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Headphones comparison

AirPods Max USB-C 2024 vs Bose QuietComfort 45

Compare sound, battery life, fit, controls and connections.

Compared products
01Selected
AirPods Max USB-C 2024

AirPods Max USB-C 2024

  • Over-ear design surrounds your ears.
  • 386.2 g.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • Noise cancellation for listening.
  • Up to 20 hours per charge.
KSh 72,000In Stock
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02
Bose QuietComfort 45

Bose QuietComfort 45

  • Over-ear design surrounds your ears.
  • About 240 g.
  • Up to 22 hours per charge.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • Can stay connected to two devices.
KSh 45,000Out of Stock

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2 spaces available

AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type CKSh 67,000
Nothing Headphone (1) ProKSh 52,000
Bose QuietComfort UltraKSh 44,500
Beats Studio ProKSh 33,000
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenKSh 53,500
Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesKSh 44,000
AirPods Max 2 2026KSh 80,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024 is the better buy: it has virtual surround sound.

Weight

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
386.2 g
Bose QuietComfort 45
About 240 g

Connections

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
Bluetooth 5.0 connection
Bose QuietComfort 45
Bluetooth 5.1 connection

Fit

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
Memory foam ear cushions with mesh textile
Bose QuietComfort 45
Cushioned over-ear earcups

Battery life

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
Up to 20 hours per charge
Bose QuietComfort 45
Up to 22 hours per charge

Two devices

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
Wired design
Bose QuietComfort 45
Stays connected to two devices

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024

  • Virtual surround sound.
  • Newer model: released in 2024 (vs 2021).
  • Connection: Bluetooth + USB-C audio.
  • Supports spatial audio.

Bose QuietComfort 45

  • Connection: Bluetooth or 2.5 mm audio cable.
  • Lighter device: about 240 g versus 386.2 g.

What matters most to you?

Choose any priorities

How each product answers the questions buyers ask most. Tick a topic to add it, untick one to hide it.

More topicsFewer topics
6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityApple AirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
FitMemory foam ear cushions with mesh textileCushioned over-ear earcups
Weight386.2 gramsAbout 240 g
Battery lifeUp to 20 hours per chargeUp to 22 hours per charge
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.1
Charging5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time15 minutes provides up to 3 hours
SoftwareBuilt into supported Apple operating systemsWorks with the Bose Music app

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
BrandAppleBose
ModelAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)QuietComfort 45
Announced20242021
TypeOver-Ear Wireless HeadphonesOver-Ear Wireless Headphones
ColorMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, OrangeBlack, White Smoke, Eclipse Gray, Midnight Blue

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
Weight386.2 gramsApproximately 240 g
Dimensions168.6 mm x 83.4 mm x 187.3 mm184 x 152 x 76 mm

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
Battery LifeUp to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge with pro-level Active Noise Cancellation enabled; Up to 20 hours of movie playback on a single charge with pro-level Active Noise Cancellation and Spatial Audio onUp to 22 hours
Charging TimeWired designApproximately 2.25 hours
Fast Charging5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time15 minutes provides up to 3 hours
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Wireless ChargingWired designNo

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
ConnectionBluetooth + USB-C audioBluetooth or 2.5 mm audio cable
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.1
Bluetooth RangeWired designUp to 10 m / 33 ft
Multipoint ConnectionWired designYes
ConnectorUSB-C audio2.5 mm headphone input; USB-C charging
App SupportBuilt into supported Apple operating systems; no separate appBose Music app
Cable Length—12-inch USB-C cable; 42-inch 3.5-to-2.5 mm audio cable

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
Voice AssistantSiriNative voice assistant access
SensorsOptical sensor (each ear cup); Position sensor (each ear cup); Case-detect sensor (each ear cup); Accelerometer (each ear cup); Gyroscope (left ear cup)—
Special FeaturesDigital Crown; Smart Case; personalized Spatial AudioQuiet and Aware modes; adjustable EQ

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
DriversApple-designed dynamic driver—
Active Noise CancellationYesYes — Quiet Mode
Transparency / Ambient ModeTransparency modeAware Mode
Spatial AudioPersonalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking—
MicrophonesNine microphones total:; Eight microphones for Active Noise Cancellation; Three microphones for voice pickup (two shared with Active Noise Cancellation and one additional microphone)Built-in microphone array
Audio FeaturesAdaptive EQ; Lossless Audio via USB-C; Apple H1 headphone chip (each ear cup)Adjustable EQ; TriPort acoustic architecture; volume-optimized Active EQ

Charging Case

Charging Case specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
Case TypeNo charging caseNo charging case
Case Battery Life——
Case Charging——
Case Charging Port——
Case Wireless Charging——
Case Dimensions——
Case Weight——
Case Water & Dust Resistance——
Case Features——

Design & Controls

Design & Controls specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
ControlsDigital Crown; Turn for volume control; Press once to play or pause media; Press once to answer a call or mute or unmute; Press twice to end a call; Press twice to skip forward; Press three times to skip back; Press and hold for SiriPhysical buttons for playback, calls, volume and listening modes
Ear Tips / Ear CushionsMemory foam ear cushions with mesh textileCushioned over-ear earcups

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort 45
Headphones / EarbudsAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)QuietComfort 45 headphones
Charging CaseNo charging caseNo charging case
Charging CableUSB-C Charge CableUSB-C charging cable
Audio CableNot included3.5 mm to 2.5 mm audio cable
Ear Tips / AccessoriesSmart CaseCarry case
DocumentationDocumentationDocumentation

Similarities

  • Both have active noise cancellation.
  • Both have an ambient mode to hear your surroundings.
  • Both charge over USB-C.
  • Both have built-in microphones for calls.
  • Both connect over Bluetooth.

In summary

The Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024 is the better buy for almost everyone, with virtual surround sound.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type CFor AirPods Max USB-C 2024AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type CView product ↗Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenFor AirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenView product ↗Bose QuietComfort UltraFor Bose QuietComfort 45Bose QuietComfort UltraView product ↗Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesFor Bose QuietComfort 45Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesView product ↗

Related comparisons

AirPods Max USB-C 2024AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type CAirPods Max USB-C 2024Nothing Headphone (1) ProAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max USB-C 2024Beats Studio ProAirPods Max USB-C 2024Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesAirPods Max USB-C 2024AirPods Max 2 2026AirPods Max USB-C 2024Razer Blackshark V3 Pro White Edition
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