Looking for the best Apple AirPods Max alternatives in 2025? You’re not alone. While Apple’s premium headphones deliver fantastic sound and top-tier noise cancellation, their steep price tag makes many buyers think twice. Thankfully, several newer models from brands like Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, and Sonos are stepping up with equally impressive—and in some cases, even better—features. That makes them the best Apple AirPods Max alternative.
Take the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3, which delivers richer sound than the AirPods Max, or the Sonos Ace, offering Dolby Head Tracking for a truly immersive audio experience. The Bose QC Ultra Headphones stand strong with world-class ANC, comfort, and long battery life, while budget-friendly options like the Cleer Enduro ANC prove you don’t need to overspend for premium performance.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the top AirPods Max Alternatives for 2025, highlighting their design, comfort, features, noise-canceling performance, audio quality, and call handling.
Easy Links
| Headphones | Best For | Why They’re Great | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 | Best Overall | Premium sound quality, excellent noise cancellation, and stunning design—without the $550 AirPods Max price tag. | Check Amazon |
| Cleer Enduro ANC | Best Value | Budget-friendly yet powerful, offering impressive ANC and surprisingly strong sound performance for the price. | Check Amazon |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless | Best Battery Life | A massive 60-hour battery (triple that of AirPods Max), combined with great audio and solid ANC. | View on Amazon |
The Finest Overall Apple AirPods Max Alternative
Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3
- Weight: 10.5 ounces
- Battery Life (Rated): 30 hours
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, AptX Adaptive
- ANC: Yes
- Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Best Deals: Check Amazon
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Sleek and slim new design | ANC isn’t quite as strong as Sony and Bose rivals |
| Balanced, detailed, and powerful sound | Some advanced features were launched later via updates |
| Strong bass performance | |
| Lightweight and extremely comfortable | |
| Comes with one of the best hard cases on the market |
Why It’s a Great AirPods Max Alternative?
Apple’s AirPods Max are known for their premium build and sound—but the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 delivers an equally luxurious experience for less. With high-end styling that’s more subtle than Apple’s bold design and a lower price tag, the PX7 S3 instantly makes a strong case as the best overall competitor.
Comfort is a major win here: the plush padding and vegan leather finish make them more wearable for long listening sessions than Apple’s heavier earcups. While the noise cancellation doesn’t quite match the absolute best from Sony or Bose, it’s on par with what AirPods Max delivers.
But the real standout is sound quality. The PX7 S3 delivers exceptional detail, punchy bass, and an intimate, immersive listening experience. Although the soundstage is a bit less expansive than some competitors, the clarity and warmth more than make up for it—easily outperforming even Bowers & Wilkins’ pricier PX8 in some areas.
Battery life is another big win: 30 hours per charge compared to the AirPods Max’s 20 hours. Add to this a protective case that’s leagues ahead of Apple’s infamous “Smart Case,” and you’ve got a well-rounded, premium package—at about $100 less than Apple’s flagship headphones.
In short, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 offers better sound, longer battery life, and improved comfort, making it the top choice for anyone seeking an AirPods Max alternative in 2025.
The Most Suitable Apple AirPods Max Alternative for ANC
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
- Weight: 8.96 ounces
- Battery Life (Rated): 24 hours (18 hours with Immersive Audio)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, Multipoint
- ANC: Yes (Best-ever active noise cancellation)
- Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Best Deals: Check Amazon
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Industry-leading ANC that effectively silences outside noise | Higher price compared to most competitors |
| Immersive Audio technology for an engaging listening experience | Battery life is decent but middling for a flagship |
| Intuitive touch controls for seamless usability | |
| Lightweight, modernized design built for long listening comfort |
Why It’s a Great AirPods Max Alternative?
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones set a new standard for active noise cancellation, making them the best ANC headphones on the market and an excellent Apple AirPods Max alternative. Building on the success of the Bose 700, this model introduces Immersive Audio tech and enhanced features such as Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint support and aptX Adaptive for superior connectivity.
Designed to be light and comfortable for extended wear, these headphones provide multiple noise-cancelation levels alongside Aware mode (transparency) to suit various environments. Although their battery life offers up to 24 hours—slightly less than some flagship rivals—they balance this with practical design improvements and smoother control operation.
For those seeking class-leading noise cancellation and modern conveniences combined in a stylish, high-performance headphone, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra stands out as a remarkably strong alternative to Apple’s AirPods Max in 2025.
Best Value Apple AirPods Max Alternative
Cleer Enduro ANC
- Weight: 10.6 ounces
- Battery Life (Rated): 60 hours (ANC on)
- Bluetooth Range: 50 feet (15 meters)
- ANC: Yes
- Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
- Best Deals: Check Amazon
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Exceptional battery life (60 hours ANC on) | Comfort decreases with extended use |
| Rich, bass-heavy sound with satisfying depth | No spatial (3D) audio support |
| Strong and effective active noise cancellation |
Why are Cleer Enduro ANC the best value than AirPods Max?
The Cleer Enduro ANC headphones stand out as the best budget-friendly noise-cancelling headphone option in 2025, delivering excellent value compared to Apple's AirPods Max. Its standout feature is an impressive 60-hour battery life with ANC active, tripling the longevity of many flagship models.
