Apple AirPods Max vs Apple AirPods Max 2

The short verdict

AirPods Max edges it on score

The AirPods Max leads overall; pick the AirPods Max 2 if its strengths below matter more to you.

AirPods Max

8.7

AirPods Max 2

8.4

Choose the AirPods Max if

iPhone and Mac owners who find a used pair far below the $549 AirPods Max 2.

Check price at eBay →

Choose the AirPods Max 2 if

iPhone and Mac owners who want the deepest Apple integration in over-ear headphones.

Check price at eBay →

At a glance

Key differences

Measured differences only. Ties and tiny gaps are left out.

Full specs

Side-by-side specifications

Sound1 difference

Driver type

Apple-designed dynamic driver

Apple-designed dynamic driver; custom high dynamic range amplifier

Battery2 differences

Battery (ANC on)

20 hours

20 h

Battery type

20 mAh

Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled

Connectivity1 difference

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology

Bluetooth 5.3 wireless technology

Launch2 differences

Released

2020

2026-01-20

In the box

AirPods Max (USB-C) · Smart Case · USB-C Charge Cable

AirPods Max 2 · Smart Case · USB-C Charge Cable

Performance1 difference

Chip

Apple H1 headphone chip (each ear cup)

Apple H2 headphone chip (each ear cup)

General3 differences

Live Translation

Yes

Live Translation for communicating across languages

In the Box

AirPods Max 1 (USB-C) · Smart Case · USB‑C Charge Cable

AirPods Max 2 · Smart Case · USB‑C Charge Cable

Year introduced

2024

2026

Where to buy

eBayCheck price

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Community

Which would you buy?

One vote per person. Results appear after you vote.

AirPods Max vs AirPods Max 2

AirPods Max edges it on score

Key differences

Side-by-side specifications

Which would you buy?