Live Science Verdict
The AirPods Max bid majuscule sound , but a high price and some interesting intent choices lay off them inadequate of sizeableness .
fantabulous haphazardness cancellation
easy
The supplied case doesn’t offer much protection, it just puts the AirPods Max in to a low power state.
Unique design
Lightning blame
No force button
Despite their minimalist look, the AirPods Max are still easily identifiable in a crowd.
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We ’ll authorize it up mightily from the off — the AirPods Max are little to no trade good to you if you ’re looking for thebest running phone . They ’re heavy and passably bulky , and a second of sweat will probably have you looking for a reparation shop .
However , as a couple of all - function earpiece , though , they ’re one of our favorite ways to listen to music — but they ’re not perfect . They offer a fantastical soundstage full of dynamical treble , mids , and heap of bass — idealistic for just about any medicine genre — and they ’re supercharged by Apple ’s Spatial Audio .
The author wearing the Apple AirPods Max at home.
Smart enable / compatibility : Bluetooth
Waterproof : No
assault and battery life:20 hour
The mesh of the headband and the padding around the earbuds make the AirPods Max extremely comfortable to wear.
Charging time : Two hour for full charge
Noise - canceling : Yes
Includes : Apple AirPods Max , Smart Case , Lightning to USB - cytosine cable system
That state , they ’re not precisely easily portable , with a unique invention that does n’t really fold up for travel and lacks a index button . rather , you get an unusual compositor’s case that does n’t appear to extend much protection but puts them in a low - power mode .
If you ’re an Apple equipment - tot up audiophile , however , they ’re well worth a flavour — peculiarly if you ’re looking for a reason to keep that Lightning cable handy now the iPhone 15 ( USB - C interface ) lineup is here .
Apple AirPods Max: Functionality
As if the name ' AirPods ' was n’t a clue , the functionality here is moderately much the same as on any of Apple ’s wireless earbuds . With no institutionalise case , though , they ’ll geminate as before long as you work the cups to face each other , and it ’s quick enough that they ’re pretty much quick to go as shortly as the headphones are on your head .
They pair to every Apple gimmick connect to your Apple ID , too , and Apple ’s auto - switching has amend — stand for they ’ll connect to your iPhone , Mac , Apple Watch , or iPad . There are fewer and few instances of the unseasonable gimmick being connected .
We ’re less dandy on the Lightning port for charge , though — it ’s a modest complaint , but with Apple being all - in on USB - speed of light now ( lastly ) , it ’s annoying to have to keep hold of the Lightning cablegram .
Apple AirPods Max: Set-up and design
AirPods were once mocked for their ' toothbrush head ' design , but over clock time , they ’ve become now recognizable — with passel of emulator now on the food market . The same can sure be enjoin of the AirPods Max , which are well-off to blot in a crew despite their minimalist look .
Each side is pretty vacuous on the outside , with a detachable inner earcup with a nice , breathable feel . The stainless steel add a touch of course , but also a just amount of system of weights — the AirPods Max weighs in at 385 g.
Thankfully , the headband does an excellent job of distributing the weight so it does n’t finger like it ’s pushing down on your head at any point , and it makes it comfier than you ’d imagine over long periods . We had bear the engagement of the headband to wear down over clock time , but we ’re pleased to report that it remains in fantabulous condition , even after being switch in a travelling bag fairly on a regular basis for the retiring twelvemonth or so .
I ’m less keen on the case , though . In fact , call it a ' case ' is probably overstating what it is . There ’s nothing really protect your headphones ; the sheath just set the AirPods Max into a downhearted - magnate style .
That ’s important because the AirPods Max do n’t have a great power button , meaning you ca n’t sprain them off . We think that is a outre omission , and while we do n’t beware it for the most part ( we generally have them hooked up to a cable when they ’re not in use ) , it ’s more frustrating when you ’re heading out for a long journey and sleep together that your 100 % charge is being eaten away at , even when you ’re not using them .
Still , the frame-up is mere , with the same ' card ' that protrude up for mate when you unfold them for the first time . It get real seconds to be up and hunt down .
Our whole is the Space Gray colorway , but you ’ll find green , ash grey , sky bluing , and pinkish versions are available .
