The Apple AirPods Max 2 are the follow-up to the original Apple AirPods Max. They keep the same distinctive aluminum-and-mesh design but add Apple's H2 chip along with newer ecosystem features like Adaptive Audio and Live Translation when paired with compatible Apple devices. As with the first generation, they're aimed squarely at people who want premium build quality and deep integration with Apple's hardware and software.
Our Verdict
The Apple AirPods Max 2 aren't a good fit for sports and fitness. They're heavy, bulky, and only have okay stability, so while they stay put for light movement, they can shift or fall off once things get more intense. They're also only decently comfortable to wear for longer periods of time because their clamping force is on the higher side. These headphones can accompany you on a gentle walk, but for anything more strenuous, you'd want to look elsewhere.
Exceptional noise isolation.
Premium build with easily replaceable ear cushions.
Case offers very little protection.
Heavy fit can get tiring over time.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 are impressive for travel. Their ANC does an outstanding job cutting down everything from plane-engine rumble to the sounds of pedestrians and cars on a busy street. Coupled with their warm yet well-controlled sound, these headphones perform well on almost any form of transportation. That said, while their 22-hour battery life is long enough for a long trip, it falls some way shorter than the battery life offered by competitors. These headphones have plush, easily detachable earpads, which help make them decently comfortable, but their higher clamping force means people with larger heads might find them a little tight. They're also quite bulky, even for over-ears, and they don't come with a proper travel case. Their included pouch does little to protect these cans from the elements. Still, if blocking out noise is the priority, these are a great choice.
Exceptional noise isolation.
Premium build with easily replaceable ear cushions.
USB-C audio support out of the box.
Long enough battery life for most uses.
Case offers very little protection.
Mic performance depends heavily on the connected device.
Heavy fit can get tiring over time.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 are good for office work, especially if you mainly want to listen in peace without being disturbed by chatty coworkers. They do a superb job reducing ambient office din, and their leakage is low enough that nearby coworkers are unlikely to hear much unless you're listening very loudly. While their plush earpads feel nice to the touch, these headphones do have a higher-than-average clamping force, which means they can get fatiguing to wear over longer sessions. It's also important to note that if you want better mic performance, you'll want to pair these with Apple devices. When paired with non-Apple devices, the mic performance is fairly middling.
Exceptional noise isolation.
Premium build with easily replaceable ear cushions.
USB-C audio support out of the box.
Long enough battery life for most uses.
Mic performance depends heavily on the connected device.
Heavy fit can get tiring over time.
No laptop mic support via USB-C.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 don't come with a low-latency wireless dongle, so they're not useful for most wireless gaming scenarios. You can connect them via Bluetooth, but latency via the SBC codec is high. That said, when connected to compatible Apple devices, some apps enable Game Mode, which helps to reduce latency. But in general, you won't want to use these for anything more serious than a casual bout of mobile gaming.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 are decent for wired gaming. Their USB-C and analog connections both offer very low latency, so gameplay feels responsive, and their warm yet well-controlled sound works well for games, even if the dip in the mid-treble can make effects like clashing swords seem a touch dull. They're decently comfortable, but their heavy design can get tiring during long sessions. But voice chat is pretty much off the table here (unless you bring your own mic): their built-in microphone doesn't work over USB-C on MacBooks or PCs, and analog use requires a separate cable that isn't included.
Exceptional noise isolation.
USB-C audio support out of the box.
Heavy fit can get tiring over time.
No laptop mic support via USB-C.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 have very good audio reproduction accuracy. Their bass and mid-range both stay very close to our target. Bass lines and kick drums sound full and punchy without overwhelming the mix, while mid-range sounds like vocals and instruments are reproduced accurately. That said, the treble is more inconsistent, mainly due to a large dip in the mid-treble that can make sounds like cymbals feel a touch distant. Still, the left and right drivers are very well matched, so objects are correctly placed in the stereo field. They also produce no audible harmonic distortion, even at high listening levels.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 have exceptional noise isolation. With ANC enabled, they do an outstanding job reducing low-frequency rumble, office chatter, and brighter environmental noise like fan whine. Whether on a plane, train, or just putting in too many hours at the office, these will block out the world around you, letting you focus on your audio. That said, they do leak a little noise, so in very quiet environments, people nearby may hear a faint version of your audio. It's also important to note that with ANC disabled, there's a noticeable amount of bass-range noise, which can be a little distracting.
