AirPods Max 2

Released April 2026

Apple's over-ear noise-cancelling headphones updated in 2026 with the H2 chip, suited to iPhone users who want Apple's premium over-ear option with lossless listening over USB-C.

Model history · 3 models, 2020–2026

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: Yes
Battery: 20 h
With case: –
Best codec: AAC
Weight: 386.2 g

What reviewers say

Reviewers agree the noise cancelling is much improved and the sound is smooth and balanced, with Tom's Guide ranking it among the best-sounding wireless headphones. The common complaints are the unchanged battery life, the weight and the same case; What Hi-Fi? thinks premium rivals have moved further ahead, and SoundGuys sees little reason to upgrade from the original.

From soundguys.com, whathifi.com and tomsguide.com

Specifications

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Sound

Type: Over-ear
Noise cancelling: Yes
Transparency mode: Yes
Spatial audio with head tracking: Yes
Bluetooth codecs: SBC and AAC
Lossless over USB-C: Yes
Chip: H2
Drivers: Apple-designed dynamic driver and custom high dynamic range amplifier
Chip: H2 in each ear cup
Noise cancelling detail: Up to 1.5x more Active Noise Cancellation than the original AirPods Max; Adaptive Audio, Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness
Audio features: Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; Personalised Volume; Voice Isolation; studio-quality audio recording; Live Translation; 24-bit, 48 kHz Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C; analogue sources need Apple's USB-C to 3.5 mm Audio Cable, sold separately
Hearing health: Loud Sound Reduction

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): Up to 20 hours
Battery life detail: Storing them in the Smart Case puts them in an ultra-low-power state
Fast charging: 5 minutes of charging gives around 1.5 hours of listening

Design

Weight: 386.2 g
Bluetooth: 5.3
Headphone cable: Yes
Controls: Digital Crown (turn for volume; press once to play, pause, answer a call or use camera remote; twice to end a call or skip forward; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri); listening mode button; “Hey Siri” or just “Siri”; Siri Interactions
Microphones: Nine microphones in total, eight for Active Noise Cancellation and three for voice pickup (two shared with ANC)
Case weight: 134.5 g (Smart Case)
Works with: Full 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 features
Colours: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange
In the box: AirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C Charge Cable, documentation

Pros and cons

Pros

Apple rates the ANC at up to 1.5× more effective than the previous AirPods Max
24-bit, 48 kHz lossless and ultra-low latency audio over the included USB-C cable
H2 adds Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Voice Isolation and Live Translation

Cons

Heavy at 386.2 g
Battery life unchanged at up to 20 hours with ANC on
No 3.5 mm headphone jack, and only AAC and SBC over Bluetooth

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
SteelSeriesArctis Nova Pro Omni	Over-ear	Yes	19 h	–	LC3	339 g	May 2026
BoseQuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)	Over-ear	Yes	24 h	–	AAC	230 g	Aug 2026
Sony1000X THE COLLEXION (WH-1000XX)	Over-ear	Yes	24 h	–	LC3	320 g	May 2026