Summer Heat Prompts Renewed AirPods Max Condensation Complaints
Apple's AirPods Max, priced at a hefty $550, have hit a damp snag.
As 404 Media reports, users are reporting malfunctions and complete failures due to condensation buildup. The problem arises when people wear the headphones during exercise or for extended periods of time, leading to sweat and moisture collecting as water droplets within the ear cups. The moisture can then leak through the speaker holes and cause internal water damage.
Apple's website notes that the AirPods Max are not sweat- or water-resistant. (Only the AirPods (3rd generation) and AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are IPX4 rated.) And reports of condensation are not new. But amid soaring temperatures this summer, complaints from recent buyers have flooded platforms like Reddit, YouTube, Twitter, and Apple's official forums.
Repair industry consultant Justin Ashford tells 404 Media that while condensation problems are common on over-ear headphones, the root of the buildup problem on the AirPods Max "remains a mystery." He's also puzzled as to why there are no "industry signs that this is a big problem," like AirPods Max logic board parts up for sale. He suggests people are just taking them back to Apple when they encounter the issue.
One sign of trouble: A class-action lawsuit in California. Apple has been trying to settle that case, though it has not made any public statements about the problem, 404Media notes. Apple's lawyers contend that the AirPods Max design makes moisture "more noticeable" when you remove the ear cups and take a peek.
None of our top over-ear headphones are sweat- or water-resistant, so your best bet for workout-friendly listening may be a pair of waterproof earbuds.
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