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Headphones comparison

Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C

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

Compared products
01Selected
Bose QuietComfort Ultra

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

  • Over-ear design surrounds your ears.
  • 253 g.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • Can stay connected to two devices.
  • Noise cancellation for listening.
KSh 44,500In Stock
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02
AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C

AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C

  • 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 67,000In Stock
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2 spaces available

Nothing Headphone (1) ProKSh 52,000
JBL TOUR ONE M3KSh 34,500
AirPods Max USB-C 2024KSh 72,000
Bose QuietComfort 45KSh 45,000
Bose Headphones 700KSh 38,000
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenKSh 53,500
Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesKSh 44,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the better buy: it lasts longer per charge (24 hours).

Weight

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
253 g
Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
386.2 g

Connections

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Bluetooth 5.1 connection
Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Bluetooth 5.0 connection

Fit

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Protein-leather over-ear cushions
Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Memory foam ear cushions with mesh textile

Battery life

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Up to 24 hours per charge
Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Up to 20 hours per charge

Two devices

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Stays connected to two devices
Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Wired design

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

  • Rated for up to 24 hours per charge (vs 20).
  • Lower price: KSh 44,500 (vs KSh 67,000).
  • Connection: Bluetooth or 2.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cable.
  • Lighter device: 253 g versus 386.2 g.
  • aptX Adaptive hi-res Bluetooth codec support.

Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C

  • Connection: Bluetooth + USB-C audio.

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.

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6 priorities selected.
How each product answers the selected priorities
PriorityBose QuietComfort UltraApple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
FitProtein-leather over-ear cushionsMemory foam ear cushions with mesh textile
Weight253 g386.2 grams
Battery lifeUp to 24 hours per chargeUp to 20 hours per charge
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.1Bluetooth 5.0
Charging15 minutes provides up to 2.5 hours5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time
SoftwareWorks with the Bose appBuilt into supported Apple operating systems

Detailed comparison

Explore the full specifications, section by section.

General

General specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
BrandBoseApple
ModelQuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)
Announced20232024
TypeOver-Ear Wireless HeadphonesOver-Ear Wireless Headphones

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Weight253g386.2 grams
Dimensions—168.6 mm x 83.4 mm x 187.3 mm

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Battery LifeUp to 24 hours; 18 hours with Immersive AudioUp 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 on
Charging Time3 hoursWired design
Fast Charging15 minutes provides up to 2.5 hours5 minutes of charge time provides around 1.5 hours of listening time
Charging PortUSB-CUSB-C
Wireless ChargingNoWired design

Connectivity

Connectivity specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
ConnectionBluetooth or 2.5mm-to-3.5mm audio cableBluetooth + USB-C audio
BluetoothBluetooth 5.1Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Range9mWired design
Multipoint ConnectionYesWired design
Connector2.5mm audio input; USB-C chargingUSB-C audio
App SupportBose appBuilt into supported Apple operating systems; no separate app

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Special FeaturesCustomTune; Immersive Audio; ActiveSenseDigital Crown; Smart Case; personalized Spatial Audio
Voice Assistant—Siri
Sensors—Optical sensor (each ear cup); Position sensor (each ear cup); Case-detect sensor (each ear cup); Accelerometer (each ear cup); Gyroscope (left ear cup)

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Audio CodecsAAC, SBC, aptX Adaptive on supported Snapdragon Sound devices—
Active Noise CancellationAdjustable ANC with CustomTuneYes
Transparency / Ambient ModeAware mode with ActiveSenseTransparency mode
Spatial AudioBose Immersive AudioPersonalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
Microphones8 Total MicrophonesNine microphones total:; Eight microphones for Active Noise Cancellation; Three microphones for voice pickup (two shared with Active Noise Cancellation and one additional microphone)
Audio FeaturesBose Immersive Audio (Spatial Audio)Adaptive EQ; Lossless Audio via USB-C; Apple H1 headphone chip (each ear cup)
Drivers—Apple-designed dynamic driver

Charging Case

Charging Case specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
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
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
ControlsPhysical buttons and capacitive volume stripDigital 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 Siri
Ear Tips / Ear CushionsProtein-leather over-ear cushionsMemory foam ear cushions with mesh textile

What's in the Box

What's in the Box specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort UltraAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Headphones / EarbudsQuietComfort Ultra Headphones headphones/headsetAirPods Max 1 (USB-C)
Charging CaseNo charging caseNo charging case
Charging CableUSB-C charging cableUSB-C Charge Cable
Audio CableWireless-only audio designNot included
Ear Tips / AccessoriesOn/over-ear or neckband designSmart Case
DocumentationUser documentationDocumentation

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.
  • Both support spatial audio.

In summary

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra is the better buy for almost everyone, with longer rated battery life.

Back to compared products ↑

In-stock alternatives

Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesFor Bose QuietComfort UltraSony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesView product ↗Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenFor Bose QuietComfort UltraBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenView product ↗AirPods Max USB-C 2024For AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type CAirPods Max USB-C 2024View product ↗

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