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Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)Editor's Choice1 / 12
Apple

Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)

A perfect pair of headphones IF Apple would get out of its own way.

Current price · Amazon US
$429
Check Price on Amazon

Price last checked 23h ago

noise cancelling & sound
8.8/ 10
ANCNoise cancelling
8.8
0.010.0

At 8.8, its noise cancelling beats 95% of over-ear headphones we've measured.

Measured on 58 of the 239 we've cataloged.

4.5/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall
4.5
1.05.0

A 4.5 puts its audio quality in the top quarter of over-ear headphones we've measured.

Measured on 43 of the 239 we've cataloged.

See the lab data ↓Frequency response · Isolation · Noise cancelling · Audio quality

Key specs

Battery Life Wireless
22.8 hBelow average
22.8 h
11 h100 h

below average for over-ear headphones — based on 156 of 239 we've cataloged.

Charging Method
Usb-c88%Micro usb9%Lightning1%Others2%

Lightning appears on 1% of the 138 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).

Bluetooth Version
5.0Most common
5.029%5.326%5.216%5.411%

5.0 is the most common — on 29% of the 147 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).

Connection Type
Most common
Wired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others2%

Bluetooth is the most common — on 44% of the 239 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 239).

Battery

Battery Life Wireless
22.8 h
Charging Method
Lightning connector
Full Charge Minutes
120 min
Battery Life Anc On
20 h
Battery
Yes
Fast Charging
No

Connectivity

Bluetooth Version
5.0
Connection Type
Bluetooth, wired-3.5mm
Bluetooth Codec
AAC
Multipoint Devices
Yes - 2 devices
Headphone Jack
No
USB Charging
No
Latency
177 ms

Design

Weight
384.8 g
Color Options
Green, pink, silver, sky blue, space gray
Ear Pad Type
Memory foam and mesh textile
Foldable
No
Headband Type
Adjustable over-head with suspension design
Wearing Time Max
4.5 h

Features

Spatial Audio
Head tracking
Companion App
No
Control Type
Physical controls (Digital Crown and Listening Mode button)
Eq Customization
No
Auto Pause
Yes
Voice Assistant Support
Siri

Build

IP Rating
None
Material Chassis Primary
Stainless steel and aluminum with memory foam and mesh
Sweat Resistance
No
Water Resistance
No
Material Ear Cups
Memory foam
Material Headband
Stainless steel with knitted mesh fabric padding

Microphone

Count
9
Microphone
Yes
Wind Noise Reduction
No
Noise Reduction Type
Active noise cancellation for calls
Type
4-mic array

Sound

Acoustic Design
Closed-back
Ambient Mode
Yes - adjustable level
Anc Modes
Off,anc,transparency
Driver Count
1
Driver Size
40 mm
Driver Type
Dynamic
Frequency Response Signature
Warm
Noise Cancellation Type
Active

Release

Date
December 15, 2020
Msrp Usd
549 USD
Year
2020

Lab data

How we test ›

Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.

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0 of 4 overlay slots used
Apple AirPods Max (1st gen)SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.-20-100+10+20201001k10k20k

Measured frequency response (dB relative) against the SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve. When the measurement goes above the dashed line, that frequency is louder than our preference curve, and when it goes below: it's quieter. Use the curve for comparison purposes only, as your taste may vary.

Apple AirPods Max (1st gen): frequency response, as measured in the SoundGuys lab. Frequency in hertz.
Frequency (Hz)Response (dB)
206.0
255.5
324.8
403.8
503.4
632.7
801.6
1000.3
125-0.4
160-1.1
200-1.1
250-1.4
315-2.3
400-2.3
500-1.5
630-1.0
800-0.2
1000-0.0
1250-0.7
1600-0.5
20002.2
25004.1
31504.3
40001.2
5000-3.7
63006.5
80006.4
100005.1
125003.6
16000-4.2
20000-19.2

SoundGuys review

Read the full review ›
SOUNDGUYS rating
8.0/ 10
Recommended
Adam Molina
Reviewed byAdam MolinaReviewed November 2022
Noise cancelling8.8
Isolation6.8
Battery life8.5
Comfort & fit8.5
Connectivity6.0
Design7.0
The verdict

While the Apple AirPod Max is a great pair of headphones with best-in-class active noise canceling (ANC) and a good sound signature, it also has a few annoying quirks that make it very obviously an Apple product. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and already love your AirPods Pro, then the AirPods Max is more of the same just in a pair of over-ears.

✓What we like
✓Nice design and solid build quality
✓Amazing active noise canceling and transparency mode
✓Comfortable ear pads and fabric headband
✓Decent battery life
✓Button and digital crown are great to use
✓Good sound quality with no distortion
✕What could be better
✕No 3.5mm headphone jack becomes a pain
✕Uses a Lightning connector instead of USB-C
✕Proximity sensors and voice assistant activation do not work on Android or Windows
✕No aptX or LDAC high quality codec support
✕The smart case is absolutely terrible and provides no protection
✕Microphone quality is just okay
Read the full SoundGuys review →

Features & Opinions

More from the team ›

Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.

I built my own Dolby Atmos speaker system, but I still prefer headphones for musicInvesting in Dolby Atmos wasn't a waste, but listening through headphones is more than a gimmick.Brady SnyderBrady SnyderContributorAfter testing hundreds of headphones, here’s why I chose the AirPods Max in 2026The AirPods Max have aged like fine wine for the ears.Harley MarananHarley MarananVideo LeadThe Sony WH-1000XM6 sounds better than the Apple AirPods Max, here's howWhile not a resounding victory, a victory nonetheless.Christian ThomasChristian ThomasEditor-at-largeDid a firmware update change the AirPods Max's sound?No post-hoc viewing of a rainbow squiggle on a chart should affect your listening.Christian ThomasChristian ThomasEditor-at-largePlease stop wearing your AirPods Max at the gymApple won’t spot you when they inevitably break.Adam BirneyAdam BirneyManaging EditorIf the AirPods Max 2 have this feature, I will buy them immediatelyThe AirPods Max are one feature away from being my perfect headphones.Chase BernathChase BernathBrand & Partnerships ManagerThe Beats 360 fix the one thing AirPods Max owners can't replaceThe Beats 360 leak is packed with specs, but one detail stands out to anyone whose AirPods Max headband has worn out.Adam BirneyAdam BirneyManaging EditorI fixed my AirPods Max headband for pennies after Apple quoted me hundredsI can't believe Apple shipped over-ears with a flawed headband... twice. Brady SnyderBrady SnyderContributorI ditched my AirPods Pro 3 for Sony's WF-1000XM6 and only lasted a weekI thought the more expensive earbuds would win. I was wrong.Dave CarrDave CarrVideo Producer/Writer3 headphones I would buy instead of the AirPods Max 2These premium headphones deliver class-leading ANC, longer battery life, and more flexibility for less money.Dave CarrDave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI thought I'd always travel with over-ear headphones—until nowOne trip made me realize I'd been optimizing for the flight, not the travel day.Dave CarrDave CarrVideo Producer/WriterI've been using AirPods Pro 3 like open-ear earbuds, and I'm never going backTry this trick before buying a pair of open-ear earbuds.Dave CarrDave CarrVideo Producer/Writer

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