Apple AirPods Max 2 | Photo Credit: Ashwin Rajagopalan

“If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Apple might have applied this design approach for the latest refresh for one of the world’s most instantly recognisable pair of over-ear headphones. The 2026 edition of the Apple AirPods Max is the third avatar of the AirPods Max and it might well be the most comprehensive version. The first gen dropped at the end of 2020 when hybrid work lifestyles were the norm and the farthest you could travel with your headphones was probably your local beach or park.

The 2024 edition was a minor update with a couple of enhancements — a USB-C charging port and support for lossless audio. The AirPods Max 2 marks the most significant overhaul for the AirPods Max but it’s not one you’re likely to notice from a distance. It might look identical to its earlier siblings but it’s a whole new beast on the inside. Are these the over-ear headphones to beat in 2026?

Design

Edgy, polarising. The AirPods Max 2 is likely to draw very different reactions across users. Apple hasn’t altered the design or the overall form factor. Many of the minor cribs — from the case to the heft, still remain and yet it still stands out in a cluttered market, six years after its launch. The 2026 version come with all the design elements that I loved about the AirPods Max. You get the same premium build with aluminium cups, telescoping arms and the remarkably comfortable knit-mesh. The Max 2 comes in five colours including a stunning shade of Blue. While the headphones are comfortable to wear for hours together, there’s no escaping the heft (386 gm). I wore these headphones mostly at the gym and on a few domestic flights and I didn’t feel any serious fatigue.

The smart case continues to divide the internet for it’s odd shape. The case doesn’t offer full physical protection (only the earcups are covered) and is also the only way to turn off the headphones (once you holster them in the case). While the case has its share of critics, it’s less bulky and occupies less space in your backpack than some of the other premium headphone cases outs there. There’s no physical on/off button. There are two physical buttons — the Digital Crown, that you can use for volume controls and also to answer/reject calls. It also doubles up as a media control button to skip, shuffle and play/pause tracks. The headphones also come with a noise control button that allows you to toggle audio modes (like ANC and transparency) and activate Siri. The smart case needs to be handled with care to prevent dust. You can swap the ear cushions with Apple accessories or third-party options.

Sound

Whether you’re moving from the first-gen AirPods Max or most other premium over-ear headphones you will notice a significant difference. At the heart of the AirPods Max 2’s improved audio performance is the new H2 chip that provides improvements in the soundstage and ANC (active noise cancellation). I found that the Max 2 delivers a more refined sound profile with a sparkling treble and clearer mids. Bass is precise, while these ear cans do a great job with vocal separation. It’s not inaccurate to call these ‘bass forward’ headphones but they do ace songs with a wide mix of notes. I enjoyed listening to The Weekend by SZA with smooth, warm mids and punchy bass. The soundstage might be down to personal preferences. You can tweak the settings with an equaliser option that most rivals offer.

The AirPods Max 2 might well be the best in the ANC department. Apple claims a 1.5x improvement over the first gen, powered by the H2 chip and it truly hits the spot. These headphones set a new standard in filtering out external sounds, something I experienced in typically noisy environments like the gym and on flights. These AirPods also come with handy features like live translation and conversation awareness that automatically lowers the volume when you begin conversations. This is a feature we’ve seen on multiple earbuds and Over-ear headphones.

Battery life

Apple claims 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with ANC on. I never really used these headphones without ANC and they managed about 20 hours over a couple of charging cycles. A five-minute charge gives you 1.5 hours of playtime. Battery life is par for the course. It’s certainly not the best in class but should work for most average users who are likely to use these headphones for a few hours a day aside from daily commutes or flights. You need to be mindful when you slip them back into the smart case to ensure they stay in ultra-low-power state.

Verdict

It’s easy to recommend the Apple AirPods Pro Max 2 for users who are deeply entrenched in the Apple ecosystem. It connects and works seamlessly with your iPhone and comes with add-ons such as spatial audio and dynamic head tracking. Some of the design quirks remain and that might well be a love or loathe thing. These headphones come with a premium build and score with their noise cancellation and sound stage, making them one of the best over-ear headphones you can buy in 2026 at a premium price tag.

Snapshot

Price: ₹67,900

Pros: Premium design, Active noise cancellation, acoustics, great for Apple users

Cons: Average battery life, no major design update

Published on June 10, 2026