 to 'Also consider'.
- 12th December 2024: Updated intro. Added link to our 'how we test and review headphones' page. Mentioned the recent Mark Levinson No. 5909 price cut.
- 23rd September 2024: Updated intro to focus on new model of AirPods Max. Removed duplicate headings in The Quick List section. Edited Q&A to mention 2024 refresh of AirPods Max.
- 22nd July 2024: Updated intro to reflect new rival models and updated advice in How to Choose section.
- 10th May 2024: Updated the intro and edited one of the FAQs.
- 1st March 2024: Updated our advice and testing process, and removed B&W Px8 and B&W Px7 S2 entries from the main list.
- 18th September 2023: Added Focal Bathys and Mark Levinson No. 5909 to the main list.
Today's best AirPods Max alternatives deals
