Jason Hiner/ZDNET
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ZDNET's key takeaways
Mophie's $150 AirPods Max stand works, but feels overpriced.
A $29 stand delivers nearly the same charging experience.
Missing Lightning support undermines the premium positioning.
At $549, Apple's over-the-ear AirPods Max are ridiculously expensive. Even so, and even though they're a little too small for my big head, I've found them to be worth the price.
They do two things very well: they switch between my Apple devices smoothly and mostly automatically, and they block noise. My wife and I share a family room, where we spend most of our workday. When she's on a Zoom meeting, I can put on my AirPods Max and block out her conversation. She also has a pair, and they work for her in the same way.
Sadly, as with every other noise-canceling device I've tried, they can't withstand the high-pitched barking of my little 8-pound Yorkipoo. His insistent nuclear-powered yips can cut through even the most advanced technology. For just about everything else, the AirPods Max do a great job.
Also: Should you buy AirPods Max in 2025? A long-awaited upgrade will entice professionals
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