Apple AirPods Max
Driven by Apple's H1 chip, the custom 40mm dynamic drivers deliver computational audio with 20-hour active noise cancellation, housed in a stainless steel frame and knit-mesh canopy. Seamless auto-switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac, along with one-tap pairing, eliminates any friction when moving across devices. This headphone suits Apple enthusiasts who frequently switch contexts and prioritize spatial audio immersion with consistent noise isolation.
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong mic (98th percentile) 98th
- Strong sound (90th percentile) 90th
- Strong anc (89th percentile) 89th
- Strong connectivity (89th percentile) 89th
Cons
- Below average comfort (32nd percentile)
What owners think
How owner sentiment changed over time
ExclusiveBased on when customers actually wrote their reviews - so you can see whether early praise held up.
Based on 32 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
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 | knit-mesh |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Driver Size | 40 |
| Impedance | 32 |
| Hi-Res Audio | No |
| Codecs | Apple AirPods Max, Space Gray |
| Surround | Dolby Atmos, Spatial Audio |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| ANC Type | industry-leading |
| Transparency | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5 |
| Profiles | A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, HSP |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | USB-C |
| Detachable Cable | No |
Battery
| Battery Life | 20 |
| Fast Charging | 5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time |
| Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 9 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
| Boom Mic | No |
| Detachable Mic | No |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Siri |
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | Apple |
vs Competition
| Spec | Apple AirPods Max | Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 | Sennheiser HDB 630 | Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B | Technics EAH-A800 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 40 | 42 | 40 | 40 | - |
| Impedance Ohms | 32 | - | 480 | 314 | 34 | 32 |
| 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 | 5.2 | 5.2 | 5.3 |
| Battery Life Hours | 20 | 30 | 60 | 30 | 50 | 24 |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods Max | 89.1 | 98.3 | 35 | 90.4 | 69.8 | 32.3 | 87.1 | 88.5 | 87.5 |
| Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 Compare | 98 | 99.3 | 95.7 | 99.4 | 76.1 | 53.6 | 87.1 | 97.7 | 98.4 |
| Sennheiser HDB 630 Compare | 98 | 85.3 | 77.7 | 98.2 | 90.7 | 46.5 | 87.1 | 93.8 | 87.5 |
| Sony ULT WEAR WHULT900N/B Compare | 98 | 85.3 | 77.7 | 95.6 | 76.1 | 53.6 | 70.6 | 98.9 | 87.5 |
| Technics EAH-A800 Compare | 93.4 | 98.3 | 77.7 | 97.2 | 85.9 | 53.6 | 52.9 | 97.4 | 60 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra Compare | 93.4 | 79.2 | 95.7 | 52.9 | 72.7 | 81 | 70.6 | 99.2 | 73 |
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
