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HearWiki

Apple Airpods Max

73/ 100
Great
HearWiki score

Priced about right

$510
typical price, USD
Still sold newupdated
Manufacturer pageBuy now onAmazon

At a glance

Brand
Apple
Type
Over-Ear
Fit
-
Connection
Wireless
Noise cancelling
Yes
Released
2020

Score breakdowngreat overall

Sound8.4
Noise cancelling8.8
Battery6.4
Calls5.8
Value4.8

The Apple AirPods Max are premium over-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, a 40mm driver, and 20-hour battery life. They offer high-quality sound and seamless integration with Apple devices, but are noted for their heavy weight and high price.

The HearWiki takeAI-condensed

The Apple AirPods Max are premium over-ear wireless headphones featuring hybrid active noise cancellation, a 40mm dynamic driver, and up to 20 hours of playback with ANC enabled. They deliver polished sound and effortless pairing within the Apple ecosystem, though their 386-gram build and premium price tag may deter some buyers.

What works

  • Excellent active noise cancellation
  • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration
  • Premium build and materials
  • Transparency mode for ambient awareness
  • Multipoint Bluetooth connectivity

What doesn't

  • Heavy at 386 grams
  • High price point
  • No water resistance
  • Limited codec support (SBC, AAC only)

Paraphrased from published reviews & specs - not an original hands-on test. Our AI disclosure.

Specifications

Audio - Apple Airpods Max
Driver40 mm dynamic
Driver typedynamic
Driver size40 mm
Drivers per side1
Frequency response48 Hz - 20 kHz

Where to buy

Retailers we matched to this exact model. Prices are periodic snapshots - the link always opens the retailer's current listing.

What the reviews said

1 source(s) feeding this product's score.

versus

79

The Apple AirPods Max are premium over-ear wireless headphones with active noise cancellation, a 40mm driver, and 20-hour battery life. They offer high-quality sound and seamless integration with Apple devices, but are noted for their heavy weight and high price.

Read the full review

What YouTube reviewers say

Video reviews we found, each condensed to its verdict. They do feed the HearWiki score, at a measured weight below what a published written review carries.

The consensus

Mixedacross 6 videos

Reviewers consistently praise the AirPods Max for their excellent sound quality, top-tier noise cancellation, and premium build, with many also highlighting seamless Apple ecosystem integration and strong transparency mode.

Reviewers liked

  • Excellent sound quality with clear mids, highs, and strong bass
  • Top-tier noise cancellation and transparency mode
  • Premium metal build and comfortable ear cups for some
  • Seamless Apple ecosystem integration

Reviewers flagged

  • Heavy weight and tight clamping force causing discomfort
  • Poorly designed case and lack of manual power-off
  • High price and outdated internals like Lightning connector
  • Limited features for non-Apple users, including no companion app or high-quality codecs
15:25

AirPods Max Review: Luxury Listening!

Marques Brownlee10.3M viewsDec 2020

The reviewer concludes that the AirPods Max are luxury listening headphones, not studio-grade, and they excel in sound quality, noise cancellation, and transparency mode. However, they are heavy, lack water resistance, and have a poorly designed case and no off button, which are significant drawbacks. Overall, they are a unique combination of premium features but come with notable compromises.

10:23

Airpods Max: an Android User's Perspective

Linus Tech Tips1.9M viewsDec 2020

The reviewer, an Android user, finds the AirPods Max to be excellent in sound quality, build, and comfort, but concludes they are not worth buying for Android users due to missing features, limited codec support, and the need for an Apple device to access full functionality. They are best suited for those deeply embedded in Apple's ecosystem.

27:09

AirPods Max Review: An Audiophile's Perspective

Snazzy Labs1.5M viewsDec 2020

The reviewer, an audiophile, finds the AirPods Max to be excellent in many ways—with top-tier noise cancellation, precise controls, and good sound—but they are let down by comfort issues due to weight and clamping force, a poor case, and a lack of USB-C. Overall, they are very good but not good enough to be considered the best.

7:32

AirPods Max: My Honest Opinion After 6 Months

Mark Spurrell633.8K viewsJun 2021

After six months of ownership, the reviewer still loves the AirPods Max for their premium build, comfort, and top-tier noise cancellation and transparency modes. However, they cannot recommend them to most people due to the high price, lack of manual power-off leading to battery drain, and the absence of high-quality codecs or a wired connection. The Dolby Atmos update is seen as a mixed bag, with immersive sound but reduced clarity and energy in some tracks.

7:06

AirPods Max in 2025: Still Worth Buying?

MacRumors349.2K viewsApr 2025

The reviewer finds the AirPods Max still excellent for sound quality, noise cancellation, and Apple ecosystem integration, but criticizes the lack of meaningful updates, high price, heavy weight, and poor case. They recommend them mainly for Apple fans, noting that cheaper alternatives like Sony and Bose offer better comfort.

11:35

Sony WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max: Easy Choice! (Two Week Later)

SimplyPops300.5K viewsMay 2025

The reviewer compares the Apple AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM6, finding both excellent but suited to different needs. He praises the AirPods Max for its premium design, immersive spatial audio, and seamless Apple ecosystem integration, while noting its lack of portability and outdated internals. He ultimately declares no single winner, recommending the AirPods Max for home/office use within the Apple ecosystem and the Sony for travel.

Summaries are AI condensations of each video's own conclusion, not transcripts. Titles, thumbnails and view counts belong to their channels.

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