The headphones offer versatile features such as adjustable ambient listening, EQ customization, Google Fast Pair, and NFC, and include a 3.5mm cable for high-resolution audio support. The sound profile is bass-rich, providing a deep and immersive listening experience that complements its highly effective noise cancellation—a perfect companion for blocking out distractions during music or podcasts.
While not quite as comfortable as premium rivals or equipped with 3D spatial audio, the Enduro ANC makes a compelling case for consumers seeking practical, long-lasting performance at a more affordable price point than the AirPods Max.
Apple AirPods Max Alternative With Stunning Battery Life with ANC
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones
- Weight: 10.3 ounces
- Battery Life (Rated): Up to 60 hours (with ANC)
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive
- ANC: Yes
- Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Best Deals: Check Amazon
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Spectacular battery life up to 60 hours with ANC | Earpads may cause ears to feel hot |
| Signature Sennheiser sound with great audio quality | Occasional connectivity issues with the Smart Control app |
| Effective noise-cancelling performance | |
| Reliable and responsive touch controls |
Why It’s a Great AirPods Max Alternative?
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless may have a more understated design compared to its classic predecessor, but its outstanding 60-hour battery life makes it a top contender for wireless headphones in 2025. This longevity allows for extended use without frequent charging, ideal for users constantly on the move.
Sennheiser’s signature smooth sound handles all music genres with ease—from energetic beats to softer melodies—making these headphones versatile for any playlist. Equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 and aptX Adaptive, plus a 3.5mm cable for high-fidelity wired listening, the Momentum 4 offers flexible connectivity.
Its active noise cancellation is efficient, and features like auto Wind Noise Reduction prove practical for daily commuting, delivering a solid all-around experience as a reliable Apple AirPods Max alternative.
AirPods Max Alternative For Working From Home
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2
- Weight: 10.2 ounces
- Battery Life (Rated): 20 hours (ANC on)
- Bluetooth Range: 800 feet (243 meters)
- ANC: Yes
- Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- Best Deals: Check Amazon
| Reasons to Buy | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Adjustable ANC levels | Lower battery life than competitors |
| Pairs with up to 10 devices simultaneously | Surface Audio app lacks advanced features |
| Smart controls with physical dials |
Why It’s a Great Work-From-Home Headphone?
Microsoft Surface Headphones 2 offer a professional and functional option for remote work at a fraction of the cost of AirPods Max. A standout feature is their deep integration with Microsoft 365, enabling real-time voice dictation within Office apps—ideal for those who prefer speaking over typing or need to capture thoughts on the go.
The headphones feature easily accessible dials on each ear cup to adjust volume and noise cancellation quickly, enhancing user convenience. While the battery life of 20 hours with ANC is comparable to Apple AirPods Max, these headphones deliver solid sound quality and practical features at a more affordable price point, making them a worthy choice for home office use.
How to Choose the Best AirPods Max Alternatives?
Choosing the best AirPods Max alternatives is much like selecting the best headphones overall: you want to find the ideal balance of sound quality, comfort, and battery life within your budget.
However, if you’re specifically searching for an Apple AirPods Max alternative, chances are you appreciate something unique about Apple’s headphones. If it’s the features you value, focus on active noise-canceling models. Currently, no non-Apple headphones support spatial audio for video, though many do work with spatial audio in Apple Music.
Design: You might also be drawn to an alternative that mirrors the AirPods Max’s sleek design and style. This is a distinctive attribute where Apple really stands out, and while no other headphones exactly replicate its look, many do offer comparable comfort. Whichever option you pick, ensure the headphones are well-built, portable, and comfortable enough to wear for 1 to 2 hours daily.
Sound Quality: Every model offers a different sound signature. Since your headphones will be your personal music companion, it’s important to choose a pair that matches your sound preference—whether that’s deep bass or crystal-clear detail revealing subtle nuances in recordings. Some headphones feature companion apps that allow you to personalize sound profiles and tweak EQ settings to suit your hearing.
Battery Life: For instance, Sennheiser’s 60-hour battery life impresses many, but most wireless over-ear headphones generally offer about half that on a single charge.
Accessories: It’s frustrating to buy headphones only to find you need to purchase accessories separately. Look for models that include essentials like an aux cable for wired use, a carrying case, a charging cable, a user guide, and extra ear tips or ear cups to ensure you get the full package.
Conclusion
Several experts have tested and reviewed these headphone models, including popular options like the Beats Solo Pro and Sennheiser Accentum Plus, among others. Their evaluations consistently highlight strengths such as advanced noise cancellation, excellent sound quality, and user-friendly features across the board. Whether you prioritize battery life, comfort, or connectivity, these tested models stand out as reliable choices in the competitive wireless headphone market. Exploring expert opinions alongside your personal preferences can help you make an informed decision and find the perfect headphones to elevate your listening experience.
BestViewsReviews helps you find the best single-ear Bluetooth headsets and top-rated earbud headphones on the market by rating and reviewing them on the basis of quality, convenience, and durability. Get unbiased, honest reviews of products before you buy.