Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Buy the AirPods Max 2 if you use an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want the tightest ecosystem fit at the lower price. Buy the Px8 S2 if sound quality, materials and battery life matter more than Apple integration. The AirPods Max 2 is $375 at eBay as of November 4, 2026, and the Px8 S2 is $799 at Audio46 Headphone Store as of the same date. That is a $424 gap for headphones that both cancel noise and play over-ear.
Today the Apple AirPods Max 2 costs $424.00 less at its best price.
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Apple AirPods Max 2
4.3Choose the AirPods Max 2 if you live in Apple's ecosystem and want seamless switching, Siri, Find My and spatial audio with head tracking for hundreds less.
- Best fit for iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV
- Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
- Adaptive EQ tunes sound to the fit automatically
- USB-C charging and Find My integration
- $375 is less than half the Px8 S2 price
What separates them
| Apple AirPods Max 2 | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $375 at eBay as of November 4, 2026 | $799 at Audio46 Headphone Store as of November 4, 2026 |
| Battery life | Up to 20 hours | Up to 30 hours, plus 7 hours from a 15-minute charge |
| Noise cancellation | Adaptive ANC, up to 1.5x the previous generation | Hybrid ANC with an eight-microphone array |
| Wireless codec | Bluetooth 5.3, AAC only | Bluetooth 5.2 with aptX Adaptive |
| Wired listening | USB-C charging only, no analog jack | 3.5 mm jack via included USB-C to 3.5 mm cable |
| Build and materials | Aluminum and memory foam cushions, 3.4 lb shipping weight | Nappa leather, aluminum arms, 320 g |
| Ecosystem fit | Seamless switching, Siri, Find My, spatial audio with tracking |
Price history
- Apple AirPods Max 2: lowest $347.00 on Nov 4 at vipoutlet.com.
- Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2: lowest $799.00 on Nov 1 at Amazon; $799.00 on Nov 3.
Prices at every store
Apple AirPods Max 2
- TargetNew
In stock
$449.99Free shippingObserved at 3:34 AM - WalmartNew
In stock
$499.00Free shippingVerified - eBayNew
Availability unknownSold by kcmosurplus (99.9% positive, 4,700 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.
$375.00Free shippingVerified - AmazonNew
Availability unknown
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$449.99Free shippingObserved Nov 3, 2026, 10:34 AM
Also available at
- WalmartCheck price at Walmart
- vipoutlet.comCheck price at vipoutlet.com
- PC Richard & SonCheck price at PC Richard & Son
Specs compared
| Spec | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Blue | Onyx Black |
| Wireless Type | Bluetooth | Bluetooth |
| Charging Time | 5 minutes (provides around 1.5 hours of listeni… | 2 Hour |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Ports And Interfaces | USB-C (for lossless audio), USB-C (for charging) | USB-C |
| Weight | 4.74 ounces (134.5 grams) (Smart Case) | 320 g |
| Model name | AirPods Max 2 | — |
| Brand | Apple | — |
| Noise control technology | Active Noise Cancellation | — |
| Battery life | 20 h |
What reviewers say
Apple AirPods Max 2
Reviewers rate the AirPods Max 2 highly at 4.3 out of 5 from 1,263 ratings. They call them the best over-ear headphones for iPhone users and praise how well they fit into the Apple ecosystem, though some note the outside design has barely changed from the original.
- Best over-ear headphones for iPhone users
- Fits snugly into the Apple device ecosystem
- Works well for gaming and professional audio on Mac and iPad
- Good for private Apple TV watching
- Little change on the outside compared with the original AirPods Max
- Battery life shorter than some rivals
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2
Reception of the Px8 S2 centers on its sound and build, with reviewers treating it as a luxury headphone rather than a value pick. Noise cancellation is seen as good but not class-leading, and the price draws the most pushback.
Questions and answers
- Which is better for iPhone users?
- The AirPods Max 2. It gives seamless device switching, Siri, Find My and spatial audio with head tracking, and costs $375 at eBay as of November 4, 2026.
- Which has better sound quality?
- The Px8 S2 aims higher with 40mm Carbon Cone drivers and 24-bit DSP, and aptX Adaptive beats AAC on supported Android phones and laptops. On an iPhone both run AAC, so the gap narrows.
- Which lasts longer on a charge?
- The Px8 S2, at up to 30 hours versus 20 for the AirPods Max 2. A 15-minute charge gives the Px8 S2 about 7 hours of playback.
- Is the Px8 S2 worth the extra $424?
- Only if you value the leather and aluminum build, the 3.5 mm jack, the EQ app and the longer battery. If you mainly listen on Apple devices, the AirPods Max 2 covers more of what you use.
- Can I use either one wired?
- The Px8 S2 includes a USB-C to 3.5 mm cable for wired listening. The AirPods Max 2 has no analog input and charges over USB-C only.
- Which is better for travel?
- The Px8 S2 folds into a slimmer shape, comes with a carry case and runs 30 hours. The AirPods Max 2 relies on its Smart Case and needs charging more often on long trips.
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