Headphones / AirPods Max vs QC Ultra Headphones
AirPods Max vs QC Ultra Headphones
QC Ultra Headphones
Bose's most comfortable, most immersive-sounding ANC headphone.
Wins overall by 0.8 points
Quick Verdict
The QC Ultra Headphones is the stronger all-around pick, beating the AirPods Max by 0.8 points overall. Bose's most comfortable, most immersive-sounding ANC headphone.
The AirPods Max and QC Ultra Headphones are both closely matched headphones, and the QC Ultra Headphones is $120 cheaper than the AirPods Max ($429 vs $549). On comfort, the QC Ultra Headphones leads (9.4 vs 7.6/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. On travel, the QC Ultra Headphones leads (8.8 vs 7.5/10) — foldability, case, anc on planes, battery for long trips. On battery, the QC Ultra Headphones leads (7.4 vs 6.2/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed. Overall, the QC Ultra Headphones scores 8.6/10 across our 10 test categories versus 7.8/10 for the AirPods Max. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | AirPods Max | QC Ultra Headphones |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $429.00 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2023 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 20 | 24✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 20 | 24✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 5✓ | 15 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Weight (g) | 384.8 | 254✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | Not published |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 9✓ | 6 |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | No | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Space Gray, Silver, Sky Blue, Pink, Starlight, Midnight | Black, White Smoke, Sandstone |
Category Scores
Battery Life
The AirPods Max is rated for up to 20 hours with ANC on (20 hours with ANC off), while the QC Ultra Headphones is rated for up to 24 hours with ANC on (24 hours with ANC off). Quick charge gets the AirPods Max roughly 3 hours of playback from a 5-minute top-up, versus a 15-minute top-up for the QC Ultra Headphones.
Noise Cancelling
On our noise cancelling score, the AirPods Max rates 9.0/10 versus 9.6/10 for the QC Ultra Headphones. QC Ultra Headphones carries the ANC edge overall in this matchup based on the combined scoring above — see the Scores section for the full category breakdown.
Comfort
The AirPods Max weighs 384.8g and scores 7.6/10 for comfort; the QC Ultra Headphones weighs 254g and scores 9.4/10. Lighter weight generally means less clamp fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
Sound Quality
Sound quality scores: AirPods Max 9.2/10, QC Ultra Headphones 9.2/10. Driver size is 40mm on the AirPods Max versus Not publishedmm on the QC Ultra Headphones — larger drivers don't guarantee better sound, but they're one input into tuning.
Calls & Microphone
The AirPods Max uses a 9-microphone array and scores 8.6/10 for calls, while the QC Ultra Headphones uses 6 microphones and scores 9.0/10.
Travel
For travel we weight battery life, ANC, and foldability together. The AirPods Max scores 7.5/10 and does not fold flat; the QC Ultra Headphones scores 8.8/10 and folds flat.
Gaming
Neither model is a dedicated gaming headset, but relative gaming scores are 6.5/10 for the AirPods Max and 7.0/10 for the QC Ultra Headphones. For latency-sensitive games, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Best For
Choose the AirPods Max if…
- • You prefer the Apple ecosystem, app, and design language.
Choose the QC Ultra Headphones if…
- • You wear headphones for hours at a time and need superior comfort.
- • You travel often and want reliable ANC, a compact fold, and long battery life on planes.
- • You want maximum battery life — the QC Ultra Headphones runs up to 24 hours on a charge.
- • You want the most performance for the lowest price.
- • Noise cancelling is your top priority — the QC Ultra Headphones scores 9.6/10 for blocking ambient noise.
Pros & Cons
AirPods Max
Pros
- +Unmatched integration with iPhone, iPad, and Mac
- +Premium metal and glass build quality
- +Excellent Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
- +Now supports USB-C lossless audio
Cons
- −Heaviest headphone in this comparison set by far
- −Shortest battery life of any model here
- −No dedicated EQ app, limited to iOS accessibility settings
- −Smart Case doesn't fully protect the headband
- −Most expensive option
QC Ultra Headphones
Pros
- +Best-in-class comfort, even during multi-hour wear
- +Immersive Audio head-tracking is unique in this class
- +ANC that rivals or beats Sony in wind and transit noise
- +CustomTune auto-calibrates sound to your ears and fit
Cons
- −Shortest battery life of the flagship competitors
- −Driver size not published, hard to compare on paper
- −Immersive Audio mode drains battery faster
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the AirPods Max or QC Ultra Headphones better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the QC Ultra Headphones comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which has better battery life, the AirPods Max or the QC Ultra Headphones?+
The QC Ultra Headphones lasts longer, rated for up to 24 hours with ANC on versus 20 hours for the AirPods Max.
Is the AirPods Max worth the price difference over the QC Ultra Headphones?+
The QC Ultra Headphones is the cheaper option at $429 versus $549. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in comfort.
Which is better for travel, the AirPods Max or the QC Ultra Headphones?+
For travel, we weight battery life, ANC performance, and foldability. The QC Ultra Headphones scores higher here (8.8/10).
Which has better noise cancelling?+
The QC Ultra Headphones has the stronger ANC, scoring 9.6/10 versus 9.0/10.
Can I use the AirPods Max and QC Ultra Headphones for gaming?+
Both support standard Bluetooth audio, but neither is purpose-built for competitive gaming latency. Between the two, the QC Ultra Headphones scores better for gaming use (7.0/10). For latency-critical gaming, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Do the AirPods Max and QC Ultra Headphones support multipoint Bluetooth pairing?+
Yes, the AirPods Max supports multipoint. Yes, the QC Ultra Headphones supports multipoint too.
Which is more comfortable for long listening sessions?+
The QC Ultra Headphones scores higher on comfort (9.4/10), largely due to clamp force, padding, and weight — the AirPods Max weighs 384.8g and the QC Ultra Headphones weighs 254g.
What's the warranty on the AirPods Max vs the QC Ultra Headphones?+
The AirPods Max ships with a 12-month warranty; the QC Ultra Headphones ships with a 12-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
WH-1000XM6 — $449.99
Premium Option
WH-1000XM6 — $449.99