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AirPods Max (USB-C) — H1 · Spatial Audio · Dynamic Head Tracking
Apple

AirPods Max (USB-C)

H1 · Spatial Audio · Dynamic Head Tracking

88
/ 100
From $549
VS
AirPods Max — Over-ear · 2020
Apple

AirPods Max

Over-ear · 2020

88
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict

Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.

In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Max (USB-C) lands at 88 and AirPods Max at 88. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.

Pick AirPods Max (USB-C) if…

  • Premium aluminum build
  • Seamless Apple integration
  • Head-tracked spatial audio

Pick AirPods Max if…

  • Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • Premium build
  • Active noise cancellation (most models)
AirPods Max (USB-C) 88
vs
88 AirPods Max

Score breakdown

AirPods Max (USB-C)
88
anc 92
sound 92
comfort 82
battery 82
features 86
AirPods Max
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84

Specs side-by-side

AirPods Max (USB-C) versus AirPods Max — full spec comparison
Spec AirPods Max (USB-C) AirPods Max
Driver
40 mm dynamic
Codecs
AAC, SBC
Battery
20 h
Weight
384 g
Connectivity
BT 5.0, USB-C lossless
Type
Over-ear
Release year
2020

AirPods Max (USB-C)

Pros
  • +Premium aluminum build
  • +Seamless Apple integration
  • +Head-tracked spatial audio
Cons
  • Still uses H1 (not H2)
  • Heavy at 384 g
  • No power button / auto-pause

AirPods Max

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • Battery varies by codec
  • Some are Bluetooth-only
  • Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: AirPods Max (USB-C) vs AirPods Max

Which is better, AirPods Max (USB-C) or AirPods Max? +

Both score 88 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is AirPods Max (USB-C) worth the price? +

At $549, AirPods Max (USB-C) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in anc.

Is AirPods Max worth the price? +

At $549, AirPods Max delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Does AirPods Max (USB-C) or AirPods Max last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.