If you mean Apple’s over-ear AirPods Max 2, the right cheaper alternative depends on what matters most: choose the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 for sound, Sony WH-1000XM5 for noise cancellation, Nothing Headphone (a) for workout-friendly dust and water resistance, Marshall Monitor III for travel, or Sony WH-CH530 for the lowest reported price. Tom’s Guide published these deal prices on October 5, 2026; they are dated offers, not confirmation of today’s price or stock.
At a glance: which AirPods Max 2 alternative fits your needs?
| Priority | Pick | Price reported October 5, 2026 | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sound quality | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | $479, down $270 from $749 | Tom’s Guide rated it 4.5/5. The reviewer praised its sound, design, and build, but noted it lacks some AirPods features. |
| Active noise cancellation | Sony WH-1000XM5 | $198, down $50 from $248 | Tom’s Guide rated it 4.5/5 and recommended it for ANC, despite the newer WH-1000XM6 having launched in 2025. |
| Workouts | Nothing Headphone (a) | $129, down $70 from $199 | Tom’s Guide rated it 3.5/5 and cited its reported IP52 rating. That rating is not a guarantee of waterproofing. |
| Travel | Marshall Monitor III | $249.99, down $30 from $279.99 | Tom’s Guide rated it 4/5, highlighting its foldable design, comfort, battery life, ANC, and sound. |
| Lowest reported price | Sony WH-CH530 | $58, down $11.99 from $69.99 | Tom’s Guide said testing was ongoing and the review was in progress; the model had no official score. |
For comparison, Tom’s Guide reported AirPods Max 2 at $429, down $120 from a stated $549 regular price, in the same October 5 article. That makes the sale-price gap narrower than the phrase “cheaper alternatives” might suggest for some picks; check current offers before deciding.
Best for sound: Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
The Px8 S2 is the choice if sound is your main reason to look beyond Apple. Tom’s Guide reviewer Peter Wolinski rated it 4.5/5 and reported owning the headphones, describing their sound as “utterly sublime.” That is his personal listening assessment, not a standardized comparison against all five models.
Tom’s Guide listed the Px8 S2 at $479 on October 5, 2026, versus a stated prior price of $749. Wolinski also said the headphones lack some AirPods features, so they should not be treated as a like-for-like replacement for Apple’s feature set.
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- 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 sound is the priority, Tom’s Guide’s pick is the Sony WH-1000XM5. Its article rated the headphones 4.5/5 and argued that this older Sony flagship remains relevant even after the WH-1000XM6 launched in 2025.
The reported October 5 price was $198 at Amazon, reduced from $248. The cited article frames the XM5 as an ANC-focused alternative; it does not establish that all five headphones were tested head-to-head under identical conditions.
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.
Best for workouts: Nothing Headphone (a)
Tom’s Guide recommended the Nothing Headphone (a) for workouts where sweat, dust, or water exposure is a concern, citing an IP52 rating and assigning it 3.5/5. The article reported a $129 Amazon price on October 5, 2026, down from $199.
The same article contrasted this with Beats 360, which it said has an IPX4 rating and a $349 price: the Beats rating is more water-oriented, while the Nothing rating also includes dust protection. Neither rating should be read as a promise that the headphones are waterproof or suitable for every workout condition.
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Rank #3
- All-Day Comfort & Premium Design: Crafted with high-quality materials, these over-ear wireless headphones combine luxury with long-wearing comfort. The adjustable headband ensures a secure fit for all head sizes, while ultra-soft memory foam ear cups minimize pressure. Lightweight and ergonomic, they're ideal for work, travel, or leisure—keeping you comfortable even during extended use
- Unbeatable 120-Hour Battery Life: Enjoy up to 120 hours of playtime in standard mode at moderate volume. A quick 5-minute charge provides 4 extra hours—perfect for emergencies. Whether binge-watching, commuting, or working, these headphones/earbuds deliver uninterrupted performance without frequent recharging
- Bluetooth 6.0 & Seamless Connectivity: Advanced Bluetooth 6.0 ensures stable, high-speed pairing with smartphones, tablets, or laptops. Experience crisp audio streaming, low latency, and reliable connectivity for calls, music, or movies. The auto-connect feature allows hassle-free use anytime, anywhere
- Advanced Active Noise Cancellation: Immerse yourself in pure sound with next-generation ANC, eliminating up to 95% of ambient noise. Dual-microphone hybrid ANC detects and neutralizes external sounds across a wide frequency range 20Hz-20kHz, creating a distraction-free environment whether you're traveling or working
- Powerful Bass & Crystal-Clear Calls: Precision-tuned drivers deliver deep, punchy bass for an immersive listening experience. The built-in high-sensitivity microphone, enhanced by wind resistance and AI clarity, ensures professional-grade call quality—perfect for music lovers and busy professionals alike
Best for travel: Marshall Monitor III
The Marshall Monitor III is the travel-oriented option because it folds down for packing. Tom’s Guide also cited comfort, battery life, ANC, and sound as strengths, and rated it 4/5.
Its reported Amazon deal was $249.99 on October 5, 2026, compared with a stated prior price of $279.99. The article does not provide a battery-life figure, so use its qualitative praise rather than assuming a specific runtime.
Rank #4
- 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 for a tight budget: Sony WH-CH530
At the lowest reported price in this group, the Sony WH-CH530 was listed at $58 on October 5, 2026, down from $69.99. Tom’s Guide described it positively as a budget option, but explicitly said testing was still ongoing, the review was in progress, and the model had not received an official score.
That makes it a lower-cost candidate, not a completed, scored test recommendation. If you need a firm comparative verdict based on finished testing, the cited article does not provide one for this model.
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How to choose—and what the comparison does not establish
- Start with your main use. Sound, ANC, workout exposure, travel portability, and lowest price point to different models; there is no single best pick for every listener.
- Check the current deal. Every price above is what Tom’s Guide reported on October 5, 2026, not a live retailer check. Price and availability can change.
- Account for Apple features. The Px8 S2 is specifically noted as lacking some AirPods features. The article does not establish complete feature parity for any alternative.
- Read ratings narrowly. The reported IP52 and IPX4 ratings distinguish dust and water protection categories; neither is a blanket waterproofing guarantee.
- Interpret the scores as that publication’s assessments. Tom’s Guide supplied ratings for four models but no official WH-CH530 score. Its article does not describe one standardized, five-way test procedure.
Wolinski also characterized AirPods Max 2 as overpriced, including on sale. That is the reviewer’s opinion, not an objective price finding; compare the offers available to you and the features you value.
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.
