Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
Apple AirPods Max 2 ($549) vs Apple AirPods (3rd generation) ($55) — 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 (3rd generation) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549 | $55 |
| Weight | 386.2g | 46.5g |
| Battery | 20h | 6h per charge, 30h with case |
| Charging | USB-C | Lightning, MagSafe or Qi |
| ANC | Yes | — |
| Weight | 385g | 46.5g (Apple published: 4.28g bud x2 + 37.91g case) |
| Chip | — | Apple H1 |
| Fit | — | One-size, non-sealed |
| Water | — | IPX4 sweat/water resistant |
Pros & Cons
Apple AirPods Max 2
- Incredible build
- Lossless wired
- Best-in-class ANC
- Heavy
- No aux included
Apple AirPods (3rd generation)
- Force-sensor stem controls, no more taps
- MagSafe charging case
- IPX4 resistance, first in the base AirPods line
- Adaptive EQ tunes output to fit in real time
- Still no ANC or Transparency
- Shorter stem changes the grip some people relied on
- Non-sealed fit remains a wall against isolation
- Costs more used than 1st/2nd gen for a fit-only upgrade
Apple AirPods (3rd generation) is the better value at $55. Both are part of our curated over-ear index — tap through to check current pricing.