PSA: Beware certain AirPods Max stands

Well, it happened. I worried about it when I first got my AirPods Max, but then neglected to check on them as the years went by. It turns out that storing your AirPods Max on a stand that engages their fabric suspension will stretch it out over time.

I just realized mine are entirely stretched out, leaving them to rest with their hard metal bars directly on my head. For as heavy as they are, it’s quite uncomfortable. I tried shrinking the fabric as suggested in this Reddit thread, but they’re too far gone.

Seeing as Apple only just released the USB-C version with basically no other improvements last month, I doubt there’s a real upgrade coming anytime soon. I’m pretty bummed. I guess I’ll give these silicone covers a shot, but I’m loathe to add any more mass to these already weighty headphones.

Honestly, I’m disappointed in Apple and don’t mind pointing my blaming finger at them for not releasing the stand they use in Apple Stores, which seems to do a better job of engaging the Max’s metal frame while leaving its taut fabric free. They could have at least collaborated with a brand like Belkin on a “blessed” design. By neglecting to produce an official stand, I felt they were saying existing headphone hooks and third-party options were perfectly fine.

At least for this hook that I’ve been using for the past three years — which I specifically chose because I thought its larger surface area would spread out the weight better! — it’s definitely not fine. You’re better off resting them on a table or in a drawer, a shame, considering how handsome they look on display.