AirPods Max alternatives and early Prime Day deals offer lower-cost options

Engadget said buyers willing to give up deep iOS integration and Apple-specific design can save hundreds without sacrificing too much performance. Its top affordable alternative is the Anker Soundcore Space 2 Pro at $200, less than half the price of the AirPods Max. The headphones use Anker's Thus AI chip for active noise cancellation, voice quality and HearID customized sound, along with eight sensors and six microphones. Engadget reported that the noise cancellation handles human voices and constant noise reasonably well, while call quality can degrade slightly when background-noise blocking is active. The plastic build makes the Space 2 Pro light and comfortable, and it includes physical controls, multipoint Bluetooth and 30 hours of battery life with ANC on.

For buyers who prioritize noise cancellation, Engadget pointed to the second-generation Bose QuietComfort Headphones at $359. The report said the Bose model offers strong noise blocking, Cinema Mode and Immersive Audio, though Bose's Ultra model has better overall sound quality. The QuietComfort Headphones still save nearly $200 compared with the AirPods Max, according to Engadget.

Engadget named the Beats 360 as its workout option. The report said the AirPods Max's breathable mesh ear pads are not well suited to sweaty activities, while the Beats 360 has IPX4 sweat resistance. Because Beats is owned by Apple, the headphones support one-touch pairing, automatic switching between Apple devices on an iCloud account, Audio Sharing, Find My and hands-free Siri. Engadget said the Beats 360 lasts up to 12 hours longer than the AirPods Max 2 with ANC enabled and allows users to swap both ear and headband cushions. Its bass emphasis is suited to workouts but less overbearing than on early Beats models, the report said.

For a budget pick, Engadget recommended the Audio-Technica ATH-M20xBT, which costs under $100. The report said buyers give up ANC but still get warm sound, a classic design, 60-hour battery life, multipoint Bluetooth and optional wired use. Engadget also gave an honorable mention to the Fender Mix at $299, a noise-cancelling headphone that debuted just before CES.

In its deals roundup, 9to5Mac said Twelve South launched the Airfly Drive wireless CarPlay and Android Auto adapter at $39.99. Amazon's early fall Prime Day sale includes up to $150 off select M5 MacBook Air models. The reported prices include a 13-inch M5 MacBook Air with 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage at $1,449, down from $1,599; a 15-inch M5 MacBook Air with 16GB and 512GB at $1,399, down from $1,499; and a 15-inch M5 MacBook Air with 24GB and 1TB at $1,849, down from $1,999.

9to5Mac also highlighted a 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro with 24GB of RAM and 2TB of storage at $2,699, a $500 discount from its list price. The model is available in Space Black and Silver and has upgraded 18/20-core internals, according to the report. Amazon is selling a single 2026 AirTag 2 for $24, matching its all-time low and down from $29, while a four-pack costs $89.

The roundup listed new all-time lows on Belkin 25W UltraCharge MagSafe charging stations, including a 2-in-1 foldable model with USB-C at $43, a 3-in-1 magnetic station at $50, a 2-in-1 wireless iPhone charger at $70 and a 3-in-1 foldable station at $75. 9to5Mac said Belkin USB-C wall chargers start at $13, and Sharge's metal 300W smart display power bank is $50 off. It also reported official fall Prime Day deals on Eve Matter/HomeKit plugs, light switches and outlets from $32.