We Tested the Best AirPods Max Dupes and Alternatives in 2025
Spoiler: You might save hundreds of dollars.
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At some point in the past couple of years, the AirPods Max (yes, the gigantic Apple headphones that all the cool kids wear) simultaneously exploded into both fashion and tech world fame. Maybe it happened when Timothée Chalamet ditched the analog earbuds and started strutting the streets of New York City in his AirPods Max, or was it when Etsy sellers started making crochet covers and custom AirPods skins in droves? Doesn’t matter exactly what the tipping point was—at some point, the AirPods Max went from regular headphones to high-tech fashion status symbol.
And before you say that they’re a looks-only deal, I can confirm that the AirPods Max are genuinely good headphones that live up to their $549 price tag. If that isn’t in the budget—understandable, considering most of us aren’t tech editors or oil heiresses—you might be wondering if there are any AirPods Max dupes or alternatives that come close. Well, after testing out several pairs of high-end and budget-friendly headphones that the internet loves, I put together a list of the best AirPods Max dupes that actually hold up to or even surpass the O.G.s in terms of comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation, audio customization, and more—let’s deep-dive together, shall we?
Our top picks for the best AirPods Max dupes in 2025
Pros
- pairs seamlessly with all Apple devices
- large, comfortable ear cups
- wide range of cute color options
- gorgeous, clear sound
Cons
- some people say these put pressure on the temples
- the case they come in is a little flimsy/not protective
If you were hoping I'd say that the O.G. AirPods Max weren't worth it, I'm sorry. They're amazing. So sleek. The sound quality? Impeccable. If you thought that "That's So True" by Gracie Abrams hit before, just wait until you listen with these bad boys—it's like a personal concert for your ears only. I also love that you can either use the noise cancellation capabilities or turn on transparency mode, which is a gamechanger for my anxieties about getting jumped while wearing headphones in public.
I also fear that as someone who's wearing earrings 24/7, the oversized earpads have spoiled me—no more dealing with metal posts being smushed into my ears just so I can listen to a podcast on my way to work. Ond on top of that, they double as earmuffs in this arctic freeze/polar vortex/ungodly cold winter.
- Price point: $$$$
- Noise cancellation: Transparency, noise cancellation, off
- Comfort level: Very comfortable with some weight
- Color options: 10 options
- Charger cord: Lightning and USB-C
Pros
- folds up conveniently
- comes in a protective case
- excellent noise cancellation
- really nice sound quality
Cons
- can't change noise cancellation settings in your phone control center
- smaller ear cup
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a great luxe option—everything from the case to the cushions to the sound quality makes it clear. These also have the best noise cancellation out of all of the options I tested, making them an excellent alternative to the AirPods Max for anyone who travels a lot—the loud drone of an airplane engine or commuter train won't stand a chance. They're not quite as earring friendly but super comfortable, and they boast the same three active noise cancelling (or ANC) features as the AirPods Max as well as the ability to automatically pause music when you remove them and automatically restart music when you put them back on.
- Price point: $$$$
- Noise cancellation: Quiet, aware, and immersion modes
- Comfort level: Comfortable and light
- Color options: 5 options
- Charger cord: USB-C
Pros
- great price point
- bilateral, high-quality sound
- on-headphone buttons for ending a call
- Siri-compatible
- good noise cancellation options
Cons
- slightly more compressive fit
IMO, with the Beats Studio Pros, you get the AirPods Max features everyone loves (like spacial audio, ANC, and high-quality, sleek materials) and a reasonable price tag, especially if they're on sale. The set-up on my iPhone was seamless, the transparency is really quite good, and I love the dimensional, bilateral (aka different things playing in each ear) sound. They're also more of a traditional headphones shape if you dislike the big, rectangular statement look of the AirPods Max. I'd seriously consider these if price is a factor for you—they're an excellent, affordable option that offers a lot of the same features as the AirPods Max for a fraction of the price.
- Price point: $$
- Noise cancellation: Transparency, noise cancellation, off
- Comfort level: Hefty yet comfortable
- Color options: 8 options, including the Kim Kardashian collab
- Charger cord: USB-C
Pros
- extremely customizable sound via app
- comes in a protective case
- lightweight
- compatible with Alexa
Cons
- you have to download the Sony app to change the noise cancellation settings on your phone
- slightly bulky silhouette
The AirPods Max connect so seamlessly into the Apple ecosystem, but if you're more of the Android type, you miss out on some features (like Siri connectivity and spacial audio)—so save some money and go for the Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones. They have multipoint pairing that allows them to stay connected to two devices at once, and work nicely with Windows computers and other non-Apple devices.
As far as looks, I fear these are a little chunky because of how 3D the cups are, and the transparency mode still feels a little muffled, but the actual sound quality is really nice for listening to music. You can also have the Google Assistant announce what time it is on the hour—random, but useful!
- Price point: $$$
- Noise cancellation: Transparency, noise cancellation, off
- Comfort level: Comfortable and lightweight
- Color options: 4 options
- Charger cord: USB-C
Pros
- long battery life and rapid charging
- extremely customizable sound via app
- has an on/off button
- great sound quality
- very lightweight
Cons
- slightly muffled sound on calls, picks up on more background noise
If you're prone to tension headaches, you know the struggle of having to pop an Advil or two after wearing headphones for a few hours. That won't be the case with these lightweight Sonos Ace headphones that Jasmine Hyman, Assistant Beauty Editor, calls "the best over-ear headphones I've ever owned." "They're super cushion-y and the sound quality is A+++++," she continues, "and the noise cancellation option makes them ideal for hectic commutes and the office."
The Sonos Ace offer a really crisp sound experience, too, and if you're fancy/an aspiring DJ/love to nerd out on audio, you'll like the fact that you can mess around with sound settings (like bass levels or right/left sound balance) in their app.
- Price point: $$$
- Noise cancellation: Noise cancellation, aware, off
- Comfort level: Extra light and comfy
- Color options: 2 options
- Charger cord: USB-C
Pros
- very lightweight
- charges quickly
- compact
Cons
- no noise cancellation
- much smaller ear cups
I reviewed these headphones as part of the testing process, and in full transparency, I wouldn't consider these a "dupe" of the AirPods Max. They don't boast the same luxe feel or noise-cancelling features that we love about the APM. But if you're not married to a bunch of snazzy extras, this lightweight, basic pair will do the trick. It's a budget option for sure, but the audio quality itself is pretty good and they're compact for travel purposes, which is why I'd recommend them for anyone looking for a simple pair of headphones.
- Price point: $
- Noise cancellation: N/A
- Comfort level: Extra light with small ear pads
- Color options: 4 options
- Charger cord: USB-C
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