Apple has addressed confusion about how the AirPods Max drains the battery in various low-power modes.

A post on Apple's support site explains why the noise-canceling headphones do not have a power button, as well as describes no less than four different low-power modes that are automatically activated under certain conditions. The issue was first raised by MacRumors, which tested the AirPods Max and found that they consumed only about 2% slower power outside of the included Smart Case than when stored in the case and using the "ultra low power" mode.

In MacRumors' tests, the AirPods Max consumed 3% of its battery over a four-hour period when left outside the case in an idle state. In contrast, Apple's over-ear headphones consumed 1% less in the same four hours while left in the case. This equates to just under 30 minutes of listening time with both noise cancellation and Spatial Audio turned on. [Additionally, outside of the case, the AirPods Max always maintained an active Bluetooth connection with the iPhone; when placed inside the Smart Case, it went into low-power mode and turned off the connection; it should not take long to reconnect with the iPhone (although fast reconnection, the reason the AirPods Max only goes into low-power mode rather than turning off completely the first time), which indicates that even if you leave everything on, doing so will have little impact on battery life.

The reason for this is that the AirPods Max does indeed enter low-power mode when left stationary outside the case for 5 minutes. Additionally, after 72 hours in this state, the headphones go into "low" power mode, which actually turns off Bluetooth and the "Find My Location" feature. This was not reflected in MacRumors' testing, but it appears to be the closest to the AirPods Max being turned off.

The support post also explains that there are two different low-power modes when using the Smart Case, not just one as originally thought: the AirPods Max immediately enters the first low-power mode (the mode used in MacRumors' testing) but after being left for 18 hours, the headphones go into ultra-low power mode and Bluetooth and Find My are disabled again.

This clears up the issue somewhat, but does not change the main conclusion of MacRumor's research, which is that leaving the AirPods Max outside of the Smart Case has little to no impact on battery life.

If all this sounds complicated and you'd rather have noise-canceling headphones with a power button without the AirPods Max's $549 price tag, see our list of the best wireless headphones.