Airpods Max vs Bose Qc35: Which Headphones Reign Supreme?
Struggling to choose between premium noise-canceling headphones? You’re not alone. The world of audio is filled with amazing options, and two titans often top the list: the Apple AirPods Max and the Bose QuietComfort 35. Both promise an immersive listening experience, but which one truly delivers the best value and performance for your needs?
This in-depth comparison dives into the heart of the matter, pitting the sleek design and innovative features of the AirPods Max against the tried-and-true comfort and reliability of the Bose QC35. We’ll explore everything from sound quality and noise cancellation to comfort, battery life, and price.
Get ready to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of each headphone, helping you make an informed decision. Whether you’re a devoted Apple user or a long-time Bose fan, this guide will provide the insights you need to choose the perfect headphones for your lifestyle.
Specs at a Glance
| Feature | AirPods Max | Bose QC35 |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.0 | 4.1 |
| Codec Support | AAC, SBC | AAC, SBC |
| Weight | 384.8 grams | 235 grams |
| Water Resistance | IPX4 | No |
| Charging Port | Lightning | Micro-USB |
| Battery Life (with ANC) | 20 hours | 20 hours |
| Ear Cup Material | Aluminum | Synthetic Leather |
| Headband Material | Stainless Steel & Mesh | Alcantara |
| Built-in Microphone | Yes | Yes |
| Voice Assistant | Siri | Google Assistant/Siri |
Feature-by-Feature Breakdown
Design & Build Quality
- Airpods Max: Features a stainless steel frame and breathable knit mesh canopy, offering a premium and luxurious feel. Its rotating earcups and telescoping arms provide comfortable fit, but the weight can be a concern for some.
- Bose Qc35: Constructed primarily of plastic, the QC35 is lightweight and comfortable for extended wear. The design is less flashy than the AirPods Max, prioritizing comfort and portability over premium materials.
- Winner: AirPods Max
Sound Quality
- Airpods Max: Delivers exceptional audio with its custom acoustic design, including a powerful driver, computational audio, and spatial audio with dynamic head tracking. Offers detailed sound and a wide soundstage.
- Bose Qc35: Provides a balanced sound profile with clear highs and decent bass. While good, it may not match the detail and dynamic range of the AirPods Max.
- Winner: AirPods Max
Noise Cancellation
- Airpods Max: Boasts industry-leading noise cancellation, effectively blocking out a wide range of ambient sounds. Transparency mode allows you to hear the outside world when needed.
- Bose Qc35: Offers excellent noise cancellation, a hallmark of Bose headphones. While effective, it may not be quite as potent as the AirPods Max in extremely noisy environments.
- Winner: AirPods Max
Comfort
- Airpods Max: Designed with a breathable knit mesh canopy and memory foam earcups, but its weight can cause discomfort for some users during extended use.
- Bose Qc35: Known for its lightweight design and plush earcups, the QC35 excels in comfort, making it suitable for long listening sessions.
- Winner: Bose QC35
Controls
- Airpods Max: Uses a Digital Crown for volume control, playback, and Siri activation. Offers intuitive and precise control.
- Bose Qc35: Features physical buttons for power, volume, and playback control. Simple and reliable, but perhaps not as elegant as the Digital Crown.
- Winner: AirPods Max
Battery Life
- Airpods Max: Provides up to 20 hours of listening time with active noise cancellation or Transparency mode enabled. Quick charging capabilities are also included.
- Bose Qc35: Offers up to 20 hours of battery life. Provides a longer battery life compared to some of the competition.
- Winner: Tie
Connectivity
- Airpods Max: Seamlessly integrates with Apple devices, offering easy pairing, automatic switching, and spatial audio features.
- Bose Qc35: Connects via Bluetooth, with a reliable connection for a variety of devices.
- Winner: AirPods Max
Price
- Airpods Max: Significantly more expensive than the Bose QC35.
- Bose Qc35: Generally more affordable, making it a better value for many users.
- Winner: Bose QC35
Winner by Category
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancellation | Tie |
| Sound Quality | AirPods Max |
| Design & Build Quality | AirPods Max |
| Comfort | Bose QC35 |
| Features | AirPods Max |
| Portability | Bose QC35 |
| Value | Bose QC35 |
What They Have in Common
- Active Noise Cancellation: Both headphones feature effective active noise cancellation, allowing users to immerse themselves in their audio or enjoy a quieter environment. This technology helps to block out distracting background noises.
- Bluetooth Connectivity: Both the AirPods Max and Bose QC35 connect wirelessly to devices via Bluetooth, providing freedom of movement and eliminating the need for a wired connection. This allows for easy pairing with smartphones, tablets, and other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
- Comfortable Design: Both headphones are designed with comfort in mind, featuring over-ear designs with padded earcups and headbands, making them suitable for extended listening sessions. This ensures a comfortable fit for most users.
