The Noise Airwave Max 5 is a wireless over-ear headphone from Indian brand Noise that claims adaptive hybrid active noise cancellation (ANC) of up to 50dB, up to 80 hours of playtime and dual-device pairing. Based on Noise’s own specifications and the published reviews available, it looks like a strong pick for battery life and comfort, but its noise cancellation is reported to be weaker than the 50dB headline suggests.
This article covers the Calm Beige version, which is the colour shown on the Amazon.in listing our link opens. Noise also sells the Airwave Max 5 in Carbon Black, Calm White and Mauve Haze, so confirm the colour on the listing before you place the order.
A note on method: we have not tested the Airwave Max 5 ourselves. This review is based on Noise’s official product page (checked on 17 October 2026), FoneArena’s launch report and India Today Gaming’s published review. Battery, ANC and latency figures are manufacturer claims unless a reviewer is named.
The short answer
- Good pick for: long listening days, travel when charging is uncertain, office calls and casual gaming
- Think twice if: powerful noise cancellation on loud streets, trains or flights is your top priority
- Claimed strengths: up to 80 hours of playtime, 10-minute Instacharge for up to 600 minutes, 40 mm drivers, dual pairing, IPX5 and quad-mic ENC for calls
- Weak spots: ANC that India Today Gaming found below expectations, a 251.4 g weight, no codec or app details on Noise’s page, and a few conflicting entries in its spec sheet
Airwave Max 5 specifications at a glance
| Feature | What Noise states |
|---|---|
| Type | Wireless over-ear headphones |
| Noise cancellation | Adaptive hybrid ANC, up to 50dB |
| Other listening modes | Transparency mode and ANC off |
| Drivers | 40 mm dynamic, High-Fidelity Acoustics (HFA) tuning |
| Spatial audio | 3D spatial audio (claimed) |
| Playtime | Up to 80 hours at around 60% volume |
| Quick charge | Instacharge: 10 minutes for up to 600 minutes at 60% volume |
| Full charge | Up to 1.5 hours via USB Type-C |
| Bluetooth | Version 5.4 in the spec table (one feature list on the page says 5.0) |
| Profiles | HFP, AVRCP, A2DP, BLE, SPP |
| Range | Up to 10 m |
| Pairing | Dual device pairing, auto-reconnect |
| Call microphones | Quad-mic ENC |
| Water resistance | IPX5 |
| Weight | 251.4 g |
| Colours | Calm Beige (this listing), Carbon Black, Calm White, Mauve Haze |
| Warranty (per Noise) | 1 year against manufacturing defects, from delivery date |
| In the box | Headphones, charging cable, user manual, warranty card |
See the Noise Airwave Max 5 in Calm Beige on Amazon.in for the current price, seller and delivery details.
How good is the 50dB noise cancellation?
Active noise cancellation uses microphones to pick up outside sound and plays an opposite signal to cancel it. In a hybrid system, microphones sit both outside and inside each earcup, which usually helps with a wider range of sounds than outside-only designs. Adaptive ANC adjusts its strength to your surroundings instead of running at one fixed level. Noise says adaptive mode is switched on by holding the volume-up and ANC buttons together for about a second.
The 50dB figure is Noise’s claim, and the company does not publish the test method behind it. Brands measure noise reduction in different ways, so decibel numbers on spec sheets are not a dependable way to compare headphones.
India Today Gaming’s review is the clearest real-world reference we found. It reported that the ANC dealt with mild sounds such as fan hum and distant chatter but struggled on busy streets and in crowded cafes, and it listed below-par ANC among the headphone’s drawbacks. The closed over-ear cups do add some passive isolation.
In practice, that suggests the Airwave Max 5 is better suited to softening an office air conditioner or household chatter than silencing a crowded metro platform or a long flight. Buy it for its battery and features, and treat the ANC as a useful extra rather than the main reason.
Sound: HFA tuning, 40 mm drivers and spatial audio
Noise pairs 40 mm dynamic drivers with tuning it brands as High-Fidelity Acoustics (HFA). Because Noise does not publish a frequency response or other measured audio data, HFA is best read as a tuning name rather than a technical standard.
India Today Gaming described crisp highs, well-defined mids and bass that is present but not overpowering, and warned that listeners who want heavy bass may be disappointed. It also said the 3D spatial audio added a sense of depth to films and music.
Noise’s product page does not list supported Bluetooth codecs and does not mention a companion app or equaliser. That leaves two open questions: whether codecs beyond the basics are supported, and whether you can boost the bass if the default tuning feels light. If either matters to you, check the Amazon listing details and the user manual before you buy.
The 80-hour battery claim and Instacharge
Noise rates the Airwave Max 5 for up to 80 hours of playtime, and its FAQ says this is measured at around 60% volume. Noise also says runtime varies with volume and ANC use, and it does not publish a separate ANC-on figure, so expect fewer hours with noise cancellation switched on or the volume turned up.
Instacharge is Noise’s quick-charge feature. A 10-minute charge is claimed to deliver up to 600 minutes (10 hours) of playback at 60% volume, and a full charge over USB Type-C takes up to 1.5 hours. India Today Gaming listed long battery life among the pros, although its review repeated the claimed figures rather than reporting its own rundown test.
Even if real-world results land below the claim, a battery rated this high should mean charging once a week or so for many people. One caveat: Noise does not mention a 3.5 mm AUX input, and the listed box contents include only a charging cable, so do not count on wired listening with in-flight systems or wired-only devices.
