Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) v Apple AirPods Max: Which have the best ANC?

With its latest headphones, Bose is going after Apple. With a price tag nearly as high as the AirPods Max, are the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) the new best noise canceling headphones on the market? We tested both headphones to find out.

What’s it like to use the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) compared to the AirPods Max?

The AirPods Max feels like a luxury product with its stainless steel headband, aluminum ear cups, and plush fabric ear pads. The build inspires confidence, though the 386g weight makes it noticeably heavier than Bose’s plastic-heavy Ultra Headphones. I find the Max comfortable thanks to deep ear cups and a breathable mesh headband, but the heavy weight and terrible carrying case make it less ideal for travel.

By contrast, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen.) only weigh 260 grams. The reduced weight makes them easier to wear for long listening sessions. While some might find the plastic build less premium, I still find the Bose headphones look luxurious, especially with these gold accents.

Both headphones pause playback automatically when removed, but Apple’s controls via the digital crown feel more intuitive than Bose’s touch-sensitive strip and multi-function buttons, which can take some time to learn.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or AirPods Max have more features?

Apple locks much of the AirPods Max experience inside its ecosystem. Features like Spatial Audio with head tracking, instant pairing, and tight iCloud device switching make these headphones a joy for iPhone, iPad, and Mac users. However, Android and Windows users lose out on most features.

Bose, on the other hand, takes a more universal approach with a companion app available on iOS and Android. The app offers a limited custom equalizer, which isn’t as comprehensive as we’d like to see, but it’s better than nothing. Bose also adds a Cinema spatial mode for movie watching, though I didn’t find it especially immersive compared to Apple’s Spatial Audio.

How do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and AirPods Max connect?

Apple equips the AirPods Max with Bluetooth 5.0 and support for SBC and AAC codecs. That’s fine for iOS, but Android users miss out on higher-bitrate codecs like aptX or LDAC. The newer USB-C version allows wired lossless playback as well.

Bose ships the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen.) with Bluetooth 5.4, SBC, AAC, and the aptX Adaptive family (including aptX Lossless). That makes them ideal for modern Android phones, especially those running Snapdragon Sound. Plus, Bose includes both USB-C and analog TRS ports, giving you more options for wired listening.

Is battery life better on the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or AirPods Max?

In our testing, the AirPods Max lasted around 21 hours with ANC on, just above Apple’s 20-hour claim. That’s decent but not groundbreaking, and the lack of a true power button means battery drain is always a concern unless you keep them in their case.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen.) easily beat expectations, lasting over 27 hours with ANC on. They also support fast charging — a 15-minute top-up gives around 2.5 hours of playback. If you travel often, the added battery life of the Bose headphones can be a nice bonus.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or AirPods Max block noise better?

According to our testing, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) reduce the loudness of external noise by 87%, whereas the AirPods Max reduce the loudness of external noise by 88%. That’s not a statistically significant difference, and in real-world use, both headphones are excellent at blocking out noise. They both reduce most outside noise by 30dB, which is more than enough to quiet the world around you, wherever you are.

When it comes to staying aware of your surroundings, the AirPods Max have a best-in-class transparency mode that makes voices sound very natural. That said, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) Aware mode works fine for staying aware of what’s going on around you.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) sound better than the AirPods Max?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) and AirPods Max both deliver excellent sound quality that most people will enjoy. Our testing shows that the Bose headphones have slightly more bass out of the box, which you may prefer. The Bose headphones also have a custom EQ, while the AirPods Max do not. On the other hand, I find the AirPods Max spatial audio modes superior to that of Bose immersive audio.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

Objective Measurements

The frequency response of the Bose and Apple headphones follows our SoundGuys Headphone Preference Curve relatively closely. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) have more bass emphasis below 200Hz than the AirPods Max, but you can dial this back using the bass slider in the app.

Do the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or AirPods Max have a better microphone?

Both headphones have good microphones for taking calls on the go, but the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) are more versatile, as they do an excellent job of reducing background noise, no matter what device you are connected to. The AirPods Max microphones perform well when connected to Apple devices, but don’t do a great job of blocking out background noise when connected to other devices.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

AirPods Max microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) microphone demo (Street conditions):

AirPods Max microphone demo (Street conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) vs AirPods Max: Price and availability

The AirPods Max originally launched at $550 in 2020 but are now often on sale for around $400. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen.) launched in September 2025 at $450. Both are widely available at pretty much any tech retailer.

Should you get the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or AirPods Max?

If you’re deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem, the AirPods Max are still one of the best headphones you can buy. Spatial Audio, unmatched transparency mode, and seamless integration across iCloud devices make them a joy to use with iPhones, iPads, and Macs.

However, if you want flexibility, longer battery life, better microphone reliability, and high-quality codec support, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen.) is the smarter buy. It’s lighter, more comfortable for extended use, and less frustrating when pairing across devices.

Which of these headphones would you buy? Let us know in the poll below.