Headphones / WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max
WH-1000XM6 vs AirPods Max
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 WH-1000XM6 and AirPods Max 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 | WH-1000XM6 | AirPods Max |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $449.99 | $549.00 |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2024 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 30✓ | 20 |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 30✓ | 20 |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 3✓ | 5 |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.0 |
| Weight (g) | 254✓ | 384.8 |
| Driver Size (mm) | 30 | 40 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 12✓ | 9 |
| Foldable | Yes | No |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | No |
| Warranty | 12 months | 12 months |
| Colors | Black, Platinum Silver, Midnight Blue | Space Gray, Silver, Sky Blue, Pink, Starlight, Midnight |
Category Scores
Battery Life
The WH-1000XM6 is rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on (30 hours with ANC off), while the AirPods Max is rated for up to 20 hours with ANC on (20 hours with ANC off). Quick charge gets the WH-1000XM6 roughly 3 hours of playback from a 3-minute top-up, versus a 5-minute top-up for the AirPods Max.
Noise Cancelling
On our noise cancelling score, the WH-1000XM6 rates 9.7/10 versus 9.0/10 for the AirPods Max. 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 WH-1000XM6 weighs 254g and scores 9.0/10 for comfort; the AirPods Max weighs 384.8g and scores 7.6/10. Lighter weight generally means less clamp fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
Sound Quality
Sound quality scores: WH-1000XM6 9.3/10, AirPods Max 9.2/10. Driver size is 30mm on the WH-1000XM6 versus 40mm on the AirPods Max — larger drivers don't guarantee better sound, but they're one input into tuning.
Calls & Microphone
The WH-1000XM6 uses a 12-microphone array and scores 9.4/10 for calls, while the AirPods Max uses 9 microphones and scores 8.6/10.
Travel
For travel we weight battery life, ANC, and foldability together. The WH-1000XM6 scores 9.3/10 and folds flat; the AirPods Max scores 7.5/10 and does not fold flat.
Gaming
Neither model is a dedicated gaming headset, but relative gaming scores are 7.4/10 for the WH-1000XM6 and 6.5/10 for the AirPods Max. For latency-sensitive games, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Best For
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.
Choose the AirPods Max if…
- • You prefer the Apple ecosystem, app, and design language.
Pros & Cons
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
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
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the WH-1000XM6 or AirPods Max 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 WH-1000XM6 or the AirPods Max?+
The WH-1000XM6 lasts longer, rated for up to 30 hours with ANC on versus 20 hours for the AirPods Max.
Is the WH-1000XM6 worth the price difference over the AirPods Max?+
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 WH-1000XM6 or the AirPods Max?+
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 WH-1000XM6 and AirPods Max 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 WH-1000XM6 and AirPods Max support multipoint Bluetooth pairing?+
Yes, the WH-1000XM6 supports multipoint. Yes, the AirPods Max 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 WH-1000XM6 weighs 254g and the AirPods Max weighs 384.8g.
What's the warranty on the WH-1000XM6 vs the AirPods Max?+
The WH-1000XM6 ships with a 12-month warranty; the AirPods Max 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