Skip to content
Specdex
Compare now
Bose QC45 · Midnight Black — Over-ear · 2021
Bose

Bose QC45 · Midnight Black

Over-ear · 2021

88
/ 100
From $329
VS
AirPods Max (USB-C) — H1 · Spatial Audio · Dynamic Head Tracking
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
Share this comparison: Share to Reddit X / Twitter

Winner by scenario

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

Sound quality

AirPods Max (USB-C)

Tuning, detail, and staging

AirPods Max (USB-C) leads on sound (92 vs 88).

Noise cancelling

AirPods Max (USB-C)

ANC strength for commute and travel

AirPods Max (USB-C) leads on anc (92 vs 86).

Comfort

Bose QC45 · Midnight Black

Long-session wearability

Bose QC45 · Midnight Black leads on comfort (87 vs 82).

Value for money

Bose QC45 · Midnight Black

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Bose QC45 · Midnight Black more score per dollar ($329 vs $549).

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

Bose QC45 · Midnight Black versus AirPods Max (USB-C) — full spec comparison
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.

Which is better for sound quality, Bose QC45 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +

AirPods Max (USB-C) — leads on sound (92 vs 88). Tuning, detail, and staging.

Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC45 · Midnight Black or AirPods Max (USB-C)? +

AirPods Max (USB-C) — leads on anc (92 vs 86). ANC strength for commute and travel.