3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2

The AirPods Max 2 are excellent headphones. They sound decent, deliver some of the best ANC around, and if you live entirely in Apple’s ecosystem, the seamless switching between your iPhone, MacBook, and iPad is hard to beat.

But they’re also expensive, surprisingly heavy, and still come with a travel case that offers hardly any protection.

The good news is you don’t have to spend AirPods Max money to get a premium experience. Whether you want class-leading ANC, broader device compatibility, longer battery life, or simply more value for your money, these are the three headphones I’d buy instead.

Sony WH-1000XM6 ($449.99, often on sale)

If someone asked me to recommend a premium pair of over-ear headphones without knowing what devices they used, the Sony WH-1000XM6 would be my answer.

Sony continues to lead the pack in active noise canceling, making the XM6 an easy choice for frequent travelers, commuters, or anyone who simply wants to tune out the world. Sound quality is another step forward over the previous generation, offering a full-sounding default tuning while still giving you one of the best companion apps around. If you like to tweak your sound, the 10-band EQ makes it easy.

The XM6 also beats the AirPods Max 2 in a few practical ways. In our testing, battery life exceeded 37 hours, nearly double what Apple promises. Add in support for LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3, and Auracast, and the XM6 is a much better fit if you switch between Android devices, Windows PCs, or simply want more wireless flexibility.

That said, the Sony WH-1000XM6 isn’t perfect. It still lacks USB-C digital audio, and the ear pads may feel a little shallow for some listeners. But if you want a premium pair of headphones that excels at just about everything without locking you into a single ecosystem, it’s hard to think of a better all-around choice.

• Why I’d buy it: The Sony WH-1000XM6 strikes the best balance of ANC, sound quality, battery life, and cross-platform compatibility.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless ($399)

Almost all wireless headphones are treated like disposable electronics. Once the battery starts losing capacity after a few years, your only real option is to replace the entire headset.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless, however, takes a different approach. Its user-replaceable battery lets you swap in a new cell when the original eventually wears out, dramatically extending the lifespan of your headphones. Sennheiser even includes a battery protection mode that limits charging to help preserve long-term battery health. It’s one of the few flagship headphones that genuinely feels designed with longevity in mind.

It doesn’t stop there. The MOMENTUM 5 Wireless supports Bluetooth 5.4 with aptX Adaptive, Snapdragon Sound, USB-C digital audio, and a traditional 3.5mm cable, giving you more ways to connect than the AirPods Max 2. Battery life is another highlight, with Sennheiser claiming over 50 hours of playback with ANC enabled, more than enough for even the longest travel days.

While the ANC isn’t quite as class-leading as Sony’s or Apple’s best, the default tuning also leans a little bass-heavy out of the box. Thankfully, the companion app makes it easy to personalize the sound to your liking. Those compromises are easy to overlook if you’re the kind of person who keeps headphones for years. With its replaceable battery and long list of modern features, the MOMENTUM 5 Wireless is one of the smartest premium headphone purchases you can make.

• Why I’d buy it: The replaceable battery and long feature list make the MOMENTUM 5 one of the most future-proof headphones you can buy.

Nothing Headphone (1) ($299)

If you’re tired of every premium headphone looking the same, the Nothing Headphone (1) is worth a look. Its retro-inspired transparent design stands out in a category dominated by understated Sony, Bose, and Apple headphones. The best part is that the unique design doesn’t come at the expense of features. At around $300, it delivers a genuinely premium experience for hundreds less than the AirPods Max 2.

It also packs features you don’t often see together. Battery life reaches nearly 43 hours with ANC enabled in our testing, while support for USB-C audio, a 3.5mm connection, LDAC, and an IP52 rating make it one of the most versatile premium over-ear headphones available. That IP rating alone is something you’ll struggle to find on competing flagship models.

But what really won me over is the user experience. The physical volume roller and paddle controls are a welcome change from finicky touch gestures, and the companion app offers one of the most customizable listening experiences around, complete with a parametric EQ and Personal Sound. The default tuning is a little dark, but a quick EQ adjustment unlocks a headphone that’s as fun to use as it is to look at.

• Why I’d buy it: It looks unlike anything else, offers one of the most customizable listening experiences around, and delivers flagship features for about half the price of the AirPods Max 2.

Whichever AirPods Max 2 complaint you have, one of these three fixes it.