AirPods Max 2
Last updated: 18 October 2026
AirPods Max 2 are Apple's over-ear noise-cancelling headphones, with the same mesh headband and aluminium ear cups as the 2020 originals and Apple's H2 chip inside each cup. Apple says the noise cancelling on AirPods Max 2 is up to 1.5 times stronger than the previous model, and they now play lossless audio over USB-C. Apple and Amazon UK both sell them for £499, in five colours.
Buy AirPods Max 2 on Amazon UK, £499
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What AirPods Max 2 are
Apple announced AirPods Max 2 in March 2026 and they went on sale in early April. They replace the first AirPods Max, which launched in 2020 with a Lightning port and later moved to USB-C.
The outside looks almost the same. The change is inside: the H2 chip, the one in AirPods Pro 3, brings the features the older headphones missed, such as Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness.
What they do
- Noise cancelling: up to 1.5 times the cancellation of the previous AirPods Max, with Transparency mode for hearing the street.
- Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness: the headphones blend cancelling and Transparency to suit where you are, and lower your music when you start talking.
- Lossless audio: 24-bit, 48kHz lossless audio and ultra-low latency when you plug in with the USB-C cable.
- Live Translation: translates conversations in supported languages when paired with an Apple Intelligence iPhone on iOS 26.4 or later.
- Spatial Audio: Personalised Spatial Audio with head tracking for films and music.
Key facts
- Price: £499 from Apple and from Amazon UK
- Colours: Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple and Orange
- Chip: Apple H2 in each ear cup
- Battery: up to 20 hours with noise cancelling on; 5 minutes of charging gives about 1.5 hours
- Weight: 386.2g, a little less than a 400g tin of beans, plus 134.5g for the Smart Case
- Connection: Bluetooth 5.3, and USB-C for charging and wired lossless audio
- In the box: AirPods Max 2, the Smart Case and a USB-C cable
Who AirPods Max 2 suit
- iPhone and Mac owners: they pair in one tap and switch between Apple devices on the same account.
- Commuters: the stronger cancelling and Adaptive Audio suit trains, buses and open-plan offices.
- Owners of the first AirPods Max: the shape is familiar, and the H2 features are the reason to upgrade.
If you would rather pay less for Apple audio, our guide to refurbished AirPods in the UK compares graded prices against the cheapest new ones.
The limits
At 386.2g they are heavy for over-ear headphones, and heavier than the 2020 model.
There is still no 3.5mm headphone socket. Wired listening needs the USB-C cable, so an old aeroplane or hi-fi socket needs an adapter.
The Smart Case covers the ear cups but leaves the headband exposed, so it protects less than a full hard case.
Many of the new features, such as Live Translation, depend on a recent iPhone. With Android phones they work as Bluetooth headphones, but Apple says features may be limited.
Where to buy AirPods Max 2 in the UK
Amazon UK sells all five colours at £499, sold and dispatched by Amazon. Apple charges the same and offers free engraving. The full specification is on Apple's AirPods Max 2 tech specs page.
FAQs
How much are AirPods Max 2 in the UK?
£499 from Apple and from Amazon UK, in all five colours.
What is new in AirPods Max 2?
The H2 chip, up to 1.5 times stronger noise cancelling, Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Live Translation and lossless audio over USB-C.
How long does the AirPods Max 2 battery last?
Up to 20 hours with noise cancelling on. Five minutes of charging gives about 1.5 hours.
Do AirPods Max 2 have a headphone jack?
No. Wired listening uses the USB-C cable, which also carries lossless audio.
When did AirPods Max 2 come out?
Apple announced them in March 2026, and they went on sale in early April 2026.
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I checked the prices and stock on Amazon and Apple on 18 October 2026. The affiliate links on this page earn a commission at no extra cost to you, and brands do not choose what we feature.
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