I tested the AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max — and there's a clear winner

The AirPods Max 2 are, without a doubt, the biggest headphone release of 2026. Apple fans — and audio fans — have been waiting for this since 2020.

I reviewed the AirPods Max 2 and feel that they're truly some of the best headphones you can get. But testing the new flagships from Apple got me wondering: How do they compare to the previous model? How different is the sound quality between the AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2? The ANC? The battery life? Call quality?

If you've got a pair of the originals, you might be wondering about upgrading. Alternatively, maybe you've been looking at a pair of second-hand AirPods Max, but you're now considering splashing out on the new model. Let me help you decide if you should buy the original AirPods Max or new AirPods Max 2.

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Specs

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Price

As seen with past releases, the AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2 have the same price — $549 / £499. I really appreciate Apple's decision to release new products matching their predecessors' MSRP. This was the case with last year's AirPods Pro 3, which cost $249, the same as the AirPods Pro 2.

However, $549 is still quite expensive, even for flagship Bluetooth headphones. The class-leading Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are only $499. So while Apple has kept the launch price the same as the previous model, this is still a decent increase over other leading models.

The good news is that, with a new model coming out, we're expecting to see a number of new deals on the older original AirPods Max model. They haven't kicked in yet, but come late summer or early fall and they'll likely drop to a far more reasonable sticker price.

The winner: Tie

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Design

If you ask any Apple/audio fan, I'm pretty sure the most common issue with the AirPods Max is the weight. The AirPods Max are heavy. The originals are 13.6 ounces, which is almost double the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. There's a reason why I would never recommend wearing AirPods Max at the gym.

While this weight isn't too bad while running errands or working, I did have to remove both the original Max and AirPods Max 2 after about an hour to give my head a rest.

The mesh headband does a fantastic job of alleviating as much pressure as it can, but the fact of the matter is that these are heavy headphones.

Weight aside, the AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2 are both utterly gorgeous, albeit identical. Those hoping for design innovation or a new style will be disappointed, but those who think the AirPods Max have already reached the pinnacle of audio beauty will be pleased.

There are the same basic controls on the right cup: the Digital Crown for play/pause and volume, and the little button for ANC modes. You can customize these controls even further in your iPhone's settings.

The winner: Draw. Both models are identical.

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Features & connectivity

The AirPods Max 2 finally bring all the ultra-modern smart features from AirPods Pro into the over-ear model.

The previous gen pale in comparison: sure, there's Spatial Audio and some Siri integration, but the Max 2 have really taken the whole make-your-headphones-work-for-you motto and run with it.

The AirPods Max 2 have tons of features. Thanks to the H2 chip (the same chip used in AirPods Pro 2/3), the new Max have seamless Siri assistance, Camera Remote, Live Translation, Head Gestures, Conversation Awareness, and Personalized Volume.

Connectivity is fantastic on both models. The AirPods Max and Max 2 seamlessly integrate with all of my Apple gear. I can switch between my iPhone 16 Pro and MacBook Air M2 without stopping my music. If I'm listening on my laptop but I get a call on my phone, my headphones automatically switch to my phone. This is one of the best aspects of AirPods if you've got an iPhone/MacBook. It's just so reliable and easy.

However, Apple is still running Bluetooth 5.3 on its flagship — nearly $600 — over-ears, which isn't really good enough in 2026. Samsung's newest earbuds all launched with Bluetooth 6.1 as standard, which future-proofs the products a little more and provides a wider, more reliable range.

Going forward, I'd like to see Apple use the latest Bluetooth versions.

Winner: AirPods Max 2

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Sound quality

Where the AirPods Max and the AirPods Max 2 really excel is sound quality. I've listened to so many pairs of headphones that I've lost count.

None of them make me want to drop nearly $600. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 and Sony WH-1000XM6 sound good, but the AirPods Max (both gens) sound amazing. Either my brain is perfectly attuned to Apple's sound signature, or the Cupertino lot has found the secret sauce to make music feel like more than just audio. It feels real.

