8.9/ 10 SCORE Apple AirPods Max
Water-Resistant
No IP score
Headphone Type
Over-ear wi-fi headphones
Multipoint
No
Noise Canceling
Yes (ANC)
Battery Life
Rated as much as 20 hours
Pros
Surprisingly snug for his or her weight
Impressive sound and build-quality
Adaptive noise canceling is top-notch and so is transparency mode
Good headset efficiency for calls
Spatial audio digital encompass for iPhones and iPads is a candy bonus function
Automatic switching between iOS gadgets in your iCloud account (multipoint Bluetooth)
USB-C audio
Cons
Expensive, heavy and the good case could also be too good for its personal good
No USB-C to 3.5 mm cable included for wired use
Android customers lose a few key options
Are the AirPods Max nonetheless value it in 2025? The AirPods Max turned 5 years outdated on Dec. 15, 2025. Apple did improve them a bit in September 2024 when it added USB-C connectivity (as an alternative of Lightning) and USB-C audio, permitting you to attach the headphones to your pc, smartphone and different gadgets by way of USB-C for an all-digital lossless wired connection. We additionally obtained some new shade choices.However, except for these updates, nothing main has modified, and Apple has not added its newer, extra highly effective H2 chip to the AirPods Max. (They nonetheless have the H1 chip.) The H2 is discovered within the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, AirPods Pro 3 and Beats Powerbeats Pro 2, which permits some extra options, together with improved noise canceling and an excellent higher transparency mode, adaptive audio and dialog consciousness (which, whenever you converse, robotically lowers the quantity, and the headphones go into transparency mode so you may have a dialog with out taking your headphones or earbuds off).Much of what I stated in my unique assessment nonetheless stands, notably on the subject of design, match, sound high quality and total efficiency. However, a few of my comparisons are dated. For occasion, for the reason that AirPods Max’s launch, Sony has upgraded its flagship 1000X collection noise-canceling headphones twice and is now promoting its WH-1000XM6 headphones, which I awarded a CNET Editors’ Choice. The similar is true for Bose, which launched its QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) headphones in 2025. Both the newer Sony and Bose fashions have superior noise canceling and are lighter headphones than the AirPods Max.The AirPods Max nonetheless function superb noise canceling in addition to wonderful construct and sound high quality, they usually stay on my lists of finest headphones total and finest noise-canceling headphones. Despite the dearth of the H2 chip, in addition they nonetheless have loads of interesting options for Apple customers, together with computerized switching between Apple gadgets in your iCloud account and Apple’s spatial audio with head monitoring. USB-C audio can be a pleasant function, although you continue to have to purchase a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable ($39) if you wish to use the AirPods Max with an in-flight leisure system, which is annoying. The included protecting case, which a number of people don’t love, can be the identical and never worthy of headphones that price this a lot. As far as worth goes, the AirPods Max sometimes promote for nearer to $449, which is what the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) listing for. I am unable to say that the AirPods Max are higher than these fashions, however their sound high quality measures up effectively, they usually have a extra premium construct high quality, with a chrome steel body and aluminum for the earcups. If I knew {that a} new mannequin with the H2 chip and even the rumored H3 chip was popping out in 2026, I’d inform you to attend earlier than to procure this mannequin. However, I’m listening to that Apple is extra targeted on upgrading its AirPods earbuds in 2026 and will not improve the full-size AirPods Max for a number of years. I am unable to assure they will not be upgraded sooner — Apple would not touch upon rumors — however that is what a few sources have informed me. Read extra: AirPods Pro 3 vs. AirPods Pro 2 — Should You Upgrade?
