Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) Review: Would Owners Buy It Again?
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy through links on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How this review was made: We did not test these headphones in person. This verdict is based on our analysis of expert reviews, all listed at the end of this article. We did not find strong owner-survey data on the USB-C model, and say so below. Our method.
Excellent for Apple users, but rivals match it for less fuss
What Hi-Fi calls the AirPods Max still among the best wireless headphones for dedicated Apple users, with natural, spacious sound, machined aluminium build and seamless device switching. Pickr rates the USB-C model 4.5 out of 5 but calls it a dot release: noise cancelling is unchanged from 2020, and the main gain is wired lossless audio. Reviewers criticize the fabric case, the roughly 20-hour battery and the lack of aptX or other codecs. They are premium-priced, so the value case rests on how deeply you live in Apple's ecosystem.
Check current price on Amazon → Prices and availability change often, so we don't list them here.Buy it again if you…
- own an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want seamless switching
- want spatial audio with head tracking for movies and Apple Music
- value metal build and comfort over the longest battery life
Skip it if you…
- use Android or Windows mainly
- want the strongest noise cancelling or the longest battery
- want a foldable, travel-friendly design with a protective case
The Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) are premium over-ear wireless headphones with machined aluminium ear cups, memory-foam cushions, active noise cancelling and spatial audio. This 2024 update swaps the Lightning port for USB-C, enabling wired lossless playback with compatible Apple devices.
We combed expert reviews. Long-term owner reports on this exact model were limited, so we flag where evidence is thin.
What owners say, at a glance
Bars show our editorial summary of how consistently owners praise or complain about each area across all sources — not a lab measurement.
The key specs
| Type | Over-ear, wireless, ANC |
|---|---|
| Battery | About 20 hours with ANC on |
| Weight | 385 g |
| Codecs | AAC and SBC only |
| Wired audio | USB-C, 24-bit / 48kHz lossless |
| Extras | Spatial audio with head tracking, Transparency mode |
What reviewers love
What reviewers complain about
How it holds up over time
We found no rigorous long-term data on the USB-C model. What Hi-Fi found no sonic, design or performance changes beyond the port versus the 2020 original, so history with the original is the best guide.
Is the premium worth it?
They are premium-priced. For iPhone and Mac owners who love the build and spatial audio, many will feel the cost is justified. For others, Sony's WH-1000XM5 and Bose's QuietComfort Ultra headphones are the usual rivals and offer different strengths, such as stronger noise cancelling or longer battery.
Pros and cons
What owners love
- Premium aluminium build and comfortable cushions
- Natural, detailed sound
- Seamless Apple device switching
- Head-tracked spatial audio
- Wired lossless audio over USB-C
What owners complain about
- Premium-priced
- Heavy at 385 g and does not fold
- About 20 hours of battery
- Case offers little protection
- Only AAC and SBC codecs
Other options buyers compare
These are noise-cancelling headphones most often compared with the AirPods Max.
| Model | Style | Consider it if… | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) (this review) | Premium over-ear, Apple-first | You live in Apple's ecosystem | See on Amazon |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 Read our review | Over-ear, ANC | You want a lighter, foldable option that works across platforms | See on Amazon |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones | Over-ear, ANC | You want stronger adaptive noise cancelling | See on Amazon |
Want premium headphones that work seamlessly with Apple devices?
Check the current price and colors on Amazon.
Frequently asked questions
What changed with the USB-C version?
The port switched from Lightning to USB-C, enabling wired lossless audio, with new colors. Reviewers found no other sonic or design changes.
How long does the battery last?
About 20 hours with noise cancelling on, according to What Hi-Fi and Pickr.
Do they work with Android?
Yes as Bluetooth headphones, but reviewers say they work best with Apple devices.
Is lossless audio wireless?
No. Lossless needs the USB-C cable with a compatible device; wireless uses AAC.
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Sources we analyzed
- What Hi-Fi: Apple AirPods Max review — verdict, sound, ANC, battery, weight, lossless
- Pickr: AirPods Max USB-C (2025) reviewed — rating, ANC, case, spatial audio, comparisons
Figures reflect each source as of October 20, 2026 and may change. We summarize owner feedback in our own words and do not reproduce retailer reviews.