If you mean Apple’s over-ear AirPods Max 2, the best alternative depends on what matters most: the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 for sound, Sony WH-1000XM5 for noise cancellation, Nothing Headphone (a) for workouts, Marshall Monitor III for travel, or Sony WH-CH530 for a lower price. Tom’s Guide reported these prices on October 5, 2026; they are dated deal listings, not confirmation of today’s price or stock.
Five AirPods Max 2 alternatives at a glance
| Best for | Headphones | Price reported Oct. 5, 2026 | Tom’s Guide score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | $479, down $270 from $749 | 4.5/5 |
| Active noise cancellation | Sony WH-1000XM5 | $198, down $50 from $248 | 4.5/5 |
| Workouts | Nothing Headphone (a) | $129, down $70 from $199 | 3.5/5 |
| Travel | Marshall Monitor III | $249.99, down $30 from $279.99 | 4/5 |
| Lowest reported price | Sony WH-CH530 | $58, down $11.99 from $69.99 | Not officially scored; review in progress |
Tom’s Guide also listed AirPods Max 2 at $429, $120 below its stated $549 regular price. All prices and reductions above are the publication’s October 5, 2026 figures, not live price checks. Confirm the retailer’s current listing before buying. The publication’s recommendations draw on product reviews and editorial impressions; they are not results of a single standardized, head-to-head test of all five models.
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Best for sound: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
The Px8 S2 is the pick if listening quality is your main reason to spend on a premium over-ear headphone. Tom’s Guide gave it 4.5/5 and reported an Amazon price of $479, versus a stated previous price of $749. Senior Editor, Reviews & Cameras Peter Wolinski says he owns the headphones and describes their sound as “utterly sublime”; that is his personal assessment, not a claim of independent comparative testing.
There is a trade-off if you are moving from Apple: the article notes the Px8 S2 lacks some AirPods features. It may suit you better as a sound-first alternative than as a complete feature-for-feature replacement.
#1 Best Overall
- Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling: 2 internal and 2 external mics work in tandem to detect external noise and effectively reduce up to 90% of it, no matter in trains or offices.
- Immerse Yourself in Detailed Audio: The noise cancelling headphones have oversized 40mm dynamic drivers that produce detailed sound and thumping beats with BassUp technology for your every travel, commuting and gaming. Compatible with Hi-Res certified audio via the AUX cable for more detail.
- 40-Hour Long Battery Life and Fast Charging: With 40 hours of battery life with ANC on and 60 hours in normal mode, you can commute in peace with your Bluetooth headphones without thinking about recharging. Fast charge for 5 mins to get an extra 4 hours of music listening for daily users.
- Dual-Connections: Connect to two devices simultaneously with Bluetooth 5.0 and instantly switch between them. Whether you're working on your laptop, or need to take a phone call, audio from your Bluetooth headphones will automatically play from the device you need to hear from.
- App for EQ Customization: Download the soundcore app to tailor your sound using the customizable EQ, with 22 presets, or adjust it yourself. You can also switch between 3 modes: ANC, Normal, and Transparency, and relax with white noise.
Best for noise cancellation: Sony WH-1000XM5
If blocking outside noise is the priority, Tom’s Guide recommends Sony’s WH-1000XM5. The article says the model remains relevant despite the WH-1000XM6’s 2025 launch, and scores the XM5 4.5/5. Its October 5, 2026 price listing was $198 at Amazon, reduced from $248.
This is the source’s ANC-focused choice, rather than a claim that it beats every other headphone in every category. Choose it when noise cancellation matters more than the other use cases in this list.
Best for workouts: Nothing Headphone (a)
Nothing Headphone (a) is the workout-oriented pick because Tom’s Guide cites its IP52 rating and reported a price of $129, down from $199, on October 5, 2026. The article gives it 3.5/5. An IP rating is not a promise that a device is waterproof: treat the rating as a limited protection specification, not permission to submerge the headphones or expose them to conditions beyond the manufacturer’s guidance.
