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AirPods Max — Over-ear · 2020
Apple

AirPods Max

Over-ear · 2020

88
/ 100
From $549
VS
Bose QuietComfort Headphones wins by 2
Bose QuietComfort Headphones — Over-ear · 2023
Bose

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Over-ear · 2023

90
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Bose QuietComfort Headphones takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Max lands at 88 and Bose QuietComfort Headphones at 90. That puts Bose QuietComfort Headphones ahead by 2 points — a narrow margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick AirPods Max if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)

Pick Bose QuietComfort Headphones if…

  • ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • ✓Premium build
  • ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Sound quality

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Tuning, detail, and staging

Bose QuietComfort Headphones leads on sound (90 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

ANC strength for commute and travel

Bose QuietComfort Headphones leads on anc (88 vs 86).

Comfort

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Long-session wearability

Bose QuietComfort Headphones leads on comfort (89 vs 87).

Value for money

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QuietComfort Headphones more score per dollar ($349 vs $549).

AirPods Max 88
vs
90 Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Score breakdown

AirPods Max
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
90
anc 88
sound 90
comfort 89
battery 82
features 86

Specs side-by-side

AirPods Max versus Bose QuietComfort Headphones — full spec comparison
Spec AirPods Max Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2020
2023

AirPods Max

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Pros
  • +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
  • +Premium build
  • +Active noise cancellation (most models)
Cons
  • −Battery varies by codec
  • −Some are Bluetooth-only
  • −Price creep vs previous gen

FAQ: AirPods Max vs Bose QuietComfort Headphones

Which is better, AirPods Max or Bose QuietComfort Headphones? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 2. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is AirPods Max worth the price? +

At $549, AirPods Max delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.

Is Bose QuietComfort Headphones worth the price? +

At $349, Bose QuietComfort Headphones delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in sound.

Does AirPods Max or Bose QuietComfort Headphones last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for sound quality, AirPods Max or Bose QuietComfort Headphones? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones — leads on sound (90 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, AirPods Max or Bose QuietComfort Headphones? +

Bose QuietComfort Headphones — leads on anc (88 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.