✦ SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARE

AirPods Max vs QuietComfort Ultra: which is better?

AirPods Max and QuietComfort Ultra compared side by side across 73 specs and 6 scored categories — every winner highlighted, so the right pick is obvious.

2 PRODUCTS · 73 SPECS · 6 SCORED CATEGORIES · LIVE RE-RANKING

COMPARING

2 / 4

HEADPHONES

Add or remove products — every chart and spec row re-ranks live.

APPLE

AirPods Max

$549

STRONG CONTENDER

← TOP PICK

BOSE

QuietComfort Ultra

$429

BEST OVERALL

Add product

2 AVAILABLE

⚡ COMPARZONE VERDICT

The QuietComfort Ultra takes the overall win.

Highest composite at 8.9/10 — 0.4 ahead of the AirPods Max. Tightest race: features, just 0.1 apart. Scroll for the category-by-category breakdown.

View best price →

CATEGORY WINS · 6 SCOREDTIES SHOWN GREY

SOUN

NOIS

COMF

BATT

FEAT

VALU

AirPods Max×0

QuietComfort Ultra×6

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)STRONG CONTENDER

Bose QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesBEST OVERALL

01 · SCORE RADAR

Performance profile

CLICK A PRODUCT TO ISOLATE ITS SHAPE

LARGEST GAPComfort — QuietComfort Ultra leads by 1.3

TIGHTESTFeatures — only 0.1 between the top two

02 · CATEGORY BREAKDOWN

Category showdown

AIRPODS MAQUIETCOMFO

SoundiQuietComfort Ultra · +0.2

AIRPODS MA8.8

QUIETCOMFO9.0

Noise CancellingiQuietComfort Ultra · +0.3

AIRPODS MA9.0

QUIETCOMFO9.3

ComfortiQuietComfort Ultra · +1.3

AIRPODS MA8.2

QUIETCOMFO9.5

BatteryiQuietComfort Ultra · +0.3

AIRPODS MA7.9

QUIETCOMFO8.2

FeaturesiQuietComfort Ultra · +0.1

AIRPODS MA8.7

QUIETCOMFO8.8

ValueiQuietComfort Ultra · +0.9

AIRPODS MA7.4

QUIETCOMFO8.3

03 · VALUE MAP

Price vs performance

TOP-LEFT IS THE SWEET SPOT

SCORE PER $100 · RANKED

01QuietComfort Ultra2.07BEST DEAL

02AirPods Max1.55

Map shows current starting prices · trends show tracked street prices. Check live deals before deciding.

