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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize comfort and call quality, go for the Bose 700 headphones; they're more comfortable and have better microphone quality, which is great for long listening sessions and clear calls. However, if immersion in music and effective noise-canceling are your top needs, the Apple AirPods Max may be the better choice, though they do come at a heftier price. Both are premium over-ear, closed-back headphones with similar sound quality, but the AirPods Max have superior noise isolation capabilities. Keep in mind that the Bose 700 are lighter and some users might find them easier to wear over extended periods. Both support AAC codec ensuring good performance with Apple devices, but only the Bose 700 has an app equalizer for sound customization. The battery life is roughly the same, but neither is ideal for exercising due to their size and weight. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Apple Airpods Max
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bose 700
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for air travel
Key differences
Phone Calls
6.6
8.3
The Bose 700 is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Max is only fair.
Noise Reduction
10.0
9.1
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Bose 700 is excellent.
Cost
$549
$299
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Bose 700 costs $299.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.5
The Bose 700 and Apple Airpods Max are both good for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.3
The Apple Airpods Max and Bose 700 are both poor for gaming.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
7.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to be very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose 700 is good.
TV and Video
5.7
5.6
The Apple Airpods Max and Bose 700 are both poor for TV and video.
Battery
21.0 Hours
20.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Bose 700 has 20 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Bose 700 both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Bose 700 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Bose 700 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $299 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | June 1, 2019 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.4/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 5.5/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 20 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | N/A | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 263 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods Max
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | July 2023
"Objectively, the AirPods Max is a spectacular pair of headphones. I appreciate the smart features like auto-pause and the transparency mode are super practical. It also sounds great, is well-built, and has solid battery life."
Bose 700
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Adam Molina | June 2023
"Bose took active noise canceling and made it mainstream but eventually, the market caught up. Well, it seems like Bose was listening, because the Noise Canceling Headphones 700 is a complete redesign of its iconic product. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 have a new design, improved sound quality, a touch-sensitive gesture pad for playback controls, and even USB-C charging."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Bose 700
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
About Bose
Bose is an American audio equipment manufacturer based out of Framingham, Massachusetts. Founded in 1964 by Amar Bose with the goal of creating a speaker system that could accurately recreate the sound of a concert hall, Bose has become one of the most prominent players in the modern consumer audio market due to the premium feel of their products and their wide brand recognition.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
By the numbers
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Earbuds and headphones evaluated
11,340
Earbuds and headphones stats compiled
15
Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
123,500
Recommendations made
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Consumer hours saved
About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
Jason Lew
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Jason is a staff expert and software engineer that has been making laptop recommendations for 7 years and moderates one of the largest laptop subreddits.
Chandradeep Chowdhury
Staff Expert & Software Engineer
Chandradeep is a staff expert and software engineer and expert in televisions and monitors. He’s been making monitor recommendations for ten years.
Luis Torres
Earbuds and Headphones Expert
Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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