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Apple
Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Noise Isolation / ANC & sound
7/ 10
7
0.010.0
A 7 puts its noise isolation / ANC in the top third of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 86 of the 240 we've cataloged.
4.3/ 5
SoundMDAQS Overall4.3
1.05.0
A 4.3 puts its audio quality in the top half of over-ear headphones we've measured.
Measured on 44 of the 240 we've cataloged.
Key specs
Battery Life Wireless
20 hBelow average20 h
11 h100 h
below average for over-ear headphones — based on 150 of 240 we've cataloged.
Charging Method
USB-CMost commonUsb-c87%Micro usb10%Others3%
Usb-c is the most common — on 87% of the 135 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 240).
Bluetooth Version
5.3Most common5.326%520%5.218%5.411%
5.3 is the most common — on 26% of the 145 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 240).
Connection Type
BluetoothWired-3.5mm48%Bluetooth44%Wired-usb-c7%Others1%
Bluetooth appears on 44% of the 215 over-ear headphones we've cataloged (of 240).
Battery
- Battery Life Wireless
- 20 h
- Charging Method
- USB-C
- Full Charge Minutes
- 5 min
- Battery Life Anc On
- 20 h
- Battery
- Yes
- Fast Charging
- Yes
Connectivity
- Bluetooth Version
- 5.3
- Connection Type
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth Codec
- SBC, AAC
- Multipoint Devices
- 2 devices
- Headphone Jack
- No
- USB Charging
- Yes
Design
- Weight
- 382.2 g
- Color Options
- Blue, midnight, orange, purple, starlight
- Foldable
- No
Features
- Spatial Audio
- Yes, head tracking
- Companion App
- No, settings via iOS
- Eq Customization
- No, Adaptive EQ only
- Auto Pause
- Yes
- Live Translation
- Platform AI
- Voice Assistant Support
- Siri only
Build
- IP Rating
- None
- Material Chassis Primary
- Aluminum ear cups with mesh headband and polyester materials
- Water Resistance
- No
Microphone
- Count
- 9
- Microphone
- Yes
Sound
- Acoustic Design
- Closed-back
- Ambient Mode
- Yes - adjustable level
- Anc Modes
- Off,anc,transparency,adaptive
- Driver Size
- 40 mm
- Driver Type
- Dynamic driver
- Frequency Response Signature
- V-shaped
- Noise Cancellation Type
- Active
Release
- Date
- 2026-03
- Msrp Usd
- 549 USD
- Year
- 2026
SoundGuys review
Read the full review ›SOUNDGUYS rating
Reviewed byHarley Maranan & Christian ThomasVideo Lead · Editor-at-largeReviewed April 2026
7.8/ 10
RecommendedNoise cancelling9.0
Isolation7.0
Battery life9.0
Comfort & fit8.5
Connectivity7.5
Design7.0
The verdict
The Apple AirPods Max 2 inherits the best and worst of the original, but packs a new H2 chip to improve noise cancellation and unlock new software features. An iterative update for existing AirPods Max customers, but a compelling option for Apple device owners willing to pay a premium.
✓What we like
✓Excellent noise cancellation
✓Great sound quality
✓Good microphone quality
✓USB-C audio
✕What could be better
✕Feels heavy
✕Subpar battery life
✕Apple-exclusive features
✕Expensive
Lab data
How we test ›Objective measurements from the SoundGuys test lab — overlay other models to see how this one compares.
Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve
Measured frequency response (dB) against the SoundGuys house target — the dashed curve. The closer the measured line tracks the target, the more neutral the tuning; peaks ride above the target, dips fall below it.
Frequency response — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Response (dB) |
|---|---|
| 20 | 6.6 |
| 25 | 6.2 |
| 32 | 5.2 |
| 40 | 4.2 |
| 50 | 4.0 |
| 63 | 3.3 |
| 80 | 2.4 |
| 100 | 0.9 |
| 125 | 0.1 |
| 160 | -0.5 |
| 200 | -0.4 |
| 250 | -1.0 |
| 315 | -1.5 |
| 400 | -1.9 |
| 500 | -1.6 |
| 630 | -0.6 |
| 800 | -0.1 |
| 1000 | 0.0 |
| 1250 | 0.5 |
| 1600 | 1.8 |
| 2000 | 4.4 |
| 2500 | 5.6 |
| 3150 | 6.2 |
| 4000 | 1.4 |
| 5000 | -2.0 |
| 6300 | 5.0 |
| 8000 | 8.2 |
| 10000 | 5.6 |
| 12500 | 3.0 |
| 16000 | -6.8 |
| 20000 | -15.9 |
Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Passive isolation (dB) with ANC off — how much ambient noise the fit blocks on its own. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
Passive isolation — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 0.5 |
| 26 | -0.8 |
| 33 | 0.5 |
| 41 | -1.3 |
| 52 | -2.5 |
| 65 | 2.9 |
| 82 | -5.2 |
| 103 | -3.8 |
| 130 | 0.9 |
| 163 | 5.2 |
| 205 | 9.2 |
| 259 | 12.5 |
| 325 | 15.0 |
| 410 | 14.9 |
| 516 | 15.6 |
| 613 | 16.3 |
| 772 | 18.5 |
| 972 | 20.8 |
| 1220 | 19.8 |
| 1540 | 20.6 |
| 1940 | 26.3 |
| 2440 | 28.1 |
| 3070 | 29.6 |
| 3870 | 30.2 |
| 4870 | 42.3 |
| 6130 | 40.1 |
| 7720 | 35.7 |
| 9720 | 35.7 |
| 12200 | 35.3 |
| 15400 | 36.4 |
| 19400 | 38.4 |
Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Total attenuation (dB) with ANC on — passive isolation plus active noise cancelling. Higher on the chart means more attenuation.