04 · THE FULL SHEET

Full specifications

73 SPECS · ALL SHOWN

SPECS

AirPods Max$5492W8.5

QuietComfort Ultra$4293W8.9

TypeiSAME

Over-ear closed-back

Driver SizeMMi

40 mm← BEST +14%

35 mm

Frequency Responsei

Apple-tuned dynamic

Tuned, undisclosed

Codec Supporti

AAC / SBC / USB-C lossless

aptX Adaptive / AAC / SBC

Hi-Res AudioiSAME

Yes

Spatial AudioiSAME

Yes

Battery Life (ANC)HRi

20 hr

24 hr← BEST +20%

Quick Chargei

5 min = 1.5 hours

15 min = 2.5 hours

Has A WirediSAME

—

Has A WirelessiSAME

—

Bluetooth VersioniSAME

—

Has Aptx AdaptiveiSAME

—

Has AptxiSAME

—

Has LdaciSAME

—

Has LdhciSAME

—

Has Bluetooth Le AudioiSAME

—

Has Aptx Low LatencyiSAME

—

Has Aptx HdiSAME

—

Has Aptx LosslessiSAME

—

Has AaciSAME

—

Has AuracastiSAME

—

Audio LatencyiSAME

—

Maximum Bluetooth RangeMiSAME

—

Has Fast PairingiSAME

—

Supports Bluetooth Pairing Using NfciSAME

—

Multipointi

Yes← BEST

FitiSAME

—

Has A Detachable CableiSAME

—

Is Designed for KidsiSAME

—

Can be FoldediSAME

—

Has a Tangle Free CableiSAME

—

Travel Bag is IncludediSAME

—

Has an Open-Back DesigniSAME

—

Cable LengthMiSAME

—

Has Stereo SpeakersiSAME

—

WeightGi

385 g

254 g← 34% lighter

Water Resistancei

None

IPX4

Build QualityiSAME

—

Sound QualityiSAME

—

Release DateiSAME

—

Has A Noise-Canceling MicrophoneiSAME

—

Has Ambient Sound ModeiSAME

—

Has In/On-Ear DetectioniSAME

—

Number Of MicrophonesiSAME

—

Has A Mute FunctioniSAME

—

Multipoint CountiSAME

—

Has A Control Panel On The DeviceiSAME

—

Can Be Used As A HeadsetiSAME

—

Has An In-Line Control PaneliSAME

—

Value-for-MoneyiSAME

—

Warranty PeriodYEARSiSAME

—

Noise IsolationiSAME

—

ComfortiSAME

—

Active Noise CancellationiSAME

Yes

ANC Microphonesi

9← BEST +50%

Battery LifeHOURSiSAME

—

Charge TimeiSAME

—

Has Usb Type-CiSAME

—

Has A Battery Level IndicatoriSAME

—

Has Wireless ChargingiSAME

—

Battery PoweriSAME

—

Has A Solar Power BatteryiSAME

—

Has A Rechargeable BatteryiSAME

—

Has A Removable BatteryiSAME

—

Has Active Noise Cancellation (Anc)iSAME

—

Lowest FrequencyHZiSAME

—

Highest FrequencyHZiSAME

—

Driver Unit SizeMMiSAME

—

ImpedanceOHMSiSAME

—

Supports Spatial AudioiSAME

—

Sound Pressure LevelDB/MWiSAME

—

Has A Neodymium MagnetiSAME

—

Has Passive Noise ReductioniSAME

—

ROW WINS

05 · WHICH ONE IS FOR YOU

Pick by persona

RE-RANKS LIVE AS YOU ADD OR REMOVE PRODUCTS

THE ALL-ROUNDER

Best overall

QuietComfort UltraBOSE8.9

ALL GROUPSEQUAL WEIGHT

Best total score across weighted category factors.

RUNNER-UP · AirPods Max (8.5)

FOR VALUE SEEKERS

Best bang for buck

QuietComfort UltraBOSE8.9

SCORE ÷ PRICELIVE PRICES

Strongest score-to-price ratio from the available price data.

RUNNER-UP · AirPods Max (1.5)

PRIORITY · COMFORT

Best for comfort

QuietComfort UltraBOSE9.5

COMFORT WEIGHTEDCONF 91%

Best visible score in the comfort category group.

RUNNER-UP · AirPods Max (8.2)

PRIORITY · VALUE

Best for value

QuietComfort UltraBOSE8.3

VALUE WEIGHTEDCONF 80%

Best visible score in the value category group.

RUNNER-UP · AirPods Max (7.4)

06 · BOTTOM LINE

Why pick each

STRENGTHS · AND ONE HONEST TRADE-OFF

#2APPLE0.0

AirPods Max

“Premium machined over-ears with seamless Apple integration, strong ANC, and excellent spatial audio.”

Noise Cancelling 9.0

Sound 8.8

Wins Active Noise Cancellation

Wins ANC Microphones

TRADE-OFFHeavy at 385g

STRONG CONTENDERBest price →

#1BOSE0.0

QuietComfort Ultra

“The comfort-and-immersion pick: plush all-day fit, excellent ANC, and Bose Immersive spatial audio.”

Comfort 9.5

Noise Cancelling 9.3

Wins Battery Life (ANC)

Wins Multipoint

TRADE-OFF24-hour battery trails rivals

BEST OVERALLBest price →

Still deciding? The QuietComfort Ultra is the safest pick.

COMPOSITE 8.9/10 · WINS 6 OF 6 CATEGORIES

Buy the winner →

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: which is better?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones is our overall pick, scoring 8.9/10 against 8.5/10 for the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) — a 5% edge. Current starting prices span $429–$549. The score weighs category-specific headphones attributes, spec wins, price signals, and data confidence — not sponsorships.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones leads overall with a 8.9 total score.
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) wins 5 comparable specs with a 7% weighted win rate.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones has the strongest high-impact advantage in Battery Life (ANC).
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones has the best visible score-to-price balance based on available starting price.

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)8.5/10

Premium machined over-ears with seamless Apple integration, strong ANC, and excellent spatial audio.

Pros

+ Premium machined aluminum build
+ Seamless Apple ecosystem pairing
+ Excellent head-tracked spatial audio
+ Strong ANC

Cons

− Heavy at 385g
− Very expensive
− Awkward Smart Case

Best for: Apple ecosystem users · Spatial audio fans · Premium build seekers

“The best pick for committed Apple users who want premium materials and seamless spatial audio. Weight, price, and the awkward case are the downsides.”

Bose QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesWINNER 8.9/10

The comfort-and-immersion pick: plush all-day fit, excellent ANC, and Bose Immersive spatial audio.

Pros

+ Best-in-class comfort
+ Excellent noise cancellation
+ Immersive spatial audio
+ Folds at the hinge for travel

Cons

− 24-hour battery trails rivals
− Expensive
− Immersive mode reduces battery

Best for: Long listening sessions · Comfort-first buyers · Spatial audio fans

“The most comfortable premium ANC headphone with excellent noise cancelling and engaging spatial audio. Battery life trails Sony and the price is high.”

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

By ComparZone's weighted scoring of category-specific headphones specs, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones scores highest overall (8.9/10, 0.4 points ahead of the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)). It is the better all-round pick, but the right choice depends on your priorities — the spec table above shows exactly where each one wins.

What are the main differences between Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

The biggest measurable differences are Battery Life (ANC), Codec Support, Frequency Response — with the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones leading on Battery Life (ANC). The grouped spec sheet above marks the winner of every comparable spec.

Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones better value than the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones starts around $429 and the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) around $549. Weigh the score gap against the price gap: a small score lead rarely justifies a large premium unless it comes from the specs you personally care about.

Can I compare other headphones on ComparZone?

Yes — ComparZone supports dynamic comparison pages for any 2 to 4 headphones from the same category, with verified specs, transparent scores, and live prices. See the related comparisons below or build your own from the category page.

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