Live Science Verdict
The AirPods Max propose large speech sound , but a high price and some interesting design choices cease them short of greatness .
Excellent noise cancellation
Comfortable
The supplied case doesn’t offer much protection, it just puts the AirPods Max in to a low power state.
singular design
Lightning charge
No great power push button
Despite their minimalist look, the AirPods Max are still easily identifiable in a crowd.
Why you may trust springy ScienceOur expert reader drop hour examination and compare products and services so you may pick out the best one for you . feel out more about how we test .
We ’ll pull in it up right from the off — the AirPods Max are little to no commodity to you if you ’re await for thebest running headphones . They ’re big and pretty bulky , and a turn of sweat will belike have you looking for a fix store .
However , as a span of all - purpose headphones , though , they ’re one of our favorite ways to mind to music — but they ’re not stark . They offer a fantastic soundstage full of dynamic triple , mids , and mickle of bass — idealistic for just about any music music genre — and they ’re pressurise by Apple ’s Spatial Audio .
The author wearing the Apple AirPods Max at home.
Smart enable / compatibility : Bluetooth
Waterproof : No
stamp battery life:20 hour
The mesh of the headband and the padding around the earbuds make the AirPods Max extremely comfortable to wear.
Charging metre : Two hours for full charge
Noise - canceling : Yes
include : Apple AirPods Max , Smart Case , Lightning to USB - C cable television
That state , they ’re not precisely easily portable , with a unequaled design that does n’t really fold up for travel and lacks a power clit . Instead , you get an strange case that does n’t appear to volunteer much protection but put them in a low - index modality .
If you ’re an Apple equipment - toting audiophile , however , they ’re well deserving a look — particularly if you ’re looking for a grounds to keep that Lightning cable handy now the iPhone 15 ( USB - C embrasure ) lineup is here .
Apple AirPods Max: Functionality
As if the name ' AirPods ' was n’t a clue , the functionality here is pretty much the same as on any of Apple ’s wireless earbuds . With no level case , though , they ’ll pair as soon as you turn the cups to face each other , and it ’s quick enough that they ’re pretty much ready to go as soon as the earphone are on your head .
They pair to every Apple machine linked to your Apple ID , too , and Apple ’s auto - shift has improved — meaning they ’ll associate to your iPhone , Mac , Apple Watch , or iPad . There are fewer and few instances of the wrong machine being connected .
We ’re less lancinate on the Lightning embrasure for turn on , though — it ’s a minor charge , but with Apple being all - in on USB - deoxycytidine monophosphate now ( finally ) , it ’s annoying to have to keep hold of the Lightning cable length .
Apple AirPods Max: Set-up and design
AirPods were once mocked for their ' toothbrush header ' design , but over time , they ’ve become straightaway placeable — with mess of imitators now on the market . The same can certainly be said of the AirPods Max , which are light to spot in a crowd despite their minimalist look .
Each side is pretty blank on the outside , with a detachable inner earcup with a courteous , breathable flavour . The stainless steel adds a tactile sensation of class , but also a mediocre amount of weight — the AirPods Max weighs in at 385 g.
Thankfully , the headband does an excellent job of distributing the weight unit so it does n’t sense like it ’s pushing down on your school principal at any level , and it makes it comfier than you ’d think over long periods . We had have a bun in the oven the mesh of the headband to wear down down over fourth dimension , but we ’re pleased to report that it remain in splendid condition , even after being bedevil in a suitcase fairly regularly for the past year or so .
I ’m less keen on the caseful , though . In fact , calling it a ' case ' is probably exaggerate what it is . There ’s nothing really protect your headphone ; the case just puts the AirPods Max into a low - king mode .
That ’s of import because the AirPods Max do n’t have a power button , intend you ca n’t turn them off . We think that is a eccentric omission , and while we do n’t mind it for the most part ( we broadly have them hook up to a cable when they ’re not in use ) , it ’s more frustrative when you ’re heading out for a longsighted journey and recognize that your 100 % charge is being eaten away at , even when you ’re not using them .
Still , the frame-up is dim-witted , with the same ' batting order ' that bolt down up for pairing when you open them for the first time . It take literal minute to be up and running .
Our unit is the Space Gray colorway , but you ’ll get unripe , silver , sky wild blue yonder , and pinkish interpretation are available .
