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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated April 11, 2024·
If you prioritize noise isolation for air travel and high-quality audio for music listening in a quiet environment, the Apple AirPods Max would be the superior choice, especially with their active noise cancelling feature. However, these headphones are heavier, more expensive, and not suited for exercise. On the other hand, the Beats Fit Pro are much more portable, offer a snug fit that's great for exercise, and come with a case that extends their battery life. They offer good sound quality and are more affordable, but they lack the over-ear design's comfort and soundstage, and their active noise cancelling isn't as effective as the AirPods Max. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Good for music
- Excellent for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Beats Fit Pro
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
4.9
The Apple Airpods Max and Beats Fit Pro are both poor for gaming, though the Apple Airpods Max is somewhat better.
Noise Reduction
10.0
8.3
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Beats Fit Pro is very good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
5.2 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Beats Fit Pro has 5.2 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$179
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Beats Fit Pro costs $179.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Beats Fit Pro has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
6.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to be good for music, while the Beats Fit Pro is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.6
6.3
The Apple Airpods Max and Beats Fit Pro are both only fair for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
7.6
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Beats Fit Pro is good.
TV and Video
5.7
5.6
The Apple Airpods Max and Beats Fit Pro are both poor for TV and video.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Beats Fit Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Beats Fit Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $179 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Beats | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | November 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 6.4/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.7/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 7.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 5.2 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 5.6 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Beats Fit Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
SoundGuys
Lili Katz | January 2024
"The Beats Fit Pro is just as easy to use with an Android device as it is with an iPhone. It seems Apple-owned Beats is trying to appeal to a wider market, and it works. The Fit Pro fits like a pro with the ear tip fit test and multiple ear tips. Sound quality is sure to please most athletes, but the Fit Pro is just at home in the office as it is in the gym. The main factor holding the Beats Fit Pro back from gold is the price."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Beats Fit Pro
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Beats
Beats is an American, consumer-focused, audio products manufacturer. Founded originally by American rapper and producer Dr Dre, the company is now a subsidiary of Apple. Beats sells a wide range of audio products, including several models of headphones, earbuds and speakers as well as full car audio systems.
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Why trust us
This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
108
Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
18,525
Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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