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Apple AirPods Max vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds edges it for most homes.
The verdict in 10 seconds
The Apple AirPods Max suits you if
- You live on an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want effortless pairing and switching
- You travel or commute often and want deep rumble shut out
- You care most about a premium feel and rich, detailed sound
May not suit you if
- You use Android or Windows and would lose many of the best features
- You want lightweight headphones for very long sessions or wear glasses all day
- You want a protective case, a real off switch or the longest battery life for the money
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds suits you if
- You commute or fly often and want the quietest earbuds you can get
- You like a rich, bass-forward sound
- You have medium to large ears and want a secure, stable fit
May not suit you if
- You need long battery life from the earbuds alone
- You have small ears or want something compact and discreet
- You game on your phone and need low audio delay
The short version
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds is the stronger all-rounder of the two. The Apple AirPods Max is still the better fit if you live on an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want effortless pairing and switching.
We researched 28 expert reviews, analyzed 44,303 owner ratings and comments across 20 sources for the two, and cross-checked them into one verdict, so you don't have to.
See the evidence
The scoreboardProduct Review score 73 vs 81 · reliability 41 vs 69
| Apple AirPods Max | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds | |
|---|---|---|
| Product Review score | 73 | 81 |
| Experts | 86 | 89 |
| Owners | 77 | 78 |
| Reliability | 41 | 69 |
| Report problems | 24% | 12% |
| Evidence | 13 reviews · 560 comments | 15 reviews · 153 comments |
| Typical price | $449–$549 | $229–$300 |
● marks the better number on each row.
Experts vs ownersExperts 86 vs 89 · Owners 77 vs 78
Apple AirPods Max
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
How we reached each verdictThe numbers behind each model's score
Apple AirPods Max
All 13 hands-on expert reviews praise the noise cancelling and build, and the expert score sits at 86, while owners are slightly cooler at 77; of 560 owner comments, 53% praise the sound and 43% the noise cancelling. The recurring downsides are just as consistent: 12 of 13 reviewers call them heavy, 12 criticize the case, and 7 flag the lack of a true power-off, with 6 saying the battery trails rivals. Reliability is the weak spot at 41, with failure-related mentions in 24% of owner comments, though only 3% describe outright breakage and 10% mention hinge or build issues. Evidence mixes the original, USB-C and newer models, and the retailer rating of 3.79 stars rests on only 43 reviews, versus 4.6 stars from 16,600 Amazon votes.
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
All 15 hands-on expert reviewers praise the noise cancelling, and most call it the best available in earbuds; owners agree, with 35% of 153 comments praising the noise cancelling, 32% the sound and 24% the comfort. The most consistent complaint is battery life of about six hours per charge, cited by 14 of 15 reviewers, with many noting it drops to about four with Immersive Audio on. Sound tuning splits opinion: several reviewers find the bass and treble overdone, while others love the punchy, full-bodied sound. Reliability evidence is moderate, not alarming: 12% of owner comments mention a failure, with small clusters on build (5%) and connectivity (5%), and call quality is genuinely mixed, with 7% of owners unhappy versus 5% pleased.
Where each one falls shortThe most common complaints
Apple AirPods Max
- Heavy compared with Sony and Bose rivals
- Case offers little protection and there's no power button
- High price, with battery life behind some rivals
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
- Only about six hours per charge, about four with Immersive Audio
- Bulky buds and a large case
- Mixed call quality in loud or windy places
Quick answers
Which is better, the Apple AirPods Max or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, for most homes. The Apple AirPods Max is the better fit if you live on an iPhone, iPad or Mac and want effortless pairing and switching.
Based on: Product Review score 73 vs 81.Which is more reliable?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. It's the least likely of the two to give you trouble.
Based on: Reliability 41 vs 69; problems mentioned by 24% vs 12% of owners.Which is easier to live with day to day?
It's a draw. Day to day, the two are about as satisfying.
Based on: Owners score 77 vs 78, from ratings and comments.Which is cheaper?
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds usually costs less.
Based on: Typical prices: Apple AirPods Max $449–$549; Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds $229–$300.As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It never changes a score.