Comfort, weight and build
At 251.4 g, the Airwave Max 5 is much heavier than lightweight on-ear models such as the Sony WH-CH520, which Sony lists at about 147 g. More weight puts more load on the headband and ear pads, which matters most during long sessions.
Noise lists memory-foam earpads and an adjustable headband slider. India Today Gaming found the cushions soft and plush for long listening and said the headband kept the headphones secure without sliding off when moving.
The IPX5 rating means Noise rates the headphone as sweat- and splash-resistant, not waterproof. That is helpful for workouts or a sudden drizzle, but keep it away from heavy rain and never rinse it. Noise’s page does not say whether the earcups fold flat, and its listed box contents do not include a carry case.
Calls, controls and gaming mode
For calls, Noise claims quad-mic environmental noise cancellation (ENC) that reduces background noise for the person on the other end. India Today Gaming said the headphone suits work calls but did not publish a detailed microphone test, so call quality in noisy places remains unverified. Noise’s spec table also lists hands-free calling as No, even though the same page describes call controls and the quad-mic system, so check the listing if calls matter to you.
Controls are physical buttons. Noise says a multi-function button handles play and pause, track skip, calls and power, while a separate ANC button cycles between ANC, transparency and off. Siri and Google Assistant are supported.
Dual device pairing lets the headphone stay connected to two devices, such as a phone and a laptop. Noise claims an ultra-low-latency gaming mode, which FoneArena’s launch report puts at 30ms. India Today Gaming found the Bluetooth 5.4 connection stable and judged the low-latency mode suitable for casual gaming. Competitive players will still be better served by a wired gaming headset.
Is the Airwave Max 5 right for you?
It makes sense if you
- Want very long claimed battery life and quick top-ups for travel or hostel life
- Need dual pairing to move between a work laptop and a phone
- Prefer clear, balanced sound over heavy bass
- Want some sweat resistance for workouts or commutes
Look elsewhere if you
- Need strong ANC for flights, trains or busy roads
- Want a lighter headphone for all-day wear
- Need a wired AUX option or a carry case in the box
- Want app-based EQ or confirmed support for a specific Bluetooth codec
Other headphones to consider
JBL Tune 770NC: JBL lists adaptive noise cancelling, up to 44 hours of playback with ANC on and 70 hours with it off, Bluetooth 5.3, multipoint, 40 mm drivers and a weight of 232 g. It adds a detachable audio cable, a flat-folding design and EQ in the JBL Headphones app.
Sony WH-CH720N: Sony’s noise-cancelling over-ear model is rated for up to 35 hours with noise cancelling on and 50 hours with it off. It weighs about 192 g, supports SBC and AAC, and includes a 3.5 mm input with a detachable cable.
Sony WH-CH520: if you can live without ANC, Sony’s on-ear model weighs about 147 g, is rated for up to 50 hours and supports multipoint and app EQ.
Prefer earbuds instead? Our realme Buds T310 review looks at a budget ANC earbud option.
Before you order: a quick checklist
- Colour: this listing shows Calm Beige. Amazon may offer other colours on the same page, so confirm the selected colour before checkout.
- Model name: make sure the listing says Airwave Max 5, not the older Airwave Max 4 or another Noise model.
- Warranty: Noise states a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects from the delivery date and asks buyers to register on its website, so keep your Amazon invoice.
- Seller: check who is selling and fulfilling the unit on the listing.
- Wired use: Noise does not mention an AUX input, so plan on Bluetooth only.
- Codecs and app: if these matter, check the listing details, because Noise’s page does not list them.
Check the current price of the Noise Airwave Max 5 on Amazon.in and confirm the colour, seller and warranty details shown on the listing.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Noise Airwave Max 5 really block 50dB of noise?
Up to 50dB is Noise’s claim, and the test method is not published. India Today Gaming found the ANC handled mild noise like fan hum but struggled on busy streets and in crowded cafes.
How long does the Noise Airwave Max 5 battery last?
Noise claims up to 80 hours at around 60% volume, with less when ANC is on or the volume is higher. A 10-minute Instacharge is claimed to give up to 600 minutes, and a full charge takes up to 1.5 hours.
Can the Airwave Max 5 connect to two devices at once?
Yes. Noise lists dual device pairing, so it can stay connected to a phone and a laptop together.
Is the Noise Airwave Max 5 good for gaming?
For casual gaming, it should be. Noise claims a low-latency mode, quoted at 30ms in FoneArena’s launch report, and India Today Gaming found the connection stable with minimal lag. Serious competitive gamers should consider a wired headset.
Is the Airwave Max 5 waterproof?
No. It carries an IPX5 rating, which Noise describes as sweat- and splash-resistant but not waterproof.
Bottom line
The Noise Airwave Max 5 stands out on paper for its claimed 80-hour battery, fast Instacharge top-ups, dual pairing and IPX5 protection, and India Today Gaming praised its comfort and balanced sound. Its ANC is the weak point in published testing, and it is heavy for a wireless headphone. If battery life and comfort matter more to you than maximum silence, check the current price of the Noise Airwave Max 5 (Calm Beige) on Amazon.in.
Related reading on GadgetSoch: Sony WH-CH520 Review: Light 50-Hour On-Ear Headphones Worth Buying? and boAt Rockerz Plus 450 ANC Review: 40dB Hybrid ANC and 80-Hour Battery Explained.
