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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Max offer a premium, immersive listening experience with top-notch noise isolation and are well-suited for air travel due to their over-ear design and active noise canceling, but they're on the heavier side and pricier. On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro are more affordable, provide great sound quality with a more portable, earbud design, and have sweatproof certification, making them a better choice for exercise. If you prioritize convenience and use during physical activity, the Galaxy Buds might be a better fit. However, if you're looking for the best noise isolation and use them primarily in less active settings, the AirPods Max could be worth the extra cost. 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
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
- Very good for music
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
- Good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
8.3
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.7
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
9.1
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is excellent.
Battery
21.0 Hours
4.8 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro has 4.8 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$188
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro costs $188.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
6.6
7.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro to be good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Max is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Apple Airpods Max are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $188 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Samsung | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 7.7/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 4.8 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | Yes | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.1 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 12 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | No | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.8/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 5.5 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."
Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Jasper Lastoria | April 2023
"Consider the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro as your next pair of buds for its excellent active noise canceling (ANC) of low frequencies and comfortable fit. For Samsung users, the integration with your devices is handy and good for productivity."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 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 Samsung
Samsung is a multinational conglomerate with over 85 years of history. They are mostly known to consumers for their high-end smartphones and TVs, however they are invested in many other markets like semiconductors and automotive. Samsung owns Harman International which itself owns other audio specialized companies like Harman Kardon, JBL and AKG who help engineer most, if not all, of Samsung audio products of their Galaxy line.
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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
94,700
Recommendations made
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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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