The Max Are Hard to Justify... AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Max 2

I upgraded from my original AirPods Max to the new AirPods Max 2, and honestly, they’re mostly a refresh — same design, same blue, but now with the H2 chip inside. So I put them up against my trusty AirPods Pro 3, which also have H2 plus heart rate tracking. The Pro 3 retail for around $250 (often less on sale) while the Max 2 are $550, so is spending $300 more for over-ears really worth it?

The Max 2 are cozy for long sessions with magnetic, swappable ear cushions and that mesh headband, but they’re the heaviest headphones I’ve owned, they clamp hard if you wear glasses (which also hurts the seal), and they have no sweat or dust resistance — AppleCare is a smart add. The Pro 3 weigh basically nothing, shrug off sweat, rain, and gym chalk, and in noise cancellation they remain undefeated; with the Max 2 I can still hear the vacuum or the coffee shop. Where the Max 2 win is sound: bigger soundstage, deeper bass, better separation, and a much more cinematic feel for movies. Battery goes to the Max too — about 20 hours versus roughly 8 hours with ANC on the Pros (24 total with the case). The included Max case is still ugly and doesn’t protect the headband, so I added a headband protector and clear covers.

Watch the full AirPods Pro 3 vs AirPods Max 2 comparison for comfort and glasses testing, noise cancellation, sound quality, battery, and case talk. Final thoughts: if you’re only buying one, get the AirPods Pro 3 — they’re the best thing Apple makes, and the Max 2 are a fun, overpriced second purchase unless you find them on discount.