How long do AirPods Max last?

Answered by Douglas Hiatt

According to Apple, the AirPods Max are designed to provide you with around 20 hours of continuous playback with active noise cancelling turned on. This means that you can enjoy your music, podcasts, or movies without interruption for a significant amount of time before needing to recharge the headphones.

It’s important to note that the battery life of the AirPods Max can vary depending on several factors. Firstly, the volume level at which you listen to your audio content can impact the battery life. Higher volume levels typically consume more power, so if you tend to listen at maximum volume, the battery may drain faster.

Additionally, the battery life can be affected by the type of audio content you’re consuming. Streaming music or watching videos online may require more power compared to playing locally stored files. This is because streaming content involves data transfer and processing, which can be more demanding on the device’s battery.

Furthermore, the duration of the active noise cancelling feature being enabled can also impact the battery life. If you frequently use active noise cancelling, the battery may drain faster compared to using the headphones without this feature.

To maximize the battery life of your AirPods Max, you can consider a few tips and best practices:

1. Adjust the volume: Lowering the volume level can help conserve battery life and extend the usage time.

2. Use passive mode: If you don’t need active noise cancelling, you can switch to the passive mode to conserve battery power. In this mode, the headphones will still function, but without the noise cancelling feature.

3. Store in the Smart Case: When not in use, it’s recommended to store the AirPods Max in their included Smart Case. This puts them into an ultra-low power mode, helping to preserve the battery life.

4. Charge when needed: Regularly charging the AirPods Max when the battery is low ensures that you have enough power for your next use. Apple provides a Lightning to USB-C cable for charging the headphones.

5. Optimize settings: Adjusting certain settings on your connected device can also help improve battery life. For example, disabling unnecessary notifications or reducing screen brightness can conserve power.

In my personal experience, I have found that the battery life of the AirPods Max is generally reliable and lasts for a long duration. I have been able to use them for multiple days without needing to recharge, even with frequent usage and active noise cancelling enabled. However, it’s worth noting that individual usage patterns may vary, and it’s always a good idea to carry the charging cable or a portable power bank for extended use during travel or long commutes.

The AirPods Max offer a commendable battery life of around 20 hours with active noise cancelling turned on, making them suitable for extended listening sessions without the need for frequent recharging.