Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones vs AirPods Max 2 2026
Compare specifications, current prices and availability. Choose up to four products from the same family.
Add up to 2 more items to compare
Shokz OpenSwim ProKSh 24,500.00
Sony WH-1000XM4KSh 25,000.00
Sony WF-1000XM4KSh 29,500.00
Apple AirPods Pro 2KSh 28,500.00
Quick comparison
At a glance
Key specifications and important differences. Full details follow below.
| Feature |  Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones |  AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Price | KSh 46,000.00 | KSh 80,000.00 |
| Drivers | 1.18 in | Apple-designed dynamic driver |
| Connection | Bluetooth + Stereo Mini Jack | Bluetooth or USB-C audio |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Battery Life | Max. 30 hrs (NC ON), Max. 40 hrs (NC OFF) | Up to 20 hours with Active Noise Cancellation enabled |
| Weight | Approx. 8.96 oz | 386.2 g |
No differences in these highlights for the visible products.
Full specifications
2 of 4 products
No specification differences for the visible products. Turn off “Show differences only” to see all published specifications.
General
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Sony | Apple |
| Model | WH-1000XM6 | AirPods Max 2 |
| Announced | 2025 | 2026 |
| Type | Over-Ear Wireless Headphones | Over-Ear Wireless Headphones |
| Color | Sand Pink, Midnight Blue, Black, Platinum Silver | Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, Orange |
Design
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Approx. 8.96 oz | 386.2 g |
| Dimensions | — | 187.3 x 168.6 x 83.4 mm |
Battery & Charging
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Life | Max. 30 hrs (NC ON), Max. 40 hrs (NC OFF) | Up to 20 hours with Active Noise Cancellation enabled |
| Charging Time | Approx. 3.5 hrs | — |
| Charging Port | USB-C | USB-C |
| Wireless Charging | No | No |
| Fast Charging | — | 5 minutes provides around 1.5 hours |
Connectivity
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Connection | Bluetooth + Stereo Mini Jack | Bluetooth or USB-C audio |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Bluetooth Range | Approx. 32.81 ft | — |
| Multipoint Connection | Yes | — |
| Connector | Gold-plated L-shaped stereo mini plug | USB-C |
| Cable Length | Approx. 3.94 ft | — |
| App Support | Sony | Sound Connect | Built into supported Apple operating systems; no separate app |
Features
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Special Features | Atmospheric Pressure Optimizing; Adaptive NC Optimizer; Passive Operation | Adaptive Audio; Conversation Awareness; Voice Isolation; Live Translation |
| Voice Assistant | — | Siri |
| Sensors | — | Optical, position and case-detect sensors in each ear cup; accelerometers; gyroscope in left ear cup |
Audio
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Drivers | 1.18 in | Apple-designed dynamic driver |
| 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 | — |
| Active Noise Cancellation | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency / Ambient Mode | Ambient Sound Mode, Ambient Sound, Auto Ambient Sound, Quick Attention | Transparency mode |
| Microphones | MEMS, Omni directional | Nine microphones total: eight for ANC and three for voice pickup, with two shared |
| Audio Features | Dsee Extreme; Passive Operation; Magnet: Neodymium | H2 chip in each ear cup; Adaptive Audio; Adaptive EQ; Lossless Audio and ultra-low latency over USB-C |
| Spatial Audio | — | Personalised Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking |
Charging Case
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Case Type | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Case Battery Life | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Case Charging | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Case Charging Port | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Case Wireless Charging | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Case Dimensions | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Case Weight | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Case Water & Dust Resistance | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Case Features | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
Design & Controls
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Controls | Quick Attention | Digital Crown and listening-mode button |
| Ear Tips / Ear Cushions | Cushioned earcups | Over-ear memory-foam cushions with knit-mesh canopy |
What's in the Box
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 Headphones | AirPods Max 2 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Headphones / Earbuds | WH-1000XM6 headphones | AirPods Max 2 |
| Charging Case | N/A - no charging case | N/A - no charging case |
| Charging Cable | USB Cable | USB-C charging cable |
| Audio Cable | Connection Cable | N/A - not included |
| Ear Tips / Accessories | N/A - over-ear design | Smart Case (non-charging; 134.5 g) |
| Documentation | Warranty Card; Reference guide | Documentation |