The high prices of Apple’s first-generation products never cease to amaze me—just look at the $3,500 Apple Vision Pro or its $5,000 display. The AirPods Max were also perhaps a bit more expensive than they should have been at their $549 launch price, but that’s relatively trivial compared to the competition Apple is targeting with its premium noise-canceling headphones. Thankfully, they’re now down to $398 ($151 off) in select colors in Amazon And Walmartwhich is a record low.
In terms of features, the Max is designed with Apple users in mind. It boasts a well-balanced soundstage and Apple’s immersive spatial audio, not to mention great noise cancellation that rivals premium headphones from Sony and Bose. Its Transparency mode is also unmatched because of how natural the sound is. Apple users even get built-in Find My tracking, one-touch pairing, and quick switching between Apple devices — features you won’t find on many pairs of headphones, save perhaps the Beats Studio Pro.
The premium metal design justifies the high price, while similar options from Bose and Sony can feel a bit plasticky (only the new Sonos Ace really compares). It also features large, comfortable ear cups that detach magnetically and an easy-to-use Digital Crown, which lets you control volume, calls, playback, and Siri more easily than gestures or swipes. However, you might find the Max to be a bit bulkier than the competition, which could make it a hassle to travel with.
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