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Apple AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case vs Apple AirPods Max (Lightning)

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

AppleAirPods 5 with Wireless Charging CaseAppleAirPods Max (Lightning)
Overview
ReleasedSeptember 2026December 2020
Sound
TypeOpen-earOver-ear
Noise cancellingYesYes
Transparency modeYesYes
Spatial audio with head trackingYesYes
Driver size–40 mm
Bluetooth codecsSBC and AACSBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-CNoNo
ChipH2H1
DriversCustom high-excursion Apple driver and custom high dynamic range amplifier in a new multiport acoustic architectureApple-designed dynamic drivers with dual neodymium ring magnet motors
Chip–H1 in each ear cup
Noise cancelling detailUp to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation; Adaptive Audio, Transparency and Conversation AwarenessEight microphones for Active Noise Cancellation; Transparency mode
Audio featuresPersonalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; Voice Isolation; studio-quality audio recording; Live Translation; lossless audio with Apple Vision ProPersonalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; Audio Sharing; AAC and SBC Bluetooth codecs (SoundGuys); analogue wired listening through a separately sold Lightning to 3.5 mm audio cable
Battery
Listening time (maker's claim)Up to 5 hoursUp to 20 hours
With the caseUp to 22 hours–
Wireless chargingYes–
Battery life detailUp to 7 hours per charge with noise control offUp to 20 hours of movie playback with Spatial Audio; Smart Case puts headphones in an ultra-low-power state; charging via Lightning
Charging caseWireless Charging Case (USB-C) with speaker for Find My; charges with a USB-C cable, Apple Watch charger or Qi-certified charger–
Fast charging5 minutes in the case gives around 1 hour of listeningAround 1.5 hours of listening after 5 minutes of charging
Design
Weight (each earbud)4.3 g384.8 g
Water and sweat resistanceIP57–
Bluetooth5.35.0
Headphone cable–Yes
ControlsForce sensor with volume swipe on the stems (press to play, pause, answer calls and skip; press and hold to switch listening modes; swipe up or down for volume); camera remote; “Hey Siri” or just “Siri”; Siri Interactions by nodding or shaking your headDigital Crown for volume, playback, calls and Siri; listening mode button for ANC/Transparency; “Hey Siri”
MicrophonesDual beamforming microphones and an inward-facing microphone; speech-detecting accelerometerNine microphones, three for voice pickup (two shared with ANC); optical, position and case-detect sensors and accelerometer in each cup, gyroscope in left cup
Fit and ear tipsOpen-ear design with no ear tipsStainless steel frame, telescoping arms and knit mesh canopy; memory foam cushions; aluminium ear cups
Case weight34.7 g134.5 g (Smart Case)
Dimensions–187.3 × 168.6 × 83.4 mm (height × width × depth), including cushions
Water resistance detailIP57 (IEC 60529) for the AirPods and charging case–
Works withFull features with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple TV and Apple Vision Pro on the latest software; works as Bluetooth headphones with other devices, with limited featuresApple devices with current iOS, iPadOS, watchOS, macOS or tvOS; Bluetooth audio with older Apple software and non-Apple devices, with limited features
ColoursWhiteSpace Grey, Silver, Sky Blue, Green, Pink
In the boxAirPods 5 and Charging Case (USB-C) with speaker, documentation; no USB-C cable or power adapterAirPods Max, Smart Case, Lightning to USB-C cable, documentation

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