Apple’s AirPods Max They’re outrageously expensive. Not only do these over-ear headphones have luxury build quality, but they also deliver top-notch sound. They’re our favorite pick for iPhone and MacBook owners. But if price is what’s been holding you back from picking up a pair, you’re in luck. For Amazon Prime Day, AirPods Max are currently discounted to $154, which brings the price lowered to $395It’s still quite expensive, but it’s the lowest price we’ve recorded.
What’s so special about WIRED’s AirPods Max?
There’s no denying that the AirPods Max (8/10, WIRED recommends) have a unique and quirky aesthetic. They’ve become something of a a fashion accessory Over the years, and it’s not hard to see why. The milled aluminum housing comes in fun, eye-catching colors like green, pink, and blue, in addition to traditional options like silver and black. And, as WIRED editor Parker Hall noted, the mesh-canopy headband resembles the texture of a Aeron Chair by Herman MillerThe replaceable magnetic earcups are also covered in the same mesh padding.
We’re fans of the built-in controls. At the top of the right earcup is a volume knob that looks like a digital crown on the Apple Watch. It also doubles as a play/pause button when you’re listening to audio. Next to it is a smaller button that adjusts noise control, so you can toggle between noise cancellation and transparency mode by pressing it. AirPods Max can also detect when you’re wearing them. Slide them over your ears and they’ll automatically wake up from sleep mode and connect to your iPhone, Mac, or iPad. Any time you lift an earbud or take the headphones off, the audio will pause.
Most importantly, they offer excellent sound quality. You get deep bass, a huge soundstage, and spectacular noise cancellation. As noted in our AirPods Max review, “the overwhelming sense of musical clarity is insane for noise-cancelling headphones.” They’re also great for movies, thanks to the addition of spatial audio. If you’re watching in a compatible app (like Max, for example), the headphones will simulate object-based surround sound. When you turn your head, the audio stays locked to the original orientation. It creates a home theater-like experience with surround sound speakers all around.
It’s worth noting that the AirPods Max came out in 2020 and, According to rumorsApple will likely release the next-generation version later this year. But the only major improvements we expect to see are the addition of a USB-C port (yes, the first-generation AirPods Max, sadly, use a Lightning port) along with some new color options. If a USB-C port is an important feature, then we suggest waiting. Otherwise, the original version is still an excellent choice, with superior build quality, amazing fidelity, ease of use, and (now) a more affordable price.
Other AirPods are on sale
The AirPods Pro are the best earbuds Apple makes right now (8/10, WIRED recommends). They pair well with iPhones, iPads, and Macs, and they have top-notch noise cancellation for when you want some quiet. I like that these earbuds have excellent microphones, making them fantastic for the endless sea of Zoom calls we all seem to be facing in these modern times. This is pretty much the lowest price you’ll see them for all year.Parker Hall
The regular AirPods are kind of crappy (6/10, WIRED review), but they work great with iPhones and other Apple devices. If that’s all you care about, or if, like reviewer Martin Cizmar, you insist that these are the only earbuds that fit your ears properly (they’re not, trust me), then pick up a pair on sale.Parker Hall
