And before you say that they’re a looks-only deal, I can confirm that the AirPods Max are genuinely good headphones that live up to their $549 price tag. If that isn’t in the budget—understandable, considering most of us aren’t tech editors or oil heiresses—you might be wondering if there are any AirPods Max dupes or alternatives that come close.

AirPods Max: The over-ear design of the Max provides a more immersive listening experience with a wider soundstage. The sound signature is richer and more detailed, particularly in the mids and highs. This makes them a better choice for audiophiles who appreciate nuanced sound quality across various genres.

Macworld If you want headphones that are better and (a lot) more affordable than the AirPods Max, the fantastic Beats Studio Pro are 49% off at Amazon. That means you can get them for $180 rather than their regular $350.

Bring your AirPods Max within Bluetooth range of your iPhone, iPad, or Mac that’s connected to Wi-Fi. Plug your AirPods Max into a charger or port. Wait 30 minutes for the firmware to update. Reconnect your AirPods Max to your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

The AirPods Pro can charge wirelessly, so you'll need a wireless charging pad to take advantage of that feature. A good affordable option for both your AirPods Pro and your phone is the Anker Wireless Charging Pad 315. It offers 7.5-watt charging for your iPhone and 10-watt charging for Android models that support it.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted Apple a patent. According to Patently Apple —a long-standing, legacy leaker—Apple filed a patent for possible future AirPods with “a texture exterior surface for input” and a “textured exterior surface” for controlling functions on another device.

Despite being released over two years ago, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 continue to dominate the wireless earbud market. However, with the AirPods Pro

AirPods Pro 2 are $80 off today, with the wireless earbuds dropping to the best price of 2025 as Amazon and Best Buy compete in a price war.