Apple AirPods Max: Controls
AirPods Max are unique among Apple ’s audio option as the only unity with real , physical buttons . Still , they remain minimum — with two controls of note , both located on the right earcup .
The first , a slim button , trigger noise cancellation manner , alternate between transparence and alive dissonance cancellation .
The 2nd , the Digital Crown , is a little more nuanced . you may pause , play , and skip tracks with varying presses of the button on top while rotating it will adjust the volume with a very pleasing , almost iPod clickwheel - comparable , audio feedback .
Apple AirPods Max: Fit
We ’ve already name the AirPods Max not feeling heavy ( despite their weight ) , and they definitely duck the awkward flavour of your headland being stuff that Apple ’s Beats headphones historically suffered from .
They ’re a close tantrum , but the breathable interlocking makes them well-off . Your fuel consumption rate may change , but the adjustable arms offer an excellent range of size — even for our reader who has a ego - glorify expectant head . There ’s minimal audio bleed , too , thanks to the snug conniption .
Apple AirPods Max: Sound quality
Here ’s where the AirPods Max can free the hefty $ 599 Mary Leontyne Price tag — the profound quality is fantabulous . Olivia Rodrigo ’s off-key record album is a great showcase , full of nuance , harmony , and dynamism from the backup track , and with a interpreter up to of great range of mountains . It sound fantastic , even played through Spotify which lack a lot of the bell & pennywhistle of Apple Music .
shift gear wheel to Sleep Token ’s ' Take Me Back To Eden ' , everything absolutely sing on the AirPods Max — from the crush breakdowns , up to forte-piano attendant on slower parts . There ’s nothing I ’ve thrown at the AirPods Max that has n’t sounded , at least , a very , very good standard .
switch over to podcasts , spoken word is clear and terse ( play throughPocket Casts ) , induce long shows a pleasure to enjoy with the comfortable earcups .
A special note for the haphazardness cancelation , too , which remains my preferent reason to carry the AirPods Max with me . idealistic for trains and walk outside , it really comes into its own on a longsighted - draw escape where it can almost entirely absent both engine and rider noise .
Apple AirPods Max: Performance
While Lightning charging will require about two hours to get to a full mission . While it consume some prison term , that founder you twenty hour to play with — a tidy hr counting . you could get around 90 minutes of playback from a five - second charge , handy .
The most dissatisfactory affair is that the AirPods Max merely are n’t as portable as we ’d like . The system of weights can be forgiven for the quality of material used , but the cup can only spin — there ’s no real ‘ fold ' to address of ( something the likes of the Beats Studio 3 offered years ago ) .
That , coupled with the awkward case , makes them feel like they take up much more room in a backpack than they should postulate to , which often leads to me want to leave them at home in favor of the AirPods Pro .
Apple AirPods Max: User reviews
The AirPods Max sit at a4.6 - star rating on Amazon , suggesting the majority of users ( over 14,000 critical review at metre of composition ) are impressed .
There are some complaint about the lack of a top executive button , but many users are really noting just how drastically better the audio caliber is compared to other options on the mart .
Should you buy the Apple AirPods Max?
If you ’re not look for a more lightweight pair of headphones and you ’re already within the Apple ecosystem , the AirPods Max is an excellent option with fantastic audio character and interference cancellation .
If the Apple AirPods Max aren’t for you:
If you ’re not keen on the unique quirks of the AirPods Max , consider the wonderfulSony WH-1000XM5which offers first-class audio quality , excellent noise cancellation and an intuitive app .
If you ’re an Apple buff and well-chosen with the in - ear bud design , thethird - generation Apple AirPodsare an affordable option that gives users a foresighted battery animation when used with the supply charging case . TheApple AirPods Pro ( generation 2)is also well suitable for all - aim use , offering a battalion of functionality and personalization options , though we ’d avoid those if you ’re looking for something to wear down during vigorous exercise .
Apple AirPods Max: How we tested
We ’ve been screen the AirPods Max for over a year now , taking them out for long walk , using them at home while gaming or recitation , and test them on several long - haul flight .
Regarding playback , it ’s been the audio from The Legend of Zelda : Tears of the Kingdom , bass - big belt , a fair amount of dada punk and metal , and some wholesale orchestral soundtrack . Oh , and a fair few podcasts , too .
