We did not expect a new name to beat the big three at noise cancelling. The Drift Max does. These are the quietest headphones we have worn, they sound superb, and the battery lasts a return flight to Tokyo. They cost a lot, and they earn it.
Design and comfort
The Drift Max has a steel headband wrapped in fabric and ear cups in anodised aluminium. At 254 grams, it is lighter than its main rivals. The clamp is gentle, and the ear pads are deep enough for ears that stick out. We wore them for eight hours without a break.
The controls are real buttons and a volume wheel. They work in gloves and in the rain, and you never pause a song by brushing your hair back.
Noise cancelling
On a plane, the engines fade to a faint hiss. In an office, voices drop to a murmur. The Drift Max measured 2 to 4 decibels quieter than the best rival across low and mid frequencies, a difference you can hear.
Transparency mode is equally good. It sounds like wearing nothing, and it softens sudden loud sounds such as a train door alarm.
Sound quality
The sound is balanced and detailed. Bass is deep and controlled, voices are clear and cymbals shine without harshness. There is a five-band equaliser in the app, and we left it alone.
I heard a breath before the first note of a song I have played a thousand times.
Sofia Mendes
With a cable, the Drift Max plays lossless audio from a laptop or phone. Over Bluetooth, they support the best codecs on both Android and iPhone.
Calls and battery
Eight microphones pick up your voice and remove street noise well. Callers could not tell we were standing next to a road. Battery life was 41 hours with noise cancelling on, and five minutes of charging gives four hours of listening.
| Spec | Drift Max |
|---|---|
| Weight | 254 g |
| Battery | 41 h (ANC on) |
| Charging | USB-C, 5 min = 4 h |
| Audio | Bluetooth 5.4, USB-C lossless, 3.5 mm |
| Pads | Replaceable |
Twenty hours in the air
The real test was a return trip with two long flights. On the way out, we wore the Drift Max from the gate to the hotel, about 14 hours with breaks for meals. The engine noise, which normally leaves us tired, was close to absent. We could watch a film at a volume of 40% and hear quiet dialogue. There was no pressure on the ears and no hot spots on the head.
The battery read 71% on arrival. We did not charge them on the trip, and they came home with 38% left. A cable for the seat-back screen is in the case, along with a two-pin adapter.
In the office the following week, the Drift Max handled the usual mix: keyboards, a coffee machine, colleagues on calls. Low noise vanished. Voices were reduced to a level that did not distract. A colleague had to wave to get our attention, which is the point.
Small details
The ear pads attach with magnets and can be replaced in seconds. New pads cost $39. The headband cover is also replaceable. The maker promises spare parts for seven years, and the battery can be changed at a service centre.
The app is restrained. It has an equaliser, a choice of three noise-cancelling levels and a setting for how much of your own voice you hear on calls. It does not ask for an account.
We have two complaints. The headphones do not pause when you take them off, which the rivals do. And the case, while strong, is big: it takes up about a third of a small backpack.
How they compare
The long-time class leader costs $50 more, folds smaller and has automatic pause. Its noise cancelling is now second best, and its battery lasts 30 hours. A popular $279 pair sounds almost as good and cancels noticeably less. For pure sound quality with a cable, some wired headphones at this price are better still, without any noise cancelling.
Who should buy them
Frequent flyers, train commuters and people in open offices will hear the difference every day. For home listening, save your money.
Pros
- The best noise cancelling we have tested
- Balanced, detailed sound
- 41 hours of battery life
- Real buttons and replaceable ear pads
Cons
- Expensive
- Case is large
- No automatic pause when you take them off
Verdict
The Drift Max is the new reference for wireless headphones. It is quieter, lighter and longer-lasting than anything else we have tried, and it sounds wonderful.
If you fly often or work in a noisy office, the price is worth it. If you only need headphones for the sofa, a cheaper pair will make you just as happy.
