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.

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.

You might be debating whether AirPods Max is still worth it. Besides their superb sound quality, AirPods Max are great earmuffs.

Looking for an alternative style to the popular Apple AirPods Max? We tested and reviewed five popular AirPods Max dupes from Bose, Sony, Sonos, and Beats.

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.