Apple AirPods Max
The AirPods Max use Apple's H1 chip for computational audio, a 20-hour battery, and a pressure-relieving knit-mesh canopy with memory foam earcups. Their transparency mode and personalized spatial audio with dynamic head tracking create an immersive yet open soundstage. These are best for Apple users who prioritize clear, beamforming-powered calls and strong noise cancellation during commutes, though the bulky design is poor for fitness.
form factor in-ear
driver type dynamic
active noise cancellation Yes
battery life hours 20
case battery hours 20
45 Overall Score
Price $409
Snapshot
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong anc (91st percentile) 91st
- Strong mic (88th percentile) 88th
- Strong battery (83rd percentile) 83rd
- Strong social proof (66th percentile) 66th
Cons
- Below average comfort (1st percentile)
- Below average connectivity (28th percentile)
- Below average sound (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.
Owner sentiment has held steady over time
82/100Our AI sentiment read
Based on 10 dated customer reviews, grouped by calendar quarter. Period analysis is in English.
The proof
Performance
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | in-ear |
| Wearing Style | over-ear |
| Weight | 0.4 kg / 0.8 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | dynamic |
| Impedance | 5 |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
| ANC Type | pro-level |
| Transparency | Yes |
Earbud Battery
| Battery Life | 20 |
| Charging | USB-C |
Case Battery
| Case Battery | 20 |
| Case Charging | USB-C |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 3 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
Features
| Voice Assistant | Siri |
vs Competition
| Spec | Apple AirPods Max | Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K | Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 | Sony WF-1000XM6 | Google Pixel Buds Pro | Nothing Ear (3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear | in-ear |
| Driver Type | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic | dynamic |
| Wireless | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Bluetooth Version | - | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.4 |
| Battery Life Hours | 20 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 11 | 10 |
| Case Battery Hours | 20 | 28 | 18 | 24 | 31 | 19 |
| Water Resistance | - | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | IPX4 | Water-Resistant |
| Multipoint | - | true | true | true | true | true |
| Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare | Compare |
| Product | Anc | Mic | Build | Sound | Battery | Comfort | User Sentiment | Connectivity | Social Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods Max | 90.8 | 88.2 | 35 | 31.6 | 83.1 | 1.3 | 64.6 | 27.7 | 65.9 |
| Technics EAH-AZ100 EAH-AZ100-K Compare | 97.5 | 97.5 | 81.6 | 99.1 | 83.1 | 73.4 | 92.1 | 99.2 | 80.7 |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra 896637-0010 Compare | 97.5 | 92 | 81.6 | 97 | 49.4 | 94.7 | 92.1 | 98.1 | 89.8 |
| Sony WF-1000XM6 Compare | 97.5 | 99.8 | 81.6 | 89.2 | 80.3 | 73.4 | 50 | 98.1 | 80.7 |
| Google Pixel Buds Pro Compare | 97.5 | 84.2 | 81.6 | 93.8 | 85.9 | 73.4 | 97.2 | 95.8 | 89.8 |
| Nothing Ear (3) Compare | 93.8 | 97.5 | 73.4 | 93.8 | 78.9 | 94.7 | 80 | 100 | 80.7 |
Price
Value & Pricing
From $409
Amazon 2 offers From $409
Price History
Usage Scores
A full written review is coming soon. The specs, scores, prices and charts above are always up to date.
