Apple AirPods Max AirPods Max 2

★★★★★ 4.7 (181)

Powered by the H2 chip, it delivers 1.5x more active noise cancellation than its predecessor, a 20-hour battery life, and a knit mesh canopy that reduces clamping pressure. The live language translation and lossless USB-C audio provide practical differentiation, while the 386-gram build and memory foam earcups prioritize long-session comfort. Best for frequent travelers and hybrid workers needing strong call clarity and adaptive sound, though its studio performance limits critical listening use.

form factor over-ear
driver type Dynamic
Wireless Yes
active noise cancellation Yes
open closed back closed
bluetooth version 5.3
battery life hours 20
Apple AirPods Max AirPods Max 2 headphones
80 Overall Score
Also available in:

Snapshot

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong connectivity (98th percentile) 98th
  • Strong anc (98th percentile) 98th
  • Strong social proof (97th percentile) 97th
  • Strong build (92th percentile) 92th

Cons

  • Below average comfort (28th percentile)

What owners think

How owner sentiment changed over time

Exclusive

Based on when customers actually wrote their reviews — so you can see whether early praise held up.

20Q2 '26
Happy (4-5★)Unhappy (1-2★)Bar height = number of reviews

Based on 20 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.

The proof

Performance

Performance Percentiles

Anc 97.5
Mic 82.8
Build 92.4
Sound 47.9
Battery 65.9
Comfort 28.4
Connectivity 98.2
Social Proof 97.4

Specifications

Full Specifications

Design

Form Factor over-ear
Open/Closed closed
Foldable No
Weight 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs
Ear Cushion memory foam
Headband Breathable knit mesh with stainless steel frame

Audio

Driver Type Dynamic
Drivers 1
Hi-Res Audio Yes
Surround Spatial Audio

Noise Control

ANC Yes
ANC Type adaptive
Transparency Yes

Connectivity

Wireless Yes
Bluetooth 5.3
Multipoint Yes
Wired Connector USB-C
Detachable Cable No

Battery

Battery Life 20
Fast Charging 5 Minutes for 1.5 Hour
Charging USB-C

Microphone

Microphone Yes
Mic Count 3
NC Mic Yes
Boom Mic No

Features

Voice Assistant Siri
Touch Controls Yes
App iOS Only
Volume Limiting No

vs Competition

Spec Apple AirPods Max AirPods Max 2 Sony WH-1000XM6 WH-1000XM6 Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Px8 S2 Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT JBL Live 770NC TOZO HT3 HT3
Form Factor over-ear over-ear over-ear over-ear over-ear over-ear
Driver Type Dynamic dynamic dynamic Dynamic Dynamic dynamic
Driver Size (mm) - 30 40 42 40 40
Impedance Ohms - 48 - 60 32 16
Wireless true true true true true true
Active Noise Cancellation true true true true true true
Open Closed Back closed closed closed closed closed closed
Bluetooth Version 5.3 5.3 5.3 5.2 5.3 6.0
Battery Life Hours 20 30 30 60 65 90
Compare Compare Compare Compare Compare
Product AncMicBuildSoundBatteryComfortConnectivitySocial Proof
Apple AirPods Max AirPods Max 2 97.582.892.447.965.928.498.297.4
Sony WH-1000XM6 WH-1000XM6 Compare 97.591.392.490.172.279.399.783.2
Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Px8 S2 Compare 97.599.495.999.472.250.297.497.4
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 M4AEBT Compare 97.585.177.297.68979.398.959.5
JBL Live 770NC Compare 97.578.597.284.891.550.299.991.5
TOZO HT3 HT3 Compare 87.385.195.998.996.950.296.691.5

Usage Scores

Work (75.7)Calls (81.8)Music (57.4)Overall (79.5)Budget (72.8)Gaming (72)Studio (51.5)Commute (66.6)

A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.

Other Configurations4

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