Alright, let’s dive right in! So, you’re probably here because you’ve been on the hunt for a solid pair of wireless headphones that won’t break the bank. Trust me, I get it—there are so many options out there, and it’s hard to know which ones are actually worth your cash. That’s where the Ugreen Studio Max 2 comes into play. These bad boys promise a whole lot for just $37 (yep, you heard that right). We’re talking 40mm dynamic drivers, Bluetooth 5.4, up to 80 hours of battery life, and even fast charging. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? But here’s the thing: promises on paper don’t always translate to real-world greatness.
I’ve spent some quality time with these headphones, putting them through their paces—jamming out to my favorite tunes, jumping into some gaming sessions, or just taking calls while pretending to be a responsible adult. And honestly? They’ve got some tricks up their sleeve. But they’re not perfect either. So, in this review, I’m going to spill all the tea—what they do well, where they stumble, and whether they’re truly worth adding to your cart. By the end of this, you’ll have a clear picture of whether the Ugreen Studio Max 2 is the right fit for your ears (and your wallet).
Design and Build Quality
The Ugreen Studio Max 2 doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel regarding design, but it still feels like a solid pair of headphones. You first notice that they’re not flashy—just clean and straightforward. They come in two color options: black and beige. Both look understated, which is great if you’re into that minimalist vibe. Personally, I think they strike a nice balance between looking modern and not screaming for attention.
The build quality is where things get interesting. Most of the headphones are made from matte plastic, and honestly, they feel way better than you’d expect for something priced at $37. It doesn’t feel cheap or flimsy, and there’s no creaking or flexing when you handle them. Sure, it’s not premium aluminum or anything like that, but for the price, it’s more than decent. The matte finish also helps because it doesn’t pick up fingerprints or smudges easily, which is always a win.
One downside? There are some minor scuffs and abrasions on the surface if you’re rough with them. But let’s be real—most headphones in this price range have similar issues. What’s impressive is how sturdy they feel overall. The sliding mechanism for adjusting the headband works smoothly, and it locks into place without any wobble.
Speaking of the headband, it’s rigid, but it has a soft insert to cushion the top of your head. The padding is a bit narrow, though, so after a few hours, you might start feeling some pressure. It’s not deal-breaking, but it’s worth noting if you plan to wear them for long stretches. On the flip side, the ear cups are where the Studio Max 2 really shines. They’re generously sized, and the artificial leather ear pads feel surprisingly comfortable. They even have a slight memory effect, molding to your ears over time. Unfortunately, you can’t remove or replace the ear pads, which is a bummer if they wear out down the line.
Another cool feature is the folding mechanism. Not all headphones in this price range offer that, so it’s a nice touch here. You can fold them up to save space, though they don’t collapse as flat as some higher-end models. Still, it’s handy if you’re tossing them into a bag or just need to store them neatly. And the cups themselves can rotate, which is perfect if you want to wear them around your neck without them feeling awkward.
The Studio Max 2 also comes with a set of mechanical buttons instead of touch controls, which I personally prefer. They’re all located on the right ear cup, and each one has a specific function. There’s a dedicated button for switching between sound modes, volume rockers, and a multifunction button for play/pause, answering calls, and summoning your voice assistant. The buttons feel sturdy, and they respond well, though sometimes you might need to press them a couple of times to get the command through. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it can be a little annoying if you’re in a hurry.
Comfort and Fit
The Ugreen Studio Max 2 does a pretty solid job regarding comfort and fit, especially for a pair of headphones priced at just $37. The ear pads are where the magic happens—they’re made of artificial leather and feel surprisingly soft against your ears. They also have this slight memory effect, meaning they mold to the shape of your ears after wearing them for a bit. It’s not as plush or luxurious as higher-end models, but for the price, they’re definitely above average. You can tell the designers put some thought into making sure these headphones wouldn’t feel like torture after an hour or two of use.
That said, there’s one area where things aren’t perfect: the headband padding. It’s narrow, which might not sound like a big deal at first, but if you’re planning to wear these headphones for hours on end, you’ll start to notice it pressing down on the top of your head. It’s not unbearable, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re the type who likes to binge podcasts or marathon gaming sessions. The clamping force is moderate—not too tight, not too loose—which helps balance out the slight discomfort from the headband. Overall, they stay securely on your head without feeling like they’re squeezing your skull.
