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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major concern, you may prefer the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds as they are typically less expensive than the Apple AirPods Max. If you prioritize over-ear comfort and potentially better sound quality due to larger drivers, the AirPods Max might be worth the extra cost. The AirPods Max may also offer better integration with Apple devices, useful if you're in the Apple ecosystem. However, the Bose earbuds are more portable, less conspicuous for outdoor use, and may be preferred for exercise due to their smaller form factor. Each option has active noise cancellation, but the over-ear design of the AirPods Max might edge out in terms of pure noise isolation. Consider also the battery life as earbuds typically have shorter battery life than over-ear headphones but often come with a charging case for extended use. 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
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Very good for music
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for exercise
Key differences
Music
7.3
8.6
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for music, while the Apple Airpods Max is good.
Gaming
5.5
8.8
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
5.1
The Apple Airpods Max is only fair for phone calls, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
8.1
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
8.9
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is very good.
Battery
21.0 Hours
6.5 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds has 6.5 hours of battery life.
Cost
$549
$249
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds costs $249.
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Key similarities
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $249 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Bose | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | September 1, 2023 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Earbuds | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 8.7/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 5.1/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.8/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.2/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 8.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 6.5 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.3 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | N/A | 21 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 8.9/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 6.2/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | N/A | Medium | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 7.7 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 QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
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Dig into reviews and images
Soundguys
Christian Thomas | October 2023
"Bose put the time in to fix the major issues with the previous earbuds, and the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds are very befitting of its price point. While you might be tempted to save a few bucks and go with the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II on sale, fight the urge. There are enough upgrades here to justify the newer model."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 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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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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