Why You Can Trust CNET AirPods Max alternative: The excellent Soundcore Life Q30 for $65 (Update: Expired)
This is the best deal on record for headphones that offer multimode noise canceling, an equalizer app, transparency mode and USB-C charging. Plus, three sweet bonus deals.
Hey, look: These headphones come with a nonridiculous case.
Even if I won the lottery, I wouldn't spend $549 on Apple's AirPods Max. Not when there are so many good (and even great) headphones that cost less. Way, way less.
Case in point: For a limited time, and while supplies, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 is on sale for $65. That's only $15 off the regular price, but it's also $484 off the price of the AirPods Max. The only bummer here: Amazon currently shows an in-stock date of Dec. 21, so if you're eyeballing this for a Christmas gift, it might not make it in time.
The Q30 is an over-the-ear set of headphones that offers multiple modes of active noise canceling: Transport promises to minimize airplane engine noise; Outdoor is for traffic and wind; and Indoor tackles "the sound of busy offices," which I guess means voices. There's also a transparency mode that lets the outside world in.
Like to fine-tune your listening? There's a Soundcore app that offers a whopping 22 equalizer presets and lets you set your own as well. In addition, the Q30 offers NFC pairing, multipoint connections, a 40-hour battery (according to Soundcore) and a nonridiculous carrying case.
Read more: Apple's AirPods Max Smart Case looks like an 'over-the-shoulder boulder holder'
That's a pretty impressive feature set given the price, but how does the Q30 sound? I haven't tested it myself, but here's what CNET's David Carnoy had to say:
As far as sound, comfort level and build quality, you'd be hard-pressed to do better than Anker's SoundCore Life Q30 for the money. It doesn't have quite the clarity or bass definition as some of the top premium models, but it's less than a third of the price and gets you about 75% of the way there in terms of sound: It's well balanced overall, with punchy bass. Noise canceling is good for the price, though not up to the level of the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.
Carnoy also notes that while the Q30 performs reasonably well for phone calls, it doesn't do a great job reducing background noise.
So, are these on the same level as the AirPods Max -- or, for that matter, the latest from Bose or Sony? Of course not. Are they damn good headphones for the price? No question about it.
Read more: $549 AirPods Max: All the things you could buy instead of Apple's new headphones
Want to hear more thoughts on the AirPods Max and how they stack up to the competition? Check out this episode of the Cheapskate Show podcast!
Bonus deal roundup: $18 hand warmers, $20 Wyze Cam, $40 Immortals Fenyx Rising
A few quick-hit items you don't want to miss today:
- Amazon has the loved-by-all Wyze Cam v2 1080p indoor camera for $20 shipped -- meaning you're basically dodging the usual $6 shipping charge. It should arrive in time for Christmas, too. Read our Wyze Cam review to learn more.
- The super hot new Immortals Fenyx Rising (PS5) is on sale for $40, a full $20 off the regular price. Alas, the PS4 and Xbox editions aren't discounted.
- Cold hands? These rechargeable double-sided portable hand warmers drop to $18 with promo code 3H8CTLFJ. They're available in your choice of pink and green; the code should work with either one.
Enjoy your day!
CNET's Cheapskate scours the web for great deals on tech products and much more. For the latest deals and updates, follow him on Facebook and Twitter. You can also sign up for deal texts delivered right to your phone. Find more great buys on the CNET Deals page and check out our CNET Coupons page for the latest Walmart discount codes, eBay coupons, Samsung promo codes and even more from hundreds of other online stores. Questions about the Cheapskate blog? Answers live on our FAQ page.