100
What Hi-Fi?Specialist
“Apple’s luxurious over-ear wireless headphones remain a tempting proposition – especially for Apple users”
Publisher score: 5/5
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WirelessOver-earBest value
Apple AirPods Max
$549 · Apple H1 chip / ANC / Spatial Audio · 5y 11m old
85
Review
Radar
4.6
User score
Image credit: Official product image
Editor's Verdict
Our Take
SS
If you sit down with the AirPods Max in your lap, the first thing you’ll notice is that Apple finally decided to treat over‑ear headphones with the same obsessive polish it gives its phones. The stainless‑steel frame and mesh canopy feel more like a boutique accessory than a piece of tech, and the soundstage lives up to the hype – tight, articulate mids, buttery highs, and a bass punch that never turns into a rumbly mess. The H1‑based active‑noise cancellation is still among the best in class, and the spatial audio engine actually makes sense of the Dolby‑Atmos content you stream, wrapping you in a convincing 3‑D bubble. All of this comes at $549, a price that makes the Max feel less like a gadget and more like a statement piece, especially when you consider that the battery is fused into the ear cups and will eventually need a $79 service‑grade replacement.
Bottom line: If you’re entrenched in the Apple ecosystem – iPhone, Mac, Apple TV, and you already pay for Apple Music or Apple One – the Max reward you with a seamless hand‑off, instant device switching, and a level of spatial‑audio integration you won’t get elsewhere. For those who value that convenience and don’t mind the luxury tax, the Max still rank among the top noise‑canceling headphones in 2024. But if you’re a budget‑conscious audiophile or you lean toward Android, the $550 price tag, the lack of the newer H2 chip, and the potential future battery‑swap cost make the competition – Sony’s WH‑1000XM5 or Bose 700 – far more sensible choices.
Sanjiv Sathiah · Managing Editor
Review evidence
Audio specialist reviews
80
“Are the Apple AirPods Max still worth it in 2024? Find out if the noise canceling and ecosystem integration live up to the competition.”
Publisher score: 8/10 · 13mo ago
Review evidence
Tech publication reviews
90
PCMag
“The AirPods Max 2 pair class-leading noise cancellation and excellent sound quality with a gorgeous design and unmatched Apple ecosystem integration, making them the best premium headphones for Apple users.”
Publisher score: 4.5/5
89
CNETRead review ↗
“They're big and expensive, and they don't have Apple's newer, more powerful H2 chip. But five years after their release, the AirPods Max remain one of the best noise-canceling headphones for Apple users.”
Publisher score: 8.9/10
85
The VergeRead review ↗
“Apple’s AirPods Max are its first noise-canceling, over-ear headphones. They have a stylish design, excellent sound quality, and unique features like spatial audio. But at $550, they also come at a much higher price t...”
Publisher score: 8.5/10 · 71mo ago
80
Trusted Reviews
“AirPods Max are a luxury pair of headphones aimed solely at those who entrench themselves fully in Apple’s ever-expanding ecosystem.”
Publisher score: 4/5
80
Expert ReviewsRead review ↗
“Spatial Audio and superb noise cancelling are standouts for Apple’s AirPods Max - a great pair of headphones for Apple users”
Publisher score: 4/5
80
TechRadar
“The Apple AirPods Max are the perfect headphones for Apple devotees”
Publisher score: 4/5
80
Tom's Guide
“The AirPods Max are Apple's flagship noise-canceling headphones, and they don’t disappoint despite the high price”
Publisher score: 4/5
80
T3
“AirPods Max are an incredible piece of engineering, it's just a shame the cost will put them out of reach for so many”
Publisher score: 4/5
Apple ecosystem
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Buying notes
Value todayFair buy
Good review strength, but compare deals before buying. 85/100 at $449. Uses the lowest in-stock retailer price we can see.
Worth checking
Long-term battery health and replacement cost for the integrated battery.
Score distribution
90–100
2
80–89
8
70–79
0
60–69
0
0–59
0
Quick stats
Highest100
Median80
Lowest80
Reviews10
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