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;

The Apple AirPods Max are among the best-sounding headphones we've ever tested, they're easy to use, and their noise cancellation can easily stand up to the likes of the Sony WH-1000XM4 and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. However, their high price, limitations for Android users, and lack of 3.5mm audio port means we'd only recommend them to iOS users with a lot of money to spare – and no interest in Hi-Res Audio.

Unbelievable audio performance; Fantastic user experience; Brilliant extra features for iOS; Great noise cancellation;

Very expensive; No 3.5mm audio port; Limited features for Android; Ineffective carrying case

The AirPods Max are outstanding over-ear headphones for iOS users, boasting exceptional audio quality, great ANC capabilities and one of the most true-to-life transparency modes I've experienced, but software frustrations and the lack of a power button may irk some - especially at such a high price.

Incredible sound quality; Premium build; Great ANC; Impressive smarts;

Limited Android support; No power button; An ill-designed Smart Case; Occasional glitches;

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 a sell for many.

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;

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;

The AirPods Max are exceptional noise-cancelling headphones with a luxurious design, sophisticated soundstage and clever computational features. But the $549 price and unconventional case are difficult to overlook.

Luxurious design and feel, Easy-to-use controls, Crisp and balanced sound, Spatial audio is a game-changer, Fantastic noise cancellation

Expensive, No on/off switch, Smart case provides no protection

AirPods Max deliver in the audio department, and are some of the best-designed and built consumer headphones you can buy. But they cost way more than is justified, especially as they don’t include a proper case nor a 3.5mm audio cable.

Very pleasing sound quality, Industry leading active noise cancelling, Excellent materials and construction

A bit on the heavy side, Not water or sweat resistant, Too pricey

Apple’s $550 headphones cost hundreds more than models from Sony or Bose, but they’re the best wireless headphones I’ve ever heard.

Noticeably higher build quality than peers. Excellent controls. Very comfortable. They work seamlessly with iOS devices. Industry-leading fidelity. Actually repairable.

Expensive! 20-hour battery life is good, but it’s 10 hours shy of the competition. The case is stupid and useless. Never fully power down.