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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high-quality noise cancellation for activities like air travel, the Apple Airpods Max are better equipped for that purpose with top-notch noise isolation; however, they are heavier and more costly. They also feature integration that is optimized for Apple devices. On the other hand, the Steelseries TUSQ are more budget-friendly and are lighter in weight, making them potentially more comfortable for extended use. While they don't feature active noise cancelling, they excel in mic quality, which can be important for calls or gaming. For gaming specifically, Steelseries TUSQ's low latency and superior gaming score might make them a better choice if that's a primary use case for you. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Steelseries TUSQ
- Very good for gaming
- Good for TV and video
Key differences
Gaming
5.5
8.5
The Steelseries TUSQ is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.2
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
4.7
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Steelseries TUSQ is poor.
TV and Video
5.7
7.3
The Steelseries TUSQ is good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Steelseries TUSQ is only fair.
Battery
21.0 Hours
N/A
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Steelseries TUSQ does not have a battery.
Cost
$549
$40
$0
$100
$200
$300
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Steelseries TUSQ costs $40.
Build Quality
9.0
8.0
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Steelseries TUSQ has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.6
The Steelseries TUSQ and Apple Airpods Max are both good for music.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Steelseries TUSQ compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Steelseries TUSQ |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $40 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Steelseries | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | August 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 4.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | N/A | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | N/A | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | N/A | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | N/A | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | N/A | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 11 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Boom | |
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."
Steelseries TUSQ
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Dig into reviews and images
Can Buy or Not
Aloysius Low | March 2021
"The SteelSeries Arctis Tusq is a great headset for those on a more modest budget. You can use it for gaming or music, and I daresay it's also great for Zoom meetings when you don't want to be wearing on-ear or over-ear headphones."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Steelseries TUSQ
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 Steelseries
Steelseries is a Danish gaming products manufacturer founded in 2001 and owned by GN Store Nord. Beside a large variety of gaming peripherals like mice, keyboards, and mousemats, Steelseries markets the Arctis line of gaming headsets which feature integrated boom microphones and RGB lighting. Steelseries has partnered with several game publishers and studios for limited editions of their products like a line of Cyberpunk 2077 themed headsets in 2020.
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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.
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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.
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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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