Apple AirPods Max (2021)

Best-in-class ANC ; Amazing transparency mode ; Excellent build quality ; Excellent sound quality ; Top-notch call quality

Charges via Lightning cable ; Heavy on head

High-luxury design ; Terrific, balanced sound quality ; Very effective noise cancellation ; Dependable and foolproof controls ; Spatial audio for immersive entertainment

Heavier than many competitors ; No 3.5mm jack ; Wired listening requires $35 cable ; Case is an abomination ; Apple Music can’t make the most of these headphones

Apple’s AirPods Max are its first noise-canceling, over-ear headphones. They have a stylish design, excellent sound quality, and unique features like spatial audio. But at $550, they also come at a much higher price than competitors like the Sony...

Gorgeous design ; Great audio quality ; Powerful ANC ; Seamless integration with Apple devices

Expensive

Apple’s AirPods Max headphones combine beautiful design with powerful tech for great audio quality and best-in-class ANC.

Clear, well balanced sound ; Solid noise cancellation and stellar transparency mode ; Terrific controls for volume, playback, and ANC ; Tightly integrated with Apple ecosystem

Still uses Lightning rather than USB-C ; Wired listening requires a pricey adapter ; Smart Case offers no protection from the elements ; Relatively short battery life

If you love fantastic sound and you’re a fan of the clever little touches Apple puts into its products, there’s a lot to love in the AirPods Max.

Over 21 hours of continuous battery life. Great build quality. Outstanding noise cancelling.

Mic struggles to separate your voice from background noise. Mediocre breathability. Heavy, bulky design which can be fatiguing to wear. Audio cable not included. No NFC or multi-device pairing.

The Apple AirPods Max are good for neutral sound. These headphones have Adaptive EQ, which adjusts the audio as you're listening to it based on fit and seal. That said, their sound profile has a neutral mid-range that ensures detailed vocals and lead...

Amazing design ; Amazing build quality ; Simple to use and setup, especially with other Apple products ; The sound is outstanding ; The best ANC of any over-ear headphone that I've used ; Amazing call quality and reception ; The best Transparency Mode...

These boys are expensive, silly expensive ; The clacking of the two ear cups together might cause wear over time ; The lifespan of the headband mesh is questionable ; The smart case is ugly, just ugly

Pretty, clean design; Outstanding sound clarity and detail, no distortion; iCloud device pairing is always convenient; No on/off — they are always ready for use; Best Transparency Mode on the market

Hardware controls are in an awkward spot; Not the strongest noise cancellation out there; EQ is kind of bland and bass-heavy. Basically no user control over EQ; The case is just not a case; Price-to-value ratio is arguable

Premium design that hasn't aged a day ; Good audio quality ; Excellent active noise cancelation ; Good battery life

No lossless audio on Bluetooth and complicated on wired connections ; No IP rating ; No manual equalizer ; Headset never turns off ; Multipoint only with Apple devices ; Difficult to use on Android/Windows ; Price still high 4 years after release

Would I advise you to buy the Apple AirPods Max at $550 in 2024? In absolute terms, no. The AirPods Max doesn't offer good value for money. No, I don't think its price on the Apple store is justified. And yes, even with the iPhone 15 Pro Max that I use...

Fantastic sound quality ; Elite noise cancellation ; Great Apple-friendly features

Fit isn't always comfortable ; Average battery life ; No true analogue wired connection

AirPods Max deliver sound quality that's better than the noise-cancelling competition, with some great extra features to boot. But they're not a certain buy – the fit isn't ideal for everyone, the wired connectivity is frustrating, and we don't love...