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When Apple moved to USB-C connectivity for the AirPods Max in 2024, we obtained new colours. David Carnoy/CNETEditor’s be aware Dec. 15, 2025: What follows is my unique assessment from Dec. 23, 2020.When Apple first revealed its new AirPods Max noise-canceling headphones, many individuals naturally balked at their $549 price ticket (they’re £549 within the UK and AU$899 in Australia) — and their oddly formed Smart Case. Personally, I wasn’t shocked by their excessive price ticket — and sure, for most folk, it’s excessive. That’s as a result of again in January I’d heard by a dependable supply that through the years the engineers and designers engaged on Apple’s long-running over-ear noise-canceling headphone venture had produced some “spectacular looking” prototypes that have been too costly to fabricate with out charging upwards of $1,000. So I form of shrugged after I heard they have been $549, figuring loads of individuals would purchase them anyway. And so that they have: The first batch of AirPods Max bought out in all 5 shade choices, with on-line wait instances stretching out to a few months or extra. (You could have extra luck at particular person Apple Stores, nevertheless.) Read extra: AirPods Max: 8 Things New Owners Need to KnowAre they value $549? Ultimately, that is going to be as much as you to find out. All I can do is describe my expertise utilizing them and allow you to know that they are wonderful (although not excellent) headphones, with top-notch sound, rock-solid wi-fi connectivity and noise canceling that is arguably a contact higher than what you discover on competing fashions on the excessive finish. I may also provide you with my impressions about how they stack up in opposition to those self same headphones, particularly the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, in addition to another high-end Bluetooth headphones. But in a world the place Audeze, Grado and Focal (to call a number of) have lengthy had audiophile headphones priced effectively north of $1,500 — and few persons are outraged that the newest Adidas Yeezy sneakers go for $200 or extra — I do not suppose it is truthful to get too labored up in regards to the worth of the AirPods Max. Based on what they’re fetching on reseller websites like eBay and StockX, they too appear on their method to changing into standing symbols. This assessment relies on a number of days with the headphones. I’m nonetheless evaluating battery life and wired audio efficiency (amongst different issues), which can or could not alter the ultimate score.Read extra: AirPods Max: 14 Tips to Master Apple’s Latest Wireless Headphones Full metallic jacket The very first thing you discover whenever you open the field is that their construct high quality is like nothing that is on the market within the $300 to $400 vary. OK, there’s some stuff that is shut: The Bowers and Wilkins PX7 (all the way down to $340 from its listing worth of $400) is sturdily constructed with an attention grabbing design. I additionally like Sennheiser’s Momentum 3 for its construct high quality (all the way down to $280 from its listing worth of $400). Master & Dynamic’s MW65, presently on sale for $400 (it lists for $500), can be unique-looking and made from premium supplies. All these fashions function robust sound high quality however fall slightly brief on noise-canceling efficiency. The one factor individuals could have an issue with is the burden of the AirPods Max. These are undoubtedly heavy headphones, weighing 385 grams (13.6 ounces). By comparability, the Sony WH-1000XM4 weigh 254 grams, whereas the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 weigh 249 grams. Big distinction. On the road in New York City. David Carnoy/CNETThey’ve obtained a number of metallic — a chrome steel body and aluminum earcups which can be harking back to Apple’s MacBooks — and metallic weighs greater than plastic. I did not drop them since you keep away from dropping $549 headphones, nevertheless it’s fairly doable they might come away with a dent in the event that they fell onto pavement (they may do OK with a wooden ground). Of course, you do not wish to drop any headphones on pavement. For heavy headphones they’re surprisingly snug, however I do not anticipate that they will be tremendous comfortable for everybody, notably these with neck issues. Personally, I believed It’d be good in the event that they have been 20% lighter, however the way in which the headscarf is designed, with its mesh cover, it takes a great quantity of strain off the highest of your head, although I did discover myself making small changes, transferring the headscarf ahead off the crown of my head. While they’re large — and a few individuals simply do not prefer to put on large headphones — they appear to suit a great vary of head varieties. Their virtually gel-like memory-foam earpads additionally stand out. They adhere magnetically to cowl Apple’s 40mm customized drivers and have a cloth masking, which makes them extra breathable than your typical leather-based or fake leather-based earpads like these