Updated 18 Oct 2026
Is the Apple AirPods Max 2 worth it?
Yes — if you're all-in on Apple.
With an iPhone, iPad or Mac they switch between devices on their own and add spatial audio, Live Translation and Apple's excellent transparency mode. Noise cancelling is now among the best, the sound is smooth and full, and the build is superb. But they're heavy, they don't fold, the case barely protects them, and the 20-hour battery is the shortest here.
83%of 60 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Seamless with iPhone, iPad and Mac
- Superb build and transparency mode
- Strong noise cancelling
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What owners say
Owners love the sound, the noise cancelling and the premium build. Complaints are rare.
Good to know
- At 386g they get heavy and press on the ears over a long session.
- They don't fold, and the case covers only part of them.
- Only SBC and AAC over Bluetooth; lossless needs the USB-C cable.
From 60 buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US) and Otto (Germany), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- Great, clear soundMentioned a lot
- Excellent noise cancellingMentioned often
- Premium build and feelMentioned often
- Works seamlessly with an iPhoneAlso mentioned
What they complain about
Hardly any: just 10 of 60 owners gave it 3 stars or fewer, and no complaint came up often enough to list.
Get it if…
- You use an iPhone and other Apple devices.
- You want the most premium build.
- You'd use spatial audio for films.
Skip it if…
- You use Android: most features are Apple-only.
- You want the best sound or battery for the money: the Sony wins both for less.
How we reached this verdict
RTINGS measured exceptional noise isolation, neck and neck with the Sony XM6, but finds them heavy and tight and the case flimsy. What Hi-Fi gives them four stars: luxurious, smooth sound and a great build, but rivals sound better for less and the 20-hour battery is the 'major disappointment'. T3 praises the transparency mode and Apple integration.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, T3, RTINGS, RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 18 Oct 2026How we decide