You’re making a big investment when you decide to buy the Apple AirPods Max. Keeping your headphones protected from scratches, drops, and sweat will be your priority. We’ve gathered the best AirPods Max accessories and put them on this list for you.
Apple has some great accessories, but you don’t have to stick to their expensive options. There are plenty of great third-party accessories for AirPods Max that fit your style and budget. From classic “shell” cases to charging stands and earcup protectors, we’re sure there’s something on our list that you’ll love.
We’ve tested most of these products and this list will be updated as new accessories are released, arrive, and are tested — so be sure to check back.
The best AirPods Max accessories overall
The best accessory for your AirPods Max overall will change depending on your preference and your price point. Affordable protection options like the Spigen Ultra Hybrid Pro earcups prevent scratches, work very well, and can be easily personalized. Meanwhile, the Waterfield Design Max Shield Case is more than just basic protection and makes it easy to travel with, but it’s pricey.
Spigen is known for its affordable phone cases, but it also makes other assorted accessories, including the Ultra Hybrid Pro, a set of protective covers for the Max’s earcups. If you just want a little protection while still showing off the natural color of your AirPods Max’s aluminum design, this is a good option.
Apple doesn’t include a cable for wired listening with the AirPods Max, which is quite annoying because they sound better in wired mode. And sometimes it’s easier to plug in a device than pair wirelessly, especially if you have non-Apple devices that aren’t on your iCloud account.
The easiest way to listen to high-res audio is to plug it into a Mac or Windows PC and load up some FLAC files, which is what I did.
You can find several hard carrying cases for the AirPods Max on Amazon, but this one is arguably the best value. The case has a plush interior, a slot for storing the power adapter and magnets to put the AirPods Max into their low-power sleep state (hibernation mode). It’s available in several color options, ranging in price from $26 to $30.
When Apple released the AirPods Max, it was pretty upset about the headphones’ unusual protective cover, which led to it being compared to bras and purses and criticized for not fully protecting the headphones. I wasn’t as disappointed by it as others, but I knew we’d see a number of third-party AirPods Max case options soon, and several have already arrived, including Waterfield Design’s $99 Max Shield case.
If you drop your AirPods Max headphones on the wrong surface, the aluminum earcups can get damaged. This is where silicone earcup protectors can help. These are available in several color options on Amazon. The Seltureone model is currently the highest rated by users — and costs about $10 less — so it’s my current choice in this category. This may change as new versions become available.