discovered on the Sony WH-1000XM4. As a end result, your ears steam up much less in hotter environments. You’ll be capable of exchange these earpads for $69 (sure, that is costly, too) and the AirPods Max’s battery must also be replaceable, though you will should have Apple do it. Finally, I’d be remiss to not point out the swanky design touches just like the telescoping arms and springy, pivoting hinges. There’s no plastic creaking right here. This is a well-oiled machine, minus the oil. The AirPods Max (left) subsequent to the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 (heart) and Sony WH-1000XM4. David Carnoy/CNETAre they as snug to put on because the Sony WH-1000MX4 or Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700? In a number of methods, sure. Like any headphones, sure individuals might need an issue with the Sony’s or Bose’s match, however most folk discover them to be very snug. I might put on the AirPods Max so long as each these headphones — an hour straight wasn’t an issue. But you’re conscious you might have a pair of considerable headphones in your head. On the plus aspect, I do suppose the material earpads actually give the AirPods Max a bonus in stopping your ears from getting steamed up, they usually additionally just do positive as earmuffs in colder climate, although the aluminum is kind of chilly to the contact. ‘High-end’ sound The AirPods Max do sound spectacular, like high-end headphones, with tight bass, pure mids, crisp highs and a large soundstage for a closed-back headphone. Apple does have EQ settings (beneath Music in Settings) — for Apple Music anyway — and you can also make some slight customizations to the sound profile. But I primarily went with the default sound profile throughout a number of music companies which suited my eclectic music tastes simply positive. Apple’s intention with the AirPods Max is to serve up a “high-end” audio expertise or a minimum of an approximation of 1. The downside, after all, is severe audiophiles have a tendency to not trouble with wi-fi Bluetooth headphones or noise-canceling headphones. Bluetooth streaming has gotten higher and higher through the years and noise canceling would not influence the sound practically as a lot because it as soon as did. But to get essentially the most correct, pure sound, which is what high-end headphones are all in the end about, wired headphones coupled with a correctly amplified supply that performs lossless audio goes to get you to the actual promised land. The AirPods Max are lacking some audiophile options. They presently stream solely AAC and never aptX, aptX HD or Sony’s LDAC codecs, that are suitable principally with Android gadgets. It’s doable that help for added codecs — and extra options — might be added sooner or later with a firmware improve, however for now there’s simply AAC. That’s simply positive for house owners of Apple’s gadgets, which these headphones are optimized for, however though Android gadgets help AAC streaming, there’s been studies that they do not deal with it in addition to iOS gadgets. These do work with Android telephones and Bluetooth-enabled gadgets, however you lose some additional options — extra on that in a minute.That stated, loads of $50 earbuds help aptX, and simply itemizing it as a spec does not imply all that a lot. There are different components which can be much more necessary to producing good sound, however it might be good if $549 headphones did help extra codecs. As it stands, Apple has one thing known as “Apple Digital Masters” in Apple Music which can be supposed to supply the very best audio high quality. A number of the highest hits in Apple Music are created beneath this system. You could possibly acknowledge very refined variations when listening to the identical observe (on the highest bit charge) in Spotify versus Apple Music, however most individuals cannot, or the distinction is not sufficient to care an excessive amount of about. The mesh cover. David Carnoy/CNETYou can simply inform the distinction between the sound of the AirPods Max and that of the Sony WH-1000XM4 and Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, each of that are wonderful sounding wi-fi noise-canceling headphones. The Bose really has extra of an audiophile profile than the Sony. It’s slightly higher balanced and has easy, even-handed sound and slightly tighter bass. There are instances after I prefer it higher than the Sony. But the Sony has a number of vitality within the bass and that form of vitality works higher with sure tracks. What you get with the AirPods Max is simply clearer, extra refined sound and mainly no distortion at larger volumes — be aware that whereas they play loud, they do not play extremely loud. I’m not able to say that the sound measures as much as what you get from a pair of high-end wired headphones, say one thing with a planar magnetic driver (considered one of Hifiman’s cans, as an illustration, the very best of that are open again and leak extra sound than the AirPods Max, which do leak some sound at larger volumes). But it is actually a stage up when it comes to readability from the