One thing worth mentioning is how well they handle movement. If you’re jogging, working out, or just tilting your head around while doing chores, these headphones stay put. I tested them during a quick workout, and even with some head-bobbing and jumping jacks, they didn’t budge. That’s thanks to the snug fit and decent clamping force. However, don’t expect miracles if you’re sweating buckets—the ventilation system isn’t anything special. On hot days or during intense gym sessions, your ears might get a little warm, but that’s pretty standard for most over-ear headphones in this price range.
Another feature that adds to the comfort is the rotating mechanism on the ear cups. This lets you adjust the angle of the headphones so they sit just right on your head. Plus, you can fold them flat, which is great for tossing them into a bag or just storing them neatly. And here’s a small but nice detail: the ear cups can swivel enough to let you wear the headphones around your neck without them digging into your collarbone. It’s not groundbreaking, but it’s practical, and that counts for a lot.
Usability and Features
The Ugreen Studio Max 2 has features that make it more than just a pair of headphones. One of the standout features is the Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity. It’s fast, reliable, and pairs easily with devices like your phone, tablet, or even your TV. I tested it with multiple gadgets, and the connection was solid every time. The pairing process is straightforward—just hold down the multifunction button, and it jumps into pairing mode. No headaches or constant disconnections here.
Another cool feature is multipoint support, which lets you connect the headphones to two devices at once. This is a game-changer if you’re someone who switches between, say, your laptop for work and your phone for music. You can listen to a podcast on your laptop and still take calls on your phone without missing a beat. Just keep in mind that while the multipoint feature works well, the range isn’t amazing. If you wander too far from your device, you might notice some dropouts, but that’s pretty standard for headphones in this price range.
Sound Quality
The sound quality of the Ugreen Studio Max 2 is one of those things that sits comfortably in the “good for the price” category. It’s not going to blow your mind if you’re used to premium headphones, but for $37, it punches above its weight. The headphones come with 40mm dynamic drivers, and they do a solid job of delivering a balanced sound profile—at least when you tweak them a bit. Out of the box, the default sound isn’t bad, but it leans a little uneven depending on what you’re listening to.
For example, if you’re into bass-heavy tracks, the low end feels punchy, but it can sometimes overpower the mids. That’s not always a bad thing if you’re vibing to some hip-hop or EDM, but if you’re more into vocals or acoustic stuff, you might notice the mids feeling a bit recessed. On the flip side, the highs are crisp, though occasionally they can feel a tad sharp. It’s not painful or anything, but it might make certain tracks sound a little harsh if you crank up the volume too high.
One cool feature is the ability to switch between preset sound modes like Bass Boost, Classical Mode, and even a custom equalizer through the app. Now, here’s the thing—the presets aren’t perfect. Some of them, like the Bass Boost, add a lot of thump but at the cost of clarity in other parts of the audio spectrum. The Classical Mode is better, smoothing out the sound for instrumental tracks, but it’s still not flawless. If you’re willing to tinker with the custom EQ, you can get closer to something that suits your taste. For me, boosting the mids just a touch while keeping the bass steady made a noticeable difference.
That said, the app itself has its quirks. Sometimes the changes don’t take effect right away, which can be frustrating if you’re trying to fine-tune the sound on the fly. But once the settings stick, they work well enough. And honestly, having this level of customization in a $37 headphone is pretty impressive, even if it’s not seamless.
Another thing worth mentioning is how the headphones handle different genres. They shine brightest with modern music—pop, hip-hop, electronic, and even some rock tracks sound decent. But if you’re diving into jazz or classical music, the soundstage feels a bit cramped. These headphones don’t create that wide, immersive experience that higher-end models do. Everything sounds a little closer together, which can make complex arrangements feel cluttered.
Volume-wise, there’s plenty of headroom. I rarely needed to push it past 70% to enjoy my music, even in noisy environments like busy streets or cafes. The sound doesn’t distort at higher volumes either, which is a big plus. However, the lack of depth in the bass department becomes more obvious when you turn it up. You’ll hear the boom, but it doesn’t have that rich, layered texture that pricier headphones offer.
