The AirPods Max have a great deal on at the moment — but here's what you should buy instead
The price has just dropped, meaning you can now pick up a pair with an $80 discount at Amazon, where they're now $479. But I think you should still buy something else.
There's a much better pair of headphones for less that are just as premium, but cost less, sound better, and arguably give you much better value for money.
The AirPods Max are Apple's flagship headphones, and despite a recent USB-C update they've remained mostly the same since their initial release. They're a weighty, well built pair of headphones that sound really good — earning 4 stars in our review — but they're starting to get a bit long in the tooth at this point.
While I can't deny that the AirPods Max are, indeed, a very attractive pair of headphones, their other merits are starting to wear off as they get older and older. Bluetooth 5.0 feels distinctly out of date, even with Apple's magic pairing and interoperability.
They still sound very good, but cheaper alternatives are cropping up with better sound. Even their looks are starting to slip, with the likes of the Nothing Headphone (1) coming out. USB-C audio mode? Headphones that cost half as much pack that in now. The AirPods lustre is starting to show some tarnish.
Even at this deal price, the best thing you're getting is the sumptuous build quality and wonderful dial-like control on the right earcup. If you're looking for something worth the $449 you'll spend, look no further than my favorite headphones of 2025. The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3.
The Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S3 are my favorite pair of headphones. They're extremely comfortable, look the part with loads of premium materials on display, and they sound monumental.
Since testing them earlier this year, they've become my no. 1 most used pair of headphones by far. They're better than the AirPods Max in loads of ways too — and even though they're full price at the moment, they're still cheaper than the reduced AirPods Max.
Bowers & Wilkins brought its A-game when making the PX7 S3. They sound impeccable, with a great sound signature that does a better job with detail and mid-range grunt than the AirPods Max. I gave them a 4.5 star review when I tested them earlier this year thanks to their good protective case and solid battery life.
These cans feature better battery life, with 10 hours more on tap than the AirPods. While perhaps less visually interesting, I'd argue they're a more handsome option than Apple's headphones.
The protective case is better, their features are more useful, and charging quicker. There are so many reasons to buy what are my pick for the best headphones you can buy today — and if you wait for Prime Day, you might even see a reduction.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Apple's Online Store Is Now Live In Saudi Arabia, Flagship Stores Coming By 2026
Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) has officially expanded its retail presence into Saudi Arabia by launching the Apple Store online and app, introducing direct customer support in Arabic. The planned move marks a significant milestone in Apple's broader Middle East strategy and delivers a fully localized experience to Saudi customers. By rolling out its full range of products and services online, Apple now allows users across the Kingdom to shop iPhones, Macs, iPads, Apple Watches, and accessories with personalized support and can access configure-to-order Macs, create custom Apple Watch combinations, and enjoy free Arabic and English engraving on select products like AirPods and Apple Pencil. Apple also integrated flexible shopping features such as Buy Now, Pay Later through Tamara and launched Apple Trade In, which offers credit for eligible devices or free recycling for non-eligible ones. For added convenience, customers can get help with personal setup, device migration, and cellular activation through Apple's support team. Apple extended its Education Store benefits to the Kingdom to attract students and educators. This retail launch is just the beginning. Apple confirmed plans to open flagship physical stores in Saudi Arabia starting in 2026, including a significant location in Diriyah, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The expansion builds on Apple's 2021 opening of the region's first Apple Developer Academy in Riyadh, in partnership with the Saudi government, Tuwaiq Academy, and Princess Nourah University. In May, President Donald Trump announced a $600 billion investment pledge from Saudi Arabia into the U.S. economy on Tuesday, framing the deal as the beginning of a 'golden era' of economic cooperation between the two countries. At the U.S.