Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Beats Studio Pro

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Apple

AirPods Max 2

Excellent Apple-integrated headphones with top-tier sound and noise cancellation, but price, weight, battery life, and case design are drawbacks.

Best for: Apple users prioritizing sound, noise cancellation, and seamless integration
Skip it if: Current owners, Android users, or shoppers prioritizing portability and value

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Apple AirPods Max 2

Beats

Studio Pro

Beats Studio Pro offer portability, long battery life, and cross-platform sound, but comfort issues, missing features, and non-leading ANC make them a cautious pick.

Best for: Travelers prioritizing portability, battery life, and cross-platform use.
Skip it if: You want class-leading ANC, spacious sound, and long-session comfort.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Beats Studio Pro

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Specs side by side

Spec	Apple AirPods Max 2	Beats Studio Pro
Fit	Over-ear	Over-ear
Connection	Wireless	Wireless
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Best for	Music, Travel, Work & calls	Music, Travel, Work & calls
Microphone	Built-in mic	Built-in mic
Ear cups	Closed-back	Closed-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Apple AirPods Max 2

Excellent sound with rich detail and engaging presentation 1 2 3 4
Class-leading active noise cancellation and transparency modes 1 2 3 4
Seamless Apple integration with adaptive audio features 1 2 3 5
Premium materials and well-regarded build quality 2 3 4 6
Heavy weight and clamping pressure can impair long-session comfort 1 2 5 7
High price and poor case protection limit value 1 2 3 4
Battery life trails rivals in several reviews 1 5 8
Apple-centric features and incremental changes limit broader appeal 1 2 3 5

Beats Studio Pro

Balanced, clear sound works well for casual listening. 1 2 3 5
Solid ANC reduces commuting and softer ambient noise. 1 3 5 8
Up to 40 hours of battery without ANC. 2 3 5 6
Compact folding design is convenient for travel. 1 4 6 7
Broad Apple and Android compatibility with USB-C audio. 2 3 5 7
Small cups and strong clamping can hurt long sessions. 1 4 5 7
Multipoint and on-ear detection are absent. 2 4 5 7
ANC trails leading rivals on planes, wind, and high frequencies. 3 4 6 7
Wireless sound can lack dynamism and musical engagement. 2 7 8

Ranked in our guides

Guide	AirPods Max 2	Studio Pro
Best noise cancelling headphones	#3	–
Best soundproof headphones	#3	–

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.