Black FridayDealsBuying guidesBrandsStoresResearchTermsPrivacydeal.ai apps
Black Friday 2026:TVsLaptopsHeadphonesAppleGamingVacuumsKitchenToysSmartwatchesTabletsFurnitureMattresses

© Deal.ai Inc.

Deal.ai › Compare

Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max 2

Buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 if you want the most noise cancellation and battery life per dollar. It is $159.99 at Secondipity as of November 5, 2026, against $399.89 at eBay for the AirPods Max 2. Buy the AirPods Max 2 only if you live in Apple's ecosystem and want Spatial Audio with head tracking and seamless switching across iPhone, iPad and Mac. The Sony costs roughly $240 less and runs about 10 hours longer per charge.

Today the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $199.90 less at its best price.

Ask our shopping agent

It checks today's price at every store, compares the alternatives and answers in about a minute.

Enter to send, Shift+Enter for a new line

Sony
Sony WH-1000XM5

Sony WH-1000XM5

2· 1 rating
$199.99at Best BuyObserved at 4:47 PM
Visit store

Choose the Sony WH-1000XM5 if you want strong noise cancellation, 30-hour battery, LDAC hi-res audio and multipoint for well under $200.

Pros
  • About $240 cheaper at the latest prices
  • 30-hour battery with quick charging
  • LDAC and Hi-Res Audio support
  • Multipoint pairing and a 3.5 mm wired option
  • Works with Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri
Cons
  • No Spatial Audio with head tracking
  • Plastic-heavy build compared with Apple's metal
  • Adaptive Sound Control can change modes unexpectedly
Apple
Apple AirPods Max 2

Apple AirPods Max 2

4.3· 1,263 ratings
$399.89at eBayVerified
Visit store

Choose the AirPods Max 2 if you are all-in on Apple devices and want Spatial Audio with head tracking, Adaptive EQ and instant switching between them.

Pros
  • Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
  • Adaptive EQ tunes sound to the fit
  • Seamless switching across iPhone, iPad and Mac
  • Find My integration and USB-C charging
  • Strong ANC, up to 1.5x the previous model
Cons
  • $399.89 is roughly 2.5x the Sony's price
  • 20-hour battery, about 10 hours less than the Sony
  • Heavier at about 0.85 lb
  • Best features require Apple devices
  • No 3.5 mm jack or included analog cable

What separates them

Sony WH-1000XM5Apple AirPods Max 2
Price$159.99 at Secondipity as of November 5, 2026$399.89 at eBay as of November 5, 2026
Battery lifeUp to 30 hours, with quick chargingUp to 20 hours
Noise cancellationAdaptive NC with two processors and 8 microphonesActive NC, up to 1.5x the previous generation
CodecsSBC, AAC, LDAC for hi-res wirelessBluetooth 5.3, AAC-focused for Apple devices
MultipointYes, two devices at onceSeamless switching across Apple devices signed into one account
Ecosystem featuresAlexa, Google Assistant and Siri; works with Android and iOSSpatial Audio with head tracking, Adaptive EQ, Find My, tight iPhone/Mac/iPad integration
WeightAbout 0.55 lb (listed shipping weight 2.1 lb)About 0.85 lb (listed shipping weight 3.4 lb)
Wired input3.5 mm AUX jack plus included cableUSB-C charging cable only

Price history

$449.99$90.00
Oct 28Nov 5
  • Sony WH-1000XM5: lowest $90.00 on Oct 28; $159.99 on Nov 5.
  • Apple AirPods Max 2: lowest $347.00 on Nov 4 at vipoutlet.com; $424.00 on Nov 5.

Prices at every store

Sony WH-1000XM5

  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $199.99Observed at 4:47 PM
    Visit store
  • SonyNew

    In stock

    $199.99Observed at 4:47 PM
    Visit store
  • Swiftronics USANew

    In stockReturn policy

    $209.99Observed at 8:44 AM
    Visit store
  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $288.00Observed at 4:47 PM
    Visit store

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • Rally HouseCheck price at Rally House
  • VerizonCheck price at Verizon
All 10 stores and price history →

Apple AirPods Max 2

  • WalmartNew

    In stock

    $424.00Free shippingObserved at 4:34 PM
    Visit store
  • Best BuyNew

    In stock

    $495.00Free shippingObserved at 4:34 PM
    Visit store
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownSold by profitlpmg (99.7% positive, 4,100 ratings)Returns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $399.89Free shippingVerified
    Visit store
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $449.99Free shippingObserved at 7:43 AM
    Visit store

