Which has better noise cancelling, the AirPods Max or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra?

Both are top-tier and reviewers rate them close. The AirPods Max is often called best-in-class, while Bose's ANC is its signature strength. Pick Bose if you want the lightest-feeling ANC for long flights.

Which is better for iPhone users?

The AirPods Max. It pairs instantly, switches between iPhone, iPad and Mac, and supports Spatial Audio with head tracking. The Bose works fine on iPhone but loses those Apple-specific features.

Which lasts longer on a charge?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra, at up to 30 hours versus up to 20 on the AirPods Max. Using Immersive Audio on the Bose shortens that, but it still outlasts the AirPods Max.

Is the AirPods Max too heavy to wear all day?

Many owners find it heavy at around 385 g, though the mesh canopy and memory foam spread the weight. The Bose is lighter and easier for long sessions. Try the AirPods Max on before a long flight.

Is the Bose worth stepping up to over the AirPods Max?

If you use Android or a laptop alongside a phone, yes: multipoint and longer battery life matter more day to day. If you are all-in on Apple and value build, the AirPods Max is the better fit.

Apple AirPods Max vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the safer buy for most people: lighter, longer battery life at up to 30 hours, Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint, and Bose's class-leading noise cancelling. The AirPods Max wins on build, with aluminum and steel, memory foam earcups and seamless iPhone, iPad and Mac switching. Reviewers praise both for ANC and sound; owners of the AirPods Max note its weight and the case, while Bose owners value comfort on long wear.

Choose the AirPods Max if you live in Apple's ecosystem and want the best build quality and tight device switching.
Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra if you want lighter headphones, longer battery life and multipoint across iPhone, Android and laptop.

Prices

Apple AirPods Max: $31.00 at vipoutlet.com (last seen Nov 5)
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen): $290.00 at Poshmark (last seen Nov 8)
Difference: the Apple AirPods Max is $259.00 cheaper than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) at the latest prices (Nov 5 and Nov 8)

	Apple AirPods Max	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Battery life	Up to 20 hours per charge	Up to 30 hours per charge
Weight and comfort	Heavy at about 385 g; memory foam earcups	Lighter; protein leather earcups
Build	Aluminum cups, steel headband, mesh canopy	Mostly plastic with metal headband
Noise cancelling	Active, widely rated best-in-class	Active, Bose's strongest ANC, also top-rated
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.0, no multipoint	Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint
Spatial audio	Spatial Audio limited to Apple devices	Immersive Audio works on any source
Controls	Digital Crown and button	Touch controls and physical button
Wired listening	Lightning or USB-C cable sold separately	USB-C port; wired via USB-C

Spec	Apple AirPods Max	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Headphone Cup Type	Over-ear	Over-ear
Body Part Use	Ear, Head	Head
Noise Cancellation Type	Active	Active
Max Battery Life	20 hours (on a single charge)	30 hours
Rechargeable Battery	Yes	Yes
Standby Time	18 days	Go into sleep mode automatically (when you remo…
Earpad Material	Memory foam	Protein Leather
Driver Size	40 mm	40 mm
Frequency Response	20 kilohertz (maximum)	Bose doesn't provide frequency range specs
Headphone Impedance	16 ohm	32 ohm
Sensitivity	100 decibels adjusted	Unnecessary to take sensitivity measurements (r…
Sound Output	Surround sound	Stereo

Spec	Apple AirPods Max	Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Total Harmonic Distortion	Ultra-low distortion	Higher scores mean cleaner reproduction (MOS-D)
Waterproof	No	No
Water Resistant	No	No
Microphone Highlights	Built-in Microphone	Built-in Microphone
Noise Cancelling Microphone	Yes	Yes
Integrated Microphone	Yes	Yes
Microphone Mount Type	Built-In	Built-in
Battery life	20 h	30 hours
Color	Blue	Black

Apple AirPods Max vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Prices

Apple AirPods Max vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

Prices

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)

What separates them

Price history

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