Apple AirPods Max (2021)

Best-in-class ANC ; Amazing transparency mode ; Excellent build quality ; Excellent sound quality ; Top-notch call quality

Charges via Lightning cable ; Heavy on head

Amazing sonic performance, Super-comfortable to wear, Premium look and feel, Quick charge function

No customisable sound settings, No lossless audio support, ANC battery life lacks compared to some competition

Four years on, the Apple AirPods Max still deliver unbeatable sound and seamless Apple ecosystem integration. Their premium design, top-notch noise cancellation (ANC), and comfort make them a standout choice. While missing features like lossless audio...

Superb audio and noise-cancelling ; Cinematic spatial audio ; Exceptional build quality

Near-pointless case ; Audio cable not included ; Practically Apple-only

Sonically speaking, the AirPods Max don’t put a foot wrong – these are among the best premium wireless noise-cancellers you can buy.

Unbelievable audio performance ; Fantastic user experience ; Brilliant extra features for iOS ; Great noise cancellation

Very expensive ; No 3.5mm audio port ; Limited features for Android ; Ineffective carrying case

The Apple AirPods Max are among the best-sounding headphones we've ever tested. They're easy to use, and their noise cancellation can easily stand up to the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. However, their high...

High-luxury design ; Terrific, balanced sound quality ; Very effective noise cancellation ; Dependable and foolproof controls ; Spatial audio for immersive entertainment

Heavier than many competitors ; No 3.5mm jack ; Wired listening requires $35 cable ; Case is an abomination ; Apple Music can’t make the most of these headphones

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 than competitors like the Sony...

Excellent audio performance with rich lows and crisp, detailed highs ; High-quality active noise cancellation, especially for low-frequency rumble ; Stunning, unique design ; Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio ; Hands-free Siri access

Expensive ; Sound signature and Adaptive EQ/spatial audio aren't for purists ; No user-adjustable EQ ; Button placement makes it easy to misfire when adjusting fit ; Smart Case does little to protect the headphones

Apple's AirPods Max headphones deliver excellent audio performance, top-notch noise cancellation, and a bevy of useful features in an absolutely gorgeous design for a bit too much money.

Fantastically wide soundstage Well-balanced audio Slick controls

No 3.5mm audio port Smart Case doesn't feel very protective Very expensive

The Apple AirPods Max are the tech giant's first over-ear headphones, and so far we're impressed with the audio quality and noise cancellation – but we're not entirely sure that the design, and the absence of a 3.5mm audio port justifies the high price...

Great sound and active noise-cancelling (ANC) ; No plastics ; Ease of setting up and running ; Spatial Audio delivers convincing three-dimensional audio

Not foldable ; Weighty due to metal ; Carry case could be more robust ; Very expensive ; No 3.5mm jack ; Spatial Audio not for Apple TV yet

The high asking price will make the over-ear AirPods a luxury rather than a mass-market product, which is a shame as the sound quality and active noise-cancelling (ANC) is superb - but much of the competition offers such features for a cut of the cash.

Gorgeous design ; Great audio quality ; Powerful ANC ; Seamless integration with Apple devices

Expensive

Apple’s AirPods Max headphones combine beautiful design with powerful tech for great audio quality and best-in-class ANC.

Rich and detailed sound ; Superb noise-cancelling ; Spatial audio enhances TV and movies ; They just work

Very expensive ; Uncomfortable if worn for long periods ; So-so battery life ; Really bad case

Apple’s first over-ears are big, heavy, often brilliant, and far too expensive