I tested the AirPods Max 2, Sony XM6, and Bose Ultra 2: Why Bose is my top pick

## Summary
Close Home Tech Wearables Headphones I tested the AirPods Max 2, Sony XM6, and Bose Ultra 2: Why Bose is my top pick I've worn the latest over-ear headphones from Apple, Sony, and Bose in real-world settings. If you're ready to upgrade your over-ear headphones and are weighing your options between Sony's WH-1000XM6 , Bose's QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) , and Apple's AirPods Max 2, you have some serious decisions to make. Specifications Apple AirPods Max 2 Sony WH-1000XM6 Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) Battery life 20 hours 30 hours 30 hours Wired connectivity USB-C 3.5mm jack USB-C; 3.5mm jack Codec support SBC, AAC SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 SBC, AAC, AptX Adaptive Audio modes ANC, Transparency Mode, Adaptive ANC ANC, Ambient Sound Mode, Adaptive Sound Control ANC, Aware Mode, ActiveSense Spatial audio Yes (Spatial Audio with Head Tracking) Yes (360 Reality Audio) Yes (Immersive Audio) Additional features Live Translation, Siri Interactions, Conversation Awareness, studio-quality audio recording, low-latency audio editing Speak-to-Chat, Windows Swift Pair, Google Fast Pair, LE Audio, Head Gestures CustomTune, auto low-power mode, Cinema Mode Price $ 549 $ 459 $ 449 You should buy the AirPods Max 2 if... Review: Apple AirPods Max 2 Though you can connect the AirPods Max 2 to non-Apple devices via Bluetooth, you'll miss out on the very features worth $549, including Siri, Spatial Audio, Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, and more.

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I tested the AirPods Max 2, Sony XM6, and Bose Ultra 2: Why Bose is my top pick
I've worn the latest over-ear headphones from Apple, Sony, and Bose in real-world settings. Here's how they compare.
Written by
Jada Jones,
Editor
Editor
April 7, 2026 at 6:02 a.m. PT
Jada Jones/ZDNET
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Sony, Bose, and Apple have all released the latest generation of their over-ear headphones within the past year. With Apple's release of the
AirPods Max 2
, the trifecta is complete. If you're ready to upgrade your over-ear headphones and are weighing your options between
Sony's WH-1000XM6
,
Bose's QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)
, and Apple's AirPods Max 2, you have some serious decisions to make.
Also:
I replaced my Sony WH-1000XM6 with the AirPods Max 2 for a week - and didn't miss a beat
I've worn all three, and each has its own set of strengths and weaknesses. Generally, Bose offers the most versatility, Sony offers the most audio customization, and Apple offers the best experience for Apple users.
If you don't have Apple devices, consider yourself lucky that your options are down to Sony and Bose. You can find our detailed comparison between the QC Ultra 2 and WH-1000XM6
here
. If you have at least an iPhone, let's get into a three-way comparison.
Here's how to determine which one you should buy, based on how each model excels and falls flat in the real world.
Specifications
Apple AirPods Max 2
Sony WH-1000XM6
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Battery life
20 hours
30 hours
30 hours
Wired connectivity
USB-C
3.5mm jack
USB-C; 3.5mm jack
Codec support
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3
SBC, AAC, AptX Adaptive
Audio modes
ANC, Transparency Mode, Adaptive ANC
ANC, Ambient Sound Mode, Adaptive Sound Control
ANC, Aware Mode, ActiveSense
Spatial audio
Yes (Spatial Audio with Head Tracking)
Yes (360 Reality Audio)
Yes (Immersive Audio)
Additional features
Live Translation, Siri Interactions, Conversation Awareness, studio-quality audio recording, low-latency audio editing
Speak-to-Chat, Windows Swift Pair, Google Fast Pair, LE Audio, Head Gestures
CustomTune, auto low-power mode, Cinema Mode
Price
$
549
$
459
$
449
You should buy the AirPods Max 2 if...
Jada Jones/ZDNET
Buy the Apple AirPods Max 2
View now at Best Buy
1. You have an expansive Apple ecosystem
The AirPods Max 2 are best suited for those with several Apple devices, such as an iPhone,
Mac
, iPad, and Apple TV. Each of these devices offers new AirPods Max capabilities, such as low-latency gaming, near-real-time audio editing, and watching TV and movies in Spatial Audio. If you often work and play across several Apple-made screens, you'll find the most utility in the AirPods Max 2 inside and outside the house.
Review:
Apple AirPods Max 2
Though you can connect the AirPods Max 2 to non-Apple devices via Bluetooth, you'll miss out on the very features worth $549, including Siri, Spatial Audio, Live Translation, Adaptive Audio, and more. If your only Apple device is an iPhone, but you still want AirPods, consider the AirPods Pro 3.
2. Spatial Audio is most important to you
Apple's Personalized Spatial Audio is unmatched, while its competitors don't hold a candle to it. The AirPods Max 2's upgraded audio performance and processing are on full display when consuming media in Spatial Audio, with clear object imaging

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Spatial Audio is most important to you Apple's Personalized Spatial Audio is unmatched, while its competitors don't hold a candle to it.

### Areas for Consideration
N/A

### Implications
- When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission.
- When you click through from our site to a retailer and buy a product or service, we may earn affiliate commissions.
- This helps support our work, but does not affect what we cover or how, and it does not affect the price you pay.
- If we have made an error or published misleading information, we will correct or clarify the article.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers apple, audio, bose topics. Notable strengths include discussion of apple. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 1803.