The AirPods Max 2 are the best headphones I have never wanted to own. Apple’s latest over-ear flagship delivers noticeably cleaner sound and stronger noise cancelling than its predecessor, courtesy of a new H2 chip and custom 40mm drivers paired with a high dynamic amplifier. Yet four years after the original launch, the AirPods Max 2 remain frustratingly unchanged where it matters most: weight, comfort, battery life, and the carrying case that reviewers have called the worst in its class.
Key Takeaways
- H2 chip and improved drivers deliver cleaner, higher-fidelity sound than the original AirPods Max.
- 20-hour battery life matches the original but lags Sony (30 hours), Bose, and Sennheiser (60 hours) flagships.
- USB-C port enables Lossless audio and Ultra-Low Latency Audio via software update, a genuine upgrade path.
- Weight and design unchanged: still heavy, unstable during movement, leaves scalp marks for some users.
- Case universally panned as inadequate protection—looks sleek but fails basic protective function versus $250+ rivals.
Sound Quality Improvements That Actually Matter
The AirPods Max 2 sound demonstrably better than the original. The H2 chip drives cleaner highs, more balanced tonality, and improved dynamic range across genres. In wired USB-C mode with Lossless audio enabled, the sonic presentation becomes noticeably more refined—sharper transients, deeper bass extension, less muddiness in the midrange than before. This is not revolutionary. It is incremental but real.
Yet this improvement arrives in a vacuum. Flagship rivals from Sony, Dali, and Sennheiser have advanced their own sound signatures over the same four-year window. The AirPods Max 2 sound better than their predecessor but do not keep pace with the sonic progression competitors have delivered. For listeners deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem, the sound is excellent. For those comparing purely on audio fidelity, the AirPods Max 2 arrive to a fight where everyone else has already moved forward.
The Weight and Comfort Problem Nobody Fixed
Apple made a critical choice: leave the AirPods Max 2 unchanged in weight and ear pad design. That choice haunts every hour of use. The headphones sink over time during wear, the weight accumulates, and extended listening sessions become a test of endurance rather than enjoyment. For people with larger heads, comfort improves slightly. For average-sized users and those with smaller frames, the AirPods Max 2 remain heavy enough to leave dents in the scalp and fatigue the neck.
Movement makes the problem worse. Any head turn, any lean, any dynamic activity and the AirPods Max 2 feel unstable—as though they might slip. Competitors like Sony’s WH-1000XM6 weigh less and sit more securely. The magnetic, replaceable ear pads are a nice touch, but four years without redesign suggests Apple prioritized aesthetics over ergonomics. That trade-off works for stationary listening. It fails for travel, commuting, or gym use.
AirPods Max 2 Battery Life Lags Behind Every Major Rival
Twenty hours of battery life with noise cancelling enabled sounds respectable until you compare it to the competition. Sony’s flagships deliver 30 hours. Bose exceeds that. Sennheiser’s HD 630 reaches 60 hours. The AirPods Max 2 battery life is the lowest rating tested among premium over-ear headphones. Apple did not improve this in the sequel. For a device priced at a premium, unchanged battery performance is a missed opportunity—especially when rivals have moved the goalpost significantly higher.
The Case That Protects Nothing
Apple’s carrying case for the AirPods Max 2 is widely criticized as the worst and least protective case among $250+ headphones. It looks sleek and minimalist. It does not perform the basic function of a case: protecting the product from knocks, scratches, and dirt. The headband and cup edges remain exposed. One reviewer called it a protective bra—form over function. Every competitor in this price range ships with better protection. The case is not a deal-breaker, but it is emblematic of Apple’s design philosophy: aesthetics first, practicality second.
USB-C Lossless Audio: A Genuine Path Forward
The USB-C port is the one meaningful hardware change. It enables Lossless audio and Ultra-Low Latency Audio via software update for USB-C models, giving owners a genuine upgrade path that wireless-only competitors cannot match. For audiophiles and creators who value wired listening, this is a real advantage. The original AirPods Max had no such option. This addition alone justifies the sequel for a specific segment of users—those willing to sacrifice wireless convenience for sonic quality.
Should You Buy the AirPods Max 2?
The AirPods Max 2 are excellent headphones for people already locked into Apple’s ecosystem, willing to tolerate weight and comfort trade-offs, and planning mostly stationary listening sessions. The sound is genuinely good. Noise cancelling is strong. Build quality feels premium compared to plasticky competitors. If you own an iPhone, iPad, and Mac, the seamless integration and spatial audio support make a compelling case.
For everyone else, Sony’s WH-1000XM6 offer better battery life, superior comfort, and a more protective case. Bose delivers longer battery endurance. Sennheiser reaches 60 hours. The AirPods Max 2 are not the best over-ear headphones you can buy—they are the best over-ear headphones Apple could build given its design constraints. That is a meaningful distinction.
Does the AirPods Max 2 have Lossless audio support?
Yes, USB-C models support Lossless audio via software update. Wireless listening remains limited to standard AAC. Wired USB-C mode unlocks the full audio potential but sacrifices the wireless convenience that makes AirPods appealing in the first place.
How long is the AirPods Max 2 battery life?
Twenty hours with noise cancelling enabled, matching the original AirPods Max. This is the lowest battery rating among premium over-ear competitors, which typically deliver 30 to 60 hours. For travel and extended use, rivals offer significantly better endurance.
Are the AirPods Max 2 comfortable for long listening sessions?
Comfort is highly subjective. Some users with larger heads find them acceptable. Most report the weight becomes fatiguing after two to three hours, and the headphones feel unstable during movement. The ear pads are unchanged from the original, and many users experience scalp marks or dents from extended wear.
The AirPods Max 2 prove that excellent sound and premium build do not guarantee a great headphone. Apple delivered better audio and stronger noise cancelling, but refused to address the weight, comfort, and case issues that plagued the original. For users deep in the Apple ecosystem, that trade-off is worth making. For everyone else, better alternatives exist—and they have existed for four years. The AirPods Max 2 are not the breakthrough sequel Apple fans hoped for. They are a refinement that leaves the fundamental frustrations intact.
Edited by the All Things Geek team.
Source: Tom's Guide
