Apple AirPods Max 2 just dropped but these 5 headphones might be the smarter buy

Apple has just unveiled the Apple AirPods Max 2, the long-awaited successor to its premium over-ear headphones, and the announcement arrived with almost no warning.

The new model lands more than five years after the original Apple AirPods Max debuted, bringing upgraded hardware and smarter features to Apple’s flagship cans.

The headphones are powered by Apple’s H2 chip and promise stronger active noise cancellation, improved sound quality, and a range of newer AirPods features, such as Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, and even live translation, as seen on the AirPods Pro 3.

Apple says the new model can deliver up to 1.5-times more effective noise cancellation, thanks to the H2 chip and updated audio processing algorithms.

But while the technology inside has clearly evolved, the price hasn’t become any easier to swallow.

AirPods Max 2 still sit firmly in the luxury headphone category, which means many buyers may wonder whether there are alternatives that offer similar features for less money.

After all, the premium noise-cancelling headphone market has become extremely competitive in recent years.

Brands such as Sony, Bose, Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins now offer models with advanced ANC, spatial audio features and high-resolution audio support that rival Apple’s flagship cans.

If the newly announced AirPods Max 2 feel a little out of reach, or you simply want to see what else is out there, here are some headphones to consider instead.

Sony WH-1000XM6

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are widely considered the closest overall rival to the Apple AirPods Max 2, especially if you prioritise noise cancellation and value.

The brand's flagship over-ears have long been among the best ANC headphones available, and the XM6 continue that trend with excellent noise blocking, strong sound quality and a much lighter design than Apple’s aluminium-built cans. They’re also more travel-friendly thanks to their foldable design.

The XM6 offer around 30 hours of playback with ANC enabled, compared with roughly 20 hours on AirPods Max. They also support additional Bluetooth codecs such as LDAC, which can deliver higher-bitrate wireless audio on compatible devices.

Where the Apple AirPods Max 2 still pull ahead is build quality and Apple ecosystem features like seamless device switching and spatial audio integration.

Price, however, is where Sony really wins. The WH-1000XM6 launched at around £399 in the UK and can already be found closer to £329 at some retailers, making them significantly cheaper than Apple’s premium headphones.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

If noise cancellation is your top priority, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are one of the strongest alternatives to the Apple AirPods Max 2. Bose has built its reputation on active noise cancelling, and the QuietComfort line has long been a benchmark for travellers and commuters.

The headphones are lighter and easier to wear during long listening sessions, while Bose’s ANC system uses microphones both inside and outside the earcups to continuously measure ambient noise and generate an opposing signal to cancel it out.

Bose rates the QC Ultra for up to 24 hours of playback with noise-cancelling enabled, and a quick 15-minute charge can deliver roughly 2.5 hours of listening time if you’re in a hurry.

The headphones also include Bose’s Immersive Audio spatial sound mode, which attempts to create a more three-dimensional listening experience for music and films.

While the QC Ultra launched around £450 in the UK, they can now often be found for closer to £240–£300, depending on the retailer, making them significantly cheaper than Apple’s latest over-ear headphones.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

If sound quality and battery life matter more than brand ecosystem features, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless are one of the most compelling alternatives to the Apple AirPods Max 2.

Sennheiser has a long reputation in the hi-fi world, and the Momentum 4 reflect that heritage with a tuning that leans slightly more “audiophile” than many mainstream ANC headphones.

They use a 42mm driver system designed for detailed, high-fidelity sound, while still offering adaptive active noise cancellation and a transparency mode for hearing your surroundings.

Where the Momentum 4 really stand out, though, is battery life. The headphones last for up to 60 hours of playback on a single charge, which is dramatically longer than most competitors in the category.

They also support Bluetooth 5.2 with codecs such as aptX Adaptive, giving them broader compatibility with high-quality wireless audio than Apple’s headphones, particularly for Android users.

The trade-off is that Sennheiser’s noise cancellation and call performance are generally considered slightly behind the very best from Sony and Bose. But if your priority is sound quality and long listening sessions, they remain an excellent option.

While they launched at around £300, the Momentum 4 can now often be found for £160–£200 in the UK, a fraction of the price of Apple’s flagship headphones.

Sonos Ace

The Sonos Ace are a newer entrant in the premium over-ear category, but they’ve quickly positioned themselves as a serious rival to the Apple AirPods Max 2.

Unlike Sony or Bose, Sonos is better known for home audio, and the Ace reflect that heritage with a strong focus on cinematic sound and spatial audio.

If you own a Sonos soundbar, such as the Arc or Beam, you can wirelessly stream TV audio to your headphones for private listening.

The Ace also support spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and Dolby Atmos, aiming to create a more immersive listening experience for films and music.

Sonos says the Ace has up to 30 hours of playback with active noise cancellation enabled, putting them in the same range as Sony’s flagship models and comfortably ahead of many rivals. They also support both USB-C and 3.5mm wired connections, alongside Bluetooth 5.4 and multipoint pairing.

Compared with Apple’s headphones, the Ace trade deep ecosystem integration for a broader focus on home-theatre immersion and cross-platform compatibility. In other words, they make the most sense if you’re already invested in the Sonos speaker ecosystem.

The Sonos Ace launched at around £449 in the UK, but they’re now commonly available for around £399, making them noticeably cheaper than Apple’s latest over-ear headphones.

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)

If you like the idea of Apple’s over-ear headphones but don’t necessarily need the very latest model, the Apple AirPods Max with USB-C are arguably the most obvious alternative to the Apple AirPods Max 2.

This version arrived in 2024 as a refresh of the original headphones, replacing the Lightning connector with a USB-C port for charging and wired audio, while keeping the same aluminium ear-cup design and mesh headband.

In everyday use, the experience is still very similar to Apple’s newest over-ears. You get active noise cancellation, transparency mode, spatial audio with dynamic head tracking and seamless integration with Apple devices.

Battery life also remains competitive, offering up to 20 hours of listening time with noise cancellation enabled, plus fast charging that delivers about 1.5 hours of playback from a five-minute charge.

The biggest difference compared with AirPods Max 2 is the internal hardware. The USB-C version still uses the older audio architecture rather than the newer H2-powered system, which means it lacks some of the newer adaptive features Apple has added to its latest headphones.

Price, however, is where the older model becomes attractive. While the USB-C AirPods Max launched at around £499 in the UK, discounts have already brought them down to roughly £369–£399 at some retailers, making them noticeably cheaper than Apple’s newest over-ear headphones.