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Headphones comparison

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

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

Compared products
01Selected
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen

  • Over-ear design surrounds your ears.
  • Up to 30 hours per charge.
  • Uses USB-C for charging.
  • Can stay connected to two devices.
  • Noise cancellation for listening.
KSh 53,500In Stock
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
AirPods Max USB-C 2024KSh 72,000
Bose QuietComfort UltraKSh 44,500
Bose QuietComfort 45KSh 45,000
Bose Headphones 700KSh 38,000
Sony WH-1000XM6 HeadphonesKSh 44,000
AirPods Max 2 2026KSh 80,000
2 of 4 products

Our quick verdict

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen is the better buy: it lasts longer per charge (30 hours).

Connections

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen
Bluetooth 5.4 connection
Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Bluetooth 5.0 connection

Fit

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

Battery life

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen
Up to 30 hours per charge
Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Up to 20 hours per charge

Two devices

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

Controls

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen
On-device playback, volume and call controls
Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Digital Crown

Key differences

The main differences to help you choose.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen

  • Rated for up to 30 hours per charge (vs 20).
  • Newer Bluetooth 5.4 (vs 5.0).
  • Lower price: KSh 53,500 (vs KSh 67,000).
  • aptX Adaptive hi-res Bluetooth codec support.

Apple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C

  • Supports spatial 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 Ultra Headphones 2nd GenApple AirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
FitProtein-leather over-ear cushionsMemory foam ear cushions with mesh textile
Battery lifeUp to 30 hours per chargeUp to 20 hours per charge
Two devicesStays connected to two devicesWired design
ConnectionsBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.0
Charging15 minutes provides up to 3 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 Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
BrandBoseApple
ModelQuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)AirPods Max 1 (USB-C)
Announced20252024
TypeOver-Ear Wireless HeadphonesOver-Ear Wireless Headphones
ColorBlack, White Smoke, Midnight Violet, Desert Gold, Driftwood Sand—

Design

Design specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Weight—386.2 grams
Dimensions—168.6 mm x 83.4 mm x 187.3 mm

Battery & Charging

Battery & Charging specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Battery LifeUp to 30 hoursUp 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 3 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 Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
ConnectionBluetooth, USB-C audio or 2.5mm auxiliaryBluetooth + USB-C audio
BluetoothBluetooth 5.4Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth Range10mWired design
Multipoint ConnectionYesWired design
ConnectorUSB-C and auxiliaryUSB-C audio
App SupportBose appBuilt into supported Apple operating systems; no separate app

Features

Features specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
SensorsOn-head detection; motion sensing for immersive audioOptical sensor (each ear cup); Position sensor (each ear cup); Case-detect sensor (each ear cup); Accelerometer (each ear cup); Gyroscope (left ear cup)
Special FeaturesLossless USB-C audio; Cinema Mode; on-head detectionDigital Crown; Smart Case; personalized Spatial Audio
Voice Assistant—Siri

Audio

Audio specifications comparison
SpecificationBose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Audio CodecsSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive with compatible Snapdragon Sound devices—
Active Noise CancellationAdjustable ANCYes
Transparency / Ambient ModeAware modeTransparency mode
Spatial AudioBose Immersive Audio and Cinema ModePersonalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking
MicrophonesBuilt-in MicrophoneNine 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 & Cinema ModeAdaptive 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 Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods 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 Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
ControlsOn-device playback, volume and call 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 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 Ultra Headphones 2nd GenAirPods Max 2nd Gen Type C
Headphones / EarbudsQuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) 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.

In summary

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 2nd Gen is the better buy for almost everyone, with longer rated battery life.

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