-Saudi Investment Forum in Riyadh, Trump highlighted various commercial agreements across tech, defense, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure, calling it 'the largest set of commercial agreements on record.' Trump spotlighted a series of multibillion-dollar deals involving major U.S. corporations such as (NASDAQ:AMZN), Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), Advanced Micro Devices (NASDAQ:AMD), Uber Tech (NYSE:UBER), Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM), Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ), and others. These companies are part of an $80 billion tech collaboration that includes Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL), Salesforce (NYSE:CRM), and DataVolt, marking a strategic joint push into AI, data infrastructure, and cloud technology. AAPL Price Action: Apple stock is trading higher by 0.10% to $212.70 premarket at last check Tuesday. Image via Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article Apple's Online Store Is Now Live In Saudi Arabia, Flagship Stores Coming By 2026 originally appeared on © 2025 Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. Sign in to access your portfolio
Tom's Guide
16 minutes ago
- Tom's Guide
Get up to $70 off Meta Quest 3S, M4 MacBook Air still at its lowest price and more — Power Picks
Today's power picks are massive — not only can you get up to $70 off the Meta Quest 3S, the M4 MacBook Air is still at its cheapest price (so is the Mac mini on that note), there's over $200 off a beasty RTX 5060 Ti gaming PC and more. History shows the biggest savings almost always happen at the beginning and end of every week, so to get all these Prime Day-matching or beating prices on a Tuesday is bonkers to me. Oh, and remember those power picks from yesterday? They're still available too! That means you can still get the impressive Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x with Snapdragon power for just $549, and $650 off a beasty AMD RX 9070 XT gaming tower. But for now, let's get into today's top deals. Whenever anyone asks 'what's the best VR headset for me to buy?' My immediate answer is 'Meta Quest 3S.' The system really does everything you'd want a headset to do with a huge library and plenty of performance, all at a low price. Now, it's even lower — with the 128GB version being $50 off and the 256GB model being $70 off for a limited time! Yes, this $150 saving is still on! Either Apple's forgotten this discount continues to exist or it's all part of the plan. Whichever way, this is a great chance to save big on one of the best laptops you can buy. That M4 chip is a screamer through any level of productivity, and it's crammed into a slim, lightweight chassis with a massive battery life to boot. Maybe you don't need the full laptop experience of a MacBook, and that's where the M4 Mac mini comes in — a tiny puck of a powerhouse sporting that same zippy M4 chip. We absolutely loved the Mac mini, and with 10% off the price, it's an absolute steal. Also, shoutout to getting over $150 off the M4 Pro version too, for those who want some additional horsepower for creative tasks like complex 4K edits. The RTX 5060 Ti is one of my personal favorite mid-range GPUs, and its been built into this all-round beast of a gaming PC that is now $350 off with code SS10PER4. Alongside the GPU, in this Cyclone case, you've got an Intel Core i7-14700F CPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB M.2 SSD. This is a packed PC ready for 1440p gaming. My personal favorite (and top-ranked best gaming laptop) has dropped to its lowest price with a huge $350 saving. Alongside that beasty RTX 5070 Ti, you've got an AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 CPU, 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD — all in a sleek aluminum chassis with a mesmerizing OLED display. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
CNET
16 minutes ago
- CNET
This Everyday Item Is Filthier Than a Toilet Seat and You're Probably Holding It Right Now
Your phone goes everywhere with you, and might just be in your hands as you read this, but it likely never gets the cleaning it desperately needs. From work meetings to gym sessions and even bathroom breaks, your device touches a lot of surfaces -- and picks up a lot of germs along the way. In fact, studies show the average smartphone is often dirtier than a public toilet seat, collecting bacteria and viruses through daily use. If you're not disinfecting your phone regularly, all that grime sticks around, transferring to your hands, face and anything else you touch. The good news? You don't need fancy tools or harsh chemicals to get it clean. With the right cloth, a safe cleaning solution and just a few seconds of care, you can wipe away the germs without damaging your screen or hardware. Here's how to do it right. The Federal Communications Commission suggests disinfecting your phone daily, but not all cleaning methods are safe. Harsh chemicals and abrasive materials can damage protective coatings and potentially harm your screen. To keep your phone both clean and intact, it's crucial to use the right cleaning techniques. We'll guide you through the best methods and products for keeping your device germ-free, from iPhones to Samsungs, and whatever their level of water resistance may be. For more cleaning tips, here's how to clean wireless earbuds and AirPods. What are the best products for daily cleaning? After touching surfaces that see a lot of action from the public -- such as door handles, seats on public transportation, grocery