The premium Apple AirPods Max have been one of CNET's top pairs of headphones since they first hit shelves back in 2020. Now, over five years later, they're finally getting an update.
In a surprise announcement, Apple recently revealed that the new and improved AirPods Max 2 will be hitting shelves this spring. But you don't have to wait to make it official -- preorders are now live. Lock in your preorder now and you'll be the first to get yours hands on them when they ship. Plus, Amazon is already knocking a nice amount off the price.
The next-gen pair offers some nice improvements and new features like better noise-canceling and Live Translation, but keeps the same intimidating $549 price tag. So if you're looking to upgrade, you'll want to check out these preorder offers first.
Below, we've rounded up all the best ways to score some savings on the AirPods Max 2, including trade-in discounts, free services and more. Preorders are live at a few retailers, which we've listed below. We'll continue to update this page as more preorder deals pop up, so be sure to check back often. Plus, you can check out our full roundup of all the best AirPods deals for even more savings on other pairs.
Best AirPods Max 2 deals
Amazon is offering the first direct discount we've seen for the new Max 2. Take a sweet $19 off the starlight or midnight color options when you preorder right now. Want a different color? You can still save with trade-in.
As usual, Apple isn't offering any discounts on its latest pair of headphones. However, it does offer free engraving, and your preorder comes with three free months of Apple Music.
Best Buy has its own trade-in program where you can save some cash in exchange for your old headphones or earbuds. The discount will depend on which pair you're trading in and the condition, but it can potentially save you hundreds. You'll get $130 off if you're upgrading from the original AirPods Max.
Plus, preorders come with three free months of Apple Music and Apple Fitness Plus, as well as one free month of Apple TV. Just note that these offers are only available to new or returning subscribers.
Walmart isn't offering any deals or discounts on the AirPods Max 2, but it has them available for preorder.
How much do the AirPods Max 2 cost?
There is only one version of the AirPods Max 2, which sells for $549.
What colors do the AirPods Max 2 come in?
The AirPods Max 2 are available in the same five colors as the original pair: midnight, starlight, purple, blue and orange.
AirPods Max vs. Max 2: What's improved?
The new second-gen AirPods Max offer some nice improvements over their predecessor. One of the biggest changes is that they're equipped with a new H2 chip, which provides tons of performance upgrades. According to CNET audio expert David Carnoy, the AirPods Max 2 boast cleaner sound, improved spatial audio and active noise canceling that's up to "1.5X more effective."
They also support quite a few helpful new features, such as Live Translation and conversation awareness, which automatically turns on Transparency mode when you start talking. They also allow you to respond to Siri just by shaking your head, and have a built-in remote for the camera on your iPhone or iPad. You can check out the full list of improvements to help you decide if the upgrade is worth it.