Rank #2
- LONG BATTERY LIFE: With up to 50-hour battery life and quick charging, you’ll have enough power for multi-day road trips and long festival weekends.(USB Type-C Cable included)
- HIGH QUALITY SOUND: Great sound quality customizable to your music preference with EQ Custom on the Sony | Headphones Connect App.
- LIGHT & COMFORTABLE: The lightweight build and swivel earcups gently slip on and off, while the adjustable headband, cushion and soft ear pads give you all-day comfort.
- CRYSTAL CLEAR CALLS: A built-in microphone provides you with hands-free calling. No need to even take your phone from your pocket.
- MULTIPOINT CONNECTION: Quickly switch between two devices at once.
For comparison, the article cites Beats 360 at IPX4 and $349. It describes that rating as more water-oriented than dust-rated: IPX4 does not include a dust rating. Neither figure should be read as a waterproof guarantee, and the listed price is also a dated figure rather than a current quote.
Best for travel: Marshall Monitor III
The Monitor III earns the travel recommendation for folding down, with Tom’s Guide also identifying comfort, battery life, active noise cancellation and sound as strengths. Its score is 4/5. The October 5, 2026 Amazon listing cited by the article was $249.99, compared with a stated prior price of $279.99.
Folding portability is the specific travel advantage highlighted here. Consider it if packability is more important to you than choosing the sound-first, ANC-first or workout option.
Rank #3
- 65 Hours Playtime: Low power consumption technology applied, BERIBES bluetooth headphones with built-in 500mAh battery can continually play more than 65 hours, standby more than 950 hours after one fully charge. By included 3.5mm audio cable, the wireless headphones over ear can be easily switched to wired mode when powers off. No power shortage problem anymore.
- Optional 6 Music Modes: Adopted most advanced dual 40mm dynamic sound unit and 6 EQ modes, BERIBES updated headphones wireless bluetooth black were born for audiophiles. Simply switch the headphone between balanced sound, extra powerful bass and mid treble enhancement modes. No matter you prefer rock, Jazz, Rhythm & Blues or classic music, BERIBES has always been committed to providing our customers with good sound quality as the focal point of our engineering.
- All Day Comfort: Made by premium materials, 0.38lb BERIBES over the ear headphones wireless bluetooth for work are the most lightweight headphones in the market. Adjustable headband makes it easy to fit all sizes heads without pains. Softer and more comfortable memory protein earmuffs protect your ears in long term using.
- Latest Bluetooth 6.0 and Microphone: Carrying latest Bluetooth 6.0 chip, after booting, 1-3 seconds to quickly pair bluetooth. Beribes bluetooth headphones with microphone has faster and more stable transmitter range up to 33ft. Two smart devices can be connected to Beribes over-ear headphones at the same time, makes you able to pick up a call from your phones when watching movie on your pad without switching.（There are updates for both the old and new Bluetooth versions, but this will not affect the quality of the product or its normal use.）
- Packaging Component: Package include a Foldable Deep Bass Headphone, 3.5MM Audio Cable, Type-c Charging Cable and User Manual.
Best on a tight budget: Sony WH-CH530
The WH-CH530 had the lowest reported price in this group: $58 at Amazon on October 5, 2026, against a stated previous price of $69.99. Tom’s Guide describes it positively, but explicitly says testing is ongoing and the review is in progress. It has no official score in the article, so treat it as a promising lower-cost option rather than a completed, scored recommendation.
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How to choose—and what the price comparison does not tell you
- Prioritize sound: consider the Px8 S2, while accounting for its missing AirPods features.
- Prioritize ANC: the WH-1000XM5 is the article’s noise-cancellation choice.
- Need workout protection: consider the Nothing Headphone (a), but do not treat its IP52 rating as waterproofing.
- Packability matters: the fold-down Monitor III is the travel pick.
- Spend as little as possible: the WH-CH530 was cheapest in the dated listings, but its review was unfinished and unscored.
These prices compare particular listings reported on October 5, 2026, not guaranteed savings available now. Tom’s Guide author Wolinski calls AirPods Max 2 “overpriced, even on sale”; that is his value judgment, not a neutral pricing fact. The article does not provide a survey or market-wide data showing how common that view is.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
