I compared the best headphones from Apple, Sony, Bose, and Sonos: Here’s how the AirPods Max wins

Prior to now few years, Bose, Sony, Sonos, and Beats have launched premium headphones to compete with one another and Apple’s AirPods Max. 

I’ve worn the entire AirPods Max’s high rivals, and so they every excel in numerous classes. However for an older canine on this battle, the AirPods Max are nonetheless kicking. Since their 2020 launch (and 2024 re-release), the Max have not acquired many important software program or {hardware} updates, other than new colours, a USB-C port, and assist for lossless audio through USB-C.

Additionally: The 12 best headphones of 2025

So, 5 years later, set on the backdrop of a possible successor this fall, are the AirPods Max nonetheless price shopping for? After testing the most effective headphones in the marketplace, here is my shopping for recommendation.

The nice: design, system interoperability, and nice sound

One factor is indeniable: the AirPods Max are an exquisite pair of headphones. They’re easy, glossy, and sometimes imitated — but by no means replicated. The chrome steel accents give it an elevated look, no logos or branding make them seem refined, and the Digital Crown efficiently replaces a number of buttons that may be confused with each other.

Additionally: Here’s how a free software upgrade made the Sonos Ace worth their price tag

Within the design class, the Sonos Ace are the Max’s closest rival. They’re additionally outlined by clear traces, a easy design, metallic accents, and detachable magnetic ear pads, however have thinner earcups and a lighter construct. The Ace function their very own tackle the Digital Crown with a equally functioning Content material Key, however positioned in an easier-to-reach spot on the ear cup.

Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely sport aluminum yokes for enhanced sturdiness, however many of the headphone is product of plastic. Equally, Sony’s XM6 is constructed with largely plastic — albeit with supplies which can be extremely sustainable. 

For Apple customers, the AirPods Max are the definitive over-ear headphones possibility, because of their computerized pairing together with your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV. At the same time as they close to their fifth birthday, the AirPods Max nonetheless sound unimaginable by as we speak’s commonplace. Apple’s Customized Spatial Audio works fantastically, making a wider soundstage that does not sound too computerized.

Additionally: Why these headphones are still the best from Bose – even though they’re a year old

Within the spatial audio division, the Sonos Ace and Beats Studio Professional are fierce rivals, offering the same spatial listening expertise. 

The AirPods Max have nice noise-canceling skills, owing to their efficiency with eight microphones for energetic noise cancellation (ANC). The Sonos Ace carry out simply in addition to the Max in canceling environmental noise, however Bose’s QuietComfort Extremely and Sony’s WH-1000XM6 are the kings of ANC. 

Nonetheless, even 5 years later, the AirPods Max nonetheless have a leg up on all of their rivals’ Transparency Modes. Apple’s Transparency Mode is the clearest, most clear, and most natural-sounding. 

The mesh ear pads of the Apple headphones, whereas totally different from these of different manufacturers, have additionally held up properly. They’re agency with out being arduous, offering a decent but snug seal round your ears for immersion. The dearth of polyurethane leather-based on the ear pads concurrently provides to their expense and consumer expertise.

Additionally: I replaced my Bose UltraComfort headphones for the Sony XM6 – here’s how it went

My colleague, Kerry Wan, ZDNET’s managing editor, says the Max’s mesh ear pads are among the finest issues about them. “I’ve discovered the AirPods Max’s mesh-style ear cushions to alleviate stress and sweat build-up higher than the waxy, silicone-based covers discovered on competing headphones,” he says.

And I’ve to agree; the mesh pads really feel higher in opposition to my pores and skin and handle warmth buildup higher. However with nice energy comes nice accountability. The mesh pads take up sweat, oils, and odors as a substitute of conserving them on the floor just like the rivals’ ear pads. Thus, you may both throw them within the wash each every now and then or spend the cash to switch them.

The unhealthy: Software program, all issues battery life, and an ode to consolation

I nonetheless respect Apple’s H1 audio processor, but it surely’s clear that it may well’t sustain with the {industry}’s extra superior software program options. That is why AirPods Max customers look longingly out the window when AirPods Professional 2 customers get the entire cool software program updates each September.

Lately, adaptive noise cancellation is all the craze. Headphone processors are clever sufficient to take heed to your atmosphere’s noise ranges and make use of the suitable quantity of noise cancellation. This function can protect battery life, assist with situational consciousness, and customarily be extra handy than manually switching ANC modes.

Additionally: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra: How to choose the best noise-canceling headphone

I typically rag on the Bose QuietComfort Extremely’s brief 24-hour battery life, however Apple’s is shorter at 20 hours. The AirPods Max have poor endurance in comparison with their rivals, with the Sonos Ace and Sony XM6 testing for round 30 hours with ANC on. 

My recommendation is that you simply should not purchase the AirPods Max if you do not have no less than one Apple product, and I typically attribute that to paying for options you may’t use, like Discover My and Customized Spatial Audio.

Moreover, with no companion app, software program updates are wrapped into iOS updates, making it unimaginable to replace your AirPods with out an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. ZDNET’s Kerry Wan is especially an Android consumer, although he shamelessly admits to conserving an iPhone round to replace the headphones and test the latest features. That is clearly not the case for many customers.

Additionally: Five iOS 26 features I already can’t live without – and how to access them

One other unsurprising caveat is that the AirPods Max are a hefty pair of headphones. They’re heavier than all of their challengers, and their skinny mesh headband does not act as sufficient of a counterweight for the heavy earcups after I put on them for lengthy intervals. The Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Extremely have plushy earcups and sturdier headbands, and so they’re higher fitted to long-term put on after I journey or work at my desk.

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

Because the AirPods Max put together to have fun their fifth anniversary, it is spectacular that they are nonetheless within the premium headphone dialog; that is a testomony to their efficiency and future proofing. I’ve extra good than unhealthy issues to say about them, however I do not suppose they’re for everybody, not even for each Apple fan.

In the event you by no means stray from the iOS ecosystem and prioritize design, nice sound, and good noise cancellation, the AirPods Max will serve you properly. Simply make sure you purchase them on sale; it occurs typically.

In the event you worth an AirPods Max-inspired design, consolation, sound, and full compatibility with iOS and Android, contemplate the Sonos Ace. If consolation and noise cancellation are on the high of your checklist, attempt the Bose QC Ultra. If impeccable sound, industry-leading noise cancellation are your must-haves, go together with the Sony XM6. 

And if you would like headphones with a easy, clear design that provides features of Apple’s consumer interface and helps native Android options, the Beats Studio Pro are for you.