I've been using Apple's AirPods Max for nearly a year now, and if there's one thing (besides its price) that I've grown to hate over time with the $549 headphones, it's the horrible carrying case.

Call it a caddy, call it a sports bra, whatever it looks like to you, it is still a practically useless product. Does it protect your expensive headphones? No. Does it enhance the overall aesthetic? No, if you ask me, it does not.

OK, maybe I'm being a little harsh, but storing them in the Smart Case puts them in an ultra-low power state, so the AirPods Max battery charge is maintained. the AirPods Max are capable of about 20 hours of playback with ANC turned on, but when not listening to music or taking calls When not in use, the case can be used to conserve power.

I have been spending more time out and about lately. I want to be able to take my headphones, which I've been using at home for the last year, with me and use them everywhere for great sound quality, easy access to Siri, and noise canceling capabilities.

However, I feel that the included AirPods Max case, while it can turn the mesh headband into a sort of carrying handle, does not make the headphones truly portable. I don't feel comfortable tossing headphones into a backpack, weekend duffel bag, or everyday tote bag.

That's why I bought this $30 AirPods Max case from Amazon. While there are dozens of AirPods Max cases listed on the e-retailer, I was most pleased with the customer reviews for this model. It is shockproof (drop-proof) and waterproof, and promises to keep my headphones safe wherever I go.

Even better, it comes with a magnet that claims to trigger the same AirPods Max low-power mode as Apple's Smart Case. This means that the AirPods Max's battery life should still hold up if you take it on a weekend trip.

The case zippers completely closed, so no part of the AirPods Max is exposed. It also comes with a small carrying strap, which I don't envision using much, but might be useful for retrieving the headphones if they fall to the bottom of a bag.

Certainly not as luxurious as the Smart Case. The plain gray finish I chose also does not satisfy my eye for design. But I know what's in it, and no one else at the airport or coffee shop needs to see me flaunting a pair of high-end headphones in a sloppy case.

You can see the full case I bought on TikTok below. It is also a sign to follow Tom's Guide on TikTok.

The downside of this Amazon case compared to Apple's Smart Case is that you have to take the AirPods Max out to charge it; the Smart Case has a small gap to thread it through the Lightning port, and the AirPods Max is not designed to be used for charging.

Still, I would choose this one second added inconvenience over the AirPods Max breaking in my bag. Apple probably should have sold the AirPods Max with a more solid case, like the one that comes with the Bose 700 and Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones. But for $30, I'm glad I found an alternative to keep my best headphones safe.