Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) vs Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen)
Between the AirPods Max (Lightning) and AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen), the AirPods Max (Lightning) comes out ahead in several specs, while the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) wins on several specs. Overall, the AirPods Max (Lightning) scores 68 and the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) scores 68 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are evenly matched on the broad strokes; the decision sits on which individual spec advantages weigh more for your use.
The AirPods Max (Lightning) does not pull ahead on any single popular-comparison spec — its strengths sit in the spec-table groups rather than the headline advantages.
The AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) similarly does not carry a headline advantage on the popular specs — look at the full table for category-specific deltas.
Both ship with comparable battery life, driver size, active noise cancellation, so those specs do not separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity says both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Which should you buy: Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) or Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen)?
The two products are effectively tied on the current Mars Score.The more useful decision is the trade-off behind that result: compare the highlighted specifications against the way you will actually use the product.
Choose Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) if…
Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
Choose Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) if…
Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) does not lead a decisive measured field here, so choose it for price, ecosystem, design, or availability when those matter more to you.
This is a structured comparison of the published catalog values. It is not a claim of identical real-world performance across every workload; use the linked spec drill-downs and methodology page to inspect the inputs.
Why Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) wins
- No decisive advantages.
Why Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) wins
- No decisive advantages.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 384 g | 384 g |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Impedanceⓘ | 10 Ω | 10 Ω |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 105 dB | 105 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery lifeⓘ | 20 h | 20 h |
| Fast chargeⓘ | true | true |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (Lightning) | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.0 | 5.3lead |
| Multipointⓘ | false | false |
| 3.5mm jack | false | false |
| LDACⓘ | false | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, AirPods Max (Lightning) or AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen)?+
AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) lasts 20 hours vs 20 hours.
Do AirPods Max (Lightning) or AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) have active noise cancellation?+
Both models have active noise cancellation.
Which supports LDAC, AirPods Max (Lightning) or AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen)?+
Neither supports LDAC.