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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize high-end noise cancellation and a premium build quality with an intuitive interface, the Apple AirPods Max may be worth the extra cost. They are also well-suited for seamless connectivity with other Apple devices. However, if you are looking for good sound quality at a more budget-friendly price and can forgo active noise cancellation and luxury materials, the Sennheiser HD 250BT is a solid choice. It's also a more compact option, great for portability. Keep in mind that the AirPods Max offer a more encompassing ecosystem experience for Apple users, while the Sennheiser provides a straightforward Bluetooth headphone experience without the added features. 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
- Excellent for air travel
Advantages of the Sennheiser HD 250BT
- Good for phone calls
- Very good for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
Key differences
Music
7.3
6.5
The Apple Airpods Max is good for music, while the Sennheiser HD 250BT is only fair.
Gaming
5.5
8.8
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is very good for gaming, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Phone Calls
6.6
7.2
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is good for phone calls, while the Apple Airpods Max is only fair.
TV and Video
5.7
8.4
The Sennheiser HD 250BT is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods Max is poor.
Noise Reduction
10.0
6.0
The Apple Airpods Max is best in class for noise reduction, while the Sennheiser HD 250BT is only fair.
Cost
$549
$66
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods Max has a price of $549 and the Sennheiser HD 250BT costs $66.
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Key similarities
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.0
8.1
The Sennheiser HD 250BT and Apple Airpods Max are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
Battery
21.0 Hours
25.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods Max has 21 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser HD 250BT has 25 hours of battery life.
Build Quality
9.0
9.0
The Apple Airpods Max and Sennheiser HD 250BT both have excellent build quality.
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How the Apple Airpods Max and the Sennheiser HD 250BT compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods Max | Sennheiser HD 250BT |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$549 | $66 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | December 1, 2020 | May 1, 2021 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.4/10 | 6.6/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.6/10 | 7.2/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 5.5/10 | 8.9/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.2/10 | 6.2/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 21 Hours | 25 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | No | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 10/10 | 6/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | Yes | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 7/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 7/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 385.5 Grams | 125 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."
Sennheiser HD 250BT
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Headphone Check
Pete Scholßnagel | 2020
"As a lightweight, robust audio provider with a long battery life, the Sennheiser HD 250BT offer a lot for their price: very good Bluetooth codecs, an app connection and an extremely understated design. These headphones may not be among the most comfortable, but they deliver adequate sound – without overdriving or distortion."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods Max or the Sennheiser HD 250BT
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 Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
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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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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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