The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the better option for users who prioritize noise cancellation, battery life, and portability. The Apple AirPods Max 2 is a strong contender for users who value sound quality, microphone clarity and are already in the Apple ecosystem, despite its higher price and limited portability.
| Attribute | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods Max 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Sony WH-1000XM6 | Apple AirPods Max 2 |
| Price | $449 / £400 / €450 / AU$699 | $549 |
| Noise Cancellation Effectiveness | Exceptional, utilizes a new HD Noise Cancelling Processor QN3 (7x faster than QN1), 'look-ahead noise shaper', 12 microphones | Fantastic active noise cancellation, similar to Sony WH-1000XM6 in low-frequency noise attenuation. Effective in office or coffee shop settings. |
| Sound Quality | Detailed, dynamic, precise, open sound, well-balanced signature, clean bass, natural vocals, gently lifted highs, expansive soundstage | Excellent sound quality, particularly in the midrange for Pop, Rock, Classical, and Jazz. Pleasing, detailed highs without harshness. |
| Comfort and Fit | Lightweight, wider headband, refined concave earcup design, plusher earpads | Super soft ear cup fabric. Headband engineered to distribute weight evenly. Earcups are large and fit comfortably over the ears, even when wearing glasses. |
| Battery Life | Up to 30 hours with ANC on, 40 hours with ANC off. Approximately 40 hours with music playback and voice calls with ANC enabled in some tests. | Around 20 hours with active noise canceling turned on. |
| Charging Time | Approximately 3.5 hours | Full charge in around 2 hours. 5 minutes charging provides around 1.5 hours of listening time. |
| Bluetooth Codec Support | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3, Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and SBC codecs. No aptX or LDAC support. |
| Microphone Quality | Enhanced call quality with four additional microphones, AI beamforming | Impressive clarity, reduces background noise, focuses on user's voice. Features wind noise reduction technology. Total of nine microphones. |
| Water Resistance Rating | Not rated | No official IPX rating. Apple advises against exposing to moisture. |
| Weight | Approximately 254 grams | 386.2 grams |
| Foldability and Portability | Foldable form factor | Earcups can only spin, no real fold for enhanced portability. |
| Multipoint Pairing | Multipoint pairing for two devices | Cannot simultaneously connect to more than one device using Bluetooth. |