[DigitalToday reporter Jinju Hong] Apple's wireless headphones AirPods Max 2 have been selected as headphones of the year for 2026. The design has not changed much, and there are disappointments over battery life and codec support. Still, the headphones were rated as offering a better user experience than rivals on the strength of noise cancelling and various convenience features.

On Oct. 29 (local time), IT outlet TechRadar selected AirPods Max 2 as headphones of the year and gave high marks to their polish in real-world use. It also cited the H2 chip in the new model released in March 2026 as a key factor that boosted competitiveness.

The H2 chip improves sound quality and active noise-cancelling performance while supporting various smart features. Examples include real-time translation, adaptive audio, conversation awareness, head-gesture control and remote camera operation. The analysis said day-to-day use improved as Apple changed the internal chipset without significantly altering the existing design.

Noise cancelling received the highest praise. TechRadar said Apple's claim of a 1.5-times improvement in noise-blocking performance was noticeable in actual use. It said the headphones strongly reduced ambient sound while causing relatively less ear pressure or an unnatural sense of isolation seen in some models.

The conversation awareness feature was also cited as a strength. When a user starts speaking, music volume automatically drops and the headphones switch to let in outside sound. This allows conversation with people nearby without separately stopping music or taking off the headphones. TechRadar said the feature worked especially naturally in work settings and was highly polished compared with competing products.

Features linked to Apple Intelligence were also cited as improving usability. The review said it was positive that key tasks such as listening to music and making calls could be handled without launching separate apps or repeatedly manipulating the screen. Some features are supported only on iPhone 15 Pro or later, limiting device compatibility. It also said the product is not suitable for Android users.

There are also drawbacks. AirPods Max 2 look almost the same as the existing model first unveiled in 2020. Battery life is shorter than competing products, and the lack of support for wireless high-resolution audio codecs is also a disappointment. Its distinctive case design may also divide opinion.

Even so, TechRadar said it chose AirPods Max 2 as headphones of the year because of how often they were used. It said that even after using various new products, AirPods Max 2 were what it reached for most often after finishing work. The explanation said that beyond features and specifications, the experience of using them comfortably every day drove the final evaluation.

The assessment shows that in the premium headphone market, not only hardware specifications but also software, device-to-device integration and everyday convenience are becoming factors that determine competitiveness. With AirPods Max 2 winning recognition on user experience despite existing weaknesses such as battery, codecs and compatibility, it said attention is on whether Apple can improve those limitations in the next product.