The Noise Master Buds Max active noise-canceling headphones deliver great sound and include new features I haven’t tested before, like automatic pausing when you remove them and quick call mode. They are super comfortable and offer 60 hours of playback on a single charge. If you are looking for new headphones, the Noise Master Buds Max are worth a look.
What Is It?
Noise is an India-based technology company that produces smartwatches, earbuds, headphones, and the Luna Ring. The Noise Master Buds Max headphones, along with the Master Buds 2, result from a partnership with Bose, which provided the Default EQ mode settings for the Master series. They are available in Onyx, Titanium, and Silver.
What’s in the Box and Specifications
The Noise Master Buds Max in Silver arrived with a four-foot USB-C to USB-C charging cable, user manual, warranty card, and carry pouch.
- Playtime: Up to 60 hours with ANC off at 50% volume
- Playtime with ANC: Up to 48 hours at 50% volume
- Charging Time: Up to 60 mins
- Standby Time: Up to 160 hours
- Fast Charging: Yes, 10 hours in 10 minutes
- Charging Type: USB-C
- Weight: 262 grams
- Water Resistance: IPX4
- BT: V5.4
- Wireless Range: 10m
- Auto pairing: Yes, connects with the last paired device
- Speaker driver: 40mm
- Dual device pairing: Yes
- Assistant Compatible: Yes, with Apple Siri and Google Assistant
- 5-Mic ENC: Crystal-clear calls with advanced noise reduction
- Smart Wear Detection: Automatically pauses audio when headphones are removed
- All-Day Comfort: Vegan leather cushions with a memory foam headband
- Noise Audio App: Personalize sound settings and listening preferences
Setup
I downloaded the Noise Audio app, and the headphones connected right away. The controls are all on the right side, and holding the power button for two seconds turns them on and triggers a notification. Turning them off takes a much longer five-second hold, which I find a little long.
Performance
Along with the power button on the right ear cup, the volume-down/previous and volume-up/next buttons are just above it. The mode switch button is in the front. You can customize button functions in the app.
My favorite feature of the Noise Master Buds Max is that when you take the headphones off while listening or watching and video, it automatically pauses whatever you are watching or listening to. This is by far my favorite feature ever. So simple, but no other headphones I’ve used have had this feature, and now I wish all my headphones did this.
The soft vegan leather is comfortable for all-day wear, but it tends to slip off my head when I’m doing chores or working in the garage and moving around a lot. These are great for long flights or for work if you aren’t moving around too much.
Call quality is great on my cell or on Teams calls, and I’m not an audiophile, but music playback sounds great to me in Bose’s Default EQ mode, and the active noise canceling blocks outside noise very well. The battery can last up to 60 hours without ANC at 50% volume, but if you run low, a 10-minute charge gives you 10 hours of playback.
The Bottom Line
I would definitely recommend the Noise Master Buds Max. The smart wear detection feature alone is so convenient and totally the best feature ever for headphones. They are very comfortable, and it may just be my head shape or hair that causes them to slip off when I’m puttering around, but I’m still going to use them.
I do wish they offered a few more colors, such as red or blue, but otherwise the Noise Master Buds Max are awesome headphones that I will definitely be using for long flights and everyday use.
The Noise Master Buds Max Headphones retail for $139.00; they are available directly from the manufacturer and other retailers, including Amazon.
Source: Manufacturer-supplied review sample.
What I like: Sounds great; Super long battery life; Customizable buttons; Comfortable for long listening times; Pauses automatically when you take them off
What Needs Improvement: Other colors would be nice; Noise Audio app is only compatible with their two Noise Master series products