carts and gas pumps -- you might think you need a heavy-duty cleaning agent to use on your phone. However, you should avoid rubbing alcohol or products made of straight alcohol, since they can damage the protective coatings that prevent oil and water from harming your screen. Some suggest making your own alcohol-water mix, but getting the concentration wrong can damage your phone. The safest option is using disinfectant wipes with 70% isopropyl alcohol. For daily cleaning, consider a UV light product like PhoneSoap, which kills 99.99% of germs and bacteria. We can also turn to phone manufacturers and cell service companies for guidance, too. Apple now approves using Clorox Wipes and similar disinfectants, which was not recommended before the pandemic since they were thought to be too abrasive on the screen's coating. AT&T advises spraying a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution on a soft, lint-free cloth and wiping your device down. Samsung also recommends using a 70% alcohol solution with a microfiber cloth. Always make sure your phone is powered off before cleaning it. What are the best methods for removing fingerprints, sand and makeup? Sometimes your phone needs a more specific treatment when washing up. The recommended process for daily cleaning may not be enough to remove pesky grains of sand after a beach vacation or tough foundation stains. Get rid of fingerprints Fingerprint smudges are inevitable since your skin produces oils. Every time you pick up your phone, your screen will get fingerprints. The safest way to make your screen print-free is with a microfiber cloth. For a deeper clean, dampen the cloth with distilled water (never apply water directly to the screen) and wipe down the surface. This works for the back and sides of your phone as well. Alternatively, try a microfiber screen cleaner sticker that sticks to the back of your phone for easy wiping. Remove sand and small particles Grains of sand and lint can easily get stuck in your phone's ports and crevices. To remove it, we recommend you use Scotch tape. Press it along the creases and speaker, then roll it up and gently insert it into the ports. The tape will pull out any debris. You can then just simply throw away the tape for easy cleanup. For smaller speaker holes, use a toothpick gently or a small vacuum crevice tool to suck out the debris. These tools work well for other small appliances or hard-to-reach areas in your car too. Sand and small particles can be tricky to remove. A piece of tape should do the trick. MartenBG/Getty Images Cleanse makeup off your phone screen When you wear makeup and skin care products, such as foundation and moisturizers, you'll leave residue on your phone screen. While makeup remover works for your face, it's not safe for screens due to potentially harmful chemicals. Instead, try a screen-safe makeup remover like Whoosh, which is alcohol-free and gentle on all screens. Alternatively, use a damp microfiber cloth to clean your phone, then wash the cloth afterward. Make sure your cloth is only slightly wet to avoid soaking your phone in water. What if my phone is waterproof? For waterproof phones (IP67 and above), it's best to clean the device with a damp cloth instead of submerging or running it under water -- even if the phone advertises that it can withstand submersion for a certain amount of time. Afterward, dry your phone with a soft cloth, ensuring all ports and speakers are patted dry. While your phone can withstand water, submerging it can lead to water in the ports, delaying charging. Remember, water resistance is meant for accidents, not swimming or regular cleaning. Fingerprint smudges on your phone are inevitable since your skin produces oils that rub off on the to avoid when cleaning your phone We've already covered why you should avoid makeup remover and rubbing alcohol, but those aren't a comprehensive list of harmful cleaning agents. Here are a few other items and products you should never use to clean your phone: Hand sanitizer: Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. Fragrances and ethyl alcohol found in many sanitizers can harm your phone. Window or kitchen cleaners: Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches. Harsh cleaners can strip the protective coating on your phone and leave it more vulnerable to scratches. Paper towels: Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. Paper can shred, making the debris on your phone much worse, and the rough texture can leave scratches on your screen. Dish and hand soap: Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it's best to stick to a damp cloth. Most soaps require you to combine them with water, and since you should keep water away from your phone, it's best to stick to a damp cloth. Vinegar: Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen's coating. Like cleaners and alcohols, vinegar will strip your phone screen's coating. Compressed air: Blowing intense and direct air into your phone's portals can cause damage, especially to your mic. Apple specifically warns iPhone owners not to use compressed air. For more cleaning tips, explore how to clean your Apple Watch.
