Bose
Bose QC45 · Midnight Black
Over-ear · 2021
88
/ 100
From $329
VS
Apple
AirPods Max
Over-ear · 2020
88
/ 100
From $549
Specdex verdict
Dead heat — it comes down to priorities.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC45 · Midnight Black lands at 88 and AirPods Max at 88. With scores tied, the decision hinges on which sub-scores matter most to you.
Pick Bose QC45 · Midnight Black if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick AirPods Max if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Bose QC45 · Midnight Black 88
vs 88 AirPods Max
Score breakdown
Bose QC45 · Midnight Black
88 anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
AirPods Max
88 anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC45 · Midnight Black | AirPods Max |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Release year | 2021 | 2020 |
Bose QC45 · Midnight Black
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
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
FAQ: Bose QC45 · Midnight Black vs AirPods Max
Which is better, Bose QC45 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max? +
Both score 88 on our weighted rubric — tied. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QC45 · Midnight Black worth the price? +
At $329, Bose QC45 · Midnight Black delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Is AirPods Max worth the price? +
At $549, AirPods Max delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in sound.
Does Bose QC45 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max 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.