AirPods Max (USB-C)

Released September 2024

Apple's over-ear noise-cancelling headphones in their 2024 USB-C form with the H1 chip, sold until AirPods Max 2 replaced them in 2026, suited to iPhone users who want Apple's premium over-ear option.

Model history · 2 models, 2020–2024

2020AirPods Max (Lightning)Compare
2024AirPods Max (USB-C)

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

What reviewers say

Reviewers of the USB-C version agree the AirPods Max combine excellent noise cancelling and sound with exceptional build quality and comfortable pads. Both note that the best features need Apple devices and that no 3.5 mm cable is included; What Hi-Fi? calls the case near-pointless and finds newer rivals clearer and more precise.

From whathifi.com and soundguys.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: H1
Drivers: Apple-designed dynamic driver
Chip: H1 in each ear cup
Noise cancelling detail: Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency mode
Audio features: Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking; Adaptive EQ; 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

Battery

Listening time (maker's claim): Up to 20 hours
Battery life detail: Up to 20 hours of movie playback with ANC and Spatial Audio on; 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: 5.0
Headphone cable: Yes
Controls: Digital Crown (turn for volume; press once to play, pause or answer a call; twice to end a call or skip forward; three times to skip back; press and hold for Siri); noise control button to switch between ANC and Transparency; “Hey Siri”
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, Smart Case, USB-C Charge Cable, documentation

Pros and cons

Pros

Up to 20 hours per charge with ANC on
Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio over a USB-C cable
Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking

Cons

Heavy at 386.2 g
H1 chip, so no Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness or Live Translation
Bluetooth 5.0 and no built-in 3.5 mm jack; a USB-C to 3.5 mm audio cable costs extra

Closest rivals

Model	Type	Noise cancelling	Battery	With case	Best codec	Weight	Released
SonyINZONE H9 II	Over-ear	Yes	20 h	–	LC3	260 g	Aug 2025
SonosAce	Over-ear	Yes	30 h	–	aptX Lossless	312 g	Jun 2024
SonyULT WEAR (WH-ULT900N)	Over-ear	Yes	30 h	–	LDAC	255 g	Apr 2024