There's no question as to whether Apple's AirPods Max are some of the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy, but they're also some of the most expensive. If their $550 price makes your jaw drop, we've got you covered with some compelling alternatives.
The good news is, you can spend as little as $50 (yes, $50) on a pair of good noise-cancelling headphones. Of course, the more you spend, the more you'll get in terms of audio performance, active noise cancellation (ANC), and/or extra features, and the sweet spot for this category seems to lie in the $300 range. Keep in mind we're focusing primarily on headphones here, but there are plenty of good noise-cancelling true wireless earbuds to consider if you're not a fan of big, bulky cans over your ears.
Also note that we aren't saying you shouldn't buy the AirPods Max. If you like what they offer and have $550 to spend, you almost certainly won't be disappointed. But know that you can spend less on a pair of headphones that offer arguably better quality sound quality and noise cancellation, if not quite the same seamless integration within Apple's ecosystem.
The Gold Standard
There’s a reason the name Bose seems synonymous with noise cancellation—the company practically invented the ANC headphone category two decades or so ago. In 2019, Bose released the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, while still keeping the QuietComfort 35 II on the market. Of the two, the 700s are the better choice if ANC is your top priority. The reason to get them instead of the AirPods Max? While not cheap, they cost significantly less, and they deliver a more reliable and adjustable ANC experience—even if the Airpods Max can eliminate more deep low frequencies, we found them to be less consistent in testing than the Bose NC 700.
The Old-School Pick
Way back in 2018, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II would have been our pick for top ANC headphones. In 2021, they're certainly not obsolete, but they've got plenty of company, and the design might feel a bit chunky or dated by today's standards. That said, the noise cancellation here remains top-tier, and you can usually find them for around $100 less than the Bose NC 700.
For Control Freaks
Sony's WH-1000XM4 headphones stand out for their powerful—and adjustable—noise cancellation and sound signature. A companion app offers user-adjustable controls not only for audio, but for noise cancellation as well. From custom EQ presets to ANC that adapts to your environment, these are the best noise-cancelling headphones if you're looking to tune things exactly to your liking. By comparison, the AirPods Max offer no EQ and no ANC control parameters.
For Audiophiles
In most reviews of ANC headphones, the emphasis is on how powerful the noise cancellation is. The truth is, if you're listening to music or podcasts most of the time, the ANC doesn’t need to be best-in-class to be effective. Similarly, quality ANC cannot improve subpar audio performance. In other words, you might prefer a pair of headphones that deliver excellent audio performance with good-enough noise cancellation. Sennheiser's HD 450BT are the best-sounding headphones we've tested with better-than-average ANC for a relatively affordable price. We’ve seen them for sell for as low as $150 lately, which is an astoundingly good deal.
For Rock Stars
When we reviewed the Marshall Mid ANC headphones back in 2018, we wrote: “You won't find better noise-cancelling Bluetooth headphones under $300 than the Marshall Mid ANC.” In 2021, you can certainly find better ANC models for under $300, but will they look this cool? Doubtful. The Marshall Mid ANC headphones keep the timeless rock star/guitar amp aesthetic fresh, while delivering audio and ANC that’s still quite good for today's standards. It's worth noting that this is the only pair of on-ear headphones on this list.
For Budget Shoppers
If all of these $200-and-up options are making you squirm, we have good news for you: There are some reasonably good options in the super-budget realm. Are you going to get top-notch ANC and audio performance? No, but the Wyze Headphones sound better than most $50 pairs, and offer adjustable EQ and built-in Alexa support. Plus, they have the added benefit of looking more expensive than they are.
If You Only Want Headphones From Apple
The only earphones on this list, the AirPods Pro are relevant for the obvious reason that they're also AirPods and thus offer the same AirPods-specific features, like spatial audio and hands-free Siri access. They also happen to deliver excellent noise cancellation for a price that may be high for in-ears, but is a bargain compared with over-ear or on-ear headphones. So if you want the seamless iOS integration that AirPods offer, for less than half the price of the AirPods Max, this is the only way to get it.