Buy the Sony WH-1000XM6. It lasts longer, weighs a third less, folds into a bag and works equally well on iPhone and Android. Buy AirPods Max 2 only if you live in Apple's ecosystem and want lossless audio over USB-C and the tightest iPhone and Mac integration.
Our picks
Live pricesBuy the Sony WH-1000XM6. It lasts longer, weighs a third less, folds into a bag and works equally well on iPhone and Android. Buy AirPods Max 2 only if you live in Apple's ecosystem and want lossless audio over USB-C and the tightest iPhone and Mac integration.
Spec analysis · Published Oct 9, 2026
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If you are… |
Buy |
Why |
|---|---|---|
|
Most buyers |
Sony WH-1000XM6 |
Battery, comfort, portability |
|
Android user |
Sony WH-1000XM6 |
LDAC and multipoint; Apple's features need an iPhone |
|
iPhone and Mac owner |
AirPods Max 2 |
Auto-switching, Adaptive Audio, Live Translation |
|
Frequent flyer |
Sony WH-1000XM6 |
3.5 mm cable in the box, folds flat, 30-hour claim |
|
Desk listener on a Mac |
AirPods Max 2 |
Lossless audio over USB-C |
Scoreboard
|
Round |
Winner |
|---|---|
|
Noise canceling |
Draw |
|
Sound |
Sony on Android, AirPods Max 2 wired |
|
Battery |
Sony |
|
Fit and comfort |
Sony |
|
Codecs and connectivity |
Sony |
|
Mics |
Draw |
Gadget Clash readers' preference:
Key differences
|
|
AirPods Max 2 |
Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
|
Battery, ANC on |
Up to 20 h (Apple claim) |
Up to 30 h (Sony claim) |
|
Weight |
13.6 oz (386.2 g) |
8.96 oz (254 g) |
|
Bluetooth codecs |
AAC |
SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
|
Wired audio |
Lossless over USB-C |
3.5 mm, cable included |
|
Multipoint |
Apple auto-switching (iCloud devices) |
Yes, any devices |
|
Folds |
No |
Yes |
|
Case |
Smart Case |
Carrying case |
|
Water resistance |
Not rated |
Not rated |
Noise canceling
Draw. In one independent lab's measurements the WH-1000XM6 canceled more noise than 85% of the over-ears it has tested. Apple claims AirPods Max 2 cancel up to 1.5 times more noise than the original AirPods Max (Apple claim), and reviews rate their ANC top-tier. Both belong on a plane. Neither has a clear measured lead we can cite.
Sound
Winner: Sony on Android; AirPods Max 2 over a cable. On Bluetooth, the iPhone uses AAC with both, so iPhone owners won't hear a codec difference. Android owners get LDAC on the Sony. Plug AirPods Max 2 into an iPhone, iPad or Mac over USB-C and you get 24-bit/48kHz lossless audio with ultra-low latency (Apple claim). The Sony's wired option is analog 3.5 mm.
Battery
Winner: Sony, easily. Sony claims 30 hours with ANC on; in one lab's test the XM6 ran 37 h 14 min. Apple claims 20 hours, and one review called the battery subpar. Five minutes of charging gives AirPods Max 2 about 1.5 hours (Apple claim). The Sony takes about 3.5 hours for a full charge.
Fit and comfort
Winner: Sony. At 8.96 oz (254 g), the XM6 is about 4.7 oz (132 g) lighter, and several reviewers call AirPods Max 2 heavy over long sessions. The Sony folds; the Max doesn't, and its Smart Case still leaves the headband exposed.
Codecs and connectivity
Winner: Sony. SBC, AAC, LDAC and LC3, multipoint with any two devices, and a 3.5 mm input with the cable included for seatback screens. AirPods Max 2 use AAC on Bluetooth 5.3 and switch automatically only between devices on the same Apple Account. On Android, they lose Adaptive Audio controls and automatic switching.
Mics
Draw. Apple uses nine microphones, three of them for voice, with Voice Isolation. Independent reviews rate both headphones' call quality highly. Without a same-lab call test, we won't split them.
What you get
- AirPods Max 2: Gadget Clash score 8.4. H2 chip in each cup, Smart Case and USB-C cable in the box; colors are Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple and Orange.
- Sony WH-1000XM6: Gadget Clash score 8.9. Carrying case and 3.5 mm cable in the box.
Who should buy the Sony WH-1000XM6
Almost everyone, including iPhone owners who travel. It's the longer-lasting, lighter, more portable headphone.
Cons:
- No USB-C audio.
- No IP rating.
- The case is still bulky.
Who should buy AirPods Max 2
iPhone, iPad and Mac owners who want lossless wired audio and the deepest Apple integration in an over-ear headphone.
Cons:
- Heavy at 13.6 oz (386.2 g).
- 20-hour battery claim, and one review called it subpar.
- No 3.5 mm cable in the box for airplane audio.
Consider instead
The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) add lossless USB-C audio to a lighter, gentler-clamping design. See Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen).
Final verdict
Sony WH-1000XM6 for most buyers. It wins battery, comfort, portability and codecs. AirPods Max 2 are for Apple loyalists who'll use USB-C lossless and Apple's features. Full specs: AirPods Max 2 · Sony WH-1000XM6.
How we evaluated this: This is a spec analysis. Gadget Clash hasn't tested either headphone hands-on. We compared official manufacturer specs (labeled as claims), independent lab results and Gadget Clash scores. Every spec was checked against the manufacturers' official pages on Oct 9, 2026. AI assisted with research and drafting. How we score