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Apple AirPods Max 2Starlight · Blue · Midnight · Orange · Purple
Apple · Released March 25, 2026

AirPods Max 2

AirPods Max 2 add H2 chips, USB-C lossless and Live Translation, but still weigh 386 g with 20 h of battery.

Over-ear
8.4/10What the pros sayExcellentExpert consensus · Verified Oct 8, 2026See score breakdown ↓
Finish · Starlight · Blue · Midnight · Orange · Purple
Buying call

Buy the AirPods Max 2 if you live in Apple's ecosystem and want the best iPhone integration in over-ear headphones: Apple sells them for $549 (Oct 8, 2026). They have an H2 chip in each cup, Adaptive Audio, Live Translation and lossless 24-bit/48kHz audio over USB-C, and Apple claims ANC up to 1.5x more effective than the original. Skip them if comfort and value matter: they weigh 386 g and are rated at 20 hours with ANC, while Sony's WH-1000XM5 claims 30 hours for much less.

Full verdict ↓
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Real-world useBased on everyday testing, not a spec sheet
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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
Bluetooth 5.3
Battery
20 h
Driver
40 mm
Body
Weight
13.6 oz (385 g)
Dimensions
AirPods Max 2, including cushions · Weight: 4.74 ounces (134.5 grams) · 7.37 inches (187.3 mm) · 4.74 ounces (134.5 gram
Colors
Starlight · Blue · Midnight · Orange · Purple
At a glance

Product highlights

Verified attributes, grouped for quick scanning.

AudioHeadphones · Over-ear · ANCBT Bluetooth 5.3 · 20 h
Weight13.6 oz (385 g)AirPods Max 2, including cushions · Weight: 4.74 ounces (134.5 grams) · 7.37 inches (187.3 mm) · 4.74 ounces (134.5 gram
95 attributes · See all specifications
Price & availability

Where to buy

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Buying decision

Should you buy it?

Buy the AirPods Max 2 if you live in Apple's ecosystem and want the best iPhone integration in over-ear headphones: Apple sells them for $549 (Oct 8, 2026). They have an H2 chip in each cup, Adaptive Audio, Live Translation and lossless 24-bit/48kHz audio over USB-C, and Apple claims ANC up to 1.5x more effective than the original. Skip them if comfort and value matter: they weigh 386 g and are rated at 20 hours with ANC, while Sony's WH-1000XM5 claims 30 hours for much less.

Best for

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

Not for

Android users, and anyone who wants long battery life or a light pair for travel.

Main strengthH2 chip in each cup brings Adaptive Audio and Live Translation
Main weaknessStill 386 g, and several reviewers call them heavy
Reasons to buy
H2 chip in each cup brings Adaptive Audio and Live Translation
Lossless 24-bit/48kHz audio over USB-C
ANC rated top-tier in reviews
Good mic quality for calls
Reasons to avoid
Still 386 g, and several reviewers call them heavy
Rated at 20 hours with ANC on; one review called the battery subpar
The case still doesn't cover the headband
No USB-C-to-3.5mm cable for airplane audio
Measured view8.4/10What 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.

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SoundGuys7.8/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods Max 2 review: Whatever happened to thinking different?Harley Maranan · May 2026

Same look as before, so the lab tests focus on what changed inside.

Read on SoundGuys ↗
What Hi-Fi?4/5
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods Max 2 reviewKashfia Kabir, Ketan Bharadia · Mar 2026

Still luxurious, but the reviewer wonders if Apple played it too safe.

Read on What Hi-Fi? ↗
The Verge8/10
Article · Full reviewApple AirPods Max 2 review: a great sequel, but not an ambitious oneJohn Higgins · Mar 2026

Better sound, ANC and features, but an unadventurous sequel.

Read on The Verge ↗
Tom’s Guide · Apr 2026I Waited 5 Years for AirPods Max 2… FULL REVIEWWatch on YouTube ↗
Brandon Butch · Apr 2026AirPods Max 2 - Review After 1 Week: Not What I Thought!Watch on YouTube ↗
Matthew Moniz · Apr 2026AirPods Max 2 Review — Don't Upgrade Until You Watch ThisWatch 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 2
This deviceAirPods Max 2
VS
AirPods Max 1 (Lightning)
AlternativeAirPods Max 1 (Lightning)
Score
8.48.7
Full comparison
Apple AirPods Max 2
This deviceAirPods Max 2
VS
AirPods Max 1 (USB-C)
AlternativeAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)
Score
8.48.7
Full comparison
Apple AirPods Max 2
This deviceAirPods Max 2
VS
Sony WH-1000XM6
AlternativeSony WH-1000XM6
Score
8.48.9
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 Max8.7
AppleAirPods MaxApple's first over-ears still sound great, but the $549 AirPods Max 2 replaced them with an H2 chip in each cup.
Product data

Full specifications

95 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; custom high dynamic range amplifier
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 h
Total with case
20
Battery type
  • Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled
  • 5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time
  • Storage in the Smart Case preserves battery charge in ultra-low-power state
  • Charging via USB‑C
  • AirPods Max 2 (full charge)
  • Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled
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
2026-01-20
Launch price
549
In the box
  • AirPods Max 2
  • Smart Case
  • USB-C Charge Cable
  • Documentation
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