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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
Considering the Apple Airpods Max and the Bose Quiet Comfort 45, the Airpods Max offers higher overall sound and build quality but at a premium price, whereas the Quiet Comfort 45 provides exceptional comfort and is typically much less expensive. The Bose also has a longer battery life and is lighter, which might be beneficial for extended wear and portability. If active noise cancelling is a priority, both models perform well, but the Airpods Max has a slight edge in noise isolation. For those frequently in calls or meetings, the Bose scores higher in that area. It's also noteworthy that Airpods Max may be more optimized for Apple devices, so if you're using an iPhone or other Apple products, this could influence your decision. Lastly, the Bose is reported to be more foldable and comes with a detachable cable, which could affect convenience during travel. 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
- Good for music
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort 45
- Very good for phone calls
- Best in class for air travel
- Excellent for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Music
7.3
6.4
The Apple Airpods Max is good for music, while the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is only fair.
Phone Calls
6.6
8.0
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is very good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Max is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
9.3
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 is excellent for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods Max is very good.
Cost
$549
$260
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 costs $260.
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
The Apple Airpods Max has excellent build quality, while the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 has very good build quality.
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Key similarities
Gaming
5.5
5.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 and Apple Airpods Max are both poor for gaming.
TV and Video
5.7
5.8
The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 and Apple Airpods Max are both poor for TV and video.
Noise Reduction
10.0
10.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Bose Quiet Comfort 45 are both best in class for noise reduction.
Battery
21.0 Hours
22.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Bose Quiet Comfort 45 has 22.5 hours of battery life.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Bose Quiet Comfort 45 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Bose Quiet Comfort 45 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $260 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | September 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 6.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 8/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 22.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.1 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 10/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 10/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 235.8 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 Quiet Comfort 45
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Dig into reviews and images
What HiFi?
What HiFi? | November 2022
"If you want a set of wireless over-ear headphones you can put on, deploy noise-cancelling on your commute or at your desk and largely extinguish the outside world for up to 24 hours, the Bose QC 45 has the edge over most of the competition at the price."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Bose Quiet Comfort 45
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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Why trust us
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 stats compiled
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Proprietary Earbuds and headphones ratings developed
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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.
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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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