AirPods Max 2
92/100 editorial
US launch / reference: $549
Manufacturer source ↗AirPods Max 2 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra
The overall editorial ratings are effectively tied. Your priorities and current prices can change the better choice.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
93/100 editorial
US launch / reference: $429
Manufacturer source ↗Start with the tradeoffs
Consider AirPods Max 2 for
- Up to 1.5× more effective ANC vs original AirPods Max
- 24-bit / 48 kHz lossless audio over included USB-C cable
- H2 enables Adaptive Audio, Voice Isolation, Live Translation
Tradeoff: Same $549 price with no battery-life increase
Consider Bose QuietComfort Ultra for
- Best comfort in class
- Excellent ANC
- Immersive Audio spatial feature
Tradeoff: Bose app fiddly
Scores and judgments are editorial. Specdex does not run an in-house benchmark lab. Manufacturer claims and independent measurements may use different test conditions.
Editorial fit by scenario
Sound quality
Effectively tied
neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead
Based on available shared editorial ratings.
Noise cancelling
Effectively tied
neither pulls a 2-point weighted lead
Based on available shared editorial ratings.
Comfort
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
leads on comfort (98 vs 90)
Based on available shared editorial ratings.
Specifications side by side
Arrows indicate a higher capacity, higher power rating, or lower weight/time for comparable simple quantities. They do not establish overall product quality. Unknown values remain unavailable.
| Specification | AirPods Max 2 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra |
|---|---|---|
| Chip | Apple H2 headphone chip | Not documented |
| ANC | Up to 1.5× more effective vs original | Not documented |
| Audio | 24-bit / 48 kHz lossless (USB-C wired) | Not documented |
| Amplifier | High dynamic range | Not documented |
| Battery | Up to 20 hours with ANC | 24 h (Immersive Audio off) / 18 h (on) |
| Charging port | USB-C | Not documented |
| Spatial audio | Personalized with dynamic head tracking | Not documented |
| Colors | Midnight / Starlight / Orange / Purple / Blue | Not documented |
| Features | Adaptive Audio + Voice Isolation + Live Translation | Not documented |
| Driver | Not documented | 35 mm dynamic |
| Weight | Not documented | 253 g |
| Codecs | Not documented | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive |
Inspect the shared editorial ratings
Missing criteria are excluded from pairwise scenarios. A difference below two points is treated as a tie. These are not raw benchmarks.
- anc
- 95 / 96
- sound
- 93 / 92
- comfort
- 90 / 98
- battery
- 84 / 86
- features
- 94 / 90
AirPods Max 2
Prices & availability
US launch / reference: $549. This is not a current retailer offer.
Checking current offers…
Price history
History appears when an approved retailer provides observations.
Prices apply to the listed configuration and condition. Tax and shipping are not included unless the retailer states otherwise.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Prices & availability
US launch / reference: $429. This is not a current retailer offer.
Checking current offers…
Price history
History appears when an approved retailer provides observations.
Prices apply to the listed configuration and condition. Tax and shipping are not included unless the retailer states otherwise.