Also available at

  • WalmartCheck price at Walmart
  • Micro CenterCheck price at Micro Center
  • TargetCheck price at Target
All 6 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecSony WH-1000XM5Apple AirPods Max 2
colorBlackBlue
Noise CancelingYesYes
With MicrophoneYesYes
StyleOn-earOn-ear
Wireless TypeBluetoothBluetooth
Over-EarYesYes
Assistant SupportGoogle Assistant, Amazon AlexaSiri
Height10.36″ tall7.4″ tall
Battery life32 h20 h
Headphone styleOver-EarOver-Ear
Noise control technologyAdaptive Noise CancellationActive Noise Cancellation
WirelessYY
Show all 40 specsShow fewer specs
SpecSony WH-1000XM5Apple AirPods Max 2
Wireless technologyBluetoothBluetooth
BrandSonyApple
Rec. useCasual Listening, Classroom, SportsCasual Listening, Classroom
Works withMobile Phones, ComputersiPhone
Assembled product weight2.1 lb3.4 lb
AccessoriesHeadphone CableUSB-C Charging Cable
Battery consumption typeIntegrated Rechargeable BatteryIntegrated Rechargeable Battery
Power typeBatteryBattery
Virtual assistantAlexa, Google Assistant, SiriSiri

What reviewers say

Sony WH-1000XM5

Reviewers consistently praise the sound quality, comfort and microphone performance. Owners rate the noise cancellation among the best in the class. Some miss the folding design of the previous model.

What people mention
  • Sound qualityPraisedReviewers call the tuning balanced with clear vocals and controlled bass.
  • ComfortPraisedOwners say the soft ear cushions stay comfortable over long sessions.
  • Noise cancellationPraisedUsers rate the adaptive ANC among the best available.
  • Call qualityPraisedMicrophone performance is repeatedly called clear in noisy places.

Apple AirPods Max 2

  • 4.3 / 51,263 ratings

Reviewers rate the AirPods Max 2 highly at 4.3 out of 5 from 1,263 ratings. They call them the best over-ear headphones for iPhone users and praise how well they fit into the Apple ecosystem, though some note the outside design has barely changed from the original.

Pros
  • Best over-ear headphones for iPhone users
  • Fits snugly into the Apple device ecosystem
  • Works well for gaming and professional audio on Mac and iPad
  • Good for private Apple TV watching
Cons
  • Little change on the outside compared with the original AirPods Max
  • Battery life shorter than some rivals
Reviews
  • Best Wireless Headphones 2026: Go wire-free with these top performers
  • The best wireless headphones of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed - ZDNET
  • Best Over-Ear Headphones 2026: The best wired and wireless pairs
  • Sony WH-1000XM5 review
  • Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
  • Best Multipoint Bluetooth Headphones and Earbuds for 2026 - CNET

Questions and answers

Which has better noise cancellation?
Both are top-tier. Sony uses two processors and eight microphones with Adaptive Sound Control; Apple claims up to 1.5x the ANC of the original AirPods Max. Try both on a commute if you can, since fit changes results.
Is the AirPods Max 2 worth the extra money?
Only if you use Apple devices daily. At $399.89 versus $159.99, you pay for Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ and seamless switching, not for longer battery or a wired option.
Which lasts longer on a charge?
The Sony. It is rated up to 30 hours; the AirPods Max 2 is rated up to 20 hours. The Sony also has quick charging.
Which is better for Android phones?
The Sony. It supports LDAC, multipoint and Google Assistant, and pairs fully with Android. The AirPods Max 2 is built around iPhone and Mac features.
Which is better for calls?
The Sony has eight microphones for voice pickup and is widely praised for call clarity. The AirPods Max 2 handles calls well inside the Apple ecosystem, but the Sony is the safer pick across devices.
Can I use the AirPods Max 2 wired?
Only for charging over USB-C; there is no 3.5 mm jack. The Sony includes a 3.5 mm cable and AUX input for wired listening.

More comparisons

  • Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sony WH-1000XM5
  • Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max 2
  • Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sony WH-1000XM5
  • MOMENTUM 4 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM5
  • Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Apple AirPods Max 2
  • Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser HDB 630
  • Apple AirPods Max 2 vs Apple AirPods 5
  • Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Noise Wireless Cancelling Headphones

Buying guides that pick them

  • Best wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones
  • Best over-ear headphones
  • Best cheap wireless over-ear headphones
  • Best noise cancelling headphones for interpreters
  • Best cheap wireless headphones
Ear pad materialLeatherPost-consumer recycled polyester (in the ear cu…
Cord length3.94 ft3 ft
MaterialFoamMemory Foam
Headphone typeHeadphonesHeadphones
Model nameWH1000XM5/BAirPods Max 2
Bluetooth® versionBluetooth Specification Version 5.25.0
FeaturesBuilt-in Microphone, Lightweight, Voice-Activat…Built-in Microphone
Width8.4″ wide6.6″ wide
Actual ColorBlackStarlight
Driver30mm dynamic—
Bluetooth5.2, SBC, AAC, LDAC, Multipoint—
Max Battery Life30 hours—
In/Out typeWireless—
Inputs/OutputsInputs - 3.5 mm AUX Jack—
Compatible smart control systemsAlexa, Google Assistant, Siri—
Maximum transmission range32.8 ft—
Video game platformMobile—
ModelWH1000XM5/S—
Age groupAdult, Teen—
  • Best wireless noise-cancelling over-ear headphones under $300
  • Best Beats over-ear headphones
  • Best wireless headphones with long battery life