Versus Engine
AirPods Max 2 vs Apple AirPods 5
Specs, price and the one trade-off that actually decides it — AirPods Max 2 against Apple AirPods 5, side by side.
Cheaper to start
Tie
Both start at a similar price.
Best ecosystem
Tie
Neither lists native integrations.
Standout
AirPods Max 2
Apple-designed dynamic driver and high dynamic range amplifier.
AirPods Max 2
Wireless over-ear headphones with Apple H2 chip and 20 hours of battery life.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Advanced audio technology with Personalized Spatial Audio and Adaptive EQ.
- Up to 20 hours of battery life with Active Noise Cancellation.
- Comprehensive accessibility features including Live Listen and Live Translation.
Cons
- Expensive compared to other wireless headphones.
- Large size and weight make it less portable.
- Limited portability due to the need for a specific power supply.
Specifications
- AccessibilityLive Listen audio
- ChipApple H2 headphone chip (each ear cup)
- ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 wireless technology
- ControlsDigital Crown (Turn for volume control, Press once to play or pause media, Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute 7, Press once for camera remote 8, Press twice to end a call, Press twice to skip forward, Press three times to skip back, Press and hold for Siri), Listening mode button
- SensorsOptical sensor (each ear cup), Position sensor (each ear cup), Case-detect sensor (each ear cup), Accelerometer (each ear cup), Gyroscope (left ear cup)
- Audio / Adaptive Audio—
- Audio / Adaptive EQ—
- Audio / Architecture—
- Audio / Conversation Awareness—
- Audio / Spatial Audio—
- Audio / Transparency Mode—
- Audio TechnologyApple-designed dynamic driver, Custom high dynamic range amplifier, Active Noise Cancellation, Adaptive Audio 1, Transparency mode, Conversation Awareness 1, Voice Isolation 2, Personalized Volume 3, Loud Sound Reduction, Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking 4, Adaptive EQ, Studio-quality audio recording, Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency audio via USB-C 5, Live Translation 6
- BatteryAirPods Max 2 (full charge): Up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled 12, 5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time 13
- Battery / With ANC—
- Battery / With Wireless Charging Case + ANC—
- Case / Charging—
- Charging Case—
- ColorMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange
- Design—
- Dust, Sweat, and Water Resistant—
- In the BoxAirPods Max 2, Smart Case, USB-C Charge Cable, Documentation
- Materials—
- Noise Cancellation—
- SiriSay just “Siri” 9 or ”Hey Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions, Siri Interactions 10
- Siri / Head Gestures—
- Size and Weight (Each)—
- System Requirements—
Apple AirPods 5
Apple's first open-ear earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation, alongside a redesigned Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness.
Where it wins, where it doesn't
Pros
- Custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier for high-quality audio
- Improved Transparency mode and Conversation Awareness for better situational awareness
- Up to 22 hours of total battery life with the charging case
- Dust, sweat, and water-resistant (IP57)
Cons
- Battery life is relatively short at up to 4 hours with ANC enabled
- Compatibility is limited to Apple devices only
Specifications
- AccessibilityLive Listen audio Headphone levels Headphone Accommodations
- ChipH2 headphone chip
- ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3 wireless technology
- ControlsPress once to play or pause media Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute Press once for camera remote Press twice to end a call Press twice to skip forward Press three times to skip back Press and hold to switch between listening modes Swipe up or down to adjust volume (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case) Say “Hey Siri” or just “Siri” to do things like play a song, make a call, or get directions With Siri Interactions, nod your head yes or gently shake your head no when Siri asks if you want to answer an incoming call, hear a text message, manage notifications, and more
- SensorsDual beamforming microphones Inward-facing microphone Optical in-ear sensor Motion-detecting accelerometer Speech-detecting accelerometer Force sensor
- Audio / Adaptive AudioBlends Transparency and ANC dynamically
- Audio / Adaptive EQNext-generation Adaptive EQ
- Audio / ArchitectureNew multiport acoustic architecture
- Audio / Conversation AwarenessAuto-lowers volume when you start speaking
- Audio / Spatial AudioPersonalized Spatial Audio (requires iPhone with TrueDepth camera)
- Audio / Transparency ModeImproved Transparency mode
- Audio Technology—
- Battery—
- Battery / With ANCUp to 4 hours per charge (vs 3 hours on AirPods 4)
- Battery / With Wireless Charging Case + ANCUp to 22 hours total
- Case / ChargingWireless charging (Apple Watch chargers, Qi, USB-C)
- Charging CaseAirPods 5: Works with USB-C connector AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case: Works with USB-C connector, Apple Watch charger, or Qi-certified chargers
- Color—
- DesignOpen-ear form factor; improved dust, sweat, and water resistance (no IP rating published)
- Dust, Sweat, and Water ResistantDust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57)
- In the Box—
- MaterialsAirPods 5 are made with 40% recycled content, including: 100% recycled aluminum in the hinge of the case 100% recycled cobalt in the battery
- Noise CancellationActive Noise Cancellation in an open-ear design; removes up to 50% more external noise than AirPods 4
- Siri—
- Siri / Head GesturesNod or shake your head to respond to Siri
- Size and Weight (Each)Height: 1.19 inches (30.2 mm) Width: 0.72 inch (18.3 mm) Depth: 0.71 inch (18.1 mm) Weight: 0.15 ounce (4.3 grams)
- System RequirementsiPhone models with the latest version of iOS iPad models with the latest version of iPadOS Apple Watch models with the latest version of watchOS Mac models with the latest version of macOS Apple TV models with the latest version of tvOS Apple Vision Pro with the latest version of visionOS