I use a mixture of Qobuz (our best music streaming service for audiophiles), Spotify, and Apple Music. Of course, the AirPods Max sound best on Apple Music, but if you listen via wired USB-C, you unlock super-hi-res streaming quality with Qobuz.

The AirPods Max 2 are utterly divine. They are the best-sounding headphones (via Bluetooth) I've ever had the pleasure of putting on my head. In every genre I listened to, I could hear every beat, every breath, every pulse of bass.

The AirPods Max 2 seemed to take everything from the previous model and dial it up to 11. The AirPods Max 2 are richer, more dynamic, and more vibrant than their predecessor — if that was even possible.

The low-end is rich, dynamic, and balanced, with deep and controlled sub-bass. At the top of the frequency range, you get clarity across instruments like snares, cymbals, and breathy vocals. The midrange supports every other element with complexity and reliability. I adore the AirPods Max 2. I didn't think it was possible to get better than the OG, but Apple managed it.

Winner: AirPods Max 2

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: ANC

Surprisingly, I'm not overly enamored with the AirPods Max's ANC. When I was testing it in the city, I had to check I was definitely in Noise Cancelation mode. I could hear people talking around me, I could hear cars, I could hear seagulls. Not really what you want when you spend nearly $600 on some ANC headphones.

Transparency mode is awesome — the mics make your voice the center so you can hear everything you're saying — but you don't buy headphones for transparency mode. That's what you use your ears for. You know, biology.

Thankfully, Apple has sorted this out with the AirPods Max 2. The ANC is stronger, better at blocking out lower-frequency sounds like rumbling engines. While still not Bose-beating or Sony-meeting, the AirPods Max 2 are better than their predecessor.

Winner: AirPods Max 2

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Call quality

Call quality on the AirPods Max is simply fine. I wasn't blown away by the clarity in my voice, and people I spoke to reported that I sounded a little muffled. The general consensus was that my personal AirPods Pro 2 sounded much better.

The AirPods Max 2 have just one mic for calls, but don't think this means the cans sound lackluster. You get awesome clarity in your voice and the mic does a fantastic job of cutting out environmental noise. I use them on work calls and personal calls and they're perfect for both.

Winner: AirPods Max 2

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Battery

Battery life is a bit of a sore spot for us AirPods lovers. Although I adore most aspects of AirPods — the sound quality, comfort, design, features — I can't pretend I'm not majorly disappointed here.

The AirPods Max and AirPods Max 2 have the same battery life: just 20 hours.

An improved battery life was my #1 wish for the new model, and Apple hasn't managed it. The charging port is a USB-C by default, upgrading from the original's Lightning connector, which is great to see.

At this point in the lifestyle-headphone-cycle, I don't think 20 hours is good enough. Especially not for $549.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Gen 2 last for 30 hours, as do the Sony WH-1000XM6. The Nothing Headphone (a) will go for 135 hours. No, that's not a typo. I quadruple-checked.

One. Hundred. Thirty. Five. Hours.

Sure, the Nothing Headphone (a) are just $199, which suggests the battery doesn't need to drive as much power as the AirPods Max. However, if an underdog, emergent brand like Nothing can manage 135, you'd think the behemoth Apple could do a little better than 20 hours.

Winner: No one. I don't even want to say it's a draw, because there are no winners. Only losers.

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Verdict

The AirPods Max 2 are my winner. Although I really like the original — unbeatable sound, beautiful aesthetics, and top-notch Apple ecosystem integration — the new features and improved ANC on the 2 mean the newest model takes the "Best AirPods Max" crown.

Does that mean you shouldn't get the AirPods Max if you see them on sale, or there's a second-hand pair going for super cheap? Of course not. If you can grab the original Max at a discount, they're still a fantastic pair of cans. They look great, sound great, and are really reliable.

But in 2026, they don't have the same oomph as the new model. I love the improved ANC, improved sound, and improved call quality. Of course, I wish the battery life were longer, and I wish they were lighter, but these are AirPods Max as a whole issues rather than AirPods-Max-2 issues. For me, though, I'm going second generation.

AirPods Max 2 vs AirPods Max: Ratings scorecard