✦ SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARE

AirPods Max vs WH-1000XM4 vs WH-1000XM5: which is better?

AirPods Max, WH-1000XM4 and WH-1000XM5 compared side by side across 73 specs and 9 scored categories — every winner highlighted, so the right pick is obvious.

3 PRODUCTS · 73 SPECS · 9 SCORED CATEGORIES · LIVE RE-RANKING

COMPARING

3 / 4

HEADPHONES

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

APPLE

AirPods Max

$549

STRONG CONTENDER

SONY

WH-1000XM4

$348

BEST VALUE

← TOP PICK

SONY

WH-1000XM5

$399

BEST OVERALL

Add product

1 AVAILABLE

⚡ COMPARZONE VERDICT

The WH-1000XM5 takes the overall win.

Highest composite at 9.0/10 — 0.3 ahead of the WH-1000XM4. Tightest race: comfort, just 0.3 apart. Scroll for the category-by-category breakdown.

View best price →

CATEGORY WINS · 9 SCOREDTIES SHOWN GREY

SOUN

NOIS

COMF

BATT

FEAT

VALU

SOUN

NOIS

BATT

AirPods Max×0

WH-1000XM4×4

WH-1000XM5×5

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)STRONG CONTENDER

Sony WH-1000XM4BEST VALUE

Sony WH-1000XM5BEST OVERALL

01 · SCORE RADAR

Performance profile

CLICK A PRODUCT TO ISOLATE ITS SHAPE

LARGEST GAPNoise Cancellation — WH-1000XM4 leads by 9.0

TIGHTESTComfort — only 0.3 between the top two

02 · CATEGORY BREAKDOWN

Category showdown

AIRPODS MAWH 1000XM4WH 1000XM5

SoundiWH-1000XM5 · +0.4

AIRPODS MA8.8

WH 1000XM40.0

WH 1000XM59.2

Noise CancellingiWH-1000XM5 · +0.5

AIRPODS MA9.0

WH 1000XM40.0

WH 1000XM59.5

ComfortiWH-1000XM5 · +0.3

AIRPODS MA8.2

WH 1000XM48.7

WH 1000XM59.0

BatteryiWH-1000XM5 · +1.2

AIRPODS MA7.9

WH 1000XM40.0

WH 1000XM59.1

FeaturesiWH-1000XM5 · +0.5

AIRPODS MA8.7

WH 1000XM48.8

WH 1000XM59.3

ValueiWH-1000XM4 · +0.7

AIRPODS MA7.4

WH 1000XM49.2

WH 1000XM58.5

Sound QualityiWH-1000XM4 · +8.6

AIRPODS MA0.0

WH 1000XM48.6

WH 1000XM50.0

Noise CancellationiWH-1000XM4 · +9.0

AIRPODS MA0.0

WH 1000XM49.0

WH 1000XM50.0

Battery LifeiWH-1000XM4 · +8.5

AIRPODS MA0.0

WH 1000XM48.5

WH 1000XM50.0

03 · VALUE MAP

Price vs performance

TOP-LEFT IS THE SWEET SPOT

SCORE PER $100 · RANKED

01WH-1000XM42.50BEST DEAL

02WH-1000XM52.26

03AirPods 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

WH-1000XM4$3483W8.7

WH-1000XM5$3992W9.0

Typei

Over-ear closed-back

Over-ear

Over-ear closed-back

Driver SizeMMi

40 mm← TIED BEST

30 mm

Frequency Responsei

Apple-tuned dynamic

4 Hz - 40 kHz

4 Hz – 40 kHz

Codec Supporti

AAC / SBC / USB-C lossless

SBC, AAC, LDAC

LDAC / AAC / SBC

Hi-Res AudioiSAME

Yes

Spatial AudioiSAME

Yes

Battery Life (ANC)HRi

20 hr

30 hr← TIED BEST

Quick Chargei

5 min = 1.5 hours

10 min = 5 hours

3 min = 3 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

Yes

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

250 g← 2% lighter

Water ResistanceiSAME

None

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 +13%

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

WH-1000XM5SONY9.0

ALL GROUPSEQUAL WEIGHT

Best total score across weighted category factors.

