Apple’s H2 chip brings stronger noise cancelling, lossless wired audio, and live translation to its heaviest hitter.
8.5
KADS SCORE
Quick Take
The AirPods Max 2 keep Apple’s flagship over ears at the top of the luxury heap. A new H2 chip delivers noticeably stronger noise cancelling and lossless audio over USB C, plus live translation for travelers. At $549 they remain a splurge, and they still weigh a lot, but nothing else feels this seamless with an iPhone.
Loves
- Stronger noise cancelling powered by the H2 chip
- Lossless audio over USB C for wired listening
- Live translation is genuinely handy for travel
- Plush knit mesh canopy and memory foam ear cushions
- Spatial audio with head tracking still leads the pack
Not For
- Heavy at 386 grams, you feel them on long days
- Smart Case still barely protects them in a bag
- $549 is a lot when Sony and Bose cost far less
- Android users lose most of the smart features
The Details
Full Review
Quality
The Max 2 keeps the original’s unmistakable industrial design: a stainless steel frame, telescoping arms, and a breathable knit mesh canopy that spreads the weight across your head. The ear cushions use acoustically engineered memory foam wrapped in soft textile, and they pop off magnetically for easy cleaning. It feels precision built in a way plastic rivals cannot match, though at 386 grams it is still one of the heaviest premium headphones you can buy.
Value
At $549 the Max 2 cost the same as the original did at launch, which is almost generous by Apple standards. Sony’s flagship and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra deliver comparable noise cancelling for roughly $150 less, and both fold flat for travel. The Max 2 earn their premium through build quality, the Apple ecosystem, and now lossless wired audio. If you live outside Apple’s world, the value case collapses fast.
You’ll Love It If
Deep Apple ecosystem users who want the best sounding, best built wireless headphone Apple makes, and travelers who will actually use live translation.
Skip It If
Android users and budget hunters should skip it. Sony’s flagship gives you nearly everything for much less, and it folds flat.
FINAL VERDICT
The AirPods Max 2 are the luxury pick they always were, now with the chip upgrade they desperately needed. Stronger noise cancelling, lossless wired audio, and thoughtful new tricks make them feel current again. They are heavy and expensive, but for the Apple faithful they remain the over ear to beat.
8.5 / 10
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Kads Review may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See our Affiliate Disclosure.
Leave a comment