Apple AirPods Max 2

AirPods Max 2 deliver richer sound and stronger ANC with H2 smarts, but stay heavy with only about 20 hours of battery.

Best For

Apple users wanting over-ear ANC

Value

Fair

Biggest Strength

Rich detailed sound quality

Biggest Weakness

Only 20-hour battery life

Community Vote

N/A

would recommend

Key Takeaways

H2 Max 2 improves sound and ANC over gen 1 while keeping the same aluminium over-ear design.

USB-C unlocks 24-bit/48 kHz lossless and ultra-low-latency wired listening on Apple devices.

Battery stays at about 20 hours with ANC, well behind many 2026 flagship rivals.

At 386 g they remain much heavier than Sony XM6 and Bose Ultra class headphones.

Best fit for deep Apple users who want Adaptive Audio, Spatial Audio, and device switching.

Quick Facts

Brand

Apple

Release Date

Apr 1, 2026

Price Range

$949 to $999 AUD

Pros & Cons

Pros

Rich detailed sound quality

Improved active noise cancellation

Premium aluminium and mesh build

H2 Adaptive Audio features

USB-C lossless wired audio

Seamless Apple device switching

Cons

Only 20-hour battery life

Heavy for long wear sessions

Smart Case barely protects

Pricey versus Sony and Bose

No user-adjustable EQ

What Owners Say

The Good

Owners praise clear, immersive sound and strong ANC for transit and busy spaces.

Apple device pairing and switching feels effortless for iPhone and Mac users.

The Bad

Weight and clamp force bother some people on long sessions.

Price and out-of-warranty repair cost feel steep to AU owners.

Moisture buildup in metal cups linked to failures on older Max units; some buyers worry Max 2 did not fix it.

Detailed Summary

Driver	40 mm
Active noise cancellation	Yes (up to 1.5x vs original AirPods Max per Apple)
Amplifier	Custom high dynamic range amplifier
Lossless audio	24-bit/48 kHz via USB-C
Battery life	20 hours
Fast charge	5 minutes for about 1.5 hours listening
Charging	USB-C
Connectivity	Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C wired audio
Bluetooth	5.3
Wireless	Bluetooth 5.3 (SBC/AAC per SoundGuys)
Weight	386.2 g
Dimensions	168.6 x 83.4 x 187.3 mm
Chip	Apple H2 (each ear cup)
Smart Case weight	134.5 g
Apple AU list price	999 AUD
Officeworks price	999 AUD
Amazon AU third-party from	949.05 AUD