Sony and Bose. They are extra revealing, articulate headphones. After switching forwards and backwards, I generally felt like I used to be listening by a display screen door with the Sony. The AirPods Max is also extra open sounding — by that I imply it has a wider soundstage. Now, as I stated, with sure tracks, you could possibly very effectively want the sound of the Sony, which has all that vitality within the bass, even when it lacks some definition, in comparison with the AirPods Max anyway. If you take heed to a number of hip hop, electronica and different pop hits, you simply do not really want the AirPods Max. That’s to not say that there is not a number of vitality within the bass on the AirPods Max — you may actually really feel it at instances within the type of vibration — however if you happen to’re used to slightly boomier bass and just like the sound of a hotter headphone, the Sony goes to appear nice. The AirPods Max are extra akin to the Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless however have extra bass. The Amiron Wireless additionally prices round $500, although it lacks noise canceling. The AirPods Max are slightly richer sounding, however the Beyerdynamic has good tonal stability and good readability for Bluetooth. It’s improved with some firmware upgrades however is slightly too impartial sounding for some. You take a observe like Kane Brown’s Be Like That and you will instantly discover that the bass on the Sony WH-1000XM4 dominates the observe. It sounds comparatively boomy in comparison with the bass on the AirPods Max. Now, if you happen to’re into bass, that might be a great factor. But the observe comes throughout as extra balanced and detailed on the AirPods Max, with slightly extra openness and texture. The AirPods Max solely has two buttons, neither of which is an influence button, and no contact controls. David Carnoy/CNETBillie Eilish’s observe Bury a Friend options very deep bass. Again, a number of vitality with Sony, however the bass feels slightly free in comparison with the AirPods Max. With higher-end headphones you end up visualizing fingers plucking guitar strings and you’ll distinctly hear every instrument. You get slightly extra of that with the AirPods Max, together with a extra intimate sound, by which I imply you are feeling nearer to the music. That might not be all people’s cup of tea, however you hear the distinction on tracks like Bob Dylan’s Man within the Long Black Coat, Marvin’s Gaye’s Inner City Blues and Stereolab’s Metronomic Underground. I discovered the AirPods Max have been the higher headphones for rock: Rage Against the Machine’s Take the Power Back and the Foo Fighters’ Everlong come throughout cleaner and extra textured. And no, the AirPods Pro, which sound simply positive for most individuals — they’re good however not nice — simply aren’t in the identical ballpark. But they’re clearly a hell of much more discreet and slot in your pocket, even in a pair of tight denims. Noise-canceling king? I obtained slightly grief on YouTube for calling the AirPods Max “the noise-canceling king” with out placing a query mark after the headline. Lots of people merely will not consider that Max’s noise canceling might be any higher than the noise canceling on the Sony WH-1000XM4, which I additionally declared the king of noise canceling when it got here out earlier this 12 months (nobody appeared to complain about that). I’m going to face by that evaluation. The AirPods Max’s noise canceling is arguably the very best I’ve skilled, barely edging out the noise canceling on each Sony’s WH-1000XM4 and Bose’s Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. To be clear, these are very refined variations, and nearly all of time individuals aren’t sitting round with noise canceling on with out listening to something, which is how you must take a look at noise canceling. Watch this: AirPods Max hands-on: New noise-canceling king
09:06 All three headphones are very shut when it comes to their noise-canceling efficiency. Where the AirPods Max have a slight benefit is with how a lot of a hiss they produce when canceling out noise. It’s just a bit bit cleaner sounding. There’s a faint hiss often related to noise canceling and it is barely noticeable with the AirPods Max. I additionally thought the AirPods Max do a barely higher job with relieving the strain sensation that some individuals get with noise canceling. The AirPods Pro do effectively with that — they’re vented to alleviate strain — and so too are the AirPods Max. Another commentary: The AirPods Max adaptive noise canceling appears higher than Sony’s adaptive noise canceling. With the Sony, I typically swap to mounted noise canceling in Sony’s companion app as a result of when the noise-canceling mode switches (adapts to your environment) the shift could be jarring and noticeable. The adaptive noise canceling of the AirPods Max simply appears smoother and fewer intrusive. I have never used the headphones in a number of environments as a result of pandemic (I have never been on a aircraft shortly), however I examined it on the streets of New York — sure, there’s