Apple’s New AirPods Max 2 Improve What Matters Most

It’s no secret that I love over-ear noise-cancelling headphones. I never board a plane without them, and I reach for them anytime I need to tune out distractions like office chatter. One of my go-to pairs, and a Good Housekeeping Institute favorite, are the Apple AirPods Max. Though I’m well versed in the entire AirPods lineup and typically use the AirPods Pro 3 on a daily basis, I’ve long relied on the AirPods Max when I really need to concentrate and get comfortable. When it comes to sound quality, noise cancellation, and design, they’re a tough pair to beat.

When Apple announced the second generation of its stylish over-ear headphones, the Apple AirPods Max 2, I jumped at the opportunity to try them. It’s been a few years since Apple released the original AirPods Max (aside from a minor USB-C update in 2024), so I was curious to find out what the new generation had in store.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Apple AirPods Max 2, including what’s new and what hasn’t changed.

Apple

AirPods Max 2

Apple

AirPods Max 2

Apple

Pros

• Superior noise cancellation
• Excellent sound quality
• Impressive voice isolation on calls
• Gorgeous design
• Comfortable for extended wear
• Includes smart case

Cons

• Expensive

Features at a glance

Battery life	20 hours
Charging time	Estimated 5 minutes for 1.5 hours of listening time
Power source	USB-C

What’s new?

Upgraded noise cancellation and noticeably clearer calls

The AirPods Max already had some of the best noise cancellation you can get, but Apple claims that the AirPods Max 2 now feature 1.5x more effective ANC.

I tested the new pair out at a local coffee shop, and they blocked out all background noise—from conversations, loud music, a constantly running espresso machine, and your typical café hustle and bustle. Everything around me, except for the music I was streaming from my phone, became whisper-quiet.

To compare the new headphones to the first-generation AirPods Max, I went back and forth several times between the two pairs. The difference was there. But if we’re being honest, the original AirPods Max were already excellent at blocking out sound.

I did notice a huge difference when making calls with my headphones. I dialed my husband while at the cafe to compare audio quality, and the new AirPods Max 2’s mics did a significantly better job at isolating my voice and reducing background noise. This is a huge improvement for anyone who frequently takes calls or meetings on their headphones and wants those on the other end to hear them well, even from the noisiest settings (think airports or train stations).

Sound quality is still top-tier

I love the way AirPods sound, which is just part of the reason why I use them every day. The new AirPods Max 2 feature the same H2 chip you’ll find in the AirPods Pro 3 and AirPods 4, and they sound exceptional. Audio is crisp and clean, and sound is immersive. If top-notch audio quality is a priority for you, then you absolutely won’t regret investing in the AirPods Max 2.

Smarter features powered by Apple’s H2 Chip

Apple upgraded the AirPods Max 2 with its H2 chip, which you’ll find housed in its latest AirPods. With this new chip comes new features, including Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation, and Live Translation.

Most premium headphones on the market have offered features like adaptive audio and conversation awareness for a while now, so I’m pleased to see Apple catch up. While I usually turn conversation awareness off, it’s a handy feature for anyone who uses headphones in an office environment and doesn’t want to constantly take them off when you start speaking to someone. The feature automatically reduces volume when you start talking, so you can hear yourself. Meanwhile, adaptive audio automatically adjusts your noise cancellation depending on the environment you’re in. That means if you go from a noisy subway to a quiet office, it’ll adjust ANC and Transparency levels to optimize your audio experience.

Live translation is also now supported on the AirPods Max 2, which was previously only available on the AirPods Pro 2 and 3. What that means is that when someone is speaking a foreign language to you (that you’ve downloaded), you can now listen to real-time in-ear translations. The translated audio will play directly in your ear, in addition to being displayed on your phone.

The same sleek design, with no major changes

When it comes to design, Apple didn’t make any changes to the AirPods Max 2. They’re offered in the same gorgeous metallic shades—midnight, starlight, blue, purple, and orange—and they feature the same trendy design that has attracted consumers from the start.

They weigh just under a pound and are as comfortable to wear as they always were, thanks to super soft, cushioned earpads. The headphones continue to sport a digital crown that controls volume, playback, and more (one of my favorite features), as well as a physical button to switch between noise cancellation and transparency modes. The smart case, which places the headphones into low-power mode, also remains unchanged. They’re just as intuitive to use as before, and they connect instantly to Apple devices like your iPhone.

Bottom line: Are the Apple AirPods Max 2 worth it?

If you don’t care about owning the latest generation of a product, you may want to consider grabbing the first-gen Apple AirPods Max on sale. With the launch of the second generation, which retails for $549, the price of the original AirPods Max has already dropped with various retailers. You’ll currently find them for $449 (that’s $100 less) on Amazon.

The latest generation offers upgrades to sound quality, noise cancellation, and call quality, in addition to new features thanks to the integration of the latest H2 chip. But it’s worth noting that the AirPods Max 2’s design remains identical to its predecessor. Battery life is also unchanged at 20 hours, and charging time remains at 5 minutes for 1.5 hours of listening time.

If having the latest and greatest is important to you, then the Apple AirPods Max 2 can certainly be justified. They’re hands-down some of the best-looking headphones on the market, and a price tag can’t be put on how intuitive they are to use for those in the Apple ecosystem. Plus, they really do sound that good. But if you’re eager to save a few bucks, then I doubt you’ll be disappointed with the original Apple AirPods Max.