Video Review: The AirPods Max in 2025

Apple hasn't introduced a major update for the AirPods Max since the headphones came out in 2020, but last year there was a minor refresh with new color options and an upgrade to USB-C charging. With no additional new features on the horizon, we thought we'd take a look at whether the ‌AirPods Max‌ are worth picking up in 2025.


The transition to USB-C didn't upgrade any other internal hardware, so reviews from 2020 about Active Noise Cancellation and sound quality are still valid. The ‌AirPods Max‌ sound great even after five years, but nothing has improved in terms of the overarching listening experience, and with no design updates, the ‌AirPods Max‌ are still on the heavy side for ANC over-ear headphones, and some people find them uncomfortable.

USB-C charging is definitely more convenient than the Lightning-based charging from the prior model, but there is one other change that could draw audiophiles to the ‌AirPods Max‌. With a USB-C wired connection, the ‌AirPods Max‌ support 24-bit 48kHz lossless audio and ultra-low latency, which means you can listen to music the way the artist intended it to sound in the studio.

The latency improvement is notable if you want to use your ‌AirPods Max‌ for things like gaming or editing with a Mac, because there's no longer a Bluetooth listening delay. Unfortunately, you need the USB-C version of the ‌AirPods Max‌ to use these new features, so if you have older Lightning-based ‌AirPods Max‌ that you bought sometime in the last five years, you won't get the lossless and latency improvements.

‌AirPods Max‌ are still stylish and you get Spatial Audio and Dolby Atmos, which go a long way toward improving the listening experience, plus the ANC is still competitive with other brands. If you can get the ‌AirPods Max‌ on sale so you're not shelling out over $500, the USB-C model is worth considering, but make sure you like the fit.

Related Roundup: AirPods Max
Buyer's Guide: AirPods Max (Buy Now)
Related Forum: AirPods

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Top Rated Comments

Johnny907 Avatar
23 weeks ago
They're fine, but they're stupid overpriced and Apple should be ashamed of itself for that phoned-in refresh last year. Drop the price to 299 and we'll talk.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)
heystu Avatar
23 weeks ago
I was on the brink of buying some APMs the other day, after pouring over hours of YouTube reviews I opted for the Sony XM4s. Missing out on the greatest feature (fast device switching) but c’mon now, £165 for the Sonys vs £495 for the APMs?
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AppleFanBoyCAN Avatar
23 weeks ago
Been using them every day for years! I love them!
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gomichaelgo Avatar
23 weeks ago
I want to get a pair of these but honestly after all these years with no updates is wild. A first gen product is never perfect and I don't think they need a yearly refresh, but I was so ready to buy until all they updated was USB-C. Was hoping they'd future proof them with an updated chip at least.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lk400 Avatar
23 weeks ago
I have had since launch. These sound great and continue to do so. I can’t think of any improvements for sound needed.

However a design overhaul is needed. I have not used heavily, and never outside the house, but the mesh in the headband has stretched and no longer cushions. I get headaches. This is a bit dumb for pricy headphones. None of my other pricy headphones in the last decades have worn out like this.

The case also needs a complete rethink. It was stupid form over function on launch. And it continues to be so. I have a pair of Sony XM4 that I use just for travel because the Apple case is terrible.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
titanium69 Avatar
23 weeks ago
He compares them to the Sony wh-1000xm5, well the Sony wh-1000xm6 come out in the next few weaks. Dont bother with the airpods max... they`re heavily outdated & wont be refreshed for another few years as per apple
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)