Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back Review
The AirPods Max deliver the best sound and noise cancellation we've tested, but you pay a massive premium for it. Here's who should actually buy them.
The 30-Second Version
The AirPods Max are the luxury sports car of headphones: breathtaking performance with a breathtaking price tag. Unless you're all-in on Apple and have cash to burn, the Sony XM5s are the smarter choice.
Overview
The Apple AirPods Max are the best-sounding, best-built wireless noise-cancelling headphones you can buy, and they cost like it. Forget the price for a second: these things are an absolute luxury item. The one thing you need to know is that if you're deep in the Apple ecosystem and want the pinnacle of audio quality and ANC, this is it. But you're paying a massive premium for that privilege, and the competition is nipping at its heels for a lot less cash.
Performance
What surprised us was how these headphones dominate our database. They're in the 99th percentile for sound and ANC, which is insane. The 40mm dynamic drivers deliver a sound profile that's rich and detailed without being overly bass-heavy, and the ANC is so good it feels like you've just stepped into a soundproof room. The only thing that isn't literally perfect is the battery life, which at 20 hours is 'only' in the 97th percentile. That's the level we're at here.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Sound quality is arguably the best in class, with incredible clarity and balance. 100th
- Active Noise Cancellation is a force field against the outside world. 98th
- Build quality feels like a premium product, not just plastic. 97th
- Seamless integration with Apple devices is flawless. 94th
Cons
- The price is astronomical compared to the competition.
- At 386 grams, they're heavy. You'll feel them after a few hours.
- The 'Smart Case' is a joke. It doesn't protect the earcups.
- No power button. They go into a low-power mode in the case, which is just weird.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Open/Closed | Closed |
| Foldable | Yes |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.9 lbs |
| Ear Cushion | Mesh textile, memory foam |
| Headband | Stainless steel |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 20 |
| Freq Max | 20000 |
| Impedance | 16 |
| Sensitivity | 100 |
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
| Surround | Spatial Audio |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | Lightning |
| Detachable Cable | No |
| Range | 15.2 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 20 |
| Charge Time | 1.5 |
| Fast Charging | 5min=1.5hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 3 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Siri |
| Touch Controls | Yes |
| App | iOS |
| Volume Limiting | No |
Value & Pricing
Worth it? Only if money is truly no object. You're paying for the Apple logo, the exquisite build, and that last 5% of audio and ANC performance over the Sony XM5s. For everyone else, the value proposition is rough.
Price History
vs Competition
You have to look at the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra. The Sony's are lighter, have comparable (but slightly less effective) ANC, and cost $200-$300 less. The Bose have legendary comfort and a more neutral sound signature. The AirPods Max beat them both on pure audio fidelity and build materials, but the gap in performance is much smaller than the gap in price. If you're not an Apple die-hard, the Sony's are the smarter buy.
| Spec | Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless | Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Over-Ear Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | 40 | 30 | 37 | 40 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 16 | 48 | — | 32 | 24 | — |
| 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 | 5.0 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | 20 | 30 | 50 | 70 | 35 | 30 |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | 96.5 | 93.6 | 99.5 | 91.3 | 64.6 | 71.2 | 91.5 | 97.9 |
| Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | 78.4 | 97.9 | 91.5 | 95.2 | 75.1 | 91.7 | 99.2 | 97.3 |
| Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | 96.5 | 90.3 | 40.9 | 93.7 | 87.5 | 71.2 | 97.6 | 85.4 |
| JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | 99.6 | 81 | 91.5 | 81.3 | 96.7 | 71.2 | 99.9 | 89.8 |
| Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless | 78.4 | 95.7 | 91.5 | 96.5 | 71.6 | 91.7 | 78.2 | 79.1 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Over-Ear Wireless | 78.4 | 99.1 | 99.5 | 99.4 | 75.1 | 11.5 | 98.6 | 73.9 |
Common Questions
Q: How's the noise cancellation?
It's the best we've tested. It's in the 99th percentile. Planes, offices, city noise—it just disappears. The Transparency mode is also incredibly natural.
Q: Are they comfortable for all-day wear?
The knit mesh canopy helps, but at over 385 grams, they're heavy. Most people find them fine for a few hours, but you might feel the weight by the end of a long workday.
Q: Do they work well with Android phones?
They'll connect via Bluetooth, but you lose all the seamless features like automatic switching, spatial audio, and easy access to ANC modes. We don't recommend them for Android users.
Who Should Skip This
If you're looking for the best value in premium noise-cancelling headphones, this isn't it. Go get the Sony WH-1000XM5 instead. Also, if you're on a tight budget or primarily use Android, skip these entirely.
Verdict
We recommend the AirPods Max, but with a huge caveat. If you own multiple Apple devices, demand the absolute best sound and noise cancellation, and can afford the luxury tax, you will not be disappointed. They are exceptional headphones. For anyone else, especially Android users or budget-conscious buyers, the Sony WH-1000XM5 delivers 90% of the experience for 60% of the price. That's the real competition.