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Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Apple AirPods Max

Two of the top noise canceling headphones, head to head.
By
December 8, 2023
Sony WH-1000XM5
MSRP: $399.00
8.6
Check price
Positives
ANC performance
Outstanding microphone
App features, including custom EQ
Bluetooth 5.2 with SBC, AAC, LDAC, and wired connectivity options
Bluetooth multipoint
Find My Device enabled
Negatives
Price
No IP rating
The Bottom Line.
The predecessors to the Sony WH-1000XM5 were king of the hill, and this new headphone takes that crown. With new drivers, features, and design, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is an intriguing set of headphones among the flagship active noise canceling (ANC) devices on the market. It excels in travel or at the office, in particular.Read full review...
Apple AirPods Max
MSRP: $424.99
8
Check price
Positives
Nice design and solid build quality
Amazing active noise canceling and transparency mode
Comfortable ear pads and fabric headband
Decent battery life
Button and digital crown are great to use
Good sound quality with no distortion
Great connection strength with Bluetooth 5.0
Negatives
No 3.5mm headphone jack becomes a pain
Uses a Lightning connector instead of USB-C
Proximity sensors and voice assistant activation do not work on Android or Windows
No aptX or LDAC high quality codec support
The smart case is absolutely terrible and provides no protection
Microphone quality is just okay
The Bottom Line.
While the Apple AirPod Max is a great pair of headphones with best-in-class active noise canceling (ANC) and a good sound signature, it also has a few annoying quirks that make it very obviously an Apple product. If you live in the Apple ecosystem and already love your AirPods Pro, then the AirPods Max is more of the same just in a pair of over-ears.Read full review...

Sony’s latest WH-1000XM5 headphones hold the crown for some of the best active noise canceling (ANC) headphones, especially for those without iOS devices. The older WH-1000XM4 held their own against the Apple AirPods Max, but how does the Sony WH-1000XM5? In this Sony WH-1000XM5 vs AirPods Max showdown, we pit the headphones head to head to see who comes out on top.

Editor’s note: this article was updated on December 8, 2023, to ensure the timeliness of the information within.

Does the Sony WH-1000XM5 have a better design than the AirPods Max?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max have a lot in common here. You get comfortable ear pads and smooth telescoping headband arms for adjusting the fit of either pair of headphones. Both sets of headphones can also rotate to lay flat, but despite their minimalist designs, neither has folding hinges.

Side-on view of Sony WH-1000XM5 beside the AirPods Max hanging over a white horizontal pipe
The WH-1000XM5 (left) is much friendlier to those who switch between operating systems than the AirPods Max (right).

The AirPods Max has a mainly metal build with a stainless steel headband and aluminum ear cups. Plush ear pads encompass the entire ear, and a mesh canopy acts as a cushion for the headband. It’s comfortable, but it is quite heavy, weighing in at 386g. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a plastic build, making it lighter than the AirPods Max at 250g, though this isn’t particularly light for a headset. On the Sony headset, the ear pads are made of memory foam with a leatherette wrap that makes it comfortable for extended listening sessions.

You don’t get any kind of water resistance from either headset, and you should avoid getting either wet. This is unfortunate for those who live in rainy places, but both pairs of headphones are best suited for indoor use or use in drier climates. If you really want a pair of workout headphones, there are a handful of good and durable options.

How do you control the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the AirPods Max?

A man uses the touch controls of the Sony WH-1000XM5.
Swiping to control your headphones reduces the risk of a broken seal.

The ear cups of both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the AirPods Max have controls, but they operate differently. On the right ear cup of the AirPods Max, you’ll find a Digital Crown that adjusts the volume and playback controls. There’s also a Noise Control button for toggling noise canceling and transparency mode. You can also summon Siri by saying “Hey Siri” or pressing and holding the digital crown button (iOS only).

