Best Running Headphones Compared: 3 UK Picks
- Nyheter
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AirPods Max 2 are Apple’s current over-ear headphones. They use the H2 chip, add newer adaptive features and USB-C Lossless Audio, and cost £499 in the UK. Apple announced them in March 2026, with UK orders opening on 25 March 2026. Apple lists AirPods Max 2 at £499, and EE lists them at the same price.
The original AirPods Max remain relevant for buyers who find a substantially cheaper model and do not need the newer features. Their sound and noise cancellation remain strong, according to independent comparison coverage.
There are three current ways to buy AirPods Max 2, plus the option of looking for a cheaper original model. Your choice mainly depends on whether you want the latest features and how you prefer to pay.
The standard UK price for AirPods Max 2 is £499. Apple and EE both list the headphones at that price. Apple’s payment plan is £124.75 per month for four months at 0% interest, while EE’s mobile-bill option totals £482 with £20 upfront followed by 11 monthly payments of £42.
| Buying route | Upfront payment | Monthly payment | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple, paid in full | £499 | — | £499 |
| Apple, four-month plan | — | £124.75 for four months | £499 |
| EE mobile-bill option | £20 | £42 for 11 months | £482 |
The EE total applies to its mobile-bill payment option; Apple’s instalment plan spreads the same £499 total over four payments.
AirPods Max 2 are the more capable model, but the first generation still covers the core listening experience. The principal changes concern the chip, noise cancellation, wireless standard and wired audio features.
| Feature | AirPods Max 1 | AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Headphone chip | H1 in each ear cup | H2 in each ear cup |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Strong noise cancellation | Apple claims up to 1.5 times more ANC than the original |
| Battery life with ANC | Up to 20 hours | Up to 20 hours |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| USB-C Lossless Audio | Not available on the original model | Supported through USB-C |
| Additional features | Core AirPods Max features | Adaptive Audio, Conversation Awareness, Live Translation, Voice Isolation and personalised volume features |
Apple’s Max 1 and Max 2 comparison confirms the chip and feature changes. Both generations provide up to 20 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation enabled, so Max 2 does not have a longer quoted battery figure.
For existing owners, the strongest reasons to upgrade are USB-C Lossless Audio, the H2 features and Apple’s claimed improvement in ANC. SoundGuys describes Max 2 as an iterative update, and notes that the headphones remain heavier than many rivals.
The main drawbacks are the £499 price, high weight, 20-hour battery limit, Smart Case design and lack of water resistance. AirPods Max 2 weigh 386.2 grams including the ear cushions. SoundGuys notes that the weight can become tiring during longer listening sessions.
AirPods Max 2 come in midnight, starlight, blue, purple and orange. These are the five colours listed by Apple for the current model.
The 2024 USB-C version of the original AirPods Max also launched in the UK in midnight, starlight, blue, purple and orange. The first-generation AirPods Max launched in 2020 in silver, space grey, sky blue, pink and green, and the earliest version used a Lightning connector.
Sky Blue therefore belongs to the original AirPods Max colour range, while the current Max 2 range uses the five colours listed above. The connector is another important distinction: the earliest first-generation model uses Lightning, whereas Max 2 uses USB-C and supports USB-C Lossless Audio.
They can be a good fit for Apple users who prioritise strong noise cancellation, premium over-ear construction, Spatial Audio, Apple-device integration and USB-C Lossless Audio. The price is easier to justify for listeners who will regularly use those features.
They are less convincing for buyers who want the lightest headphones, longer battery life, water resistance or the lowest possible price. An original AirPods Max may offer better value when available substantially below £499, because its sound and noise cancellation remain strong.
Buy AirPods Max 2 from Apple if you want the simplest purchase and the newest features. Apple’s four-month, 0% interest option spreads the cost without changing the £499 total. Choose EE if its mobile-bill route suits you and the stated £482 total is preferable.
Choose an original USB-C AirPods Max only when the saving is substantial. It remains suitable for buyers who care more about core sound and ANC than H2-specific features. Max 2 is the better fit if you specifically want USB-C Lossless Audio, Live Translation, Voice Isolation or the newer adaptive listening functions.
They are best suited to Apple users who value noise cancellation, Spatial Audio and the wider Apple-device experience. The original model can be a value alternative when its price is well below that of Max 2.
No. AirPods Max 2 launched in 2026, with UK orders opening on 25 March, and are already sold in the UK.
Max 2 has the H2 rather than H1 chip, Bluetooth 5.3 rather than 5.0, Apple-rated improvement in ANC, newer adaptive features and USB-C Lossless Audio. Both models quote up to 20 hours of battery life with ANC enabled.
They are heavy at 386.2 grams, have up to 20 hours of battery life, use a Smart Case and are not water resistant. Max 2 is also an incremental rather than transformational update.