RUNNER-UP · WH-1000XM4 (8.7)

FOR VALUE SEEKERS

Best bang for buck

WH-1000XM4SONY8.7

SCORE ÷ PRICELIVE PRICES

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

RUNNER-UP · WH-1000XM5 (2.3)

PRIORITY · NOISE CANCELLATION

Best for noise cancellation

WH-1000XM4SONY9.0

NOISE CANCELLATION WEIGHTEDCONF 86%

Best visible score in the noise cancellation category group.

RUNNER-UP · AirPods Max (0.0)

PRIORITY · SOUND QUALITY

Best for sound quality

WH-1000XM4SONY8.6

SOUND QUALITY WEIGHTEDCONF 83%

Best visible score in the sound quality category group.

RUNNER-UP · AirPods Max (0.0)

06 · BOTTOM LINE

Why pick each

STRENGTHS · AND ONE HONEST TRADE-OFF

#3APPLE0.0

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 →

#2SONY0.0

WH-1000XM4

“The still-excellent previous-gen Sony flagship, offering top-tier ANC and smart features at a now-mid-tier price.”

Value 9.2

Noise Cancellation 9.0

Wins Battery Life (ANC)

Wins Multipoint

TRADE-OFFCall quality trails the newer XM5

BEST VALUEBest price →

#1SONY0.0

WH-1000XM5

“The all-round ANC benchmark: class-leading noise cancelling, rich tunable sound, and excellent call clarity.”

Noise Cancelling 9.5

Features 9.3

Wins Weight

TRADE-OFFNo longer folds flat

BEST OVERALLBest price →

Still deciding? The WH-1000XM5 is the safest pick.

COMPOSITE 9.0/10 · WINS 5 OF 9 CATEGORIES

Buy the winner →

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) vs Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sony WH-1000XM5: which is best?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is our overall pick, scoring 9.0/10 against 8.7/10 for the Sony WH-1000XM4 — a 3% edge. Current starting prices span $348–$549. The score weighs category-specific headphones attributes, spec wins, price signals, and data confidence — not sponsorships.

Sony WH-1000XM5 leads overall with a 9.0 total score.
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) wins 5 comparable specs with a 7% weighted win rate.
Sony WH-1000XM4 has the strongest high-impact advantage in Battery Life (ANC).
Sony WH-1000XM4 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.”

Sony WH-1000XM48.7/10

The still-excellent previous-gen Sony flagship, offering top-tier ANC and smart features at a now-mid-tier price.

Pros

+ Excellent, class-leading-for-its-era ANC
+ Folds flat for compact travel
+ Rich feature set with Speak-to-Chat and adaptive control
+ Great value at current discounted prices

Cons

− Call quality trails the newer XM5
− No aptX support, LDAC only on Android
− Touch controls less reliable in cold weather

Best for: Bargain hunters wanting flagship ANC · Travelers who need foldable headphones · Android users who want LDAC

“The XM4 is one of the best value propositions in audio: near-flagship ANC and a rich feature set at a price that now sits well below newer rivals. It lacks the XM5's improved mics and the latest LDAC refinements feel marginal, but for most listeners it…”

Sony WH-1000XM5WINNER 9.0/10

The all-round ANC benchmark: class-leading noise cancelling, rich tunable sound, and excellent call clarity.

Pros

+ Class-leading noise cancellation
+ Rich, customizable sound with LDAC
+ Excellent call clarity
+ 30-hour battery with quick charge

Cons

− No longer folds flat
− Premium price
− Not water resistant

Best for: Frequent travelers · Office and focus work · Hi-res music listeners

“The best all-rounder for most people: superb ANC, customizable sound, and the clearest calls in the class. It no longer folds flat and the price stays premium.”

Frequently asked questions

Which is best: Apple AirPods Max (USB-C), Sony WH-1000XM4 or Sony WH-1000XM5?

By ComparZone's weighted scoring of category-specific headphones specs, the Sony WH-1000XM5 scores highest overall (9.0/10, 0.3 points ahead of the Sony WH-1000XM4). 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 these headphones?

The biggest measurable differences are Battery Life (ANC), Codec Support, Type — with the Sony WH-1000XM4 leading on Battery Life (ANC). The grouped spec sheet above marks the winner of every comparable spec.

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.

More headphones comparisons

Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) vs Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Sony WH-1000XM4 vs Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Shure Aonic 50 Gen 2 Wireless Noise-Cancelling Headphones All headphones →Best headphones 2026