ActionMedia controlsCall controls
Action
Noise control button
Media controls
Toggle ANC and Transparency mode
Call controls

Action
Headset: remove/wear
Media controls
Auto-pause/play
Call controls

Action
Digital Crown: rotate
Media controls
Adjust volume
Call controls

Action
Digital Crown: one press
Media controls
Play/pause
Call controls
Answer/end call; answer incoming call and put current call on hold
Action
Digital Crown: two presses
Media controls
Skip track
Call controls
Reject incoming call; answer incoming call and end current call
Action
Digital Crown: three presses
Media controls
Previous track
Call controls

Action
Digital Crown: hold
Media controls

Call controls
Reject second incoming call
Action
Customizable controls?
Media controls
Yes, ANC toggle only
Call controls
No

The Sony WH-1000XM5 uses a touchpad on the right headphone and buttons on the left. If you’re familiar with the controls for the Sony WH-1000XM4, this is the same.

Below is a table of the touchpad controls:

INPUT (touchpad)ACTION
Swipe up
Volume up
Swipe down
Volume down
Swipe forward
Track forward
Swipe back
Track back
Hold (center)
Voice assistant
Double tap center
Pause / resume
Cup hand
Ambient sound passthrough

Here is a table of the button controls:

ACTIONANC/AMBIENTPOWER
ACTION
Single press
ANC/AMBIENT
Cycle through listening modes
POWER

ACTION
Hold (2s)
ANC/AMBIENT

POWER
Power on
ACTION
Hold (5s)
ANC/AMBIENT

POWER
Bluetooth pairing, must being from powered off mode

Both headsets have a sensor that detects when you wear or remove the headset and plays or pauses music accordingly. There is a caveat here: the auto-pause feature on the AirPods Max is exclusive to Apple devices, while with Sony’s headphones, it works with any operating system.

How do the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the AirPods Max connect to devices?

Close-up of the Lightning connector for the Apple AirPods Max as they lay next to a newspaper.
The Apple AirPods Max charges via Lightning, which is very annoying.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 uses Bluetooth 5.2 and supports the SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs. Android phones streaming over LDAC will transmit high-quality audio to the XM5 headphones. We recommend the LDAC 660kbps option for the most consistent results. On the other hand, the AirPods Max only uses Bluetooth 5.0 and supports the SBC and AAC codecs.

You also get a few extras with the WH-1000XM5, including analog audio connectivity and Bluetooth multipoint, meaning you can switch between two devices seamlessly with this headset. The AirPods Max lacks analog connectivity and uses a digital Lightning connection instead (Lightning-t0-3.5mm cable not included). If you use it with a modern iPhone, you’ll also need to purchase a 3.5mm-to-Lightning adapter, which totals an extra ~$44. Apple’s headphones don’t have Bluetooth multipoint, but you can seamlessly switch between Apple devices signed into the same iCloud account.

If you care a lot about a stable connection and high-quality listening across platforms, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is the better option.

How do you control the WH-1000XM5 or the AirPods Max?

Angled view of the Sony WH-1000XM5 power and noise canceling buttons
Power, Bluetooth, and noise cancelation can be controlled using hardware buttons underneath the left ear cup.

When looking to buy a new set of headphones, compatibility is key. You can only control or customize the AirPods Max through the Settings app on iOS and iPadOS devices, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 has the Sony Headphones Connect app, which is available on iOS and Android. This means the experience for AirPods Max will lack a lot on Android devices, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is platform agnostic. For this reason, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a much more versatile option if you ever plan on using an Android device while you own this headset.

The Sony Headphones app gives you access to features like Sony 360 Audio, an equalizer, ANC optimization, Find My Headphones, and Google Fast Pair. The last two features do require a lot of personal information, like access to personal data and location. These software features really do make a difference, and the app is also important for getting firmware updates.

The spatial audio pop-up on an iPad Pro.
Like the AirPods Pro and AirPods (3rd generation), these are compatible with Apple’s own Spatial Audio.

