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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Apple AirPods Max offers superior noise cancellation and is highly recommended for air travel, featuring better build quality and on-headphone controls, and suitable for both Apple and Android devices with a longer battery life; however, it's heavier and less portable than the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds. In contrast, the Bose earbuds are more comfortable, lighter, and provide great sound quality and noise isolation, with added sweatproof certification, making them ideal for exercise. Price-wise, the Bose is less expensive, and if budget is a priority with a need for good quality and versatility, the Bose would be the better choice. 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
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
- Best in class for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
9.5
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is best in class for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Airpods Max is very good.
Noise Reduction
10.0
9.1
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds is excellent.
Battery
21.0 Hours
7.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has 7 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$199
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds costs $199.
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Key similarities
Music
7.3
7.1
The Apple Airpods Max and Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds are both good for music.
Gaming
5.5
5.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and Apple Airpods Max are both poor for gaming.
Phone Calls
6.6
6.6
The Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds and Apple Airpods Max are both only fair for phone calls.
TV and Video
5.7
6.0
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds to be only fair for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Build Quality
9.0
8.9
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Apple Airpods Max to have excellent build quality, while the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds has very good build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $199 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | October 1, 2020 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 7.1/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 6.7/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 6/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.8/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 7 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 1.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.1 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 18 | |
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 | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 5.4/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.6/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Large | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 8.5 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
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 Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Sound Guys
Lily Katz | March 2023
"The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds is a great do-it-all option for anyone, so long as you can afford it. This is a great alternative to the Apple AirPods Pro and Sony WF-1000XM4. You can choose the degree of noise canceling, and enjoy premium features like automatic ear-detection. These earbuds merit an IPX4 rating, making them a fine workout companion."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds
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.
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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.
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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