Apple AirPods Max 2
Apple
89 Overall Score
vs
Nothing Headphone (a) B186
Nothing
84 Overall Score
What Buyers Say
Apple AirPods Max 2
78 out of 100 high confidence 159 reviews
The Apple AirPods Max 2 receive overwhelmingly positive feedback for their exceptional sound quality, powerful noise cancellation, and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. Many users praise the clear, immersive audio and the effective ANC that can block out most background noise. However, significant complaints include high weight causing neck discomfort, poor battery life with rapid drain, and connectivity issues like frequent disconnections. A few users also report defective units that stop working within weeks, and the lack of a power-off button is a common frustration.
Pros
- Exceptional sound quality
- Powerful noise cancellation
- Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
- Premium build quality
- Comfortable for extended use
Cons
- Heavy weight causes neck discomfort
- Poor battery life with rapid drain
- Frequent disconnection issues
- No power-off button
- Defective units stop working early
Sound quality 35
Noise cancellation 28
Battery life 12
Build quality 15
Weight and comfort 10
Connectivity 8
Nothing Headphone (a) B186
No customer feedback yet
Scores
Budget
Work
Commute
Gaming
Calls
Music
Studio
Specifications
| Apple AirPods Max 2 | Nothing Headphone (a) B186 | |
|---|---|---|
| Design | ||
| Form Factor | over-ear | over-ear |
| Open/Closed | closed | closed |
| Foldable | ✗ | — |
| Weight | 0.39 kg | 0.31 kg★ |
| Ear Cushion | memory foam | memory foam |
| Headband | Breathable knit mesh with stainless steel frame | — |
| Audio | ||
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Drivers | 1★ | — |
| Freq Min | 20 Hz★ | — |
| Freq Max | 20 kHz★ | — |
| Impedance | — | 16 Ω |
| Sensitivity | — | 110 dB★ |
| Hi-Res Audio | ✓ | ✓ |
| Codecs | Apple AirPods Max 2 Wireless Over-Ear Headphones, Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio, Live Translation, Bluetooth Headphones – Orange with AppleCare+ (2 years) | LDAC |
| Surround | Spatial Audio | Spatial Audio |
| Noise Control | ||
| ANC | ✓ | ✓ |
| ANC Type | adaptive | adaptive |
| Transparency | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wireless | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 | 5.4★ |
| Multipoint | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wired Connector | USB-C | 3.5mm |
| Detachable Cable | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Battery | ||
| Battery Life | 20 hrs | 135 hrs★ |
| Charge Time | 1.5 hrs★ | 2 hrs |
| Fast Charging | 5 Minutes for 1.5 Hour | 5-minute charge delivers 8 hours of playback time (ANC off) |
| Charging | USB-C | USB-C |
| Microphone | ||
| Microphone | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mic Count | 3 | 5★ |
| NC Mic | ✓ | ✓ |
| Boom Mic | ✗ | ✗ |
| Detachable Mic | ✗ | — |
| Features | ||
| Voice Assistant | Siri | ChatGPT |
| Touch Controls | ✓ | ✓ |
| App | iOS Only | Nothing X |
| Volume Limiting | ✗ | — |
| Gaming Mode | ✗ | ✓★ |
| Water Resistance | — | IP52 |
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Max 2
- Strong connectivity (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong social proof (95th percentile)95th %ile
- Strong build (91st percentile)91st %ile
- Below average comfort (30th percentile)
Nothing Headphone (a) B186
- Strong battery (100th percentile)100th %ile
- Strong connectivity (99th percentile)99th %ile
- Strong anc (98th percentile)98th %ile
- Strong sound (96th percentile)96th %ile
- Below average comfort (30th percentile)
Verdict
Winner: Apple AirPods Max 2
Scores 89 overall, wins 7 of 7 usage categories and 4 of 39 specs.