The Apple AirPods Max 2 may look similar to the first-generation model (even the colourways and the love-it-or-hate-it carry case are the same), but the latest release comes with an upgraded processor under the bonnet and a new high dynamic range amplifier, bringing onboard a host of improvements.
Apple says its latest headphones feature significantly improved active noise cancelling, all-round audio and a series of new features such as live translation. But all of this comes with a hefty price tag of £500.
The tech giant’s over-ear headphones haven’t been given a major update since they first launched in 2020. While Apple added new colour variants in 2024 and replaced the lightning port with USB-C, the headphones themselves had started to feel dated. Are the new features and overall improvements enough to justify parting with your hard-earned cash? Keep reading for my full review and verdict.
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How I tested
I’ve been testing the AirPods Max 2 extensively, from the moment I opened the box, to check what cables are supplied through to ease of setup and simplicity of use. I noted how light or heavy they were, or if they were comfy for long listening sessions. During testing, I considered the following criteria.
- Design: I considered the overall design of the cans, from colourways to comfort, to see if they lived up to the premium price tag.
- Audio: Most important, of course, was the sound quality, which I tested in various situations, including noisy ones. I made calls, listened to a range of musical genres and used them to watch movies on an Apple TV streaming box.
- Features: I checked out the new features, testing live translation with a Spanish speaker, and the gesture responses (I rejected multiple phone calls just by shaking my head).
- Battery life: Of course, I looked into how long the battery lasted, too, comparing the performance against other headphones on the market.
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Apple AirPods Max 2
Processor: H2
Active noise cancelling: Yes
Personalised spatial audio: Yes
Battery life: 20 hours
Dimensions: 187.3mm x 168.6mm x 83.4mm
Weight: 386.2g
Colours: Midnight, starlight, blue, orange, purple
Why we love it
- Outstanding audio with ANC
- Neat live translation feature
Take note
- Some features need latest Apple software
Apple AirPods Max 2: Design
Apple came up with a handsome and distinctive look for its over-ear headphones when the first AirPods Max landed in late 2020, and it hasn’t diverged from that look with its latest release.
The only previous change was in 2024 when the originals were updated with a switch from lightning to the more widely used USB-C, and a new colour range. It’s those colours - midnight, starlight, orange, blue and purple - which are found on the AirPods Max 2. I’ve been testing starlight, which is highly attractive: a light shade that looks silver in most light but gleams a touch more golden in sunshine.
The design is dominated by anodised aluminium ear cups, with colour-matched ear cushions and headband. The headband has a knit mesh that feels soft on the head. It also doubles as a handle when placed in the carry case, which only covers the ear cups. More on that in a moment.
The ear cups attach to the headband by way of shiny stainless-steel arms, which extend for the perfect fit and hold in place securely.
These are not the lightest headphones you’ll find, though the combination of soft ear cups, subtle headband and perfect balance mean they remain comfortable and enjoyable to wear for hours.
Unlike some over-ear headphones, the range of buttons here is pleasingly simple: a listening mode button and a digital crown. The button switches your headphones between ANC and transparency modes - the latter amplifies sounds of the outside world as though you’re not wearing headphones at all. With a long-press, the button also activates the live translation feature.
The digital crown is used to pause or play music, and accept or decline incoming phone calls when you press it. Rotate it and you turn the volume up and down.
Controlling audio on other headphones is often much more hit and miss, as you search by touch for the right button. The digital crown is easy to find and control.
There’s no on-off button on board. Instead, when you put the headphones into the carry case, carefully placed magnets put the headphones into ultra-low-power mode.
That case has been a Marmite product since it first launched. Now it’s been around for a few years, the design is less surprising and, though it has its detractors, I like the fact that it’s lightweight and efficient. It means the headphones and case take up almost no more space than the headphones on their own, which is not what I’ve found when testing other headphones with cases.
The AirPods Max 2 are supplied with a USB-C to USB-C cable for charging and connecting to audio sources, to play at lossless quality, for instance. There’s no power adaptor in the box and no USB-C to 3.5mm cable.
The design remains as attractive as ever, though it would have been nice to see some new colourways.
Apple AirPods Max 2: Audio
The new high dynamic range amplifier has greater dynamic range than the previous model, Apple says, meaning you can play music louder without fear of distortion. In my tests, I found playback was clear and undistorted even at high volumes. Though, realistically, the ANC is so good here you don’t need to have the volume turned up to the max.
Most of the upgrades to the audio come from the Apple H2 chip. It’s already on the latest versions of AirPods and AirPods Pro, and it significantly improves the ANC, for a start. The chip works with eight microphones at the same time to calculate (thousands of times a second) what noise needs to get through to your ears, and what doesn’t.
On the AirPods Pro 3, the ANC was so good it’s been a rare time I’ve dared use in-ear buds on a plane. Here, the results with the AirPods Max 2 are at least as good. Depending on your ear shape, you may find the over-ear cans work better than in-ear buds while in demanding situations.
Combined with the noise isolation of the over-ears, the ANC here has become much more immersive and works better than ever in noisier circumstances.
Beyond ANC, the general audio has had a perceptible improvement. The previous chip was no slouch in the audio department, delivering strong sound across the audio landscape, but there is a richer sensation here.
Apple’s signature sound has traditionally been clear and faithful, and that continues here. There’s a warmth and energy to what you hear and it’s especially good for detail, which is precise and intimate.
Apple AirPods Max 2: Features
Live translation, which came to the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4 last autumn, has now made it to the new AirPods Max 2. You download languages in advance and activate the capability with the listening mode button. It’ll then listen to the person talking to you in Spanish, German, French or Korean (more languages are available) and speak the translation in your ears while transcribing it on your iPhone. When you speak back, the iPhone screen shows your words in both languages.
By waiting a moment to get the context of what the other person is saying, it offers an enjoyable and reassuring experience.
The H2 chip also means phone calls sound good, both for you and, thanks to three microphones working together to reduce background noise, for the person at the other end of the call.
Plus, now you can accept or reject a phone call just by nodding or shaking your head, which is a handy feature.
The audio recording updates that came with iOS 26 mean that if you’re a creator, you can record content using the AirPods Max 2 to a professional level. I’ve used the headphones during video conferencing calls and I am told the sound quality was excellent.
Apple AirPods Max 2: Battery life
Apple claims you’ll get 20 hours of battery life but this isn’t the most you’ll find available when it comes to headphones. However, bear in mind that this figure is for audio with ANC turned on.
Recharging takes time but even a five-minute burst can be enough to deliver an hour or more of listening. And the ultra-low-power mode in the carry case invokes leaves juice in the battery for weeks on end.
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Are the Apple AirPods Max 2 worth it?
The AirPods Max 2 aren’t cheap, though at £499, they are £50 less expensive than when the first-generation model appeared in stores.
The new model looks and feels identical to the previous version, but performance is very different. The headphones are comfortable to wear at length, with great noise isolation from the over-ear cup. And the new H2 processor means the improvement in noise cancellation is striking – and the last model was extremely good already.
Overall sound is also enhanced, with the rich but clear sound from the first-generation now seeming more elegant than ever, with every voice or instrument precisely placed.
The new features are welcome, especially live translation, and phone calls, or video conferencing, say, are also better than ever.
Looks wise, the new Apple AirPods Max 2 headphones are stunning: they offer a winning combination of gorgeous design, outstanding audio with noticeably improved active noise cancelling and a range of genuinely useful features.
Want more recommendations? Check out our guide to the best noise-cancelling headphones
