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AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Max Buyer's Guide: 30+ Differences Compared

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The AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are Apple's highest-end headphone options, so which should you choose?

AirPods-Pro-vs-Max-Buyers-Guide.jpg

Almost three years after the launch of the first-generation AirPods Pro, Apple unveiled the second-generation model alongside the iPhone 14 lineup and several new Apple Watches in 2022, and swapped the Lightning port for USB-C a year later in 2023. Although the second-generation AirPods Pro feature the same design as their predecessor, they improve on features like Active Noise Cancellation, in-ear detection, and battery life, while introducing new functionality like Adaptive Transparency, volume adjustment touch controls, and precision finding.

In late 2020, Apple announced the AirPods Max, a whole new AirPods variant with an over-ear design. Both the AirPods Max and the AirPods Pro feature Active Noise Cancellation, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking, Hey Siri, and automatic switching. In September 2024, the company refreshed the AirPods Max's selection of color options and swapped the Lightning port for USB-C.

As the two high-end AirPods options, should you consider purchasing the $249 third-generation AirPods Pro, or do you need the AirPods Max, which still sell for $549? Our guide helps to answer the question of how to decide which of these AirPods are best for you.

AirPods Pro 2 (2022, 2023)AirPods Max (2020, 2024)
Plastic designAluminum, stainless steel, and silicone design
IPX4 sweat and water resistant earbuds and charging case
Available in White onlyLightning: Available in Silver, Space Gray, Sky Blue, Pink, and Green
USB-C: Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Purple, and Orange
In-ear fit with silicone ear tips (four size options)Over-ear fit
Clip-on silicone ear tips (four size options)Magnetic fabric ear cups
Skin-detect sensorsOptical IR sensors
~10mm custom high-excursion Apple drivers and high dynamic range amplifiers20mm dynamic Apple drivers and more powerful high dynamic range amplifiers
Dual beamforming microphones and inward-facing microphonesNine microphones (eight used for Active Noise Cancellation, three used for voice pickup)
H2 chipsH1 chips
Bluetooth 5.3Bluetooth 5.0
Lightning: 2.4GHz connectivity
USB-C: 2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity		2.4GHz connectivity
USB-C: Lossless audio support with Apple Vision Pro
"Hey Siri" and "Siri" voice commands"Hey Siri" voice commands
Force sensor for media and listening mode controlsNoise control button for listening mode controls
Touch controls for volume adjustmentDigital Crown for media controls and volume adjustment
Transparency and Adaptive TransparencyTransparency
Adaptive Audio
Conversation Awareness
Conversation Boost
Loud Sound Reduction
Hearing Protection (coming fall 2024)
Hearing Test (coming fall 2024)
Hearing Aid (coming fall 2024)
Lanyard loop
U1 chip for Precision Finding
Speaker in charging case for Find My
Up to 6 hours of listening time on a single chargeUp to 20 hours hours of listening time on a single charge
5 minutes in the case provides around 1 hour of listening time5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time
Charge with Apple Watch charger, MagSafe charger, Qi wireless charging mats, and Lightning or USB-C (depending on model)Charge via USB-C or Lightning only (depending on model)
MagSafe Charging CaseSmart Case to preserve battery charge in ultra-low-power state
$249$549


While there is some overlap between the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max with features like Active Noise Cancellation and Transparency, the entirely different fit and form factor of the headphones should make it easier for most customers to decide which device they prefer.

The AirPods Max offer a wide range of color options and a more premium design, as well as much longer continuous battery life from a single charge. Owing to its over-ear design and significantly larger drivers, the AirPods Max deliver markedly better audio quality than the AirPods Pro, so if your main priority is audio quality, the AirPods Max will undoubtedly be the best choice. If you actively dislike the in-ear design of the AirPods Pro, the AirPods Max may also be more comfortable.

On the other hand, the AirPods Pro offer a high-level of convenience and portability due to their small size and charging case. The audio quality of AirPods Pro cannot rival AirPods Max, but features like Adaptive Audio, Loud Sound Reduction, and Conversation Boost are ideal for when you're on the go. Due to their lightweight, in-ear design and sweat and water resistance, the AirPods Pro are also perfect for workouts.

The AirPods Pro are much more versatile when it comes to charging, with four different ways to charge, compared to the AirPods Max's obligatory USB-C or Lightning port option, depending on whether you buy the latest version. Due to their size, weight, less durable design, and limited portability, the AirPods Max are best used at home for high-fidelity, prolonged listening sessions, while the AirPods Pro offer a more balanced experience with a high level of convenience and portability.

It is also worth noting that the AirPods Pro have many more features than the AirPods Max, such as "‌Siri‌" voice commands, Precision Finding, Bluetooth 5.3, and lossless audio support, as well as the new hearing protection, testing, and aid features.

AirPods frequently see hefty discounts on Amazon and other third-party retailers, so stepping up to the Max version may be more worth it if you can take advantage of one of those deals. Both sets of AirPods often see solid discounts, so it is always worth seeking the best price using our Deals roundup.

Article Link: AirPods Pro vs. AirPods Max Buyer's Guide: 30+ Differences Compared
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/guide/airpods-pro-vs-airpods-max/
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Have you (or anyone you know of) done a comparison between the noise cancelling on the Pro 2s vs. the Max? I bought the Max specifically for air travel because the original AirPods Pro was not quite as effective as I would have like. The trade-off was losing the space in my backpack for the much larger headphones. I’d love to be able to go back to the Pros and regain that space. Thanks.
 
Comparing the two products is a bit like comparing a boat and a car because they are both "transportation devices". They are very different products.

