ReviewFinder Wireless Headphones

Apple AirPods Max

🤖 Beep-boop. I can read reviews REALLY FAST and summarize. Do you have any questions about Apple AirPods Max?
Sound quality
Noise cancellation
Comfort
Battery life
Connectivity
Durability
Additional features
Expand

14 Verified Hands-On Reviews

To combat fake reviews we only accept video reviews from verified channels. Each review must show the product and the face of the reviewer.

Expert reviews [14]

82
Total expert reviews: 14
  • with a score: 11
  • without a score: 3
Highest score by What Hi-Fi
100
Average score based on 14 reviews
82
Lowest score by Rtings.com
78

Score distribution:

80-100
60-80
40-60
20-40
0-20
78
A perfect pair of headphones if Apple would get out of its own way.
The Apple AirPods Max is a highly anticipated addition to Apple's audio lineup, offering sleek design, impressive noise-canceling capabilities, and a comfortable form factor. While it may have some drawbacks such as the lack of certain features and a high price tag, it is a solid choice for Apple users who prioritize comfort and audio quality.
+ pros
  • Sleek design and impressive noise-canceling capabilities: The AirPods Max's sleek design and advanced noise-canceling technology make it visually appealing and effective at blocking out external sounds.
  • Comfortable form factor: The over-ear design and evenly distributed weight of the AirPods Max ensure comfort during extended use.
  • Solid build quality: The stainless steel headband and aluminum ear cups feel sturdy and durable.
  • Seamless connectivity with iOS devices: The H1 chip allows for easy and automatic connection to iOS devices.
  • Impressive battery life: The AirPods Max can last around 20 hours with active noise canceling turned on.
  • Excellent active noise canceling and transparency mode: The active noise canceling effectively blocks out external sounds, while the transparency mode amplifies external sounds without compromising the music.
  • Great sound quality: The AirPods Max delivers clear and pleasing sound.
- cons
  • Need for additional accessories: To use a wired connection, a Lightning-to-3.5mm audio cable needs to be purchased separately. The lack of a power button means the headphones remain on and drain the battery when not in use.
  • Not waterproof or water-resistant: The AirPods Max is not suitable for use in wet or humid environments.
  • Lack of folding hinges: The headphones take up more space when not in use due to the absence of folding hinges.
  • Limited compatibility with non-Apple devices: Some smart features may be missing when connecting the AirPods Max to Android or PC devices.
  • High price tag: The AirPods Max is relatively expensive compared to other headphones on the market.
  • Lack of true Bluetooth multipoint: While the AirPods Max can be manually paired with multiple devices, it does not have true Bluetooth multipoint functionality.
  • Limited compatibility with spatial audio: Apple's spatial audio feature is only compatible with iOS devices.
80
The Apple AirPods Max are highly praised for their exceptional sound quality and user experience, making them a top choice for Apple users who prioritize sound quality and ease of use. However, their high price and limited Hi-Res Audio support may not appeal to audiophiles or casual listeners.
+ pros
  • Exceptional sound quality and user experience: The AirPods Max are highly praised for their outstanding audio quality and ease of use.
  • Great noise cancellation: The headphones offer excellent noise cancellation, comparable to top competitors in the market.
  • Stylish and minimal design: The AirPods Max have a stylish and minimal design, with large stainless steel earcups that some may find appealing.
  • Comfortable: The knitted mesh fabric headband helps reduce on-head pressure and provides comfort during extended use.
  • Spatial Audio: The Spatial Audio feature provides an immersive experience for movie-watching and content in surround formats.
  • Reliable connectivity: The AirPods Max have reliable Bluetooth 5 connectivity and fast pairing.
  • Transparency mode: The Transparency mode allows users to stay aware of their surroundings without removing the headphones.
  • Decent battery life: The headphones offer up to 20 hours of high-fidelity audio playback.
  • Digital Crown dial: The Digital Crown dial provides precise volume control and other functions.
- cons
  • High price: The AirPods Max have a high price, making them more suitable for users with a larger budget.
  • Lack of 3.5mm audio port: The absence of a 3.5mm audio port limits compatibility with devices that do not support Bluetooth.
  • Limited features for Android users: Some features, such as Spatial Audio and Automatic Switching, require Apple devices and are not fully supported on Android.
  • Lack of support for Hi-Res Audio: The AirPods Max do not support Hi-Res Audio files, which may disappoint audiophiles.
  • Inadequate protection with the Smart Case: The Smart Case does not provide adequate protection for the headband and is prone to smudges and scrapes.
  • Limited battery life compared to some competitors: While the battery life is decent, it may not be as impressive as other models in the market.
  • Limited Hi-Res Audio support: The lack of support for Hi-Res Audio files may deter audiophiles and casual listeners.
Show all 14 reviews
ReviewFinder: authentic product reviews summarized by a powerful AI engine.

Expert consensus

The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience.