The iOS or iPadOS Settings app allows AirPods Max owners to access features like Apple’s Spatial Audio, find my AirPods, fast switching between other Apple devices on the same iCloud account, and firmware updates. Since these features are tied to the Settings app, Android users won’t be able to access them. You can’t even get firmware updates for the AirPods Max on Android, so let that be a warning to Android users considering this headset.

Do Apple or Sony’s headphones have better battery life?

The AirPods Max doesn’t have a power button; instead, it enters a lower power mode once inside its case. The battery life of the AirPods Max is close to 21 hours with ANC on, but with battery depletion being an issue, you might not get to enjoy that to the full extent. If you lose the case or hate using it, you may not have enough battery to last you multiple commutes. The AirPods Max comes with a Lightning-to-USB-C cable for charging but doesn’t come with a USB-C charging brick (typical for headphones), so you’ll have to figure out that part on your own.

USB-C charging port of the Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 charges via USB-C, unlike the AirPods Max, which uses a Lightning connection.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 lasts 31 hours 53 minutes with ANC on, far outdoing the AirPods Max. The headset charges via USB-C, and if you need to charge it fast, three minutes of charging will give you 180 minutes of playback. If you don’t have your charger on hand, you can listen with a wired 3.5mm connection instead.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 is definitely the right choice when it comes to battery life since it doesn’t continually drain the battery when not in use. It’ll be reliable for multiple commutes a week, and the wired listening and fast charging options make it even better.

Which has better noise canceling, the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Apple AirPods Max?

A chart compares the AirPods Max and Sony WH-1000XM5 ANC attenuation performance, revealing the AirPods Max the better low-frequency attenuator while the XM5 headphones do more to block out sounds above 1kHz.
The AirPods Max has better low-frequency attenuation, but the WH-1000XM5 has much better passive isolation.

Most over-ear headphones can only really block out mid and high frequencies on their own. Low frequency sounds like droning airplane sounds or trucks passing by get through easily when you’re relying on isolation alone. That’s where active noise canceling comes in.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 has fantastic noise canceling, assisted greatly by impressive isolation. Noise attenuation at frequencies above 1kHz betters the AirPods Max by around 10 dB. That’s a huge difference. Low frequencies like trains and street noise will be reduced to about one-eighth of their original perceived loudness. This makes it a great choice for commuters.

The Apple AirPods Max and its smart case on a white desk.
The headphones come with a smart case, a charging cable, and nothing else.

ANC performance for the Apple AirPods Max is also fantastic. Its ability to cancel out noise right up to 2kHz makes for a great distraction-free listening experience. However, its isolation performance means it loses to Sony at higher frequencies.

Comparing the two headsets, both cancel out similarly impressive amounts of low-frequency noise to below 100Hz. While both are good choices for canceling out low, droning noises, the Airpods Max wins out in the mid-range, but the Sony WH-1000XM5 does a better job at handling high-range sounds due to better isolation.

Which headphones have better sound quality?

The frequency response comparison between the Sony WH-1000XM5 and the Apple AirPods Max.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 frequency response emphasizes bass more than the Apple AirPods Max.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 sounds great but deviates a little from our target curve in some areas, like the bass range, where there’s some extra emphasis (100-200Hz in particular), and the highs, where there’s some variation. If you’re not into a bass-heavy sound you may find it to be a bit much, but you can adjust the EQ of the headset easily to your liking.

The AirPods Max also sounds really great, but has different sonic goals to the Sony WH-1000XM5. The frequency response of this headset follows our target curve in a lot of key areas, except for a bit of a dip around 5kHz (to help with spatial cues) and a little bit of a boost in the sub-bass range, below 40Hz. Music generally sounds great in this headset, and it’ll appeal to most listeners.

Right ear cup of the Sony WH-1000XM5 placed flat on table
The Sony WH-1000XM5 features ear cups designed with minimal seams and sharp edges.