I have had both products. The Airpods Pro works perfectly, but I had to return the Airpods Max after a couple of days. They simply does not fit large heads and cannot be adjusted to do so. Wearing them was actually painful. - For over-the-ear I replaced them with Bose 700 which is fine as I don't need more than good stereo most of the time. They fit well and does not weigh half an elephant when you are wearing them. And they can be connected to two devices at the same time and switch automatically to the device which has active sound.
 
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ssolomon said:
Have you (or anyone you know of) done a comparison between the noise cancelling on the Pro 2s vs. the Max? I bought the Max specifically for air travel because the original AirPods Pro was not quite as effective as I would have like. The trade-off was losing the space in my backpack for the much larger headphones. I’d love to be able to go back to the Pros and regain that space. Thanks.
Click to expand...
AirPods Pro 2 bas better ANC than AirPods Max. Thats a fact.
 
Maybe Autumn then? Probably on hold due to the economy...

I'm waiting for them, too! Not buying v1 if v2 shows up in half a year. At least not buying v1 at list price...
 
It’s underwhelming the fact that they refreshed the APM this year without any new tech built in. No better Bluetooth, no new sensors like U1 or new chips for better fidelity. No better battery capacity, no better and lighter materials. The same old and terrible case. No better ANC. No health features like the APP2. But still more than double the price.

I mean, I love my APM because of its sound quality, was hoping for a solid update this year, but just some new colors, unfortunately.
 
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I listen to music a lot - a wide range of tastes - and I obsess about audit quality a lot. With a strong electronic engineering background to my work, unsurprisingly I obsess a real lot. Arguably too much.

What I've found over the years is that there is no one killer solution. Form plays an important role and you need different products to cover all your bases. I have found that for a pair of small, portable and unobtrusive headphones, you cannot get better than AirPods Pro. Just my opinion of course, but they easily compare as the best to all the other small form factor devices out there. They're convenient to use and they provide remarkably good audio quality and noise cancellation for their size. The sound stage and DSP performed on the music is OK to my hearing taste. Other similar products tend to be over-bass-ey for me.

But for proper listening, when you can sit down and not need to be interrupted - in fact don't want to be interrupted - and just want to enjoy the very best music quality, the AirPods Max don't hit the spot. They are very good. But I believe there are better for only slightly more money. My preference would be Bowers & Wilkins Px8. Top of the range - yes and with a price tag to match - but if you want the very best audio quality I think they are either at the top or one of the very top. They don't have the absolute best noise cancelling: one or two others might just pip them to the post in that regard. But their ANC is extremely good and it doesn't seem to mess with the sound profile. The audio quality is amazing either with or without ANC. That's not a trick I've seen pulled by any other manufacturer and I have trialed a lot of devices.

I guess YMMV and your ears are different to mine. I love the APP and when I'm out and about they're with me all the time. Long haul, trains, or just sitting in the office, working. It's Px8.
 
I have the Lighting Max and AirPods Pro 2, and I use the Max for listening to music, and the Pro for everything else. The Max is a bit more comfortable over time, and the noise cancellation is outstanding. On a flight, the Max is beyond compare, though the Pros are pretty good.

Watching movies on my Apple TV, sometimes there’s a tiny lag with the Max headphones that makes looking at people speaking kind of odd, but strangely that’s only an issue with iTunes Store bought movies in the Apple TV app, and not ones that are streaming on Disney+, Max, etc. The Pros don’t have the latency issues anymore, though when I first got them they had the same problem under the same conditions

I’m only disappointed with the Max’s battery life, as with a case the Pros feel like they last longer. I’m frequently surprised at the frequency that I have to charge the Max. I guess I listen to more music that I thought
 
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As a really long time Apple user I was looking forward to the AirPod Max2. Frankly USB-C and some different colors as the only improvements was the biggest miss from Apple in decades. Might have to go back as far as the QuickTake Camera to find a bigger miss. It was super lazy to not even put the H2 chip in there for a refresh.
 
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lanomds1 said:
It’s underwhelming the fact that they refreshed the APM this year without any new tech built in. No better Bluetooth, no new sensors like U1 or new chips for better fidelity. No better battery capacity, no better and lighter materials. The same old and terrible case. No better ANC. No health features like the APP2. But still more than double the price.

I mean, I love my APM because of its sound quality, was hoping for a solid update this year, but just some new colors, unfortunately.
Click to expand...
They sound completely excellent. ANC is still class leading. I’ve never personally had any Bluetooth issue or issue with battery etc. I don’t really believe in change for the sake of change, and actually slightly respect them for not making random tweaks to try to sell a V2. But I will completely agree with you on the case. That is terrible and I can’t really understand why they didn’t fix that in this small update.
 
I haven't used the AirPods Max, but the biggest difference should be soundstage, which is virtually non-existent on the Pros. There's no in-ear phones that do much better, afaik.
 
lanomds1 said:
It’s underwhelming the fact that they refreshed the APM this year without any new tech built in. No better Bluetooth, no new sensors like U1 or new chips for better fidelity. No better battery capacity, no better and lighter materials. The same old and terrible case. No better ANC. No health features like the APP2. But still more than double the price.

I mean, I love my APM because of its sound quality, was hoping for a solid update this year, but just some new colors, unfortunately.
Click to expand...
I’ve tried a couple of other brands between 2020 and now , and they are still so good , and Apple probably knows that.
ANC is still the best , sound is still really good , I don’t think it needs “health features” or precision finding (you find them easily 😄) or things like APP2…
The only thing they had to rework is the case.
 
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