nonetheless loads of road noise — and by a loud air-conditioning unit in my residence, in addition to close to operating water from a faucet. Again, the Sony’s noise canceling is nice total, however from my testing, I’m giving the slight nod to the AirPods Max for causes past their muffling powers. If you are questioning how the noise canceling compares to the surprisingly good noise canceling on the AirPods Pro, it isn’t as large a distinction as you would possibly suppose, however it’s a important distinction — once more, the nod goes to the AirPods Max — and I do use foam suggestions with my AirPods Pro to attempt to get a tighter seal. Only two buttons The controls are very well carried out. There are solely two buttons, each on the precise earcup. The entrance button means that you can toggle between noise canceling and a transparency mode that lets sound in and makes you are feeling such as you’re not sporting headphones. It sounds pure, much like the transparency mode on the AirPods Pro.The second button is a much bigger model of the digital crown that is on the Apple Watch. You use that to manage quantity and click on it to pause your music, reply and finish calls, and double-click to advance tracks. It’s easy and responsive and in chilly climate, you do not have to fret about contact controls that do not at all times work, although, as I stated, the aluminum on the earcups does really feel fairly chilly to the contact. Apple would not listing any water-resistance score, however they survived simply positive after I wore them in a snow bathe for 5 minutes. I’m not going to enter an excessive amount of element on the specs. You can examine all that on Apple’s web site. They have a complete of 9 microphones, two of that are contained in the earcups to evaluate the way you’re sporting them in your head, with glasses or not, as an illustration (the noise canceling adapts accordingly, a function that is discovered on the Sony WH-1000XM4). The ninth microphone is a beam-forming mic devoted to choosing up your voice with two different microphones throughout calls. They do work fairly effectively as a headset for making calls and are notably good at lowering wind noise (callers did discover some background noise after I was on the streets of New York nevertheless it wasn’t too intrusive they usually might hear my voice effectively). Also value noting: When you are in headset mode, you may hear your voice within the headphones so you may modulate your voice and never find yourself shouting. They’re comparable in that regard to the AirPods Pro, although these smaller earphones could also be a tad higher for making calls, a minimum of open air. The optical sensors contained in the earcups. David Carnoy/CNETThere are sensors that may inform when you might have the headphones in your head, and robotically pause your audio whenever you take them off or put them round your neck. Plenty of different headphones have this function, together with these from Sony and Bose, however Apple’s model appears fairly high-tech. Apple says the AirPods Max have optical sensors, place sensors, case-detect sensors and accelerometers in every earcup, and a gyroscope within the left earcup. Like the AirPods Pro, these have Apple’s H1 chip that permits for simple pairing and computerized switching with iOS gadgets you might have in your iCloud account, in addition to always-on Siri, so you may difficulty voice instructions with out touching any buttons. Apple says the H1 has a number of processing energy for the on-board adaptive noise canceling and making your digital music sound higher. These do pair with Android gadgets, however you lose among the options, like always-on Siri and Apple’s spatial-audio digital encompass function with head monitoring. Battery life is rated at 20 hours (at 50% quantity) with noise canceling on, which is fairly good, although not very good (anticipate extra like 16-17 hours if you happen to play your music loud). And you get 90 minutes of playback from a 5-minute cost by way of the Lightning port. I form of want it charged by way of USB-C, however that is a small gripe. As with Apple’s iPhones, you might want to present your personal USB-C energy adapter now — there is not one within the field.My larger gripe is that no cable is included for wired use. Like Apple did with the Beats Solo Pro, you must purchase a $35 Lightning-to-3.5mm cable if you wish to go wired, say to make use of an in-flight leisure system. I did mess around with some cabled listening, plugging it into Sony NW-ZX100 Walkman and Sony NWZ-A17 Walkman with high-res audio on them. The audio does appear barely extra “pure” and uncolored (I primarily listened to Beatles and Talking Heads tracks for comparisons), however the headphones play louder in wi-fi mode and the Walkmans had a more durable time driving the headphones than I believed they’d.The best method to take heed to to high-res audio is to plug right into a Mac or Windows PC and cargo up some FLAC recordsdata, which I did. Obviously, you too can take heed to streaming companies this manner (and another audio). The quantity ranges