Apple's AirPods Max headphones deliver excellent audio performance, top-notch noise cancellation, and a bevy of useful features in an absolutely gorgeous design for a bit too much money.

Excellent audio performance with rich lows and crisp; detailed highs; High-quality active noise cancellation; especially for low-frequency rumble; Stunning; unique design; Adaptive EQ and Spatial audio; Hands-free Siri access

Expensive; Sound signature and Adaptive EQ/spatial audio aren't for purists; No user-adjustable EQ; Button placement makes it easy to misfire when adjusting fit; Smart Case does little to protect the headphones

The high asking price will make the over-ear AirPods a luxury rather than a mass-market product, which is a shame as the sound quality and active noise-cancelling (ANC) is superb - but much of the competition offers such features for a cut of the cash.

Great sound and active noise-cancelling (ANC); No plastics; Ease of setting up and running; Spatial Audio delivers convincing three-dimensional audio

Not foldable; Weighty due to metal; Carry case could be more robust; Very expensive; No 3.5mm jack; Spatial Audio not for Apple TV

Spatial Audio and superb noise cancelling are standouts for Apple’s AirPods Max - a great pair of headphones for Apple users

Good sound quality; Awesome noise cancelling; Spatial Audio is stunning;

Heavy; Fit isn’t 100% secure; Case only partially protects headphones;

AirPods Max are some of the best-sounding and most comfortable wireless headphones out there. But there are a few small issues, as well as a steep, steep price for privilege.

Beautifully natural and open sound; Excellent noise cancelling; Great comfortable fit; Really nice design and engineering

Very high price compared to equivalent options; Some battery annoyances; Smart Case just isn't that useful

“The AirPods Max are exquisitely crafted headphones, built for Apple lovers.”

Best-in-class ANC; Amazing transparency mode; Excellent build quality; Excellent sound quality; Top-notch call quality

Charges via Lightning cable; Heavy on head

Apple has become a big name in wireless headphones with AirPods, which are easily the most popular and recognizable earbuds worldwide. AirPods provide reliable connectivity and an all-around great wireless earbud experience, but the sound quality can't compete with a nice set of over-ear headphones.

Design These are some of the most unique and great-looking headphones I've seen in a long time; Transparency mode Transparency mode is one of the best audio passthrough modes in any headphones; It makes it sound like you don't have the headphones on.

Price The price is just too high; No Power button Headphones should have a power button. Not having a power button is just insane; Case The case, if you can even call it that, is an absolute joke. It doesn't protect anything and looks horrible.

AirPods Max are a premium headphone made for Apple users. The stainless steel and aluminum body is solidly built, but it also means that it's quite heavy, but the fabric headband is comfortable.

Premium look and feel with solid construction; Incredible sound quality with Adaptive EQ and Spatial Audio; Top-notch Active Noise Cancellation with Transparency mode; Clear sounding microphones; Fabric headband relieves pressure; comfortable to wear; Easy to Handoff between multiple Apple devices

Very expensive; Heavy; not meant to be worn with a lot of movement; No real way to turn them off; shorter battery life than the competition; Smart Case is cumbersome; not protective

Apple’s first pair of over-ear headphones are a luxury aimed solely at those who entrench themselves fully in Apple’s ever-expanding ecosystem. They’re packed with good ideas, clever design elements and wonderfully versatile audio but the price, when compared to the big rivals, will make them a hard...

Wonderful; versatile sound; Many clever design elements and strong build quality; Spatial audio is very immersive for the apps that support it; Strong connection to the Apple ecosystem

Lack of ‘off’ button is annoying; The included case is bad in just about every way; Heavy and can’t be folded down; The high price can’t be ignored

Apple’s first over-ears are big, heavy, often brilliant, and far too expensive

Rich and detailed sound; Superb noise-cancelling; Spatial audio enhances TV and movies; They just work

Very expensive; Uncomfortable if worn for long periods; So-so battery life; Really bad case

Maybe it’s slightly reductive to keep bringing the argument back to price, but it’s extremely difficult not to with the AirPods Max. Apple has made some fantastic headphones, but they’re not going to pull in the proper audiophile chin-strokers, and they’re not close to being worth £200 more than Sony’s XM4s, which remain the best overall noise-cancelling headphones for our money. They also come with a proper case. You might well argue that the AirPods have the edge when it comes to audio, but there’s not a lot in it, and while Apple definitely wins on build quality, metal is heavier than plastic, and it’s not long before the AirPods Max remind you of that. If you’re an Apple lifer with cash to burn, the AirPods Max will not let you down, and their ease of use should not be overlooked. But, as brilliantly fun as these headphones undoubtedly are, there are smarter ways to part with your cash.

Rich and detailed sound; Superb noise-cancelling; Spatial audio enhances TV and movies; They just work ;

Very expensive; Uncomfortable if worn for long periods ; So-so battery life ; Really bad case;