When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more Apple's AirPods have grown up, evolving from white, Q-tip-shaped earbuds that people once mocked to full-blown, over-ear headphones. Apple released its much-anticipated AirPods Max in December 2020 after years of speculation that the iPhone giant had broader ambitions for its audio lineup.
The AirPods Max, as the name suggests, offer many of the features that have made AirPods so popular, like quick pairing with Apple devices and the ability to tell when you're wearing them to play or pause music. And of course, Apple makes some pretty big claims about the headphones' audio quality, highlighting features like a custom-designed driver for delivering rich bass and Adaptive EQ, which optimizes sound depending on how the headphones fit. But the AirPods Max come at a sky-high price of $549, making them more expensive than well-received rivals from companies like Sony , Bose , and Sennheiser .
However, they're often on sale for $100 off, which takes a bit of the sting away from their high cost. Apple fans will be pleased with the Max's seamless pairing with iOS devices, as well as their top-notch noise cancellation and sound quality. But you can still get a similar experience from other brands for less.
Editor's note: This review was originally published in January 2021. It was updated in August 2024 with revised buying advice based on new testing with recently released headphones from com.