Like most Apple headphones, the Apple AirPods Max 2 mic performance depends on the product you've paired them with. When paired with our standard test rig, they offer middling microphone performance. Recordings sound dull, and the system does a poor job separating your voice from any noise around you. That said, the mic does a better job of capturing your voice when paired with Apple devices, so you sound fuller and clearer. But even then, the system still struggles to separate your voice from louder background noise like a subway train. In general, these headphones are fine for casual calls in quieter places, but they aren't a great pick for noisy environments. It's also worth noting that we were unable to get the mic working when connected via USB-C with any laptops, including Apple MacBooks.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 have amazing frequency response consistency. If you take a moment to seat them properly, you can expect very similar sound each time you wear them. That's a strong result for over-ear headphones and helps make their tuning feel reliable from one listening session to the next.
Performance Usages
Changelog
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Updated May 25, 2026:
We mentioned the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2 in the Case section of this review.
- Updated May 04, 2026: This review has been updated to Test Bench 2.2, which removes the Cumulative Spectral Decay (CSD) test, retiring its waterfall plot visualization from our reviews. You can read more about this change in the changelog.
- Updated Apr 22, 2026: Review published.
- Updated Apr 16, 2026: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Apple AirPods Max 2 come in five colors: 'Midnight,' 'Starlight,' 'Blue,' 'Purple,' and 'Orange.' We bought and tested an 'Orange' pair, and took two photos of their labels (1, 2).
If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphones Comparisons
The Apple AirPods Max 2 are a small but meaningful step up over the original Apple AirPods Max, thanks to stronger ANC, USB-C wired audio, and support for newer Apple features like Live Translation. But the first generation performs pretty similarly in most respects. And, in general, most Apple users looking for all-purpose daily drivers will probably be better served by the Apple AirPods Pro 3, which block out even more noise, take up almost no space in your pocket or bag, and are far better suited to commuting, traveling, and workouts.
Within the wider world of portable over-ear headphones, the Max 2 occupy a much less obvious position. In truth, unless you're deeply enmeshed within Apple's ecosystem, they aren't a particularly compelling offering and stand out mostly for the eye-catching and sturdy metallic design. The most relevant competition comes from flagship over-ears like the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen). Both are better picks for most people: the Sony are lighter and have a better (and more versatile) microphone, while the Bose are the most comfortable of the three. Both the Sony and the Bose last much longer than the Apple off a single charge, and come with useful, practical cases that help protect your headphones, compared to Apple's fairly pathetic pouch. All three offer superb ANC, with the Apple and Sony pulling slightly ahead of the Bose.
For more headphones, check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling headphones, the best over-ear headphones, and the best Apple AirPods.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 are both premium over-ear headphones with top-tier noise cancelling, but they cater to slightly different buyers. The Sony are the easier all-around recommendation for most people since they're lighter and more comfortable, last a lot longer on a charge, come with a far more useful (and protective) case, and offer broader app support across iOS and Android. The Sony mic is also generally better and more versatile, since it performs well regardless of the device it's connected to, whereas the Apple's mic is disappointing unless connected to another Apple device. In general, the Apple make more sense if you're already deep in Apple's ecosystem, as they offer tighter integration with Apple devices alongside features like Personalized Spatial Audio and Live Translation. For most people, the Sony are better.
The Apple AirPods Max 2 are better than the original Apple AirPods Max. The second generation keep the same premium and eye-catching design, but improve on the original with even stronger noise isolation, USB-C wired audio out of the box, and offer newer Apple-only features like Adaptive Audio and Live Translation. That said, the original Apple AirPods Max are still a compelling alternative if you can find them for less, since their sound is very similar and their ANC remains excellent. If money is no object, the second generation are the way to go, but if you're an Apple fan looking for a deal, don't turn your nose up at the originals.
If you're an Apple user looking for on-the-go audio, the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are better than the Apple AirPods Max 2 in almost every case. The Pro 3 block out even more noise than the Apple AirPods Max 2, are much smaller and more stable, have an IP57 rating that will protect both the buds and case from rain. That means they make much more sense for people looking for all-purpose earbuds that can accompany them commuting, at the office, or in the gym. That said, if you're set against earbuds, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are the obvious choice. Their roomier fit is decently comfortable, and they last longer off a single charge. But there are no extra charges available in their poor excuse for a case. If you want wired audio, the Max 2 are the way to go, too. Still, we think most people are best served by the earbuds, unless they know they want the over-ears.
For most people, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are better than the Apple AirPods Max 2. They're more comfortable, last much longer, come with a far more useful hard case, and offer companion app support and EQ on both iOS and Android. They also have the more versatile mic, since it does a decent job regardless of the device you're connected to. That said, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are more compelling if you're deeply enmeshed within Apple's ecosystem. Their mic sounds much better when paired with an Apple device, and you get extra features like Personalized Spatial Audio and Live Translation. Finally, the Apple's ANC is slightly stronger than the Bose's, too. But we think the Bose offer better value for most people.
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Test Results
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