As Gizmodo’s resident wireless headphone reviewer, I can tell you that Apple and Bose aren’t bad places to start if you’ve got the budget — and it’s not just because of name-brand pedigree. Apple’s new AirPods Max 2 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) both have great features, but with a significant difference in price, there are some advantages and disadvantages to keep in mind. So, which ANC pair deserves your hard-earned money? Let’s break it down.
AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd generation): Design
The looks are probably one of the biggest differences between these two pairs of wireless headphones. While Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones (second generation) are quite nice in the design department, the AirPods Max 2 (which are basically unchanged) definitely make a bigger impact on your head.
There’s no getting around it: the AirPods Max 2 are larger, and unlike the QuietComfort Ultra headphones (second generation), the earcups are metal, which gives them some weight — Apple’s pair is 386 grams, compared to Bose’s pair, which is about 264 grams. This is a big difference. The ear cushions are also notably different, with Bose opting for memory foam pads covered with faux leather and Apple using a mesh cover with memory foam inside. Both are removable and replaceable.
There are also functional design differences. For example, the AirPods Max 2 feature Apple’s “Digital Crown”, which is a scroll wheel at the top of the right earcup that can be rotated to decrease or increase volume or pressed down to play/pause or skip a track. There’s also a pill-shaped button on the top-right earcup to switch between noise-cancellation modes.
On the other hand, the QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) have a standard button on the right earcup for track skipping and switching between play/pause and noise cancellation modes, and then a touch-sensitive pad on the right earcup to control volume.
While I prefer Apple’s Digital Crown compared to Bose’s button combination, the design of the AirPods Max is a bit much for me. I personally prefer something that is lightweight and puts less weight on my head. Although Apple does a good job of reducing the weight of the AirPods Max 2 with a mesh, lightweight headband, if I had to choose a pair for constant wear, it would be Bose’s, even if Apple’s have slightly nicer buttons.
Winner: QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Generation)
AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Generation): Sound
Let me start by saying that both pairs are known for their sound quality, so there isn’t necessarily a wrong choice here – notice I wrote “necessarily”. That’s because where the $450 QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) sound good, the AirPods Max 2 sound excellent. Sure, $550 is a huge sum to spend on a pair of wireless headphones, even for those willing to swallow the Apple premium, but there’s no denying that the AirPods Max 2 are some of the best-sounding over-ear wireless headphones I’ve put on my head. Duration.
As a refresher, I did a head-to-head comparison of the two wireless headphones by listening to Pink Floyd’s “Fearless” all the way through, and the AirPods Max 2 actually outperform the Bose ANC headphones. The soundstage is larger, and each frequency range is slightly better represented. And for $100 more than the QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation), they should excel in the sound department. On top of that, the AirPods Max 2 also improve upon the already great-sounding AirPods Max from 2024. I don’t know why you need to pick up the AirPods Max 2 if you already have an older pair, but if sound is your biggest metric on a pair of headphones, it’s worth considering the Apple Premium this time.
Winner: AirPods Max 2
AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Generation): Comfort
I think we can all admit that while the AirPods Max are known for great sound, ANC, and transparency, the build isn’t a major selling point for most. The AirPods Max 2, like previous generations, are heavy, and although I wouldn’t call them uncomfortable, they simply exist on your head. Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation), on the other hand, are lightweight and fit snugly. They’re still wireless headphones, so they’re noticeable when you wear them, but nowhere near the same obtrusiveness as the AirPods Max 2.
In this case, Bose puts a sense of spontaneity into the name itself and the inclusion feels earned. If you are looking for a pair of wireless headphones that are lightweight enough, comfortable, and can be worn all day without tiring your head, then the QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Generation) are definitely the winners in this race.
Winner: QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Generation)
AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation): Battery life and features
Another benefit of over-ear wireless headphones is that they generally have long battery life, and although none of these pairs are breaking any records, they’re solid by most people’s standards. The QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) have a notable edge here, getting 30 hours with ANC on, unlike the AirPods Max 2, which get 20 hours with ANC activated.
However, the features are a different story. Both pairs have spatial audio, adaptive ANC, and transparency modes, but Apple leads the way in some of these categories and expands the feature set beyond what Bose’s wireless headphones can do. One area where the AirPods Max 2 still excel is transparency. The QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) have an “Aware Mode,” which is solid, but the AirPods Max 2, like previous generations, still have the best transparency in town. Things feel more natural.
Additionally, the AirPods Max 2 have a few things that the QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) don’t have, like Live Translation, which uses Apple Intelligence to translate languages in real-time, and Conversation Awareness, which automatically silences music when you speak so you can have a conversation without removing your headphones.
Since both have the edge in their respective departments, I’d have to call it a tie, although your opinion will vary depending on what you value in a pair of wireless headphones.
Winner: Tie
AirPods Max 2 vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Generation): ANC
In this case, I’ve saved the most competitive category for last. While I’ve been championing the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) as my favorite pair of ANC headphones since I first reviewed them in October 2025, it appears they’ve finally met a more worthy competitor in the AirPods Max 2. ANC was one of the biggest selling points of Apple’s latest pair of wireless headphones (they’re reportedly 1.5 times better at noise-canceling than the previous generation), and after using them myself, I can tell you that it’s not just marketing.
The AirPods Max 2 rival the QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) in the ANC department, and sometimes even feel a little better. Both wireless headphones hold up against extremely noisy environments like subways, and while I haven’t tested the AirPods Max 2 on an airplane, I wouldn’t think twice about relying on them for things like crying babies and the like. After using the QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) on an airplane, I can definitely tell you that they are powerful.
Ultimately, however, without the frequency charts and specialized equipment I have available, the ANC competition may be too close to call. The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a lot of noise cancellation, you’ll probably be happy with either pair.
Winner: Tie
ground level
These are two of the best pairs of wireless headphones I’ve tried recently, and if you’re in the market for something premium that comes with great sound and great ANC, you can’t go wrong. That said, Apple’s AirPods Max 2—despite being extremely expensive—have a notable lead in one of (if not the) most important categories. The most important category) A pair of wireless headphones can excel at is: Sound.
For $100 more, you’ll get ANC that rivals the Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) with significant sound improvements and more features. If you can forgive the stealth and the price, the AirPods Max 2 are a winner, even if haters tell you you’re just an Apple fan. For those without budget constraints, the AirPods Max 2 are a good option, and for everyone else, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones (2nd generation) are a premium option that won’t cost you a home loan.
Winner: AirPods Max 2
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