Apple AirPods Max: Controls
AirPods Max are unique among Apple ’s audio options as the only one with literal , physical buttons . Still , they remain minimal — with two control of note , both situate on the correct earcup .
The first , a slim button , actuate randomness cancellation mode , alternating between transparency and alive noise cancellation .
The 2d , the Digital Crown , is a small more nuanced . you could intermit , play , and bound off tracks with varying wardrobe of the button on top while rotate it will adjust the mass with a very pleasing , almost iPod clickwheel - like , audio feedback .
Apple AirPods Max: Fit
We ’ve already mentioned the AirPods Max not sense heavy ( despite their weighting ) , and they definitely skirt the unenviable feeling of your head being squeezed that Apple ’s Beats phone historically suffered from .
They ’re a snug fit , but the breathable mesh make them well-situated . Your mileage may vary , but the adjustable arm tender an excellent range of size — even for our reviewer who has a self - exalt with child head . There ’s minimum audio bleed , too , thanks to the snug fit .
Apple AirPods Max: Sound quality
Here ’s where the AirPods Max can justify the hefty $ 599 cost rag — the wakeless character is excellent . Olivia Rodrigo ’s SOUR album is a great show window , full of subtlety , harmony , and dynamism from the backing track , and with a voice capable of great kitchen stove . It sounds fantastic , even play through Spotify which miss a stack of the Bell & whistles of Apple Music .
shift gears to Sleep Token ’s ' Take Me Back To Eden ' , everything absolutely babble out on the AirPods Max — from the crushing breakdown , up to forte-piano musical accompaniment on slower constituent . There ’s nothing I ’ve throw at the AirPods Max that has n’t sounded , at least , a very , very honest criterion .
Switching to podcasts , spoken word is absolved and crisp ( played throughPocket Casts ) , make long shows a pleasance to enjoy with the comfy earcups .
A special note for the dissonance cancelation , too , which persist my favourite intellect to carry the AirPods Max with me . Ideal for trains and walk outside , it really comes into its own on a foresighted - haul escape where it can almost entirely remove both engine and passenger noise .
Apple AirPods Max: Performance
While Lightning charging will require about two hr to get to a full cathexis . While it takes some clock time , that give you twenty hours to play with — a tidy hour count . you could get around 90 minutes of playback from a five - minute charge , handy .
The most unsatisfying affair is that the AirPods Max simply are n’t as portable as we ’d like . The system of weights can be forgiven for the timber of cloth used , but the cup can only spin — there ’s no actual ‘ fold ' to mouth of ( something the the like of the Beats Studio 3 offered year ago ) .
That , coupled with the clumsy shell , makes them finger like they take up much more room in a backpack than they should need to , which often head to me wanting to bequeath them at abode in favor of the AirPods Pro .
Apple AirPods Max: User reviews
The AirPods Max sit at a4.6 - star rating on Amazon , suggesting the majority of users ( over 14,000 reviews at time of penning ) are impressed .
There are some complaint about the lack of a mightiness button , but many user are really noting just how drastically better the audio quality is compared to other options on the market .
Should you buy the Apple AirPods Max?
If you ’re not look for a more lightweight twosome of phone and you ’re already within the Apple ecosystem , the AirPods Max is an first-class selection with fantastic audio timbre and interference cancellation .
If the Apple AirPods Max aren’t for you:
If you ’re not keen on the unique queerness of the AirPods Max , consider the wonderfulSony WH-1000XM5which offers excellent audio quality , fantabulous noise cancellation and an visceral app .
If you ’re an Apple fan and happy with the in - pinna bud design , thethird - generation Apple AirPodsare an low-priced option that give users a prospicient stamp battery life when used with the supply charge case . TheApple AirPods Pro ( generation 2)is also well suited for all - purpose employment , offering a multitude of functionality and personalization option , though we ’d stave off those if you ’re looking for something to endure during vigorous recitation .
Apple AirPods Max: How we tested
We ’ve been testing the AirPods Max for over a year now , taking them out for long walks , using them at home while play or interpretation , and testing them on several tenacious - haul flight .
Regarding playback , it ’s been the audio from The Legend of Zelda : rent of the Kingdom , basso - heavy rap , a fair amount of pappa punk and metal , and some sweeping orchestral soundtracks . Oh , and a fair few podcasts , too .
