Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Apple AirPods (1st generation)
Apple AirPods Max 2 ($549) vs Apple AirPods (1st generation) ($30) — side-by-side specs, weight, pros and cons to help you pick the right over-ear.
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Apple AirPods Max 2 | Apple AirPods (1st generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $30 |
| Weight | 386.2g | 46g |
| Battery | 20h | 5h per charge, 24h with case |
| Charging | USB-C | Lightning case only |
| ANC | Yes | — |
| Weight | 385g | 46g (Apple published: 4g bud x2 + 38g case) |
| Chip | — | Apple W1 |
| Fit | — | One-size, non-sealed |
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Max 2
- Incredible build
- Lossless wired
- Best-in-class ANC
- Heavy
- No aux included
Apple AirPods (1st generation)
- The device that started the true-wireless category
- Automatic pairing across Apple devices, still instant
- Cheapest way into the AirPods shape
- Genuinely small and light at 4g per earbud
- No noise cancellation or Transparency mode
- Case charges via Lightning only, no wireless pad
- Battery is a decade old on any used pair
- No volume control, tap-only for playback and Siri
Apple AirPods (1st generation) is the better value at $30. Both are part of our curated over-ear index — tap through to check current pricing.