Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Apple AirPods Max 2
Get the Bose QC Ultra 2. Unless you're all-in on Apple and want the most premium build — then the AirPods Max 2.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
The comfiest headphones here, with noise cancelling as strong as any. Sound trails the Sony a little.
Apple AirPods Max 2
Beautifully made, smooth-sounding and seamless with an iPhone. Heavy, and the battery is short.
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Both cancel noise among the best you can buy. The Bose are far lighter on the head, fold into a compact case and last about 30 hours, for less; the AirPods Max 2 are beautifully made and seamless with an iPhone, but heavy, with about 20 hours of battery.
- —You fly a lot or wear them all day.
- —You use Android, or a mix of devices.
- —You want them to fold small for a bag.
- —You use an iPhone and other Apple devices.
- —You want the most premium build.
- —You'd use spatial audio for films.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Superb noise cancelling
- +Light and very comfortable for hours
- +Lossless audio over USB-C
- −A 2026 update removed the button shortcuts for switching devices and checking battery.
- −Wired listening still needs battery, and the mic is off over the cable.
- −No water resistance.
- +Seamless with iPhone, iPad and Mac
- +Superb build and transparency mode
- +Strong noise cancelling
- −At 386g they get heavy and press on the ears over a long session.
- −They don't fold, and the case covers only part of them.
- −Only SBC and AAC over Bluetooth; lossless needs the USB-C cable.
Ready to choose?
- Is the Bose QC Ultra 2 worth it?
- Is the AirPods Max 2 worth it?
- Sony XM6 vs Bose QC Ultra 2
- Sony XM6 vs AirPods Max 2
- Sony XM6 vs Momentum 5
- Sony XM6 vs Soundcore Space 2
- Best headphones
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.