Apple’s full-size noise-canceling headphones, AirPods Max, are incredible high-tech, luxury-priced headphones with some notable design.
The feature traits, including Apple’s spatial audio virtual surround for iOS devices. It helps distinguish them from the host of other premium noise-canceling headphones on the market.
The AirPods Max has sensors for detecting when the headphones are on your head. Now, you may buy AirPods Max alternatives.
Here are some of the best noise-canceling headphones compared to the AirPods Pro Max.
Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
Bose noise-canceling QuietComfort Earbuds are excellent true wireless earbuds, particularly when it comes to their sound and noise canceling, which is arguably the best out there right now in a set of earbuds. In performance, they have a leg up on Apple’s best-selling AirPods Pro actual wireless noise-canceling buds. However, 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.
Apple AirPods Pro
The Apple AirPods Pro still manages to be a great pair of true-wireless earphones with noise cancellation. That’s mainly due to their winning design and fit, improved bass performance, and effective noise-canceling, and it only works with iPhones and iPads running iOS 14. So they’re an excellent choice when you want to make a call or listen to music during your workout.
Anker SoundCore Life Q30
As far as sound, convenience level, and build quality, you’d be hard-pressed to do agreeably than Anker’s SoundCore Life Q30 for the money. It doesn’t have the clarity or definition of bass as some of the top premium models. However, it’s smaller than a third of the price. So it gets you about 75% of the way there in terms of sound. Noise-canceling is good for the price. Battery life is rated at an outstanding 40 hours with USB-C charging. The only site where the Q30 drops slightly is for voice calls.
Anker SoundCore Life Q20
Anker SoundCore Life Q20 headphones are arguably the best value in the class of noise-canceling headphones. Not only do these over-ear headphones sound pretty respectable 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. The noise cancellation is acceptably adequate, and they’re solid as a headset for making calls. Battery life is acceptable at 40 hours.
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
Microsoft noise-canceling Surface Headphones 2 were released earlier in 2020, and the most noteworthy change from their predecessor is the price. Like the foremost, there’s a bunch to like about this second-gen model. It’s pretty good but not stellar; the combination of some minor design tweaks, better battery life, upgraded Bluetooth, and the new lower price helps bump their rating up and make them more recommendable. In addition, their multipoint Bluetooth pairing capability allows you to pair them with two devices simultaneously, such as a computer and a phone, and quickly switch the audio from each device to the headphones.
Sony WH-1000XM4
The WH-1000XM4 model has enhanced in that area and counts multipoint Bluetooth pairing so you can connect to two devices simultaneously. Unfortunately, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 probably still have a slight edge for voice calls. Still, the 1000XM4 headphones are arguably a tad more comfortable and have some minor improvements to noise cancellation and sound, making this model a great all-around choice.
Jabra Elite 85h
Jabra’s Elite 85h has been out for a while and continually goes on sale, dropping to as low as $150 at times. Overall, it’s a fantastic noise-canceling headphone that features good noise-canceling and sound quality. In addition, they’re comfortable to wear and work well as a headset for making calls—worth a look when they’re discounted.
Sennheiser 450BT
The new headphone model is called 450BT. It has notable upgrades, including more useful battery life, USB-C charging, Bluetooth 5.0 with AptX support for devices like the Samsung Galaxy smartphones that support it, and better comfortable earpads. The 450BT headphones don’t have quite the clearness or bass definition of Sennheiser’s Momentum Wireless 3 headphones. Still, they are priced much less and deliver excellent, well-balanced sound that’s easy to listen to for long periods. It is a more affordable option that’s well built and has premium sound. The headphones tuck up to fit into an enclosed soft carrying case.
Shure Aonic 50
Having a very clean-sounding headphone and neutral sound profile, the well-built Shure Aonic 50 is a noise-canceling headphone. The treble is clear and articulate. The bass is well-defined but may be underpowered for those who desire more oomph. The noise-canceling is good but not quite up to the top noise-canceling models from Bose and Sony. The headphones fold flat. They’re a bit hefty.
Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700
The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 is a long-awaited beneficiary to Bose’s QuietComfort 35 II model. It may not be a quantum jump forward. Still, these headphones offer slightly better sound and noise cancellation along with top-notch headset performance for voice calls. Moreover, they’re a solid all-around audio performer with up to 20 hours of battery life and a more durable design than their predecessor.
Sennheiser Momentum 3
Sennheiser has spun up with its latest Momentum 3 Wireless headphones, and they earn some attention, especially from fans of the Momentum line. Not only does this model feature enhanced noise-canceling features and excellent sound and audio, but it also serves well as a headset for making calls. It has nicely padded earcups covered with sheep leather and had no trouble rocking them for a two-hour music listening session.