Best AirPods Max alternatives: My top picks under $300 right now

Bose QuietComfort headphones held up against a blue sky

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Yup, the AirPods Max are a very good pair of headphones. They sound great, block out loads of noise, and they have one of the best control methods of any pair of over-ear headphones in the form of an Apple Watch-style dial. There's one massive hitch though — and that's the price. At $549, the AirPods Max are one of the more expensive pairs of headphones that you can buy.

Thankfully, there are some great ways to save money on headphones at the moment, thanks in part to some great post-Christmas deals on a range of different cans. There's the Sony WH-1000XM5, which are $299 at Amazon at the moment, with $100 off. Or, if you want something that's still made by Apple, then the Beats Studio Pro for $169 at Amazon could well be a solid alternative.

Remember that these low prices that bring them under that $300 bracket are in some cases discounted — so you'll want to be quick to get the best prices. There are more great options out there as well. Let's take a look.

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While not the same level as the AirPods Max, the 1More SonoFlow Pro are a great pair of budget noise-canceling headphones. They sound great for the price; they're very comfortable for long periods; and they even include a much better case than Apple's most expensive headphones. Their excellent 65-hour battery life is another highlight — that's more than any of the other headphones on the list. This $18 discount brings them down to an even more affordable price.

Bose's mid-range noise cancellers bring excellent ANC to a lower price than the AirPods Max. That doesn't mean you don't get a great pair of cans, of course: The QuietComfort headphones still sound great, and fit well for long periods of time. They fold up small as well, and come packed with a great hard case. We gave them a 4-star review thanks to the improved battery life. This deal brings them down to their lowest price ever.

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Tammy and her generous collection of headphones have found a new home — Tom's Guide! After a two-and-a-half-year stint as iMore's resident audiophile, Tammy's reviews and buying guide expertise have more focus than ever on Tom's Guide, helping buyers find the audio gear that works best for them. Tammy has worked with some of the most desirable audio brands on the planet in her time writing about headphones, speakers, and more, bringing a consumer focussed approach to critique and buying advice. Away from her desk, you'll probably find her in the countryside writing (extremely bad) poetry, or putting her screenwriting Masters to good use creating screenplays that'll never see the light of day.