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Not long ago , AirPods were mocked for looking like toothbrush heads mob in auricle , but Apple ’s earbuds have uprise to be so popular that there are now multiple versions .
The two priciest among them , theAirPods Maxand theAirPods Pro ( 2nd Generation)are probable to get plenty of attention , and pick between them is n’t as easy as you may call up . Despite their radically dissimilar form factors , both offer up many of the same features , but with unique caveats .
With that in judgement , we ’ve pock the AirPods Max and the AirPods Pro against each other in a battle for audio dominance , take into account good tone , connectivity and design .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: How we tested
Our commentator used both the AirPods Pro ( 2nd coevals ) and AirPods Max for a number of month , switch between both in different position .
Both were used for music , podcasts and pic — in scenarios like busy streets , cozy coffee shops and even farsighted - haul flights .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has more features?
In many ways , the lineament of the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are almost superposable . Both offer telling microphones , as well as instant sexual union with Apple gimmick , including the iPhone , iPad , Mac and the Apple Watch .
While they do disagree in term of battery life , both put up excellent haphazardness - cancellation options , too ( more on those in short ) . Both will also break your music if you remove them ( or , in the AirPods Pro ’s typesetter’s case , remove one of the buds ) .
The biggest remainder comes down to the on - machine controls . The AirPods Pro have a swipeable volume command ( newfangled from the last version ) , as well as stems which can be contract to input commands .
Those commands – including answer calls , decamp tracks and switching racket control – can all be replicate on the AirPods Max , but it employ a more traditional clit . It also has a Digital Crown ( a prominent interlingual rendition of the one date on the Apple Watch since its origin ) for conform volume , which we find sluttish .
It ’ll add up down to personal preference , but for ease of volume adjustment , we ’d pick the AirPods Max .
And yet , the killer characteristic of the 2d - generation AirPods Pro is the ability to find and locate them using audio frequency . It works on each bud , as well as their case , making it gentle to find them underneath other token or when they ’ve fallen down the back of the lounge .
There ’s an argument that the AirPods Max are too large to lose , and that they can also be located using Apple ’s Find My service . However , having mislay our AirPods Pro around the home , they get the nod for this very handy characteristic .
Winner : AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has better sound quality?
Perhaps it ’s to be await , given they cost doubly as much as the AirPods Pro , but the AirPods Max are an excellent pair of headphone for just about any kind of sound .
Switching between bass - filled whack , a spot of metallic element and a few orchestral pieces , the AirPods Max do a great job with just about anything you throw off at them . Everything is balanced with just enough subtlety , and it does n’t get distorted at higher loudness either .
The same can be said of the AirPods Pro , but everything is a trivial flatter . Considering the size deviation the Pro buds are excellent , but they ca n’t match the enceinte , grandiose soundscape offered by the Max .
When it come to the microphone , we ’d struggle to break up a victor ; each does a just job of isolating the drug user ’s voice .
Both brook Apple ’s Spatial Audio , too , so that they can attune audio to your headway ’s position . Think of this as something close to beleaguer speech sound , but pumped straight into your ears .
succeeder : AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has better functionality?
The sizing deviation relocation in favor of AirPods Pro this meter around , with the diminutive buds simply much comfortable to dribble around than the hefty AirPods Max .
Even when put into the case , they can fit into the smallest of pocket , making them ideal for just about any errand you need to run . The AirPods Max , for all of their streamlined invention and excellent audio quality , are a sizeable consideration when packing a bag .
On the other hired hand , the AirPods Max offer a better noise - canceling experience by merit of that form factor . Both product offer a foil fashion for hearing environmental noise and interference canceling to focus on the audio itself , but the AirPods Max handle the latter better because they treat your entire ear .
Because each cup is firm but comfortable , they course permit in less of the outside world . That may make the AirPods Max a better alternative for anyone looking to focus on the task at handwriting .
Still , for the majority of functionality , we ’re opting for the AirPods Pro here .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which design is better?
There ’s an argument that design is a arguable item , particularly pass the different experiences on offer here .
The AirPods Pro ( 2nd Generation ) take care very similar to their predecessors , and that ’s no regretful affair . They stay on the lineage of Si pinna tips , offering three size right out of the box that are easy to shift , and the iOS set test is particularly handy for ensuring a unassailable stamp that ’s not too loaded .
On the other hand , the AirPods Max are a first - gen movement that decidedly has a little room for improvement . They ’re surprisingly full-bodied , and there are no free weight emergence because of how well they ’re balanced , but an unfitness to shut down them up makes them slippery than you ’d expect to kill in a bag .
Some variety of carry character would have help , too . The one included deed simply as a cover for the headphones and is unlikely to prevent damage when they ’re not being used .
Still , it ’s a pillow slip of “ dissimilar affair for dissimilar needs , ” so it ’s tough to settle on one .
Winner : Tie
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has a better fit?
The AirPods Pro are imposingly comfortable , even for farsighted time period of the Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . We ’ve tested them in in use coffee berry shops , quiet offices , while out for a walk and much more . We ’d still avoid them for process out ( opting for the Beats Fit Pro in those example ) , but the AirPods Pro persist more well-fixed for our money .
On the other hand , the AirPods Max are delightful , but in a very dissimilar style . For one , the soft covers over each earcup never finger uncomfortable . Indeed , while their size ( and Leontyne Price ) may make you less likely to befuddle them in a bag , they remain comfortable to have on for long menstruation .
We almost ca n’t pick a success here , but just for their comfort and low profile when going for a walkway , we ’re opting for the AirPods Pro . It ’s strong not to sense conscious of the AirPods Max when out and about .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has better battery life?
The AirPods Pro offer around six hour of listening time for each earbud , although that can poke at a lilliputian closer to eight with the noise cancellation off . The charging case gets thing to 24 hours , but you ’ll course need to down them in there for a period .
The file case can be charged magnetically , which is a plus , but you may use Lightning , too .
The AirPods Max also use Lightning , and can offer over 20 hours of continuous audio with noise canceling on . That may make them the obvious winner , but the most bizarre omission is a want of a power button . This intend that they ’ll naturally lose charge just pose in your suitcase . The said character pose them into a low - power body politic , but it ’s still something to consider .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has better reviews?
On Amazon , theAirPods Maxcurrently have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 , with many noting their lastingness as a overconfident , while also mentioning the inability to pen up them down to make them more portable .
TheAirPods Proshade things though , with a 4.6 paygrade and well more review article , many of which have noted the impressive audio lineament and spacial audio frequency .
Winner : AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Verdict
It ’s a close call , but we ’d pick the AirPods Pro ( 2nd Generation ) for the majority of customers . Their sound is impressive for such a pocket-sized distich of buds , and we also like the easy - to - bump charging caseful , as well as the minor footprint .
If you ’re more of an audiophile , postulate even better racket - canceling ( perhaps for prospicient escape ) , or just want a dyad of headphones to use while at a desk take or influence all solar day , look at the AirPods Max .
