If you can live without deep iOS integration and polished design, you could save hundreds on premium headphones. At $549, the AirPods Max ranks among the most expensive reviewed, but affordable alternatives offer strong performance with minor sacrifices.
The Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro at $200 costs less than half of the AirPods Max 2. You lose deep iOS integration and premium build for plastic construction, but gain a lightweight design with Thus AI chip powering ANC, voice quality, and Hear ID sound. Eight sensors handle noise cancellation decently, and six microphones ensure clear calls. Physical controls replace touch panels, plus multipoint Bluetooth and 30 hours of battery life.
The Bose Quiet Comfort Headphones (2nd gen) at $359 deliver Bose's renowned noise-blocking with Cinema Mode and Immersive Audio spatial sound. Saving nearly $200 over AirPods Max 2, these offer solid performance despite the Ultra model sounding better.
For workouts, the Beats 360 provides IPX4 sweat resistance with one-touch pairing, automatic device switching, Audio Sharing, Find My compatibility, and Siri access. It lasts up to 12 hours longer than previous Beats models.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing