- Premium Build
- Wide Soundstage
- Low Latency
- Good ANC
- Can be uncomfortable and heavy for some
- Limitations for andriod users
- Subpar Voice Quality, Expensive
The AirPods Max is Apple’s first attempt at headphones (excluding Beats). It excels in certain areas like transparency mode and spatial audio, but falls short in others, such as call voice quality. Overall, I wouldn’t recommend these headphones.
It’s been over 3 years since Apple released the AirPods
Max—Apple's first over-ear headphones (excluding Beats). While the $549 price
tag continues to spark criticism, these headphones still shine in some key
areas, like seamless pairing with iPhones and transparency.
In this Airpods Max review, we’ll break down whether they’re a smart buy in
2025 or an overpriced Apple product.
Design & Build Quality
The AirPods Max boasts a premium build. With stainless steel headband arms, anodized aluminum ear cups, and a breathable mesh canopy that evenly distributes weight. The magnetic memory foam ear cushions are great as they make cleaning easier and replacement simpler.
However, there are some drawbacks to the design and build.
First, they don’t fold at all, which makes the AirPods Max much harder to travel with. Their rigid structure means they take up more space in a bag compared to competitors that offer collapsible or more compact designs. The Airpods Maxes are not for travel enthusiasts who especially have limited carrying capacity.
Second, the headphones are heavy. At 384.8g, they are about 50% heavier than Sony's XM6s. While some users find the weight manageable at first, others experience discomfort during longer sessions.
Surveys conclude that about 70% of users find them comfortable initially, but that number drops as the listening session gets longer. In fact, about 90% say they are just "okay" or uncomfortable later on. That said, another source states that about half of users adapt within a few days.
If lightweight and portable headphones are a must, these are not for you.
Thankfully, Apple has finally moved to USB-C, a much-needed upgrade from the outdated Lightning connector.
Audio Performance
Apple included 40mm dynamic drivers, which produce a rich, balanced sound profile. The bass is clean without overwhelming, and treble is crisp and clear.
However, the Airpod Max's raw sound quality isn't industry leading with headphones from bose and sony doing better.
One standout feature is Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, which creates an immersive 3D soundstage. This works best with Apple devices but still functions decently on others. In fact, their Spatial Audio experience arguably leads the industry—even besting the XM6s.
The soundstage is wide, with very low distortion. Compared to other headphones, it has great soundstage but there are definitely headphones with wider soundstage.
Another downside is limited codec support. The AirPods Max lack aptX, aptX-HD, and LDAC, which are preferred by Android users for high-quality wireless audio experience.
Also, some sound details can feel flat or lost. For example, in richly layered tracks like Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys, some sound details disappears or be suppressed. A headphone like the XM6s would be better.
There is some dynamic compression in Bluetooth mode when battery efficiency is turned on. A simple fix is to keep the Airpod Maxes charged.
Overall, the AirPods Max offer excellent but not industry-leading sound quality.
ANC & Transparency Mode
The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) in the Airpod Max is strong. It blocks out a wide range of ambient sounds including public chatter and train rumble. Its adaptive tuning helps ANC stay effective despite changes in fit or environment.
Compared to rivals, the AirPods Max have very little ANC-related hiss, creating a cleaner listening experience but is not as good in keeping out all noises. A headphone like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or even the XM6 would do better.
Even more impressive is Transparency Mode, which lets in voices with incredible naturalness, better than any other headphones available.
That said, there are a few quirks. The headphones surprisingly do not have a power button, so you’re stuck relying on auto-sleep and the case. There can also be a slight delay in ANC to loud sounds. Some users may also experience mild ear pressure during extended use of the headphones when ANC is turned on.
Over time, ANC may degrade as the memory foam wears down.
In summary, the ANC is excellent (though not class-leading). Transparency Mode, on the other side, is the best.
Battery Life & Charging
The AirPods Max offer around 20 hours of battery life with ANC on. This is average compared to competitors like the XM6s, which deliver 30 hours.
Good charging is a plus as a 5-minute charge gives about 1.5 hours of playback. As said before, the newer version can charge using USB-C.
However, battery drain issues persist, especially after firmware updates.
In conclusion, Battery life and charging are acceptable, but there are better options at this price point.
Microphone & Call Quality
In quiet settings, the three-microphone system delivers okay voice clarity. Not the type of voice quality you would expect to get for a $500 headphone.
Unfortunately, voice quality drops even more in noisy places. For example, busy streets or stations noises can often overwhelm your voice.
Also worth noting is that the mic doesn’t work in wired mode.
If you need a headset for frequent calls or work meetings, definitely look elsewhere.
Alternatives
- Sony WH-1000XM6: Still the best all-rounder headphone . Lighter, better raw sound, better ANC, better battery, better Mic. Probably the best headphone in the market. learn more about it here:
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra: More comfortable and has better ANC that rivals the Sony XM6s, but Spatial audio and transparency.
- Sennheiser Momentum 4: Insane 60-hour battery, great sound, and more affordable. But AirPods Max still win on build quality and Transparency.
Final Verdict
The AirPods Max are visually and physically premium and shine with best-in-class Transparency Mode and impressive Spatial Audio.
But at $549, there are some unexpected trade-offs. Android users get a very limited experience and regardless of phone system, there is a weight issue, average battery, and subpar mic quality.
Unless you’re locked into the Apple ecosystem and prioritize Spatial Audio, transparency and design above all else, it’s hard to recommend the Airpod Maxes today.
For most people, they’re not worth it.
What do you think, please share and tell us in the comments.
Sources
RTINGS.com. “Apple AirPods Max Headphones Review.” RTINGS.com, 25 Jan. 2024, www.rtings.com/headphones/reviews/apple/airpods-max-wireless. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
Pickr. “Apple AirPods Max USB-C (2025 edition) review.” Pickr, 6 Aug. 2025, www.pickr.com.au/reviews/2025/apple-airpods-max-usb-c/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
Business Insider. “AirPods Max Review: Are Apple's Premium Headphones Worth It?” Business Insider, 24 Mar. 2025, www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/apple-airpods-max-review. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
SoundGuys. “Apple AirPods Max review.” SoundGuys, 21 July 2025, www.soundguys.com/apple-airpods-max-review-44975/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
RecordingNOW. “Sony WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max: HONEST Comparison.” RecordingNOW, 15 June 2025, recordingnow.com/blog/sony-wh-1000xm6-vs-airpods-max/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
RecordingNOW. “Apple AirPods Max Review: WORTH IT in 2025?” RecordingNOW, 12 Aug. 2025, recordingnow.com/blog/apple-airpods-max-review/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
AppleInsider. “AirPods, AirPods Pro, AirPods Max - Fall 2025 buyer's guide.” AppleInsider, 14 Sept. 2025, appleinsider.com/articles/25/09/14/airpods-airpods-pro-or-airpods-max---fall-2025-airpods-buyers-guide. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
HeadsetAdvisor. “The Pros and Cons of the Apple Airpods Max - Review & Video.” HeadsetAdvisor, 10 Sept. 2025, headsetadvisor.com/blogs/headset/apple-airpods-max-good-for-calls-meetings-live-mic-test. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
Marius Masalar. “AirPods Max: An Audiophile Review.” MariusMasalar.me, 17 Dec. 2020, mariusmasalar.me/airpods-max. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
TechRadar. “Apple AirPods Max Review.” TechRadar, 12 Feb. 2024, www.techradar.com/reviews/airpods-max. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
Reddit. “Question about traveling with Airpods Max?” Reddit, 29 Nov. 2022, www.reddit.com/r/Airpodsmax/comments/z8n31g/question_about_traveling_with_airpods_max/. Accessed 20 Sept. 2025.
0 Comments