For gaming, the sound quality holds up surprisingly well. The low latency Bluetooth 5.4 connection keeps things snappy, and while the soundstage isn’t huge, it’s good enough for most games. Explosions, footsteps, and background music all come through clearly, though directional audio cues might not be as precise as they would be with specialized gaming headsets. Still, for casual gamers, these headphones will get the job done without complaints.
Microphone and Call Quality
The Ugreen Studio Max 2 has dual microphones and noise reduction, which sounds promising on paper. In real-world use, the microphone performance is decent but not without its quirks. For everyday calls—like chatting with friends or hopping on a quick work call—the mics get the job done. Your voice comes through clearly enough, and most people on the other end won’t have trouble understanding you. That said, there are moments when the audio quality dips, especially in noisier environments.
For example, if you’re outside on a windy day or in a bustling café, the background noise can bleed through. The noise reduction does its best to minimize distractions, but it’s not perfect. You might notice some distortion or an uneven tone in your voice during these situations. It’s not terrible, but it’s also not the kind of clarity you’d expect from higher-end headphones or dedicated microphones. The mics handle quieter settings much better. If you’re indoors or in a calm environment, the sound is clean and natural, making conversations feel more fluid.
One thing worth mentioning is how the mics handle volume. If you speak too loudly or get too close to the headphones, the microphones can overload. This creates a slightly distorted or clipped effect, which isn’t ideal if you’re someone who gets animated during calls. On the flip side, if you’re speaking softly, the mics still pick up your voice fairly well, though it might sound a bit faint to the person on the other end.
Battery Life and Charging
The Ugreen Studio Max 2 boasts some pretty impressive numbers when it comes to battery life, and for the most part, they hold up in real-world use. The manufacturer claims you can get up to 80 hours of playback on a single charge, which sounds almost too good to be true. In my testing, I didn’t quite hit that number, but what I got was still solid. At moderate volume levels—around 65% with the AAC codec—I managed to squeeze out about 55 hours of use. That’s still way more than enough for even the heaviest users. If you’re just using them casually, like commuting or listening during workouts, you’ll probably only need to charge them once every couple of weeks.
One of the standout features is the fast charging. With just five minutes of charging, you get an extra two hours of playback. It’s not as quick as some premium models that promise five hours in ten minutes, but for $37, this is still a great perk. I tested this feature multiple times, and it worked as advertised. If you’re rushing out the door and realize your headphones are dead, a quick charge while you grab your keys or put on your shoes will get you through a workout or a commute without any issues.
A full charge takes about an hour and 40 minutes, which isn’t bad but also isn’t groundbreaking. Some headphones in this price range take longer, so it’s nice that Ugreen kept it relatively quick. The charging port is USB-C, which is a big plus.
There’s also an automatic shutdown feature, which kicks in if the headphones aren’t used for 10 minutes. This helps conserve battery life, especially if you forget to turn them off after use. Unfortunately, you can’t customize or disable this feature, which might annoy some people. For example, if you want to pause your music and leave the headphones on while you step away for a bit, they’ll shut down on you. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s worth mentioning.
Conclusion
The Ugreen Studio Max 2 is one of those products that makes you pause and think, “Is this really only $37?” For the price, it delivers a lot of features and functionality that punch way above its weight. Sure, it’s not perfect—no headphone in this price range ever is—but it manages to strike a solid balance between performance, comfort, and value. After spending time with these headphones, I can confidently say they’re a great option for anyone looking for an affordable pair of wireless headphones without sacrificing too much in terms of quality.
At the end of the day, the Ugreen Studio Max 2 is a solid choice for budget-conscious buyers. It’s packed with features like Bluetooth 5.4, multipoint connectivity, and long battery life, all wrapped up in a sturdy and stylish design. Sure, there are some minor flaws—the app issues, the narrow headband padding, and the less-than-ideal gaming performance—but none of these are dealbreakers. For $37, you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck.
If you’re in the market for a no-frills pair of headphones that won’t break the bank, the Studio Max 2 is definitely worth considering. It’s not the best headphone out there, but it’s one of the best you can get for under $40. Just manage your expectations, and you’ll likely be happy with what you’re getting.
