Build Is Genuinely Exceptional
Where almost every rival uses plastic to save weight, the AirPods Max uses machined aluminium earcups, a stainless steel headband frame and a knitted mesh canopy. It feels like a different class of object.
The mesh canopy is a real design idea rather than styling: it distributes weight across the top of the head rather than concentrating it on a narrow band, which offsets some of the weight penalty.
The materials also mean they will not crack and yellow the way plastic headphones do over years, and they look and feel expensive in a way nothing else in the category does.
They Are Heavy
This is the honest counterpoint. Aluminium and steel weigh considerably more than plastic, and the AirPods Max is heavy by the standards of the category.
For an hour at a desk it is fine and the mesh canopy genuinely helps. Over a long flight, many people find the weight becomes noticeable in a way that lighter rivals do not, and that is exactly the scenario cancelling headphones exist for.
Anyone who has found other over-ear headphones heavy should be cautious, and anyone who prioritises long-haul comfort should weigh this against the build quality they are paying for.
Spatial Audio And Ecosystem
Spatial audio with head tracking is the best implementation available, and on content actually mixed for it the effect is genuinely convincing rather than a processing trick.
Automatic switching between Apple devices and instant pairing work seamlessly, and on Android almost none of this functions — these become expensive Bluetooth headphones with cancellation.
As with all Apple audio hardware, the value proposition is substantially about being inside the ecosystem, and buying outside it means paying for capability you cannot use.
The Case, Storage And Battery
The supplied case is widely criticised and the criticism is fair: it covers the earcups and leaves the headband exposed, protects little, and is awkward to use.
There is no power switch. The headphones enter a low-power state when placed in the case and drain slowly when left out of it, which means the case is functionally part of the product despite protecting poorly.
They do not fold, the package is large, and the battery degrades with a paid service option. They are a desk and short-journey headphone more than a travel one, whatever the specification suggests.
Against The Alternatives
Against Sony and Bose, Apple has better build and spatial audio and is heavier, does not fold and cancels comparably rather than better.
Against wired reference headphones, the usual wireless trade applies with the addition that these cost considerably more.
Against AirPods Pro, the over-ear cancels more and is vastly less portable.
The Verdict
Beautifully built with the best spatial audio available and seamless Apple integration, and genuinely a different class of object in the hand.
They are heavy for long journeys, they do not fold, the case protects little while being functionally necessary, and most of the value evaporates outside Apple hardware.
Buy them as a desk headphone on Apple hardware; buy something lighter that folds if long-haul travel is the actual use case.
At a glance
Pros
- Machined aluminium and steel build in a class of its own
- Mesh canopy distributes weight better than a conventional headband
- Best spatial audio implementation available
- Seamless switching across Apple devices
Cons
- Heavy, which tells on long flights
- Does not fold; large package
- Case protects little yet is functionally required for standby
- Most value does not function outside Apple devices
Frequently asked questions
Are they too heavy for flights?
Many people find so. The mesh canopy genuinely helps distribute weight and aluminium and steel still weigh considerably more than plastic. For a desk or a short journey they are fine; for long-haul, lighter rivals are more comfortable.
Why is there no power switch?
They enter a low-power state in the case and drain slowly when left out of it, so the case is functionally part of the product. That it protects poorly while being necessary is the most justified criticism of the package.
Worth it on Android?
No. Spatial audio with head tracking, automatic switching and instant pairing are most of what you are paying for, and almost none of it works outside Apple devices. You would be buying expensive Bluetooth headphones.
Specifications
| Build | Aluminium cups, steel frame, mesh canopy |
| Weight | Heavy for the category |
| Spatial audio | Best in class, head tracked |
| Ecosystem | Apple; limited elsewhere |
| Folding | No |
| Power switch | None; case triggers low power |
| Case | Protects partially |
| Battery replacement | Paid service |
The bottom line
Exceptional build and the best spatial audio, seamless on Apple hardware. Heavy, non-folding, with a case that protects little — a desk headphone more than a travel one.
Check Price on Amazon