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Headphones comparison

AirPods Max USB-C 2024 vs Sony WH-1000XM6

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
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones

  • Over-ear design surrounds your ears.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • Can stay connected to two devices.
  • Noise cancellation for listening.
  • Up to 30 hours per charge.
KSh 44,000In 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
Bose QuietComfort 45KSh 45,000
Beats Studio ProKSh 33,000
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenKSh 53,500
AirPods Max 2 2026KSh 80,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones is the stronger choice: it lasts longer per charge (30 hours), while the Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024 only has virtual surround sound.

Connections

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
Bluetooth 5.0 connection
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
Bluetooth 5.3 connection

Fit

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
Memory foam ear cushions with mesh textile
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
Cushioned earcups

Weight

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
386.2 grams
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
About 254 g

Battery life

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
Up to 20 hours per charge
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
Up to 30 hours per charge

Two devices

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024
Wired design
Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
Stays connected to two devices

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024

  • Virtual surround sound.
  • Connection: Bluetooth + USB-C audio.
  • Supports spatial audio.

Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones

  • Rated for up to 30 hours per charge (vs 20).
  • Newer Bluetooth 5.3 (vs 5.0).
  • Lower price: KSh 44,000 (vs KSh 72,000).
  • Connection: Bluetooth + Stereo Mini Jack.
  • LDAC hi-res Bluetooth codec support.

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 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
FitMemory foam ear cushions with mesh textileCushioned earcups
Weight386.2 gramsAbout 254 g
Battery lifeUp to 20 hours per chargeUp to 30 hours per charge
Two devicesWired designStays connected to two devices
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3
SoftwareBuilt into supported Apple operating systemsSony / Sound Connect

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
BrandAppleSony
ModelAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)WH-1000XM6
Announced20242025
TypeOver-Ear Wireless HeadphonesOver-Ear Wireless Headphones
ColorMidnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, OrangeSand Pink, Midnight Blue, Black, Platinum Silver

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
Weight386.2 gramsApprox. 8.96 oz
Dimensions168.6 mm x 83.4 mm x 187.3 mm—

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
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 onMax. 30 hrs (NC ON), Max. 40 hrs (NC OFF)
Charging TimeWired designApprox. 3.5 hrs
Fast Charging5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time—
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Wireless ChargingWired designNo

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
ConnectionBluetooth + USB-C audioBluetooth + Stereo Mini Jack
BluetoothBluetooth 5.0Bluetooth 5.3
Bluetooth RangeWired designApprox. 32.81 ft
Multipoint ConnectionWired designYes
ConnectorUSB-C audioGold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug
App SupportBuilt into supported Apple operating systems; no separate appSony | Sound Connect
Cable Length—Approx. 3.94 ft

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
Voice AssistantSiri—
SensorsOptical sensor (each ear cup); Position sensor (each ear cup); Case-detect sensor (each ear cup); Accelerometer (each ear cup); Gyroscope (left ear cup)Wearing detection; touch control sensor
Special FeaturesDigital Crown; Smart Case; personalized Spatial AudioAtmospheric Pressure Optimizing; Adaptive NC Optimizer; Passive Operation

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
DriversApple-designed dynamic driver1.18 in
Active Noise CancellationYesYes
Transparency / Ambient ModeTransparency modeAmbient Sound Mode, Ambient Sound, Auto Ambient Sound, Quick Attention
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)MEMS, Omni directional
Audio FeaturesAdaptive EQ; Lossless Audio via USB-C; Apple H1 headphone chip (each ear cup)Dsee Extreme; Passive Operation; Magnet: Neodymium
Frequency Response—4–40,000 Hz (JEITA)
Impedance—48 ohm (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned on), 16 ohm (1 kHz) (when connecting via the headphone cable with the unit turned off)
Audio Codecs—SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3

Charging Case

Charging Case specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
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 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
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 SiriQuick Attention
Ear Tips / Ear CushionsMemory foam ear cushions with mesh textileCushioned earcups

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
SpecificationAirPods Max USB-C 2024Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones
Headphones / EarbudsAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)WH-1000XM6 headphones
Charging CaseNo charging caseNo charging case
Charging CableUSB-C Charge CableUSB Cable
Audio CableNot includedConnection Cable
Ear Tips / AccessoriesSmart CaseOver-ear design
DocumentationDocumentationWarranty Card; Reference guide

Similarities

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

In summary

For most buyers the Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones is the better buy; the Apple AirPods Max USB-C 2024 makes sense if you want 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 Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesBose QuietComfort UltraView product ↗Razer Blackshark V3 Pro White EditionFor Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesRazer Blackshark V3 Pro White EditionView product ↗

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