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AirPods Max Review: Still an elite pair of headphones with one big caveat
Should you buy the AirPods Max in 2024?
When Apple revealed the AirPods Max — its attempt at over-the-ear headphones — I, too, was skeptical. At $550, they better be good! I ended up caving mid-2023 when I traded in my M1 MacBook Air for an Apple Store gift card. Apple gave me around $380 for my Mac. To some degree, I only spent a bit over $100 on them.
Despite their price, the AirPods Max have been one of Apple’s most successful products. Many critics and consumers consider them the best headphones for iOS and Mac users.
The AirPods Max are definitely showing their age. Sonos’ new competitor — the Sonos Ace — have an extra 10 hours of battery life, offer wired support via USB-C or a dedicated audio cable, and weigh less. Apple’s headphones released in 2020, nearly four years old. Rumors point to a new USB-C version coming later this year.
Still, $550 will get you a great pair of headphones. Here are the biggest three takeaways in the year that I’ve had mine.
They are really comfortable
The AirPods Max are the most comfortable headphones I’ve owned. Full stop.
