Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
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Quick take: The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) costs $81 less; the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) lasts longer per charge (30 hrs); only the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) supports multipoint (two devices at once).
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $369 | $450 |
| Rating | 4.5★ (1,500) | 4.6★ (4,500) |
| Type | Over-Ear Headphones | Over-Ear Headphones |
| Noise Cancelling | Adaptive ANC | ANC |
| Battery (single charge) | 30 hrs | 20 hrs |
| Battery (with case) | — | — |
| Quick Charge | 15 min = 3 hrs | 5 min = 1.5 hrs |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 | 5.0 |
| Multipoint | Yes | No |
| Driver Size | — | 40 mm |
| Weight | 250 g | 385 g |
| Water Resistance | — | — |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial Audio | Yes | Yes |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
Pros & cons
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
- ✓Airplane-drone cancellation many owners still rank above Sony's XM6
- ✓Battery finally hits 30 hours, up from gen one's 24
- ✓USB-C lossless audio added in this refresh
- ✓CustomTune recalibrates ANC to your ears every wear
- ✓Immersive Audio is genuinely convincing spatial sound
- ✓aptX Adaptive and Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint
- ✗No true ANC-off mode — always Aware or Quiet processing
- ✗Bose app is the flakiest of the big three
- ✗Occasional firmware-update drama reported by owners
- ✗Mostly plastic build undercuts the $369-449 price
- ✗Bass tuned politely next to Sony's XM6
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
- ✓Best transparency mode ever shipped on headphones
- ✓Aluminum-and-knit build feels genuinely luxurious
- ✓Seamless auto-switching across Apple devices
- ✓Lossless 24-bit/48kHz wired audio via USB-C firmware update
- ✓Personalized Spatial Audio head tracking is magic
- ✓5-minute charge buys 1.5 hours
- ✗385 grams is genuinely heavy for long sessions
- ✗No power button — just the ridiculed Smart Case
- ✗Condensation inside cups has killed drivers out of warranty
- ✗20-hour battery is worst in the flagship class
- ✗No app EQ, and Android loses nearly everything