Hardwired
In Hardwired, AC Senior Editor Harish Jonnalagadda delves into all things hardware, including phones, audio products, storage servers, and networking gear.
I wasn’t that keen on the AirPods Max initially, but when the USB-C model came out, I wanted to take a look. I tested the headphone against my $3,000 audio gear, and lossless audio proved to be the defining feature — it gave the Max a distinct edge against the likes of the WH-1000XM6, Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, and even the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2.
With the AirPods Max 2, Apple hasn’t changed the fundamentals. The headphone has the exact same design as the original model, and retailing for $499, it costs the same as well. You even get the same smart case; this is one area where I wanted to see a change, as the case doesn’t really offer much in the way of protection — particularly around the headband. And there still isn’t a power button; you’ll need to put the headset inside the case to power down.
Another bugbear is that the design still isn’t foldable; the Max 2 takes up just as much space as its predecessor, and I’d really like to see a hinge-style design that makes it more portable. Lastly, coming in at 386g, the Max 2 is on the heavier end of the scale as these things go; it won’t give your neck a workout like the Audeze MM-500 or the LCD-S20, but it isn’t as light as the Bose and Sony headsets.
That said, the Max 2 does a great job distributing that weight evenly over your head, and you won’t notice the heft at all. The reason for the added weight is the metal design, and this is where the Max 2 has an advantage over its rivals; the aluminum and steel chassis looks gorgeous, the build quality is a level beyond what you usually get with Bluetooth headsets, and they look every bit as premium as the $799 Px8 S2.
If anything, I’m glad Apple didn’t change the design; the AirPods Max became instantly recognizable because of the unique design, and the Max 2 carries that same heritage. I also like that you get the same color options; I’m using the Midnight model this time, and I prefer it to the Blue variant of the original Max.
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Controls are the same as previous generation; you get the Digital Crown and a physical button, and they’re located on the right. There’s the standard USB-C connectivity, and you can use the Max 2 in lossless mode by plugging it in to an audio source and get 24-bit/48kHz playback, which is one of my favorite features on this headphone.
The Max 2 is highly comfortable to wear thanks to the fabric ear cups and mesh headband, and I didn’t see any issues with the fit whatsoever. I ended up using the Max 2 for just over a week now, and having listened to a few dozen hours of music, it’s just as comfortable and easy to wear as its predecessor. While the clamping force is a bit high, it doesn’t get uncomfortable at any point.
A big change this time is improved ANC, and it’s noticeable when switching between the Max 2 and its predecessor. The Max 2 is able to tune out low-frequency sounds to a greater extent, and it’s now on the same level as the Sony WH-1000XM6 in this regard — which makes it a great choice to travel with.
With the upgrade to the H2 chip, you get a lot of the same features as the AirPods Pro 3, which is another plus point with the AirPods Max 2. Conversation Awareness makes a huge difference when you’re using the headphone outdoors, with the feature automatically lowering volume when you start speaking to someone.
Adaptive Audio is another useful addition, and it dynamically adjusts the sound based on the fit. You also get Loud Sound Reduction, Live Translation, Voice Isolation (when making calls), and Personalized Volume, and these inclusions make the Max 2 a well-rounded product.
I used the AirPods Max 2 with my iPhone 17 Pro and the iPad Pro M4, and I had absolutely no issues pairing the headset with my Apple products. If you’re not in the Apple ecosystem, you can use it as a standard Bluetooth headset as it connects via Bluetooth 5.3. I did just that, and didn’t have any problems using the Max 2 with my Find X9 Ultra, Vivo X300 Ultra, and the Pixel 10 Pro XL. Note that you miss out on spatial audio, button customization, and wear detection on audio, but you still get excellent noise isolation, and the same great sound.
Talking about the sound, the AirPods Max 2 has a slightly different tuning, with the sub-bass getting a little more energy this time. That leads to an added rumble, and while it’s enjoyable with music, it can get a little distracting with movies. The mid-range is natural, vocals come through with a decent amount of clarity, and there’s much better instrument separation and dynamics this time around. That said, the mids trail off at the higher end of the range, and the treble is a bit bright at times, which leads to sibilance.
On the whole though, the AirPods Max 2 sounds better, and the tuning is in line with what you get with other high-end Bluetooth headsets. There is some customizability to the sound, but the default tuning is good enough that it works across most mainstream genres.
Battery life is decent; I got just under 21 hours of listening time with a full charge, and that’s a bit higher than the 20-hour figure Apple quotes. My Bose QC Ultra Gen 2 and B&W Px8 S2 last closer to 30 hours, and while this isn’t a huge deal in daily use, it becomes relevant while traveling. I would’ve much preferred an upgrade to battery life — that’s one of the key reasons I use the QC Ultra Gen 2 while going on intercontinental flights now — but the Max 2 doesn’t move the needle in this area.
If you’re in the Apple ecosystem and are looking to upgrade, the AirPods Max 2 is the obvious choice. It doesn’t make much sense to buy it if you’ve already got the AirPods Max, but if you’re using another headset and are mulling a switch, there’s a lot to like in the AirPods Max 2. The design, sound quality, added features, and seamless integration with Apple products makes it a standout headset in 2026.
The Max 2 looks the same as its predecessor, but you get a lot of new features under the hood. If you need a new headset to go with your iPhone or iPad, this is the one to get in 2026.