Apple AirPods Max: After the Hype

When a product is released, there is a media and YouTuber frenzy to create and release content as soon as possible to capitalize on the new product in order to capture the maximum amount of views/ engagement. That’s nothing new for any product. When products are reviewed this quickly, consumers miss out on bugs, cons, and “nice to haves”. Now that some time has passed, let’s talk about the Apple AirPods Max after the hype.

The Apple AirPods Max has 83% 5-star reviews but there are some things that bother consumers…

Revisiting the Apple AirPods Max Battery Life

During the initial release of the Apple AirPods Max, consumers on reddit and elsewhere complained that the battery life would drain to zero (0) within a few hours. In response, Apple release a firmware update for the headphones which fixed the battery drain issue.

In the YouTube video above, I acknowledged what consumers went through and documented my idle battery drain throughout the evening without the headphones being in a case. The result? Over the coarse of a few hours the battery only dropped by a handful percentage.

Per Apple, the case is actually important because…

If you put your AirPods Max in the Smart Case when you’re not using them, they go into a low power mode immediately to preserve battery charge. After 18 hours in the Smart Case, your AirPods Max go into an ultralow power mode that turns off Bluetooth and Find My and maximizes battery life.
— Apple

Should You Wear Your Apple AirPods Max to the Gym?

The short answer is no. Nowhere on the Apple AirPods Max product page will you see marketing photos or text highlighting use in the gym. The ear cushions and headband contain a breathable mesh fabric that you will need to spot clean with a toothbrush, water and detergent. It’s important to note Apple says the AirPods Max is not dust, sweat and water resistant. Although, that is true for the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation).

Consumers have already complained about condensation collection in the ear cup after wearing in a neutral setting. So why complicate it even further by introducing sweat on and in the ear cups? Okay, /end rant and sorry to the guy below that had to learn the hard way.


Drawbacks of the Apple AirPods Max

You don’t need to be told how amazing these headphones are. I acknowledged that in the YouTube video and that’s been discussed ad nauseam on YouTube. Here are some things I don’t like that could be better.

  • No power off button

  • Headphones are heavy

  • Foldability would be nice

  • Lightning only charging

  • Carrying case looks like a purse

The Best Apple AirPods Max Accessories?

If you know you’re going to 100% buy the Apple AirPods Max, the #1 accessory I would suggest are silicone case covers for reasons mentioned above. I bought these and they make for a VERY easy wipe down of the headband and ear cups. I’ve definitely taken off my headphones, looked down and said eww, good thing I have these covers covering the mesh (lol).

The list below includes accessories that I bought from Amazon. Have a question? Leave one in the comments below!

 

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