AirPods Max 2 Review: Apple's $549 Headphones Are Still Overpriced and Overweight
Five years later, Apple's premium over-ear headphones get minor upgrades but keep all their worst flaws
After five years of waiting, Apple has finally released the AirPods Max 2 — and it's a masterclass in doing the absolute minimum while charging premium prices.
At $549, the AirPods Max 2 cost the same as their predecessor but deliver what amounts to an incremental spec bump rather than the complete redesign these headphones desperately needed. Apple swapped in an H2 chip (borrowed from the 2022 AirPods Pro 2) and added a new amplifier, but left every major design flaw untouched.
Same Problems, Higher Expectations
The most glaring issue remains unchanged: these headphones are punishingly heavy for extended wear. While competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra have focused on comfort improvements, Apple seems content to let users suffer through neck strain for the sake of that aluminum aesthetic.
Even more baffling is the continued absence of a proper power button. In 2026, when every other premium headphone offers intuitive power management, the AirPods Max 2 still rely on Apple's "smart" case detection — which brings us to the next problem.
The Case That Isn't Really a Case
Apple's infamous "Smart Case" returns in all its non-protective glory. This flimsy leather pouch offers virtually no protection for $549 headphones, leaving the mesh ear cups completely exposed. Meanwhile, competitors include proper hard cases that actually protect your investment during travel.
The case's primary function — triggering low-power mode — feels like a solution in search of a problem that a simple power button would solve more elegantly.
Pricing That Doesn't Add Up
At $549, the AirPods Max 2 sit uncomfortably above better-value alternatives. The Sony WH-1000XM5 typically retail for $100-150 less while offering superior comfort, longer battery life, and more comprehensive app customization. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra, even at similar pricing, provides significantly better ergonomics for long listening sessions.
Apple's pricing becomes even harder to justify when you consider that the core improvements — the H2 chip's adaptive audio and conversation awareness features — are borrowed from headphones that launched nearly four years ago.
Minor Upgrades, Major Missed Opportunities
Yes, the new amplifier improves sound quality, and the H2 chip enables features like live translation and better noise cancellation. But these feel like the kind of annual updates Apple should have been delivering all along, not the headline features of a long-awaited sequel.
The AirPods Max 2 represent Apple at its most complacent — delivering just enough improvement to justify a new model number while ignoring the fundamental usability issues that have plagued these headphones since launch.
For $549, consumers deserve headphones that excel in comfort, convenience, and protection, not just sound quality. The AirPods Max 2 prove that Apple is more interested in maintaining its premium pricing than addressing its premium problems.
Sources
Some links may be affiliate links. See our privacy policy for details.