In depth
Published · Updated
At a glance
The AirPods Max 2 make their strongest case when you spend the day moving between Apple devices. Their new H2 chips bring more useful ways to manage surrounding noise, conversations and calls. The familiar metal construction remains, so the decision is partly about whether you like the original design enough to want a smarter version of it.
This review covers the 2026 US model across its five colors. It is distinct from both the original Lightning AirPods Max and the 2024 USB-C refresh.
Apple pairs the H2 chips with a new amplifier and revised processing. What Hi-Fi? heard a small improvement in definition and musical impact over the previous model, while finding the overall character familiar.2 That is encouraging for someone buying their first pair, but I would not replace a satisfactory older Max for sound alone.
Adaptive EQ adjusts playback to the fit around your ears. Personalized Spatial Audio with head tracking also returns for compatible content and devices, giving films another listening option. Neither feature is new to this generation; the useful question is whether you enjoy that presentation with your own music and movies.
RTINGS found exceptional noise isolation, including strong suppression of transport rumble.1 Apple advertises up to 1.5× more effective ANC than the previous generation, but that is its own claim. SoundGuys found a smaller improvement using its different test method.3 Overall, cancellation is excellent, with SoundGuys’ measurements suggesting a modest improvement over the previous generation.
Adaptive Audio is the more tangible everyday addition: it changes the balance of cancellation and outside sound as your surroundings change. Conversation Awareness lowers your music and brings nearby voices forward when you start speaking, then restores playback afterward. Ordering a coffee or answering a colleague becomes less of a volume-control exercise. Both features can be switched off when you prefer to stay in control. Personalized Volume learns your preferred listening levels and adjusts media volume to your surroundings, which can reduce the need for manual volume changes.
Voice Isolation helps separate your speech from background noise on compatible Apple devices. SoundGuys found it handled most of its noisy call scenarios well, although a reverberant room remained difficult.3 If the other person hears too much of your surroundings, check the microphone mode in Control Center.
Live Translation can play another person’s speech in your chosen language. It needs an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, iOS 26.4 or later for Max 2, current headphone firmware, the Translate app and downloaded supported languages. Availability varies by language and region. It could help with a brief exchange while traveling; Apple advises checking important information for accuracy.
Apple also adds “studio-quality” audio recording for supported apps and a Digital Crown camera remote. These are useful options for recording a spoken clip or triggering a photo with your phone propped up; the name is not a guarantee of professional recording quality.
Automatic switching lets a call on your iPhone take over from music on your Mac, with supported devices signed into the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication. This convenience already existed on earlier Max models. Android and Windows devices support ordinary Bluetooth listening, but do not get the full Apple feature set or the same account-based switching.
The included USB-C cable supports lossless playback up to 24-bit/48kHz with compatible sources, plus low-latency audio. Crucially, the 2024 USB-C AirPods Max gained these capabilities through a 2025 firmware update: they are not reasons to replace that model. An analog source, such as an aircraft audio socket, needs the separately sold Apple USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable. There is no built-in 3.5 mm jack.
The aluminum earcups and mesh headband carry over, as does the USB-C predecessor’s weight. What Hi-Fi? liked the cushioning but found the weight noticeable over time, with smaller-headed listeners needing to reposition the headphones.2 Try them for more than a quick song if you can. New processing will not solve a fit you disliked before.
The earcups turn flat, but the frame does not fold inward. The Smart Case helps preserve charge in an ultra-low-power state and leaves the headband exposed. For a bag shared with keys and other loose items, I would want a more enclosing case. Replaceable magnetic cushions are welcome for longer ownership.
Apple’s 20-hour listening rating is unchanged from the USB-C predecessor. SoundGuys measured approximately 21 hours with ANC enabled and music playing at 75 dB SPL.3 That can cover several commutes or a long travel day, depending on your listening habits, but it leaves less room to forget charging than some rivals. The quick top-up is useful before leaving home; actual endurance varies with settings and use.
The Sony WH-1000XM6 is worth considering for a mixed Apple, Android or Windows setup. It supports two-device multipoint, folds for packing and weighs about 254 g. Sony rates it for up to 30 hours with noise cancellation. It does not support wired USB-C audio, so wired listening uses its separate analog connection.
For longer intervals between charges, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless offers USB-C audio and a manufacturer rating of up to 57 hours with ANC. That is a specification comparison, not a matched battery test against Apple. It is an appealing alternative if charging frequency matters more than Apple’s integrated features.
The AirPods Max 2 are an appealing choice for Apple users who like substantial over-ear headphones and want their listening to adapt around conversations, work and travel. Existing owners have less reason to rush: the new controls and call features need to solve a real inconvenience to justify replacing a comfortable, working pair. For a first purchase, those additions make the Max a more versatile companion.
This is a research-based review. The Fasit has not physically tested this product.
Independent sources cited in this article.
Public noise-isolation findings from the tested Orange pair. Detailed subscriber-only measurements were not accessed.
Listening comparison with the preceding generation and reported fit/weight impressions. These are the reviewers’ experiences, not The Fasit’s.
ANC comparison, microphone-mode findings and the updated battery test with ANC enabled and music at 75 dB SPL. Firmware and test conditions may differ from other publications.