Engadget's buying guide argues that the main drawback of Apple's AirPods Max has always been the $549 price, and that shoppers can save hundreds by skipping deep iOS integration and the premium build. The article tests several alternatives, each with different trade-offs in features, design, and cost.
For $200, the Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro is highlighted as the top affordable alternative, offering active noise cancellation, a six-microphone setup, and 30 hours of battery life—but with a plastic build and no Apple-specific tools. The Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd gen) at $359 are praised for best-in-class noise cancellation, while the $299 Fender Mix adds a lossless Bluetooth dongle and 52-hour battery, though its ANC is only respectable. Budget buyers can get the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT for under $100, sacrificing ANC for 60-hour battery life and comfort.
The guide also notes that the Beats 360, at an unspecified price, are the best workout alternative thanks to IPX4 sweat resistance, Apple's H1 chip features like one-touch pairing and Find My, and up to 12 hours more battery than AirPods Max 2 with ANC on. Across all picks, the article stresses that the savings come with real concessions—whether in materials, noise cancellation, or ecosystem features—so buyers should weigh what matters most.