Apple’s AirPods Max headphones debuted in 2020, combining sleek design with high-end audio features. However, five years later, the question arises: do they remain a compelling purchase, or have they been surpassed by newer competitors? The short answer is that, for most consumers, the AirPods Max are likely not worth the premium price tag in 2025.
Design and Ecosystem Integration
The AirPods Max still stand out with their distinctive Apple aesthetic – stainless steel, knit mesh, and memory foam earcups. This design once set a standard for blending form and function, but models like the Sonos Ace now offer comparable style at lower costs. The primary advantage of the AirPods Max remains seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem: instant pairing and effortless switching between devices.
However, this benefit is undercut by Apple’s own Beats Studio Pro headphones. These offer equally smooth ecosystem connectivity at a significantly lower price, with improved battery life and sound quality. The Studio Pro often sells for under $200, less than half the cost of the full-price AirPods Max.
Sound Quality and Features
The AirPods Max continue to deliver reliably great sound, described as balanced with a slight emphasis on bass. The inclusion of Dolby Atmos enhances the spatial listening experience, while the upgrade to lossless audio provides more detailed audio reproduction. While lossless support is limited to 24-bit/48kHz (compared to Apple Music’s higher resolution), this difference is negligible for most listeners.
Despite these strengths, the AirPods Max lag behind newer models in noise cancellation (ANC). The Sony WH-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones offer superior ANC at lower prices. The AirPods Max’s Transparency mode remains competitive, but they lack advanced features like conversation boost found in the AirPods Pro series.
Practical Concerns: Battery Life and Travel
The AirPods Max’s biggest drawback is its mediocre battery life: 20 hours with ANC active is far below the industry standard. The Bose QC Ultra and Sony XM6 offer 30 hours, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Dyson OnTrac reach up to 60 hours. The lack of a physical power button also means they don’t fully shut off, draining battery unnecessarily.
The “case” is another point of criticism. It provides minimal protection, leaving the headband exposed during travel. The headphones also lack a folding design, making them less compact for portability.
The Verdict: Value and Alternatives
Apple seems content to rest on the AirPods Max’s legacy, failing to deliver meaningful updates beyond a USB-C port and color options. At $549, they remain overpriced for their specs. The market now offers superior alternatives at competitive prices.
Instead of the AirPods Max, consider these headphones:
- Bose QuietComfort Ultra: Superior ANC, longer battery life, and lower price.
- Sony WH-1000XM6: Industry-leading ANC, excellent sound quality, and competitive pricing.
- Beats Studio Pro: Seamless Apple ecosystem integration, improved features, and significantly lower cost.
Unless you prioritize the Apple aesthetic and rarely travel with headphones, the AirPods Max are no longer a sensible purchase in 2025. Waiting for a potential AirPods Max 2 is likely futile; rumors suggest no major upgrade is imminent. If you find them on sale for around $399, they might be worth considering, but even then, newer models offer better value.
