Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max: Which Should You Buy?
The two best premium noise-cancelling headphones go head to head. The right pick comes down to your phone and what you value most.
Premium noise-cancelling headphones have two obvious leaders: the Sony WH-1000XM6 and the Apple AirPods Max. The first is Sony's 2025 flagship; the second is Apple's 2024 USB-C refresh of its 2020 design. Which should you buy? The answer depends heavily on the phone you carry and what matters most to you.
Design and comfort
You feel the difference the moment you pick them up. The AirPods Max, built from aluminium and stainless steel, weigh about 385 g – among the heaviest headphones on the market. The Sony WH-1000XM6 weigh just 254 g, so your head and neck tire less on long listens. Sony also brought back a folding design: the cups collapse into a compact shape and fit a smaller case, which is handy for travel. The AirPods Max don't fold, and their case doesn't even fully power them down.
Sound
Both sound excellent, but differently. The AirPods Max deliver a warm, balanced sound with a strong low end. Sony lets you tune the sound more finely in its app and supports the LDAC codec – wireless Hi-Res audio up to 990 kbps. Over Bluetooth the AirPods Max support only AAC and SBC, but they have one trump card: true lossless audio over a wired USB-C connection (a compatible source is required). In short: Sony is better for wireless Hi-Res, Apple for wired lossless.
Noise cancelling
Sony leads here right now. Its new QN3 processor and 12 microphones cancel outside noise more effectively than ever – from aircraft drone to office chatter. The AirPods Max cancellation is still among the best, especially at low frequencies, but in 2025 Sony edges ahead.
Battery and connectivity
Sony lasts up to 30 hours with noise cancelling on; the AirPods Max manage about 20 hours. A 3-minute charge gives the Sony 3 hours of playback. Sony also offers multipoint – two devices connected at once, whether Android or iPhone. The AirPods Max auto-switch only between Apple devices; on Android you lose several features.
Ecosystem
If you use an iPhone, iPad and Mac, nothing beats AirPods Max integration: instant pairing, spatial audio with head tracking, Find My and Hey Siri. Sony works equally well across every platform, making it the more natural choice for Android users.
Price
In the Baltics the Sony WH-1000XM6 start at roughly 349 EUR and the Apple AirPods Max at roughly 400 EUR. The Sony are cheaper, lighter and last longer.
Verdict
For most buyers – especially Android users and frequent travellers – the Sony WH-1000XM6 are the smarter choice: the best noise cancelling, longer battery, lower weight and LDAC. The Apple AirPods Max are worth it if you live in the Apple ecosystem and value premium build and spatial audio – provided you accept the extra weight and shorter battery.
Want more options? Browse all wireless headphones.