The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews from experts for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity. The sound signature is generally balanced with a good bass response, clear vocals, and detailed mid-range. The noise cancellation feature is highly effective in blocking out external sounds, particularly higher frequency noises.

The headphones are praised for their comfort, with memory foam ear cups and a soft headband that distribute weight evenly. The battery life is reliable, lasting up to 20 hours on a single charge with ANC enabled. The Bluetooth range is impressive, allowing users to move around without losing connection.

The AirPods Max work seamlessly with Apple devices, but can also be connected to non-Apple devices via Bluetooth. The headphones are considered durable, although the mesh screen surrounding the headband may be fragile. Overall, the Apple AirPods Max provide an outstanding audio experience, excellent noise cancellation, and comfortable fit, making them suitable for various use cases such as enjoying music, blocking out noise in noisy environments, and extended listening sessions.

Sound quality

The Apple AirPods Max offer a balanced sound signature with a good bass response, clear vocals, and exceptional clarity, making them suitable for a wide range of genres and providing an outstanding audio experience.

Based on the expert reviews, the Apple AirPods Max offer a good bass response that adds warmth and thump to the sound without overpowering it. The sound signature is generally balanced, with a slight emphasis on the bass range. The mid-range is neutral and detailed, ensuring clear vocals and lead instruments.

The treble frequencies receive mixed reviews, with some experts praising the superb and precise presentation, while others find it underemphasized and resulting in veiled vocals. However, the overall clarity of the AirPods Max is exceptional, with clear and detailed sound reproduction. The headphones are suitable for a wide range of genres, including pop, hip-hop, and classical music, and can handle complex arrangements with ease.

Overall, the Apple AirPods Max provide an outstanding audio experience for various use cases, including enjoying detailed vocals, punchy basslines, and immersive listening across different genres of music.

Show product research

Noise cancellation

The Apple AirPods Max receive high praise for their noise cancellation feature, which effectively blocks out external sounds and adapts based on fit and movement, providing excellent performance in noisy environments.

The Apple AirPods Max receive high praise for their noise cancellation feature, which is considered to be on par with other top noise-canceling headphones in the market. Reviewers have tested the AirPods Max in various noisy environments and found that it effectively blocks out external sounds, particularly higher frequency noises.

The headphones do not have adjustable noise cancellation settings, but they automatically adapt their performance based on fit and movement. When the noise cancellation feature is turned on, the sound quality of the AirPods Max does change slightly, with a flattening of dynamics and a softening of punch.

However, opinions on whether the sound is better with or without noise cancellation vary among reviewers. The battery life of the AirPods Max with noise cancellation enabled is around 20 hours, with some reviewers reporting slightly longer battery life. Overall, the AirPods Max offer excellent noise cancellation performance and a great battery life, making them suitable for use in noisy environments such as airplanes, coffee shops, and busy streets.

Show product research

Comfort

The Apple AirPods Max headphones have received positive reviews for their comfortable design, including mesh fabric-covered memory foam ear cups and a soft polyurethane-wrapped stainless steel headband, making them suitable for extended periods of use.

The Apple AirPods Max headphones have received positive reviews regarding their comfort. The headphones are designed to be comfortable for extended periods of use, with mesh fabric-covered memory foam ear cups that provide a cozy and dry feeling on the ears. The stainless steel headband is wrapped in a soft polyurethane material, and the knit mesh canopy helps distribute the weight of the headphones, reducing pressure on the top of the head.

The padding on the ear cups and headband is of high quality, with acoustically engineered memory foam cushions that provide a comfortable and snug fit. Users have worn the AirPods Max for up to nine and a half hours without experiencing discomfort. The design of the ear cups, with their mesh fabric and memory foam padding, contributes to both comfort and pressure distribution on the ears.

The headphones also have adjustability features, such as a flexible headband and telescoping steel stems, to accommodate different head sizes and shapes. Overall, the Apple AirPods Max headphones are praised for their comfort and are suitable for long listening sessions or extended use.

Show product research

Battery life

The Apple AirPods Max have a strong battery life, lasting up to 20 hours with ANC enabled, and offer quick charging capabilities for added convenience.

The Apple AirPods Max have a strong battery life, lasting up to 20 hours on a single charge with active noise cancellation (ANC) turned on. Multiple expert reviews confirm that the AirPods Max generally meet or exceed this claimed battery life, with some reviewers even reporting over 21 hours of playback time with ANC enabled.

The battery life may vary depending on volume level and usage patterns. Additionally, the AirPods Max feature quick charging capabilities, providing up to 1. 5 hours of playback time with just a 5-minute charge. This is particularly useful for users who need a quick boost of battery life before heading out.

Overall, the AirPods Max offer a reliable and convenient battery performance for extended listening sessions.

Show product research

Connectivity

The Apple AirPods Max headphones have a Bluetooth range of up to 800 feet, making them ideal for users who want to move around without losing the connection, but compatibility with non-Apple devices may be limited.

