The AirPods Max with USB-C have been reduced to $399.99 for Black Friday, which is the lowest price we’ve seen on Apple’s flagship over-ears so far since the new USB-C refresh launched.
That’s about a 27% discount off the list price of $549, dropping Apple’s premium cans into the same price category as competitors from Sony and Bose.
Lowest Price Ever for USB-C AirPods Max Headphones
Apple’s over-ears rarely get discounted historically, and early deals on the USB-C version stuck close to MSRP. Reaching that $399.99 price is a departure from that trend. For shoppers who have been wondering if we’d see a real cut on the new connector this season, here is the first really viable window.
It also shifts the value equation. AirPods Max are a luxury purchase at full retail price. At this Black Friday price, they’re priced within striking distance of the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones — not a deal-breaking difference in sticker shock but more of an ecosystem/feature preference question.
What the USB-C Refresh Actually Gives You
The shift to USB-C is mostly to enhance usability, not radically redesign the sound signature. And with charging now matching that of iPhone 15, recent iPads and MacBooks, it eliminates cord chaos. That change is relatively minor but offers outsized convenience if you live in Apple’s world and desire a single cable for everything.
Core strengths remain intact. SoundGuys also has independent lab testing for the cups that shows great active noise cancellation and a large, balanced soundstage. Critics have also consistently lauded the natural-sounding transparency mode, which keeps voices clear without edge — and Spatial Audio with head tracking adds a layer of immersion when you’re watching on an iPad or a Mac.
Comfort and build quality are still discriminators. The aluminum cups feel premium, the woven mesh headband spreads out weight and the deeper ear cushions are for long listening sessions. Battery life lasts about 20 hours with ANC on, which is good for a coast-to-coast cross-country flight and then some, according to multiple reviewer endurance tests.
How They Are Matching Up Against Top Rivals
At this price, AirPods Max are more closely competing against category leaders. Sony’s WH-1000XM5 tend to win on sheer customizability and EQ versatility, while Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra frequently establish the standard in comfort and simple ANC right out of the box. Apple responds with class-leading transparency, seamless ecosystem integration and a fine-tuned sound signature that steers clear of the boomy bass some competitors lean into.
For people who own an iPhone, iPad or Mac, instant pairing, automatic device switching, hands-free Siri and support for Find My add convenience to the daily experience. The headline here may not be the typical Bluetooth multipoint, but the way seamless switching among Apple devices frequently seems snappier and more reliable than third-party implementations.
On pure isolation, lab tests at places like SoundGuys have put AirPods Max on a par with Sony and Bose. Where they diverge has to do with priorities: Sony provides deeper app control, Bose nails the fit and out-of-the-box sound tuning, Apple brings transparency and ecosystem polish that’s tough to duplicate elsewhere.
Who Should Take Advantage of This AirPods Max Deal?
For Apple-first customers concerned with ANC, premium materials and a simple set-up process, $399.99 is the price point that finally makes AirPods Max an easy recommendation. Travelers requiring a strong level of noise cancellation as well as decent transparency for announcements will find those particularly appealing, and the move to USB-C makes them easier to pack.
There are still considerations. The headphones are heavier than most of their competition, and the Smart Case it comes with continues to be a sticking point for people when it comes to protection and portability. Those who desire a more granular EQ or a less heavy fit might swing to Sony; comfort-first consumers may lean Bose. But the combination of Apple’s features at this price is a compelling bundle for many iPhone owners.
Bottom Line: Is This AirPods Max USB-C Deal Worth It?
This Black Friday all-time low price takes the biggest barrier out of Apple’s high-end headphones. I can make some trade-offs, but the mix of USB-C convenience, best-in-class transparency mode and ANC performance, and strong build quality points to AirPods Max being a compelling pick for a flagship at $399.99 — especially given the other tech in my daily wear already has an Apple brand slapped onto it.