Apple AirPods Max 2 review: Great sound and noise canceling, but only a modest upgrade

The AirPods Max 2 are the long-awaited successor to Apple's first pair of over-ear headphones. This new model offers better active noise cancellation (ANC), improved audio, and added features such as Conversation Awareness and Live Translation.

But while these enhancements are welcome, the Max 2 are a fairly modest tweak on what already worked rather than a major step forward. And they fail to address some of the first-gen model's biggest drawbacks. Namely, they cost nearly as much as a MacBook Neo and are heavier than most wireless headphones.

Yet, despite some obvious cons, theAirPods Max 2are as stylish as ever anddeliver competitive performance for their class. If you're tempted to take the plunge, there are a few things you should know about how the new headphones stack up against their predecessor and similar rivals. After testing the AirPods Max 2, here's where they excel and where they fall a bit short.

The AirPods Max 2 are different on the inside, not outside

The original AirPods Max launched in 2020 and were reissued in 2024 with new colors and a USB-C charging port instead of Lightning. For this second-generation model, Apple has kept the same physical design and 20-hour battery life. From the outside, there's little to distinguish the Max 2 from the first-gen Max. They even come with the same wrap-like Smart Case that only covers the earcups. That's a bit disappointing, since many people prefer a more traditional hard case for better protection.

The updates to the AirPods Max 2 are instead all internal. There's a new high-dynamic-range amplifier that pairs with the device's custom 40mm drivers. The Max 2 also make the jump from Apple's H1 chip to its newer H2 chip, which is the same processor used in the AirPods Pro 3. Apple says this chip helps deliver up to 1.5 times better ANC performance. It also enables the AirPods Max 2 to support features the first-gen model lacked, including Loud Sound Reduction in Transparency mode, Adaptive Audio (which blends ANC and Transparency), Conversation Awareness, and Live Translation.

These features will be familiar to anyone who's used the AirPods Pro 2 or 3. So, while it's definitely nice to finally have these functions on a pair of Apple over-ear headphones, it feels a little like catch-up rather than the arrival of something truly new. Still, there's no denying the value they add.

I especially appreciate Adaptive Audio. This feature hushes loud, distracting sounds while still maintaining some transparency, so it doesn't make you feel closed off from the world. I found the feature to work great on these headphones. It's a small, but necessary touch to keep this product relevant.

You'll need an iPhone with the latest software to use Live Translation, which automatically translates speech around you. I wouldn't call the feature a gimmick, but I wouldn't advise buying these headphones solely for this function either. Ultimately, the feature set here feels much more complete and compelling than what we got on the original AirPods Max. All of the little improvements make for better day-to-day use.

The headphones are still on the heavy side, but the sound quality has been subtly improved

The AirPods Max 2 have a durable metal build that makes them feel indestructible. Even if they get scratched or scuffed, I wouldn't worry about the earcups cracking or the headband snapping. In one regard, that's great for longevity. But over time, usually after 90 minutes, their 386-gram weight starts to wear on my head — despite the mesh headband and ear cushions being generally comfortable.

Are they too heavy? Maybe, maybe not. That comes down to personal preference. Personally, I prefer how lighter models from Sony and Bose feel to wear for extended periods.

Thankfully, other aspects of the build are top-notch. The Digital Crown for volume and media controls is smooth and responsive. The ANC button is within finger's reach and feels nice to press. The adjustable headband slides like butter when you want it to, but doesn't seem to budge when you don't.

In terms of audio quality, the AirPods Max 2 offer a wide soundstage, providing ample space to hear instruments. The bass is tight and punchy on some songs, but full and resonant on others, depending on how they're mixed. So you could pump up the volume and drown in the synths of The Weeknd's "Blinding Lights" or enjoy the rich, enveloping rhythm of Daft Punk's "Lose Yourself to Dance."

With the default EQ settings, the AirPods Max 2 have a slightly more airy, spatial quality than direct rivals like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QC Ultra Headphones. On the other hand, those two competitors have a bit more punch in the bass. But while going back and forth between the three models, it was hard to pick a favorite. To my ears, the Max 2 were the most balanced, followed by the 1000XM6, and the Ultra Headphones being the most deliberate in their sound profile.

Meanwhile, the difference in audio quality between the original AirPods Max and Max 2 is subtle. I doubt a lot of people will be able to instantly distinguish between them, even if they are improved. The old ones were very good, and these new ones are slightly better. It's also hard to directly compare the AirPods Max 2 to Apple's popular AirPods Pro 3 because of their different form factors. That said, while those earbuds sound excellent, the Max 2 have larger drivers and can push more air.

It's not just music, though. Apple's over-ear headphones also work great for movies. I used the Max 2 while watching "Dune," and it was a dazzling audio experience. Connecting the Max 2 to an Apple TV 4K is as simple as pressing a single button to confirm the audio output. And then you have a complete home theater speaker system on your head.

Noise cancellation rivals the best of the best

The AirPods Max 2 deliver impressive noise cancellation. During my testing, they silenced the wind and other natural sounds while standing outside. Inside, they removed household noises, like people watching TV or someone preparing food in the kitchen. The original Max headphones were good at noise cancellation, but these new ones are even better.

While the Apple AirPods Pro 3 also perform well at blocking noise, the Max 2 headphones beat them. This can likely be attributed to the Max 2's over-ear fit compared to the Pro 3's in-ear design, which can be harder to get sealed perfectly.

To get a sense of how the AirPods Max 2 compare to other premium over-ear headphones, I simulated an airplane cabin at 75-80 decibels and switched between various models.

In short, the AirPods Max 2 easily climbed toward the top of the pack, cementing Apple as a worthy rival to Bose, which has long been the industry leader in ANC. It's hard to give a clear edge to either model, but the Bose QC Ultra Headphones and the Max 2 performed the best at silencing an airplane cabin. It's just remarkable how well both did to minimize the noise. Sony's WH-1000XM6 also did well in this area, better than other options I tested, like the Marshall Monitor III, but just not quite as well as the Max 2.

If you're looking for a reason to justify buying the AirPods Max 2, then ANC might be that defining feature. Especially if distraction-free times are important to your productivity.

Should you buy them?

Make no mistake, the Apple AirPods Max 2 are great headphones. They deliver some of the best ANC performance available, and they boast fantastic audio quality when listening to music or watching movies. But much like the first-gen model, the AirPods Max 2 are brought down a bit by their sky-high price, heavy weight, and divisive Smart Case. But those things aren't necessarily deal breakers for everyone.

If you love the way AirPods integrate with an iPhone, Mac, or Apple TV 4K, then no other over-ear headphones will fill that need as well as the AirPods Max 2. While the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are a fantastic product, these larger over-ear headphones offer a more universal fit and seal, and their drivers are just bigger. This helps to cement them as the best AirPods for audiophiles who want premium sound and design.

If you're tied into Apple's ecosystem, have the funds, and don't already own the original AirPods Max, this new model is definitely a worthy buy. However, if you already own the original AirPods Max, you don't need to rush out and upgrade. New features like Adaptive Audio and Live Translation are nice to have, but if you're drawn to them, I suggest waiting for the Max 2 to go on sale first. The original AirPods Max were frequently discounted by $100, and I expect similar deals on this model.

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