By default, both headsets have good sound quality that most consumers will enjoy, and industry-leading isolation and noise canceling from both headsets ensure you won’t have problems with outside noise affecting how your music sounds. If you want a more bassy sound, the Sony WH-1000XM5 has you covered. The Apple AirPods Max is likely a better choice for those seeking less obvious bass and treble emphasis. Though it is possible to equalize both to your liking, it’s easier to achieve on the Sony WH-1000XM5—particularly if you’re on Android devices.

Which headset has a better microphone?

The Sony WH-1000XM5 has a great microphone system, along with standout noise suppression. Wind noises are inaudible in our recording made with simulated wind noise (below), demonstrating its thorough effectiveness. This is due to its eight-microphone array and noise rejection algorithm, making for high-quality phone calls whether you’re in your home or outside in noise or wind.

The Apple AirPods Max microphone system is no slouch either, but the experience is inferior overall. Noise and wind aren’t removed entirely, and there are audible processing artifacts. This is further compounded by variable behavior and performance depending on the operating system of your connected device.

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Wind):

Apple AirPods Max microphone demo (Wind):

Needless to say, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is the obvious pick here for microphone quality, especially when it comes to sub-optimal conditions. You will get very good microphone quality with very little outside noise intruding, so phone calls and virtual meetings should reliably be clear and intelligible through this headset. Be sure to vote and let us know what you think.

Sony WH-1000XM5 microphone demo (Ideal):

Apple AirPods Max microphone demo (Ideal):

Which microphone sounds better?

19761 votes

Should you buy the Sony WH-1000XM5 or the Apple AirPods Max?

Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones laying flat on wooden table.

First, it’s important to know your limitations. You should only get the Apple AirPods Max if you own an iPhone. Your experience will greatly suffer without access to the Settings app on an iOS device, and it will absolutely not be worth the money.

However, even if you are an Apple user with no intention of switching, you should wait for the Apple AirPods Max sequel unless you can snag a killer deal on the originals. In that case, you’ll gain some of the niceties of Apple products with the AirPods Max, like device switching (with the same iCloud account) and full integration with iOS. If you don’t care that you can’t turn the headphones off without the case or that wired listening is not possible, this might be the headset for you.

Apple AirPods MaxApple AirPods Max
SoundGuys Editors Choice
Apple AirPods Max
One of the best ANC • 20-hour battery life • Well-built pads
MSRP: $424.99
A spectacular pair of headphones with best-in-class ANC
The AirPods Max wireless headphones offer best-in-class noise canceling with twenty hours of battery life. They provide excellent frequency response and great audio features.

Whether you own an Android or Apple device, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is a fantastic option. The noise canceling is amazing, the noise rejection on the microphone is stellar, and the ability to change your EQ to your liking is great. With great features like speak-to-chat, transparency mode, Sony 360 Audio, ear detection, and multipoint, this pair of headphones is great and worth its price.

Sony WH-1000XM5Sony WH-1000XM5
SoundGuys Editors Choice
Sony WH-1000XM5
ANC performance • Outstanding microphone • Useful app features
MSRP: $399.00
The king of the ANC pack extends its reign

What are some alternatives to the Sony WH-1000XM5 vs AirPods Max?

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have soft padding that is very glasses-friendly.
Austin Kwok / SoundGuys
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have soft padding that is very glasses-friendly.

Bose’s latest QuietComfort Ultra headphones occupy a sweet spot in price point, going for $30 more than the Sony WH-1000XM5 and $120 less than the Apple AirPods Max. For the price of $429, Android users get the latest Snapdragon Sound technology, which is set to stay relevant for years to come, and some of the best noise cancelation currently on offer. They also sport spatial audio with head tracking and a better battery life than the AirPods Max.

Bose QuietComfort UltraBose QuietComfort Ultra
SoundGuys Editors Choice
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Great battery life • Advanced audio experience
MSRP: $429.00
Quality and comfort noise canceling headphones
Going ultra with their ANC headphone experience, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra noise cancelling headphones offer up to 24 hours of battery life, a comfortable fit, Spatial Audio support, and powerful ANC.

