Bose
Bose QC45 · Midnight Black
Over-ear · 2021
88
/ 100
From $329
VS
Apple
AirPods Max (USB-C)
H1 · Spatial Audio · Dynamic Head Tracking
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 (USB-C) 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 (USB-C) if…
- ✓Premium aluminum build
- ✓Seamless Apple integration
- ✓Head-tracked spatial audio
Bose QC45 · Midnight Black 88
vs 88 AirPods Max (USB-C)
Score breakdown
Bose QC45 · Midnight Black
88 anc 86
sound 88
comfort 87
battery 82
features 84
AirPods Max (USB-C)
88 anc 92
sound 92
comfort 82
battery 82
features 86
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC45 · Midnight Black | AirPods Max (USB-C) |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | — |
| Release year | 2021 | — |
| Driver | — | 40 mm dynamic |
| Codecs | — | AAC, SBC |
| Battery | — | 20 h |
| Weight | — | 384 g |
| Connectivity | — | BT 5.0, USB-C lossless |
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 (USB-C)
Pros
- +Premium aluminum build
- +Seamless Apple integration
- +Head-tracked spatial audio
Cons
- −Still uses H1 (not H2)
- −Heavy at 384 g
- −No power button / auto-pause
FAQ: Bose QC45 · Midnight Black vs AirPods Max (USB-C)
Which is better, Bose QC45 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +
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 (USB-C) worth the price? +
At $549, AirPods Max (USB-C) delivers a Specdex score of 88 — strongest in anc.
Does Bose QC45 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max (USB-C) 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.