Which has better noise cancelling?

The AirPods Max 2. Apple rates its ANC up to 1.5x stronger than the original, and reviewers call both among the best in over-ear headphones.

Is the AirPods Max 2 worth stepping up to from the original?

Yes if you want USB-C lossless audio, Adaptive Audio and stronger ANC. If you mainly listen over Bluetooth and already own the original, the difference is smaller.

Do both work with Android?

Both pair over Bluetooth and play audio, but Spatial Audio, Adaptive Audio, automatic switching and Find My need Apple devices.

Which is more comfortable for long wear?

They are essentially the same design and weight, so comfort is equal. Both use memory-foam earpads and an aluminum frame.

How long does the battery last?

Both are rated at 20 hours per charge. The Max 2 charges over USB-C; the original uses Lightning.

Can I use either for calls and video meetings?

Yes. Both have beamforming microphones and Transparency mode. The Max 2 adds Voice Isolation for clearer calls.

Apple AirPods Max vs Apple AirPods Max 2

Buy the AirPods Max 2 if you own recent Apple gear and want the best version of these headphones: the H2 chip, stronger noise cancelling, USB-C lossless audio and Adaptive Audio are real upgrades. Buy the original AirPods Max if you find it in good condition and mainly want the same premium build, memory-foam comfort and strong ANC for less outlay. Both share the aluminum-and-mesh design, 20-hour battery and excellent noise cancelling; reviewers rate the originals slightly higher on average, but the newer model wins on features.

Choose the original AirPods Max if you want the classic over-ear Apple sound and build and do not need USB-C lossless or the H2 features.
Choose the AirPods Max 2 if you use an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want the strongest noise cancelling, Adaptive Audio and USB-C lossless audio.

Prices

Apple AirPods Max: $31.00 at vipoutlet.com (last seen Nov 5)
Apple AirPods Max 2: $209.00 at Dancooo (last seen Nov 8)
Difference: the Apple AirPods Max is $178.00 cheaper than the Apple AirPods Max 2 at the latest prices (Nov 5 and Nov 8)

	Apple AirPods Max	Apple AirPods Max 2
Chip	Apple H1-era chip	Apple H2 chip
Noise cancelling	Best-in-class ANC	Up to 1.5x more ANC than the original
Charging port	Lightning	USB-C, with lossless audio support
Audio features	Spatial Audio, no Adaptive Audio	Adaptive Audio, Transparency, Voice Isolation, Live Translation
Design	Aluminum cups, memory-foam earpads, Digital Crown	Same exterior design, barely changed
Battery life	20 hours	20 hours
Weight	About 385 g	About 385 g
Smart case	Included smart case	MagSafe smart case

Spec	Apple AirPods Max	Apple AirPods Max 2
Battery life	20 h	20 h
Headphone style	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Noise control technology	Active Noise Cancellation	Active Noise Cancellation
Wireless	Y	Y
Wireless technology	Bluetooth	Bluetooth
Features	Over Ear	Built-in Microphone
Brand	Apple	Apple
Rec. use	Casual Listening	Casual Listening, Classroom
Works with	Cell Phone	iPhone
Assembled product weight	0.9 lb	3.4 lb
Color	Blue	Blue
Accessories	charging case	USB-C Charging Cable

Spec	Apple AirPods Max	Apple AirPods Max 2
Battery consumption type	Integrated Rechargeable Battery	Integrated Rechargeable Battery
Power type	Battery	Battery
Virtual assistant	Siri	Siri
Ear pad material	Memory Foam	Post-consumer recycled polyester (in the ear cu…
Material	Stainless Steel	Memory Foam
Headphone type	Over-Ear Headphones	Headphones
Active Noise Cancellation	Onboard Audio Buffers USB-C Charging	Adaptive EQ Processing Custom Dynamic Drivers B…
Noise Cancelling	Active noise cancelling (ANC)	Active Noise Cancelling
actual_color

Apple AirPods Max vs Apple AirPods Max 2

Prices

Apple AirPods Max vs Apple AirPods Max 2

Prices

Apple AirPods Max 2

What separates them

Price history

Prices at every store