If you like the sound of the Sony WH-1000XM5 but don’t want to spend quite as much, consider the previous models, the Sony WH-1000XM4 ($348 at Amazon) or the Sony WH-1000XM3 ($349.99 at Best Buy). Both have excellent noise canceling and sound great and are now available at reduced prices since they’re both a few years old. Read our Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sony WH-1000XM4 article to learn more.

Sennheiser’s Momentum 4 Wireless offers better sound quality than either of these headphones, though this product is far poorer at active noise cancelation. Given that the Sennheiser headphones are also less expensive, they may be a better value than the Sony or Apple offerings. You can find it for $289.23 at Amazon.

If you want noise canceling headphones for a more affordable price than any of these options, consider the Monoprice BT-600ANC. It’s only $84.99 at Amazon, has aptX HD and AAC support, and has good battery life on top of the good ANC. This is a great option for students on a budget who want to block out the sound of their commute or the library for a good study session.

A hand holds the Sony WF-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Pro 2 cases in each hand.
Harley Maranan / SoundGuys
The Sony WF-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 2 are top-notch earbuds with plenty of features.

If you want a more portable option, consider the Sony WF-1000XM5 or the Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation). Both are noise canceling wireless earbuds and are better for people who might get caught in the rain, considering they both have IPX4 ratings. The WF-1000XM5 is a good choice for anyone, regardless of which type of phone they use. It uses the Sony Headphones app for firmware updates, EQ, and other customization options.

Sony WF-1000XM5Sony WF-1000XM5
SoundGuys Editors Choice
Sony WF-1000XM5
Great ANC • Improved sound quality • Comfortable fit with four ear tip options
MSRP: $299.99
The Sony WF-1000XM5 have even better noise canceling than the WF-1000XM4. Sony made these its most comfortable earbuds by shrinking them and including XS-L memory foam ear tips. The WF-1000XM5 support advanced features like multipoint connectivity and spatial audio with head tracking. You also get plenty of customization options through the free mobile app.

The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) is a good option for iPhone owners since you get the full breadth of features only if you have an iOS or iPadOS device. Like the AirPods Max, the AirPods Pro isn’t the best for Android users, although the latest version does now support USB-C charging, so they won’t have to buy another cable.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation)
Impressive ANC • Comfortable fit • Wireless charging
MSRP: $249.00
One of the best true wireless earbuds for iOS users.
The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) modestly improve upon the first-generation AirPods Pro and feature the same iconic look. Apple's upgraded H2 chip begets better noise canceling and battery life, while the case's U1 chip and integrated speaker let you precisely locate the case. If you own an iPhone, the AirPods Pro 2 are an obvious choice.

Frequently asked questions

A frequency response chart for the Sony WH-1000XM5 shown in cyan and the Bose Noise Canceling 700 shown with a dotted yellow line. The chart shows that the Sony headphones boost bass more than the Bose headphones.
The Sony WH-1000XM5 (cyan) boosts bass notes more than the Bose Noise Canceling 700 (dashed yellow).

Great question, and we actually address this in a dedicated versus article! To sum it all up, the XM5 headphones from Sony have better ANC and microphone quality for all settings compared to Bose’s headphones. That said, the Bose QuietComfort 45 has stellar comfort and a more portable build since you can ball up the headset thanks to the folding hinges. It’s available for $279 at Amazon.

To learn more about the Bose QC 45, read our full review, where we break down the sound quality, ANC, and more.

It’s definitely not recommended that you wear either in the rain since you risk getting moisture inside the headset. It’s not worth the risk. Just wait until you’re inside and dry.

Yes, you can use the AirPods Max with Windows computers, but you will have to pair them like any other Bluetooth device, you won’t have access to features tied to the iOS Settings app, and your microphone quality could suffer as well.

There isn’t one, really.

No. Currently the feature only works on devices with Android 13 or later.