Noise cancelling — measurement data
| Frequency (Hz) | Total attenuation (dB) |
|---|---|
| 21 | 13.8 |
| 26 | 18.3 |
| 33 | 20.9 |
| 41 | 21.7 |
| 52 | 28.4 |
| 65 | 27.3 |
| 82 | 32.1 |
| 103 | 38.6 |
| 130 | 38.0 |
| 163 | 38.9 |
| 205 | 39.2 |
| 259 | 35.0 |
| 325 | 35.5 |
| 410 | 37.0 |
| 516 | 34.0 |
| 613 | 33.4 |
| 772 | 35.9 |
| 972 | 35.7 |
| 1220 | 30.7 |
| 1540 | 27.1 |
| 1940 | 30.5 |
| 2440 | 29.6 |
| 3070 | 28.3 |
| 3870 | 28.7 |
| 4870 | 41.3 |
| 6130 | 42.4 |
| 7720 | 34.0 |
| 9720 | 35.6 |
| 12200 | 37.0 |
| 15400 | 37.0 |
| 19400 | 41.7 |
Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
4.4
3.8
4.1
4.3
Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (1–5), modeled from the measured response. Higher is better across timbre, distortion, and immersiveness — add other models to see where this one lands.
Related comparisons
Browse all versus ›See how the Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen) stacks up against the competition.
Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
JBL Tour ONE M3VSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs JBL Tour ONE M3A question of premium ecosystem-driven features or superior battery life and connectivity.Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 WirelessVSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 WirelessOne prioritizes long-term practicality, while the other leans harder into premium materials and ecosystem features.Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Sony 1000X The CollexionVSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Sony 1000X The CollexionThe Sony 1000X The Collexion and Apple AirPods Max 2 go head-to-head to see which premium ANC headphones are right for you.Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Apple AirPods Pro 2VSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Apple AirPods Pro 2Apple’s premium over-ear headphones face off against its most popular flagship earbuds.Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 WirelessVSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 WirelessDoes superior ANC or longer battery life deliver the best everyday experience?Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Sony WH-1000XM5VSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM5Apple’s ecosystem-focused AirPods Max 2 face off against Sony’s feature-packed WH-1000XM5.Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Sennheiser HDB 630VSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Sennheiser HDB 630Do you need battery and sound quality more, or ANC?Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Apple AirPods MaxVSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Apple AirPods MaxThe AirPods Max 2 adds a few useful upgrades, but not all of them are worth paying for.Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)VSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)One flagship for Apple loyalists, one for bass heads.Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Apple AirPods Pro 3VSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Apple AirPods Pro 3Premium over-ear headphones or top-tier earbuds? Here’s how the Apple AirPods Max 2 and AirPods Pro 3 compare.Read comparison ›Apple AirPods Max (2nd gen)
Sony WH-1000XM6VSVersusApple AirPods Max (2nd gen) vs Sony WH-1000XM6There's a $100 gap between these two flagships. Here's whether it's worth it — and which direction it cuts.Read comparison ›Video reviews and comparisons for this product.
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More from the team ›Commentary and deep dives from the SoundGuys editorial team.
I 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 SnyderContributor3 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 CarrVideo Producer/WriterI 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 SnyderContributorSummer heat is exposing the AirPods Max’s biggest design flawCondensation is causing concerns for AirPods Max owners.
Adam BirneyManaging EditorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeThe Apple AirPods Max 2 will soon be obsolete without this featureWithout Auracast, the AirPods Max 2 could miss the biggest shift in Bluetooth audio we've ever seen.
Tom TriggsContributorSorry Apple fanboys: 70% of you chose the Sony XM6 over the AirPods Max 2Sony keeps the crown.Adam BirneyManaging EditorApple made the AirPods Max 2 impossible to show offI spent $550 on new headphones, but nobody can tell.Adam BirneyManaging EditorSorry Apple, most of you aren't buying the AirPods Max 2Over 2,000 people voted on the AirPods Max 2. Apple isn't going to like what they said.Adam BirneyManaging EditorThe AirPods Max 2 exposes what a rip-off the 2024 refresh wasApple finally updated the AirPods Max. The bad news? It's basically the upgrade we should have got with the USB-C refresh.Adam BirneyManaging EditorWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributor
Brady SnyderContributor3 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 CarrVideo Producer/WriterI 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 SnyderContributorSummer heat is exposing the AirPods Max’s biggest design flawCondensation is causing concerns for AirPods Max owners.Adam BirneyManaging EditorI've reviewed headphones for over a decade: Here are 5 things I wish they did differentlyHeadphone companies: help me help youChristian ThomasEditor-at-large5 ways headphones are going to change in 2027Here's where things are headed.Christian ThomasEditor-at-largeThe Apple AirPods Max 2 will soon be obsolete without this featureWithout Auracast, the AirPods Max 2 could miss the biggest shift in Bluetooth audio we've ever seen.Tom TriggsContributorSorry Apple fanboys: 70% of you chose the Sony XM6 over the AirPods Max 2Sony keeps the crown.Adam BirneyManaging EditorApple made the AirPods Max 2 impossible to show offI spent $550 on new headphones, but nobody can tell.Adam BirneyManaging EditorSorry Apple, most of you aren't buying the AirPods Max 2Over 2,000 people voted on the AirPods Max 2. Apple isn't going to like what they said.Adam BirneyManaging EditorThe AirPods Max 2 exposes what a rip-off the 2024 refresh wasApple finally updated the AirPods Max. The bad news? It's basically the upgrade we should have got with the USB-C refresh.Adam BirneyManaging EditorWired vs wireless headphones: Which should you buy?Wired headphones do not automatically sound better.Tom TriggsContributorMore Over-Ear Headphones
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