Headphones / AirPods Max vs WH-1000XM6
AirPods Max vs WH-1000XM6
WH-1000XM6
The most refined noise-cancelling headphone Sony has made.
Wins overall by 1.1 points
Quick Verdict
The WH-1000XM6 is the stronger all-around pick, beating the AirPods Max by 1.1 points overall. The most refined noise-cancelling headphone Sony has made.
The AirPods Max and WH-1000XM6 are both closely matched headphones, and the WH-1000XM6 is $99 cheaper than the AirPods Max ($449.99 vs $549). On battery, the WH-1000XM6 leads (8.6 vs 6.2/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed. On travel, the WH-1000XM6 leads (9.3 vs 7.5/10) — foldability, case, anc on planes, battery for long trips. On comfort, the WH-1000XM6 leads (9.0 vs 7.6/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. Overall, the WH-1000XM6 scores 8.9/10 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 | WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $549.00 | $449.99 |
| Release Year | 2024 | 2025 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 20 | 30✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 20 | 30✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 5 | 3✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
| Weight (g) | 384.8 | 254✓ |
| Driver Size (mm) | 40 | 30 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 9 | 12✓ |
| 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, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue |
Category Scores
Battery Life
The AirPods Max is rated for up to 20 hours with ANC on (20 hours with ANC off), while the WH-1000XM6 is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on (30 hours with ANC off). Quick charge gets the AirPods Max roughly 3 hours of playback from a 5-minute top-up, versus a 3-minute top-up for the WH-1000XM6.
Noise Cancelling
On our noise cancelling score, the AirPods Max rates 9.0/10 versus 9.7/10 for the WH-1000XM6. WH-1000XM6 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 WH-1000XM6 weighs 254g and scores 9.0/10. Lighter weight generally means less clamp fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
Sound Quality
Sound quality scores: AirPods Max 9.2/10, WH-1000XM6 9.3/10. Driver size is 40mm on the AirPods Max versus 30mm on the WH-1000XM6 — 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 WH-1000XM6 uses 12 microphones and scores 9.4/10.
Travel
For travel we weight battery life, ANC, and foldability together. The AirPods Max scores 7.5/10 and does not fold flat; the WH-1000XM6 scores 9.3/10 and folds flat.
Gaming
Neither model is a dedicated gaming headset, but relative gaming scores are 6.5/10 for the AirPods Max and 7.4/10 for the WH-1000XM6. 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 WH-1000XM6 if…
- • You want maximum battery life — the WH-1000XM6 runs up to 30 hours on a charge.
- • You travel often and want reliable ANC, a compact fold, and long battery life on planes.
- • You wear headphones for hours at a time and need superior comfort.
- • You want the most performance for the lowest price.
- • You care about low latency for gaming or watching video without audio lag.
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
WH-1000XM6
Pros
- +Best-in-class active noise cancelling
- +Class-leading call quality thanks to the 12-mic array
- +Folds flat again after the XM5 dropped that feature
- +Excellent app with deep EQ and spatial audio controls
- +Multipoint pairing works reliably across two devices
Cons
- −Most expensive Sony XM headphone yet
- −Modest battery gains over the XM5
- −No official water/sweat resistance rating
- −Case is slightly bulkier than AirPods Max
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the AirPods Max or WH-1000XM6 better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the WH-1000XM6 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 WH-1000XM6?+
The WH-1000XM6 lasts longer, rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on versus 20 hours for the AirPods Max.
Is the AirPods Max worth the price difference over the WH-1000XM6?+
The WH-1000XM6 is the cheaper option at $449.99 versus $549. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in battery.
Which is better for travel, the AirPods Max or the WH-1000XM6?+
For travel, we weight battery life, ANC performance, and foldability. The WH-1000XM6 scores higher here (9.3/10).
Which has better noise cancelling?+
The WH-1000XM6 has the stronger ANC, scoring 9.7/10 versus 9.0/10.
Can I use the AirPods Max and WH-1000XM6 for gaming?+
Both support standard Bluetooth audio, but neither is purpose-built for competitive gaming latency. Between the two, the WH-1000XM6 scores better for gaming use (7.4/10). For latency-critical gaming, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Do the AirPods Max and WH-1000XM6 support multipoint Bluetooth pairing?+
Yes, the AirPods Max supports multipoint. Yes, the WH-1000XM6 supports multipoint too.
Which is more comfortable for long listening sessions?+
The WH-1000XM6 scores higher on comfort (9.0/10), largely due to clamp force, padding, and weight — the AirPods Max weighs 384.8g and the WH-1000XM6 weighs 254g.
What's the warranty on the AirPods Max vs the WH-1000XM6?+
The AirPods Max ships with a 12-month warranty; the WH-1000XM6 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
AirPods Max — $549.00