Apple has cemented itself as a leader in the wireless audio market ever since the introduction of the original AirPods in 2016. The technology giant now has an impressive lineup of "hearables" that cater to different needs and budgets. On the high end, the over-ear AirPods Max and in-ear AirPods Pro 2 represent the cream of the crop with premium specs and Apple-centric features.
But between these two category-leading models, which one should you buy in 2023? I‘ve broken down how the AirPods Max and latest AirPods Pro 2 compare across the metrics that matter most – from design and comfort to audio quality and overall value. Let‘s dive in.
An Overview of Key Specs and Features
Before analyzing each model in-depth, here is a high-level specs comparison:
| AirPods Max | AirPods Pro 2 | |
| Release Date | Dec 2020 | Sept 2022 |
| Battery Life | Up to 20 hours (ANC on) | Up to 6 hours (ANC on) |
| Charging Time | 120 minutes | 60 minutes |
| Noise Cancellation | ANC and Transparency Mode | Enhanced ANC and Adaptive Transparency |
| Audio Codecs | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Water Resistance Rating | None | IPX4 |
| Onboard Controls | Digital Crown and dedicated button | Force Sensor on stems |
It‘s clear from this overview that there are some notable differences when it comes to battery performance, noise-cancelling capabilities, and overall form factor. Let‘s analyze each model more closely across the design, features, sound quality, and value categories.
Design and Comfort
Winner: AirPods Pro 2
The AirPods Max stand out for their build quality. The breathable knit mesh canopy and stainless steel frame give them a premium, stylish aesthetic. However, with a weight of 13.6 oz, they can cause discomfort during longer listening sessions as the clamping force places pressure on the head and ears.
By comparison, the AirPods Pro 2 are amazingly lightweight at just 0.19 oz per bud. The four eartip sizes help you find a more tailored and comfortable in-ear fit as well. For portability and wearability over time, the AirPods Pro 2 pull ahead. Their compact charging case is far easier to transport than the Smart Case of the AirPods Max too.
If you prioritize impressive industrial design and don‘t mind some extra weight, the AirPods Max win on looks. But for everyday comfort and ergonomics, the AirPods Pro 2 can‘t be beaten.
Features and Functionality
Winner: Tie
Both models feature Apple‘s H1 chip for seamless connectivity, hands-free "Hey Siri" access to the voice assistant, audio sharing between two Apple users, and fast device switching. You get the same great integration with Apple devices that you expect from AirPods.
The AirPods Max do have a couple unique advantages though. The onboard controls via the Digital Crown and dedicated button give you more ways to adjust volume, skip tracks, and take calls without touching your iPhone. The Smart Case also puts the AirPods Max in an ultra-low power state to preserve battery when not in use – a nice touch.
But the AirPods Pro unlock spatial audio for immersive surround sound (this relies on head tracking via the H2 chip and isn‘t available for the AirPods Max) along with the new personalized profile based on your individual ear anatomy. And the addition of the lanyard loop on the charging case is surprisingly handy for attaching to a bag or keys.
All in all, both deliver powerful features like hands-free access to Siri, Audio Sharing between Apple users, fast switching between devices, and "Find My" integration for finding misplaced buds. Unless the onboard controls or spatial audio matter greatly to you, it‘s largely a wash here.
Sound Quality
Winner: AirPods Max
With their custom 40mm dynamic drivers and active noise cancellation, the over-ear design of the AirPods Max provides richer, more spacious sound quality – especially in lower frequencies.
That said, the AirPods Pro 2 deliver excellent audio reproduction too thanks to upgrades like:
- Low-distortion, 11mm custom driver
- 2x more powerful Active Noise Cancellation
- Personalized Spatial Audio powered by TrueDepth camera on supporting devices
- Adaptive Transparency to reduce loud environment ambients sounds
For true audiophiles though, the expanded dynamic range and truly immersive soundstage of the AirPods Max seem tough to beat. Their sound profile better represents the artist‘s intent compared to in-ears. But unless you‘re critically listening in quiet environments, differences may be hard to notice for most.
Value and Price
Winner: AirPods Pro 2
With an MSRP of $549, the AirPods Max demand quite the premium over previous AirPods models. In contrast, the AirPods Pro 2 come in at $249 – less than half the price.
For shoppers focused predominantly on price-to-performance when evaluating headphones, the advantages of the AirPods Max likely aren‘t significant enough to warrant spending over double the cost of the AirPods Pro 2. Yes, they offer best-in-class sound and premium materials, but battery life is still limited at just 20 hours – not dramatically higher than the upgraded Pro buds.
Given improvements to ANC, transparency mode, Find My integration and other key features, the second-gen AirPods Pro manage to close the gap while offering fantastic sound quality for far less. That combination of great audio performance and value earns them the win.
The Verdict: AirPods Pro 2 Offer Better Overall Value
For those seeking the absolute best sound quality and design, the AirPods Max still come out on top as Apple‘s flagship headphones. But with a $300 price gap between them and the new AirPods Pro, the second-gen buds offer far more bang for your buck.
Between the upgrades to audio drivers for punchier bass and clearer vocals along with 2x better noise cancelling and personalized spatial audio, the AirPods Pro 2 are no audio slouch either. And the smaller form factor lends itself better to portability and all-day wearability.
Unless you simply want the best sounding headphones money can buy, the AirPods Pro 2 strike a masterful balance of performance and value. For shoppers focused on price-to-performance, their combination of sound quality, comfort, and features makes them the better buy overall in 2023.
FAQ
How do the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 2 compare for Android users?
Like all AirPods models, the AirPods Max and AirPods Pro 2 work great for music, videos, calls etc with Android devices. However you lose out on deeper integration features like hands-free "Hey Siri", spatial audio, and the "Find My" network. Unless you really want the best sound quality, Android users may be better served by headphones from Sony, Bose, or other brands tailored more for the Android experience.
Which has better battery life?
The AirPods Max last significantly longer on a charge – up to 20 hours with ANC or spatial audio enabled versus 6 hours max for the AirPods Pro 2 under the same conditions. However, the AirPods Pro 2 case provides an additional 24 hours of charge to help offset this gap. Plan on charging the AirPods Max case every couple days while the AirPods Pro 2 can likely last a full week before needing to be recharged.
What iPhone models support spatial audio?
To experience dynamic head tracking spatial audio on the AirPods Pro 2, you need at least an iPhone 7 running iOS 14 or later. Keep in mind the full catalog of spatial audio content continues to expand over time too.
