Sony WH-1000XM4 Black
Score: 84/100
Apple AirPods Max Midnight
Score: 83/100Rankings
The Sony WH-1000XM4 are flagship over-ear wireless headphones delivering industry-leading ANC and up to 30 hours of battery life with quick charging. Their bulkier build and higher latency may deter gamers and gym-goers. They excel for frequent travelers and users seeking high-resolution audio with a robust feature set.
Apple AirPods Max are over-ear headphones delivering industry-leading ANC, 20 hours of battery life, and immersive spatial audio. Their premium weight and lack of multi-device pairing limit comfort and flexibility. They cater to dedicated Apple users who value audio fidelity above all.
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
30 hoursbest | 20 hours | |
38 hoursbest | — | |
| ↓ lower better | 254 gbest | 384.9 g |
| ↓ lower better | 10 minutes | 5 minutesbest |
40 mmbest | — | |
16 Ωbest | 16 Ωbest | |
10 m | 15 mbest | |
5 | 9best |
Click an attribute name to sort · Green = best, red = worst (relative to this comparison)
| Attribute | | |
|---|---|---|
Battery & Power(2) | ||
Battery Life (ANC On) (hours) | 30 hours | 20 hours |
Quick Charge Time (minutes) | 10 minutes | 5 minutes |
Connectivity(3) | ||
Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 5.3 |
Bluetooth Range (m) | 10 m | 15 m |
Multipoint Pairing | true | false |
Controls(1) | ||
Touch Controls | true | false |
Audio(2) | ||
Noise Cancellation Type | Active | Active Noise Cancelling |
Microphone Count | 5 | 9 |
Build & Design(1) | ||
Weight (g) | 254 g | 384.9 g |
Products in the top-left offer the best value (high score, low price).
Professional reviewers commend the WH-1000XM4 for its industry-leading ANC, long battery life, and warm, low-distortion sound enabled by the QN1 processor, while noting the bulkier chassis and higher latency make it less suitable for gaming or ultra-portable scenarios.
Everyday users consistently praise the headphones for blocking airplane and commuter noise, lasting battery life, and comfortable all-day wear, but they frequently mention the bulkiness, occasional app connectivity issues, and a bass-heavy default sound that may need EQ tweaking.
Professional reviewers commend the AirPods Max for its industry-leading ANC, long 20-hour battery life even with spatial features active, and the new Adaptive Audio and Bluetooth 5.3 upgrades in the second-generation model, while noting its premium price and Apple-centric design.
Everyday owners praise the immersive Spatial Audio and the battery endurance that covers long trips, but many complain about the noticeable weight and the lack of multi-device Bluetooth pairing, describing the headphones as best suited for dedicated Apple users.
