Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max 2
Get the XM5. Great quiet, longer battery, lighter on your head, for a fraction of the price. The AirPods Max 2 are gorgeous, but they're heavy, don't fold and lose half their tricks on Android.
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Which one is for you?
Sony XM5
Great noise cancelling for much less, any phone, long listening sessions? Then it's the XM5.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM5 worth it?AirPods Max 2
Deep in Apple's world and you want the most premium build? The AirPods Max 2.
Is the Apple AirPods Max 2 worth it?Key differences
Battery
Weight
Apple features
Android
What owners say
Verified buyers only; every 1–3 star review read by us. How we do this
Sony XM5
Owners love the noise cancelling, the sound and the comfort. The main complaint is noise cancelling that falls short of the hype, and the plastic hinge cracking comes up again and again.
- Excellent noise cancelling
- Great sound
- Comfortable for long wear
- Unreliable Bluetooth, random pauses or switching off, touch controls misfiring
- The hinge or headband joint cracked or snapped
AirPods Max 2
Owners love the sound, the noise cancelling and the premium build. Complaints are rare.
- Great, clear sound
- Excellent noise cancelling
- Premium build and feel
- Not worth the price, or over the first model
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How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, manufacturer specifications.
Owner reports for the Sony XM5: 2,044 verified buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US), LDLC (France) and Takealot (South Africa), read October 2026.
Owner reports for the AirPods Max 2: 98 verified buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US), Otto (Germany), LDLC (France), Harvey Norman (NZ, Australia), Takealot (South Africa), Boulanger (France) and Costco (Canada), read November 2026.