The Apple AirPods Max headphones have a Bluetooth range of up to 800 feet or 420 meters, making them ideal for users who want to move around their environment without losing the connection to their source device. This range is considered one of the longest among wireless headphones, allowing users to wander around their house or even go down the street before the signal disappears.

In terms of compatibility, the AirPods Max work seamlessly with Apple devices, such as iPhones, iPads, and Macs, thanks to the H1 chip. This enables quick pairing and automatic switching between devices, making them convenient for users who frequently switch between their Apple devices. However, for non-Apple devices like Android smartphones and Windows laptops, the AirPods Max can still be connected via Bluetooth 5.

0, although some features may not be available. Users may not have access to functionalities like quick pairing, switching facilities, using Siri, or experiencing the AirPods Max's Spatial Audio features.

It's important to note that the AirPods Max do not support NFC pairing, so users will need to rely on Bluetooth for connecting to their devices. Additionally, while the AirPods Max can be paired with multiple devices, the switching between devices is not automatic. Users will need to manually go into the Bluetooth settings to disconnect from one device and reconnect to another.

However, if using Apple devices, the headphones will automatically switch to whichever device is playing audio.

Overall, the Apple AirPods Max offer a strong Bluetooth range and seamless connectivity with Apple devices, making them a suitable choice for Apple users who value convenience and ease of use. However, for non-Apple device users, some features may be limited, so it's important to consider specific device compatibility and requirements before purchasing.

Show product research

Durability

The Apple AirPods Max wireless headphones are generally considered to be durable, with a sturdy stainless steel headband and aluminum ear cups, but the mesh screen surrounding the headband may be fragile and require careful handling.

Based on expert reviews, the Apple AirPods Max wireless headphones are generally considered to be durable. The headband, made of stainless steel with a soft-touch finish, is sturdy and less prone to breakage compared to headphones made from hard plastic materials. The ear cups, made of aluminum, are designed to be resistant to cracking or breaking.

However, some reviewers have mentioned that the mesh screen surrounding the headband feels fragile and can potentially rip or become damaged if not handled with care. Overall, the AirPods Max are recommended to be handled with care and not subjected to excessive force or dropping.

They are suitable for everyday use and can withstand normal wear and tear.

Show product research

Position in ranking

We maintain a monthly ranking that sums up expert recommendations for all wireless headphones.

Rank Change Price Headphones
IGN
Tom's Guide
What Hi-Fi
Digital Trends
WIRED
CNET
Wirecutter
PCMag
T3
Rtings.com
1
- $298
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience.
1
1
1
1
1
2
3
5
7
-
2
- $329
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience.
4
3
5
2
2
1
-
3
1
1
3
- $400
Apple AirPods Max
The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience.
8
9
6
3
5
7
-
9
8
-
4
- $229
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
-
-
-
-
3
11
-
2
3
-
Show all rows
Best High-End Wireless Headphones for Apple Users
17 May 2024 (6 months ago)
Read article
The best over-ear wireless headphones for iOS users
15 Oct 2024 (1 month ago)
Read article
Apple users will struggle to find better than the innovative over-ear AirPods
11 Nov 2024 (23 days ago)
Read article
Best for iPhone users
5 Jul 2024 (5 months ago)
Read article
Best Over-Ears for iPhones
29 Aug 2024 (3 months ago)
Read article
Best high-end Apple wireless headphones
15 Oct 2024 (1 month ago)
Read article
Best Headphones for iPhone Users
12 Nov 2024 (22 days ago)
Read article
Best active noise cancelling headphones for Apple users
12 Nov 2024 (22 days ago)
Read article

Highest recommended wireless headphones this month

ReviewFinder ranks based on a combination of customer reviews, expert reviews / mentions and popularity. Expert recommendations carry the highest weight in the ranking. We do not rank based on price, our commission or brand. wireless headphones below are at the top of our ranking this December.

Scroll to see all options. Click on the headphones for more details.
Sony WH-1000XM5 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Apple AirPods Max (this item) Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Reviews
In comparison:
Sony WH-1000XM5 rank #1 out of 208. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
8.8
Great
Reviews
In comparison:
Bose QuietComfort Ultra rank #2 out of 208.
Go to rankings
7.4
Good
Reviews
In comparison:
Apple AirPods Max rank #3 out of 208. Very high levels of customer satisfaction.
Go to rankings
9.1
Great
Reviews
We don't yet have enough review information for Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Price
Price
Price
The Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a top choice for users seeking a premium listening experience. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have received positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a recommended choice for those seeking a versatile and enjoyable listening experience. The Apple AirPods Max receive positive reviews for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, and connectivity, making them a top choice for an outstanding audio experience. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are highly praised for their sound quality, noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, connectivity, and durability, making them a recommended choice for music enthusiasts who value strong bass and treble, effective noise cancellation, comfort for extended use, and durability for various activities.
Go to product Go to product Go to product Go to product