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AirPods Max — Over-ear · 2020
Apple

AirPods Max

Over-ear · 2020

88
/ 100
From $549
VS
AirPods Max wins by 2
Sony WH-1000XM3 — Over-ear · 2018
Sony

Sony WH-1000XM3

Over-ear · 2018

86
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

AirPods Max takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, AirPods Max lands at 88 and Sony WH-1000XM3 at 86. That puts AirPods Max 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 Sony WH-1000XM3 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

AirPods Max

Tuning, detail, and staging

AirPods Max leads on sound (88 vs 86).

Noise cancelling

AirPods Max

ANC strength for commute and travel

AirPods Max leads on anc (86 vs 84).

Comfort

AirPods Max

Long-session wearability

AirPods Max leads on comfort (87 vs 85).

Value for money

Sony WH-1000XM3

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Sony WH-1000XM3 more score per dollar ($349 vs $549).

AirPods Max 88
vs
86 Sony WH-1000XM3

Score breakdown

AirPods Max
88
anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Sony WH-1000XM3
86
anc 84
sound 86
comfort 85
battery 82
features 82

Specs side-by-side

AirPods Max versus Sony WH-1000XM3 — full spec comparison
Spec AirPods Max Sony WH-1000XM3
Type
Over-ear
Over-ear
Release year
2020
2018

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

Sony WH-1000XM3

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 Sony WH-1000XM3

Which is better, AirPods Max or Sony WH-1000XM3? +

AirPods Max scores 88 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 Sony WH-1000XM3 worth the price? +

At $349, Sony WH-1000XM3 delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in sound.

Does AirPods Max or Sony WH-1000XM3 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 Sony WH-1000XM3? +

AirPods Max — leads on sound (88 vs 86). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, AirPods Max or Sony WH-1000XM3? +

AirPods Max — leads on anc (86 vs 84). ANC strength for commute and travel.