Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is the safer buy for most people. It is lighter, folds flat, runs up to 30 hours, supports LDAC and multipoint, and has a 3.5 mm input for wired listening. The AirPods Max has larger 40 mm drivers, a sturdier aluminum and knit-mesh build, and tighter integration with Apple devices, but it is heavier, tops out around 20 hours, and has no wired analog input. Owners of both praise the noise cancelling; the common complaint on the Sony is the plastic slider arm cracking, and on the AirPods Max it is weight and comfort over long sessions.

• Choose the Sony WH-1000XM5 if you want lighter all-day wear, longer battery life, LDAC and multipoint across Android and Apple devices, or a wired backup.
• Choose the Apple AirPods Max if you live in Apple's ecosystem, value the metal-and-mesh build, and want automatic switching and spatial audio across iPhone, iPad and Mac.