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Apple AirPods Max
Apple AirPods (2019)
See Top Ranked Wireless Earphones

Apple AirPods Max vs Apple AirPods (2019)

Analysis:

The Apple AirPods Max was loved by reviewers from numerous highly trusted sources that perform in-depth objective testing, including Tom's Guide, TechGearLab, Wareable, PCmag, CNET, Laptop Mag, and Rtings. It did great in their roundups - it was dubbed "The best noise-cancelling headphones for iOS" by Tom's Guide, "Best Headphones for Dedicated Apple Users" by TechGearLab, and "Best on/over ear option" by Wareable. That's high praise coming from sources of such caliber.

Returning to the Apple AirPods (2019), it managed to impress reviewers from two sources that are considered to be some of the most highly trusted on the internet, thanks to their in-depth hands-on testing - CNET and Tom's Guide. It performed great in their respective Wireless Earphone roundups - it was named "Apple's most affordable AirPods" by CNET and "Ranked 1 out of 5" by Tom's Guide. That's quite an endorsement, especially coming from such high-quality sources.

For a direct Apple AirPods Max vs. Apple AirPods (2019) comparison, we took a look at sources that tested both and found that the Apple AirPods Max got reviewed better by Lifewire, TechGearLab, headphonesaddict.com, creativebloq.com, and PCmag, whereas the reviewers at Macworld and TechSpot preferred the Apple AirPods (2019). Reviewers at hardwarezone.com.sg haven't shown a preference for either.

We also took a look at which sources liked these two products the most. We found that the Apple AirPods Max received its best, 10, rating from What Hi-Fi?, while the Apple AirPods (2019) got its highest score of 9.6 from Lifewire.

Finally, we also compared their review scores to the rest of their competition - the Apple AirPods Max earned an average review score of 8.3 out of 10 points and the Apple AirPods (2019) received an average of 7.8, compared to the 7.2 average of Wireless Earphones in general.

