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Airpods Max
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Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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What we think

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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

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Music

7.3
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
8.0
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.

Gaming

5.5
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
$188
Product image
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The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro costs $188.
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Key similarities

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Phone Calls

6.6
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
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
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
8.4
The Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro and Apple Airpods Max are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.

Build Quality

9.0
Airpods Max
Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro both have excellent build quality.

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We’re constantly working to improve.

How the Apple Airpods Max and the Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro compare to other earbuds and headphones

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Spec Comparison

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Apple Airpods MaxSamsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro
Apple Airpods MaxSamsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

GENERAL

Price
$549
$188
Brand
AppleSamsung
Release Date
December 1, 2020August 1, 2022
Form Factor
HeadphonesEarbuds
Connectivity
Wired + WirelessWireless

SOUND

Music Score
7.4/108.1/10
Phone Calls Score
6.6/107.1/10
Gaming Score
5.5/108.4/10
TV and Video Score
5.8/107.8/10
Exercise Score
6.2/107.7/10

PERFORMANCE

Battery life
21 Hours4.8 Hours
Wireless charging
NoYes
Charging time
2 Hours1.1 Hours
Bluetooth version
55.2
Case Battery Life
N/A12

FEATURES

Active Noise Cancelling
YesYes
Noise Reduction Score
10/109.1/10
Virtual Surround
YesYes
Android App
NoYes
iOS App
YesNo
Mic Quality
7/106.5/10

BUILD AND DESIGN

Build Quality
9/109/10
Comfort score
7/107.8/10
Size
N/AMedium
Weight (headset or single earbud)
385.5 Grams5.5 Grams
Microphone style
IntegratedIntegrated

Shopping

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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

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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
123,800
Recommendations made
18,570
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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