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Not long ago , AirPods were mocked for looking like toothbrush heads jam in ears , but Apple ’s earbuds have grown to be so democratic that there are now multiple versions .
The two priciest among them , theAirPods Maxand theAirPods Pro ( 2d Generation)are likely to get plenty of attention , and picking between them is n’t as wanton as you may imagine . Despite their radically different form factors , both declare oneself many of the same feature , but with unparalleled caveats .
With that in creative thinker , we ’ve pitted the AirPods Max and the AirPods Pro against each other in a conflict for audio dominance , taking into news report sound quality , connectivity and design .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: How we tested
Our commentator used both the AirPods Pro ( 2nd coevals ) and AirPods Max for a number of month , switching between both in different situations .
Both were used for music , podcasts and picture show — in scenarios like busy street , cozy coffee shop class and even long - haul flights .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has more features?
In many ways , the features of the AirPods Pro and AirPods Max are almost identical . Both provide impressive mike , as well as instantaneous conjugation with Apple devices , include the iPhone , iPad , Mac and the Apple Watch .
While they do dissent in term of battery life-time , both provide excellent stochasticity - cancellation options , too ( more on those in brief ) . Both will also hesitate your music if you remove them ( or , in the AirPods Pro ’s case , remove one of the buds ) .
The freehanded conflict comes down to the on - gimmick dominance . The AirPods Pro have a swipeable volume control condition ( newfangled from the last edition ) , as well as stems which can be squeezed to stimulation dictation .
Those commands – including answer calls , hop tracks and switching noise ascendency – can all be retroflex on the AirPods Max , but it habituate a more traditional release . It also has a Digital Crown ( a larger adaptation of the one seen on the Apple Watch since its inception ) for adjust mass , which we find easier .
It ’ll come up down to personal preference , but for ease of intensity readjustment , we ’d pick the AirPods Max .
And yet , the killer feature of the 2d - genesis AirPods Pro is the ability to witness and locate them using sound . It works on each bud , as well as their case , clear it wanton to find them underneath other items or when they ’ve fallen down the back of the couch .
There ’s an argumentation that the AirPods Max are too large to lose , and that they can also be located using Apple ’s recover My help . However , having lost our AirPods Pro around the position , they get the nod for this very handy feature .
Winner : AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has better sound quality?
Perhaps it ’s to be expected , given they cost twice as much as the AirPods Pro , but the AirPods Max are an excellent twosome of phone for just about any kind of audio recording .
Switching between bass voice - filled rap , a maculation of metal and a few orchestral pieces , the AirPods Max do a heavy business with just about anything you throw at them . Everything is balanced with just enough nuance , and it does n’t get distorted at higher volumes either .
The same can be said of the AirPods Pro , but everything is a little flatter . conceive the size of it dispute the Pro buds are first-class , but they ca n’t match the declamatory , grandiose soundscape offer by the Max .
When it do to the mike , we ’d struggle to pick a winner ; each does a beneficial job of isolating the user ’s voice .
Both support Apple ’s Spatial Audio , too , so that they can attune audio to your head ’s position . Think of this as something close to surround sound , but pumped straight into your ear .
success : AirPods Max
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has better functionality?
The size difference moves in favour of AirPods Pro this time around , with the diminutive bud just much easier to carry around than the sizable AirPods Max .
Even when put into the case , they can fit into the diminished of pockets , making them ideal for just about any errand you need to head for the hills . The AirPods Max , for all of their sleek design and first-class audio quality , are a goodish thoughtfulness when pack a suitcase .
On the other hand , the AirPods Max propose a better interference - scratch experience by virtue of that physical body factor . Both ware offer a transparence mode for hearing environmental racket and noise canceling to pore on the audio itself , but the AirPods Max handle the latter better because they cover your entire ear .
Because each cup is firm but easy , they naturally let in less of the out-of-door world . That may make the AirPods Max a better alternative for anyone look to focus on the job at hand .
Still , for the bulk of functionality , we ’re choose for the AirPods Pro here .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which design is better?
There ’s an argument that intent is a arguable full stop , particularly given the different experiences on whirl here .
The AirPods Pro ( 2d genesis ) look very similar to their predecessors , and that ’s no bad thing . They continue the descent of silicon pinna tip , offer three size the right way out of the boxful that are wanton to switch , and the iOS set test is particularly ready to hand for ensure a secure seal that ’s not too tight .
On the other bridge player , the AirPods Max are a first - gen campaign that definitely has a slight room for melioration . They ’re astonishingly robust , and there are no weight issues because of how well they ’re balanced , but an inability to fold up them up makes them trickier than you ’d expect to protrude in a bag .
Some kind of carry case would have helped , too . The one included acts plainly as a cover for the headphones and is unlikely to keep damage when they ’re not being used .
Still , it ’s a pillowcase of “ different things for dissimilar penury , ” so it ’s tough to subside on one .
Winner : draw
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has a better fit?
The AirPods Pro are impressively comfortable , even for prospicient geological period of the twenty-four hour period . We ’ve test them in officious deep brown shop class , quiet offices , while out for a base on balls and much more . We ’d still nullify them for working out ( opting for the Beats Fit Pro in those instances ) , but the AirPods Pro rest more comfortable for our money .
On the other paw , the AirPods Max are delicious , but in a very dissimilar way . For one , the soft covers over each earcup never finger uncomfortable . Indeed , while their size of it ( and toll ) may make you less likely to throw them in a bag , they stay comfortable to bust for long periods .
We almost ca n’t find fault a success here , but just for their consolation and low profile when going for a paseo , we ’re opting for the AirPods Pro . It ’s difficult not to feel conscious of the AirPods Max when out and about .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has better battery life?
The AirPods Pro bid around six hour of listening time for each earbud , although that can nudge a trivial closer to eight with the noise cancellation off . The saddle suit gets thing to 24 60 minutes , but you ’ll naturally require to pop them in there for a period .
The file case can be charged magnetically , which is a plus , but you may use Lightning , too .
The AirPods Max also use Lightning , and can provide over 20 60 minutes of continuous sound recording with noise invalidate on . That may make them the obvious winner , but the most bizarre deletion is a lack of a power button . This intend that they ’ll course fall behind charge just sitting in your bag . The aforementioned case lay them into a low - power province , but it ’s still something to see .
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Which has better reviews?
On Amazon , theAirPods Maxcurrently have an average rating of 4.4 out of 5 , with many take note their enduringness as a convinced , while also mentioning the inability to fold them down to make them more portable .
TheAirPods Proshade things though , with a 4.6 rating and substantially more review article , many of which have noted the telling audio quality and spacial sound .
Winner : AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods Max vs AirPods Pro: Verdict
It ’s a close call , but we ’d pick the AirPods Pro ( 2nd Generation ) for the majority of customer . Their audio is impressive for such a minor distich of bud , and we also liked the easy - to - find charge case , as well as the small footprint .
If you ’re more of an audiophile , take even sound disturbance - canceling ( perhaps for long flights ) , or just want a twosome of headphones to utilize while at a desk consider or turn all day , see the AirPods Max .
