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Apple AirPods MaxMidnight
Apple · Released January 1, 2020

AirPods Max

Apple's first over-ears still sound great, but the $549 AirPods Max 2 replaced them with an H2 chip in each cup.

Over-ear
8.7/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Finish · Midnight
Buying call

Skip the original AirPods Max new and buy one only used at a steep discount, because Apple now sells the $549 AirPods Max 2 (Apple store, Oct 8, 2026) with an H2 chip in each cup, Adaptive Audio and Live Translation. Reviewers still rate the original's sound, ANC and aluminum build highly, and WIRED, SoundGuys and What Hi-Fi all scored it 8/10 or better. The complaints are consistent too: 384.8 g on your head, a soft case that doesn't protect the headband, no power button and no 3.5mm cable in the box. Android owners lose spatial audio personalization and auto-switching, so they should look at Sony's WH-1000XM6 instead.

Full verdict ↓
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Editor testedHands-on testing and real-world use
Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
Unbiased reviewIndependent and objective, sources shown
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Key specs
Connection
Wireless (Bluetooth)
Driver size
1.57 in (40 mm)
Controls
Digital Crown; listening mode button
Highlights

Specs that matter

Audio
Type
Headphones
Wear
Over-ear
ANC
Yes
Bluetooth
5.0
Battery
20 h
Driver
40 mm
Body
Weight
13.6 oz (385 g)
Colors
Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

AudioHeadphones · Over-ear · ANCBT 5.0 · 20 h
Weight13.6 oz (385 g)
77 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

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2 price points tracked.
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Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Skip the original AirPods Max new and buy one only used at a steep discount, because Apple now sells the $549 AirPods Max 2 (Apple store, Oct 8, 2026) with an H2 chip in each cup, Adaptive Audio and Live Translation. Reviewers still rate the original's sound, ANC and aluminum build highly, and WIRED, SoundGuys and What Hi-Fi all scored it 8/10 or better. The complaints are consistent too: 384.8 g on your head, a soft case that doesn't protect the headband, no power button and no 3.5mm cable in the box. Android owners lose spatial audio personalization and auto-switching, so they should look at Sony's WH-1000XM6 instead.

Best for

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

Not for

Android users, and anyone who wants a light pair that folds flat.

Main strengthSound and ANC still rated highly by reviewers
Main weaknessHeavy at 384.8 g (Apple spec)
Reasons to buy
Sound and ANC still rated highly by reviewers
Aluminum cups, mesh headband and replaceable magnetic ear cushions
Spatial audio with head tracking on Apple devices
USB-C models gained lossless wired audio in a 2025 update
Reasons to avoid
Heavy at 384.8 g (Apple spec)
The Smart Case leaves the headband exposed
No power button and no 3.5mm cable in the box
Replaced by AirPods Max 2 (H2 chips, Live Translation)
Measured view8.7/10What the pros say · verified oct 8, 2026.
ScoreVerified Oct 8, 2026
Independent coverage

What other reviewers say

Reviews from other sites and creators. They don't change the Gadget Clash score.

Submit your review
SoundGuys8/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods Max reviewAdam Molina · Oct 2025

Checks whether the noise cancelling and Apple integration still hold up against newer rivals.

Read on SoundGuys ↗
What Hi-Fi?5/5
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods Max reviewWhat Hi-Fi? · Oct 2021

Still an appealing luxury pair, especially inside Apple's ecosystem.

Read on What Hi-Fi? ↗
WIRED8/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods Max (2020) Review: Insanely Great, Insanely ExpensiveParker Hall · Feb 2021

Original 2020 review: superb sound and build, at a very high price.

Read on WIRED ↗
Marques BrownleeAirPods Max Review: Luxury Listening!Watch on YouTube ↗
Snazzy LabsAirPods Max Review: An Audiophile's PerspectiveWatch on YouTube ↗
Linus Tech TipsAirpods Max: an Android User's PerspectiveWatch on YouTube ↗
Head to head

How it stacks up

Open a comparison for the full side-by-side view.

Choose a gadget
Apple AirPods Max
This deviceAirPods Max
VS
AirPods Max 1 (USB-C)
AlternativeAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)
Score
8.78.7
Full comparison
Apple AirPods Max
This deviceAirPods Max
VS
Sony WH-1000XM6
AlternativeSony WH-1000XM6
Score
8.78.9
Full comparison
Apple AirPods Max
This deviceAirPods Max
VS
Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
AlternativeSony WH-1000XM5 Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones
Score
8.79.2
Full comparison
Same category

Alternatives worth a look

Other phones in the database, with their stored scores and prices.

All over-ear →
AirPods Max 1 (USB-C)8.7
AppleAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)Original AirPods Max with USB-C lossless wired audio
AirPods Max 1 (Lightning)8.7
AppleAirPods Max 1 (Lightning)Original Lightning AirPods Max — same sound, older connector
AirPods Max 18.7
AppleAirPods Max 1Original AirPods Max over-ears for Apple users
AirPods Max 28.4
AppleAirPods Max 2AirPods Max 2 add H2 chips, USB-C lossless and Live Translation, but still weigh 386 g with 20 h of battery.
Product data

Full specifications

77 attributes, grouped for quick scanning. Verified Oct 8, 2026. Spot a wrong value? Hit the next to it.

Sound

Driver type
Apple-designed dynamic driver
Driver size
1.57 in (40 mm)
Frequency response
Slightly bright mids
Lossless audio
✓
Spatial audio
✓
Head tracking
✓

Noise Control

Adaptive ANC
✓
Ambient / transparency
✓

Battery

Battery (ANC on)
20 hours
Total with case
20
Charging port
USB-C
Wireless charging
✕
Quick charge
5 min = ~1.5 hours
Charging case
✓

Connectivity

Connection
Wireless (Bluetooth)
Multipoint
✕

Microphone

Microphone
Nine microphones (eight for ANC, three for voice; two shared)

Controls & Software

Controls
Digital Crown; listening mode button
Find My
✓

Comfort & Build

Dimensions
187.3 x 168.6 x 83.4 mm (H x W x D)
Colors
  • Midnight
  • Starlight
  • Blue
  • Purple
  • Orange

Charging Case

Case weight
134.5 g (Smart Case)

Sensors

Sensors
  • Optical sensor (each ear cup)
  • Position sensor (each ear cup)
  • Case-detect sensor (each ear cup)
  • Accelerometer (each ear cup)
  • Gyroscope (left ear cup)
  • Optical sensor (each ear cup)
  • Position sensor (each ear cup)
  • Case-detect sensor (each ear cup)
  • Accelerometer (each ear cup)
  • Gyroscope (left ear cup)

Launch

Released
2020
In the box
  • AirPods Max (USB-C)
  • Smart Case
  • USB-C Charge Cable
  • Documentation
Vote & discuss

Community says

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