Comparison of expert ratings
Highly Recommended
Recommended
Mentioned
Not Mentioned
CNET
Tom's Guide
PCmag
TechGearLab
Laptop Mag
Rtings
Wareable
Good e-Reader
SoundGuys
Consumer Reports
Tech. Specs Comparison
Apple AirPods Max
$449
Apple AirPods (2019)
$63
Reddit Threads (19)
Sentiment analysis from Youtube reviewers
No Data
Highly recommended by trusted experts
Rtings
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “The Best Apple Headphones of 2023” 
Last updated: 26 Apr 2023
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Best Over-Ear Headphones for 2023: Wired and Wireless Picks” 
PCmag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Runner Up
in “The Best Apple AirPods to Buy in 2023” 
Last updated: 28 Apr 2023
Laptop Mag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Runner Up
in “Best Apple headphones and earbuds in 2022” 
Last updated: 7 Dec 2022
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best noise-cancelling headphones for iOS
in “The best noise-cancelling headphones in 2023” 
Last updated: 18 days ago
TechGearLab
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Headphones for Dedicated Apple Users
in “The 5 Best Over Ear Headphones” 
Last updated: 28 Oct 2022
SoundGuys
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Rated 8.0 out of 10
in “Best noise cancelling headphones for flying on an airplane” 
Last updated: 5 Jan 2023
Techradar
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Runner Up
in “The best AirPods 2023” 
Last updated: 12 Mar 2023
reviewsfire.com
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Runner Up
in “The best over-ear wireless headphones NZ (2021)” 
Last updated: 23 Apr 2021
TrustedReviews
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best over-ear AirPods
in “Best AirPods 2023: Apple’s top headphones tested and ranked” 
Last updated: 5 days ago
techadvisor.com
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Luxury Listening
in “Best headphones 2023” 
Last updated: 8 days ago
Expert Reviews
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best noise-cancelling headphones for iPhone users
in “Best noise-cancelling headphones 2023: ANC headphones to suit every budget” 
Last updated: 28 Apr 2023
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “AirPods Max vs. Bose 700 vs. Sony WH-1000XM4: The best noise-canceling headphones compared” 
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best Apple headphones, money no object
in “The best headphones in 2023” 
Last updated: 21 days ago
PCmag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Headphones for iPhone Users
in “The Best Noise-Cancelling Headphones for 2023” 
Last updated: 16 Mar 2023
TechGearLab
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Plays Best with Apple Devices and Users
in “The 4 Best Wireless Headphones” 
Last updated: 26 Oct 2022
SoundGuys
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Rated 7.8 out of 10
in “Best noise cancelling headphones” 
Last updated: a month ago
MakeUseOf
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “The 7 Best Vegan-Friendly Headphones” 
Last updated: 4 Mar 2021
headphonesaddict.com
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Runner Up
in “11 Best Audiophile Headphones in 2023 (for any budget)” 
Last updated: 31 Mar 2023
Good Housekeeping
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Noise Canceling AirPods
in “The Best AirPods of 2023” 
Last updated: 21 days ago
Techradar
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best wireless headphones for iPhone, with astounding sound quality
in “The best wireless headphones for 2023: top Bluetooth headphones” 
Last updated: 17 Apr 2023
Expert Reviews
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best over-ear headphones for Apple users
in “Best over-ear headphones 2023: Our favourite Bluetooth, noise-cancelling and wired over-ear headphones” 
Last updated: 6 Apr 2023
TrustedReviews
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Apple over-ear headphones
in “Best Wireless Headphones 2023: Nine great Bluetooth headphones” 
Last updated: 8 Feb 2023
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best over-ear headphones for iOS users
in “The best over-ear headphones in 2023” 
Last updated: 25 days ago
PCmag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Headphones for iPhone Users
in “The Best Wireless Headphones for 2023” 
Last updated: 16 Mar 2023
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Apple over-ear noise-canceling headphones
in “Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for 2023” 
SoundGuys
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Rated 7.8 out of 10
in “Best eco-friendly headphones” 
Last updated: 22 Feb 2023
Techradar
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best noise-cancelling over-ear headphones for Apple devotees
in “The best noise-cancelling headphones 2023: top ANC headphones for every budget” 
Last updated: 17 Apr 2023
TrustedReviews
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best over-ear headphones for iOS
in “Best over-ear headphones: Over-ears for kids and professional users” 
Last updated: 3 Feb 2023
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best Apple headphones for voice and video calls
in “Best headphones with a mic for voice and video calls 2023” 
Last updated: 25 days ago
PCmag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Headphones for iPhone Users
in “The Best On-Ear/Over-Ear Headphones for 2023” 
Last updated: 15 Mar 2023
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Apple over-ear headphones for working from home
in “Best Headsets for Working From Home in 2023” 
SoundGuys
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Rated 7.8 out of 10
in “Best headphones under $1,000” 
Last updated: 23 Jun 2022
headphonesaddict.com
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Runner Up
in “12 Best Headphones You Should Get in 2023” 
Last updated: 17 Mar 2023
Techradar
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best headphones for Apple devotees
in “The best over-ear headphones for 2023: top cans from top brands” 
Last updated: 13 Apr 2023
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best over-ear wireless headphones for iOS users
in “The best wireless headphones in 2023” 
Last updated: 27 Apr 2023
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best high-end Apple wireless headphones
in “Best Wireless Headphones for 2023: Bluetooth and More” 
PCmag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Rated 8.0 out of 10
in “The Best Headsets and Headphones for Your Home Office” 
Last updated: a month ago
headphonesaddict.com
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Best high-end
in “10 Best Wireless Headphones In 2023 (On & Over-Ear)” 
Last updated: 28 Feb 2021
Techradar
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Ranked #3 out of 11
in “Best iPhone headphones: the top earbuds and headphones for your Apple device” 
Last updated: 1 Jul 2021
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best Apple headphones for voice and video calls
in “Best headsets and headphones for working from home 2023” 
Last updated: 21 Apr 2023
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best premium over-ear headphones for iPhone users
in “Best Wireless Headphones and Earbuds for iPhone 12” 
PCmag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Rated 8.0 out of 10
in “The Best Tech Gifts for Music Lovers” 
Last updated: 23 Nov 2021
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
The best headphones for MacBooks
in “The best MacBook accessories for 2022” 
Last updated: 2 Dec 2022
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best noise-canceling headphones
in “Best Apple AirPods for 2023: Top Picks Across Generations” 
Consumer Reports
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Mentioned
in “CR’s Barbiecore Dreamhouse Is Filled With Top-Rated Pink Products” 
Last updated: 12 Apr 2023
xda-developers.com
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Mentioned
in “Best over-ear headphones in 2023” 
Last updated: 12 Apr 2023
iMore
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Mentioned
in “Best Find My accessories 2023” 
Last updated: 22 Feb 2022
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Mentioned
in “Best headphones for graduation 2021” 
iMore
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Mentioned
in “Best Headphones for Mac mini 2022” 
Last updated: 12 Dec 2021
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Mentioned
in “Best Headphones for 2023: Top Picks for All Styles” 
Highly recommended by trusted experts
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Best Buy deals in December 2020 — the best holiday sales right now - Top deals” 
Last updated: 21 Dec 2020
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Apple's most affordable AirPods
in “Best Open Wireless Earbuds for 2023” 
PCmag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Rated 6.0 out of 10
in “25 Top-Rated Gadget Gifts for Father's Day” 
Last updated: 25 days ago
Macworld
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Best AirPods cases” 
Last updated: 21 Feb 2023
realgear.net
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Best AirPods Alternatives for Any Budget” 
Last updated: 4 Jun 2022
iMore
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Best Mac Accessories 2022” 
Last updated: 12 Dec 2021
reviewgeek.com
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “The Best Accessories for Your AirPods” 
Last updated: 14 May 2019
Good Housekeeping
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Runner Up
in “The Best AirPods of 2023” 
Last updated: 21 days ago
experiencedmommy.com
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Experienced Mommy” 
Last updated: 1 Feb 2023
musiccritic.com
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “10 Best Wireless Earbuds for iPhone in 2023” 
Tom's Guide
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “10 best Prime Day deals right now — cut through the clutter” 
Last updated: 14 Oct 2020
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best older-gen AirPods
in “Best Earbuds for Phone Calls for 2023: Earbuds With Mic” 
PCmag
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Rated 6.0 out of 10
in “The Best Apple AirPods to Buy in 2023” 
Last updated: 28 Apr 2023
iMore
Trusted Source
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Runner Up
in “Best In-ear Headphones in 2020” 
Last updated: 19 Aug 2020
reviewgeek.com
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best AirPods
in “The 7 Best iPhone 14 Accessories” 
Last updated: 16 Sep 2022
experiencedmommy.com
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Experienced Mommy” 
Last updated: 1 Feb 2023
geek.com
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Best Air Pods” 
Last updated: 8 Jul 2020
musiccritic.com
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Ranked #3 out of 10
in “10 Best Earbuds in 2023” 
CNET
Highly Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best budget AirPods
in “Best Apple AirPods for 2023: Top Picks Across Generations” 
reviewgeek.com
Trusted Source
Depth of
analysis
Yes
In-house
Testing
Best Earphones
in “The Best Accessories for Your Apple TV” 
Last updated: 24 Apr 2019
experiencedmommy.com
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing
Best Overall
in “Experienced Mommy” 
Last updated: 1 Feb 2023
thetrendspotter.net
-
Depth of
analysis
No
In-house
Testing