have been loads excessive on the MacEbook Pro I used to be utilizing and I did expertise a refined however noticeable bump up in audio high quality going the wired route. The extra I began plugging into gadgets, the extra irritated I obtained that no cable was included. The reality is usually it is simpler to plug into a tool than pair with it wirelessly, notably if you happen to’ve obtained non-Apple gadgets that are not in your iCloud account. Note, too, that the AirPods Max nonetheless wants battery energy to ship audio, even in wired mode; there is not any “passive mode” accessible right here. Also the cable does remove any latency, which could be an element whereas gaming or with music manufacturing. I did not expertise any latency with video watching when streaming wirelessly. Like the AirPods Pro, these have Apple’s spatial-audio digital encompass sound function with head-tracking that creates a sensation of being in a theater (it isn’t a real encompass expertise however for fake encompass, it is effectively finished and enjoyable to strive). It’s undoubtedly an added bonus and differentiator from these aforementioned opponents from Sony and Bose. These have extra kick than the AirPods Pro, so the digital encompass expertise appears slightly extra visceral, nevertheless it’s largely the identical. Spatial audio stays spectacular, nevertheless it’s disappointing that it would not, at current, work with Apple TV — solely iPads and iPhones for now. The controversial case. David Carnoy/CNET Controversial case I do not know fairly what to say in regards to the protecting cowl that comes with the headphones. The better part about it’s that it is simple to get on and off the headphones, and provides virtually no bulk to them — so sure, the headphones take up rather less room in a bag in comparison with the Sony WH-1000XM4, which features a conventional laborious case. You may also cost the headphones once they’re within the case, which is sweet. And lastly, the magnet contained in the clasp places the headphones right into a deep sleep mode to avoid wasting battery life, although there’s some controversy in regards to the headphones not having an influence button that turns them off.Some individuals have complained that the AirPods Max cannot be manually turned off. However, as Apple notes, if you happen to set your AirPods Max down and depart them stationary for 5 minutes, they go right into a low energy mode to protect battery cost (they do that instantly if you happen to put them within the case). Also, after 72 stationary hours out of the Smart Case or 18 hours in it, your AirPods Max go right into a decrease energy mode that turns off Bluetooth and Find My to protect battery cost additional. Apple did not do a great job clarifying all this at launch, however after I posted my preliminary assessment, I used to be pointed to an online web page that has detailed data on “How to charge your AirPods Max and learn about battery life.” This assessment has now been up to date with that data. The case does make your high-end headphones appear like a handbag or futuristic bra — you’ve got most likely seen the memes by now — which is form of weird, and if you happen to’re a stickler for defense, the mesh headband stays uncovered. It’s fairly sturdy mesh however you most likely wish to preserve sharp objects away from it. I do not hate the case as a lot as some do — keep in mind, individuals made enjoyable of how the AirPods appeared once they first got here out — nevertheless it appears simpler to lose than normal circumstances and I believe we’ll see loads of different third-party circumstances. Final ideasIf you equate weight with worth, which was as soon as the case for audio merchandise (audio system specifically), the AirPods Max actually really feel like they’re value greater than the Sony or Bose. The AirPods Max’s weight, nevertheless, can also be considered as their largest weak spot, even when, as I stated, they could be the most snug heavy headphones you will strive. For most, the Sony WH-1000XM4 or Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 are the extra sensible decisions and higher values, notably the Sony, which have dipped as little as $278. The Sony are hotter sounding headphones in comparison with the AirPods Max, however they nonetheless have nice sound (as do the Bose), notably for wi-fi noise-canceling headphones. It’s lighter as effectively, and a few individuals could discover it extra snug. So, too, are the AirPods Pro. So much lighter. And whereas they do not sound pretty much as good because the AirPods Max, missing their total readability and bass vitality (with higher definition), for almost all of individuals, they’re nonetheless the higher guess. At least till Apple comes out with a extra reasonably priced over-ear noise-canceling AirPods mannequin, which it inevitably will do, although it might take some time. But in case you are on the lookout for a high-end expertise, the AirPods Max ship one. Say what you’ll in regards to the worth, a minimum of they’re completely different, and stand out in a really crowded area of wi-fi headphones.