Everyone's overlooking the most important AirPods Max 2 upgrade

News of the AirPods Max 2 was met with little excitement. After all, it looks like Apple is just adding the H2 chip to the exact same model of headphones. But that addition could be more important than it seems.

Our testing of the original AirPods Max shows that even five years later, they still rank near the top of the over-ear headphone category for active noise canceling (ANC). And if Apple’s latest AirPods Pro 3 are anything to go by, there’s still room to improve.

So the real question isn’t whether the AirPods Max 2 will be better. It’s how much better the performance could be when that same chipset is applied to the over-ear design.

The AirPods Max 2 could set a new standard for noise canceling

Much of the early reaction to the AirPods Max 2 has focused on what didn’t change, namely the design. That’s understandable, but it misses what matters more to me. The AirPods Max 2 might not look new, but frankly, I can overlook that if they seriously improved the noise canceling. Apple says it’s up to 1.5x more effective, which, while reading like typical marketing fluff, is worth paying attention to. In our testing, the original AirPods Max already reduces outside noise by an average of 88%, so even a modest improvement could be meaningful.

More importantly, Apple hasn’t been standing still. Recent AirPods models show clear improvements in how effectively they quiet outside noise, especially in real-world environments like transit and busy streets. With the AirPods Pro 3, we measured an average attenuation of 90%, the best we’ve ever measured for any earbuds or headphones.

The AirPods Max 2 could pull even further ahead, given that earbuds don’t have the same physical advantage in passive isolation that over-ear headphones do. It’s possible the AirPods Max 2 could reach attenuation above 90%, something none of the hundreds of audio products that have come through our lab has ever achieved.

For anyone who regularly uses ANC headphones on a commute or a flight, that kind of jump could mean more than just a small numerical improvement. A 1–2% increase in average attenuation isn’t always noticeable on its own, especially since most headphones already handle low-frequency noise like engine rumble very well. Where it could matter is in the lower midrange, where sounds like voices and street noise are harder to block. If Apple improves attenuation in those frequencies, the AirPods Max 2 could make busy environments sound significantly quieter, not just on paper, but in everyday use.

Should you care about the AirPods Max 2?

Sure, the AirPods Max 2 stick with the exact same design, and it doesn’t fix some of the long-standing complaints. I would have liked to see a lighter build, a proper power button, or even a case that actually protects the headphones. Those are still valid issues, and they’re not going away here. But that’s not really what this update is about.

If Apple delivers on its noise canceling improvements, this could be one of the most meaningful upgrades for headphones we’ve seen in a while. The original AirPods Max already perform near the top of the category, and Apple’s recent earbuds show that its ANC is still improving. Put those together, and the AirPods Max 2 could break records. For commuters and frequent travelers, that’s what actually matters.

Don’t get me wrong, I still want those quality-of-life improvements, but it’s hard not to be excited about where ANC technology is heading. If the performance holds up, the AirPods Max 2 could end up setting a new standard for noise canceling headphones.