- Built-in Microphone: Both models include built-in microphones, allowing for hands-free calls and voice assistant support. This allows users to easily take calls or interact with their preferred voice assistant.
- Long Battery Life: Both headphones offer similar battery life, providing users with a substantial amount of listening time on a single charge. This ensures a long lasting listening experience.
AirPods Max Vs Bose QC35 Buying Guide
Comfort and Design
The AirPods Max offer a premium design with a stainless steel frame and breathable mesh canopy, providing a luxurious feel. Their earcups swivel independently, ensuring a comfortable fit for various head shapes. However, their weight can be a concern for some users during extended listening sessions. In contrast, the Bose QC35 prioritize lightweight comfort with their plush earcups and a more traditional headband design. The QC35 is known for its all-day wearability, making it a great choice for long flights or workdays. The choice depends on personal preference: luxury and potentially more weight with the AirPods Max, or lightweight comfort with the Bose QC35.
Sound Quality and Performance
AirPods Max boast exceptional sound quality, delivering rich bass, clear mids, and detailed highs. Their computational audio capabilities, including Adaptive EQ and spatial audio, enhance the listening experience, especially when paired with Apple devices. The Bose QC35, while not quite reaching the same level of detail, still provides a balanced and enjoyable sound profile. They excel at noise cancellation, making them ideal for blocking out distractions. The QC35 offers a more neutral sound signature, perfect for those who prioritize clarity and a less colored audio experience. The AirPods Max offer a premium sound experience, while the Bose QC35 offers a great alternative.
Noise Cancellation Capabilities
Both headphones excel at noise cancellation, but their approaches differ. The AirPods Max uses multiple microphones to dynamically adjust noise cancellation, adapting to the surrounding environment and blocking out more external sounds. The Bose QC35 is renowned for its industry-leading noise cancellation, effectively reducing background noise. The Bose QC35 has been a leader in noise cancellation for a long time. The AirPods Max provides an incredible noise-canceling experience, but the QC35 is still a great alternative, especially if you prioritize noise reduction over all else. The AirPods Max has a slight edge.
Controls and Connectivity
The AirPods Max features a Digital Crown and a noise control button for easy volume adjustment, track navigation, and switching between noise cancellation modes. Connectivity is seamless with Apple devices, offering quick pairing and automatic device switching. The Bose QC35 relies on physical buttons for controls, which may be less intuitive for some users. It supports Bluetooth connectivity and offers a reliable connection. While both headphones offer similar basic functionality, the AirPods Max offers a more streamlined and intuitive control system with the Digital Crown, and its integration with Apple devices is excellent.
Battery Life and Charging
The AirPods Max offers up to 20 hours of listening time with active noise cancellation enabled, and a quick charge can provide hours of playback. The case for AirPods Max is criticized by some, as it’s not a full-coverage case. The Bose QC35 offers a similar battery life, up to 20 hours of listening time with noise cancellation enabled, and can be used in wired mode with the included audio cable. The QC35 has a more traditional charging method. Both headphones provide ample battery life for daily use, but the AirPods Max offers a slightly faster charging. The AirPods Max wins in this aspect.
Price and Value
The AirPods Max is significantly more expensive than the Bose QC35, reflecting its premium design and advanced features. The QC35 offers excellent value, providing a high-quality listening experience and effective noise cancellation at a more accessible price point. The QC35 is an excellent value for the money. The AirPods Max, while offering superior sound quality and a more luxurious design, may not be worth the premium price for all users. The QC35 still remains a solid option for budget-conscious buyers looking for quality.
Who Should Buy What?
Buy AirPods Max If…
- You’re deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and appreciate seamless integration with other Apple devices.
- You prioritize a premium design and build quality, with high-end materials like aluminum and stainless steel.
- You value spatial audio for a more immersive listening experience.
- You want the latest features and technologies.
Buy Bose QC35 If…
- You prioritize a more affordable price point.
- You prefer a lighter and more portable design.
- You are looking for a tried-and-true noise-canceling experience.
- You want a headphone known for its comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary difference in design?
The AirPods Max features a stainless steel frame and a breathable mesh canopy, resulting in a more premium and heavier design. The Bose QC35 uses a lightweight, plastic construction with plush earcups and a traditional headband. The AirPods Max feels more luxurious, while the QC35 prioritizes all-day comfort with its lighter build. The choice depends on your design priorities.
How do the noise cancellation capabilities compare?
Both headphones offer excellent noise cancellation. The AirPods Max uses adaptive noise cancellation with multiple microphones to adjust to the environment. The Bose QC35 is known for its industry-leading noise cancellation, effectively blocking out distractions. Both are great, but the AirPods Max offers a slight edge through its more adaptive and dynamic noise cancellation, adapting to the surroundings.
Which headphones have better sound quality?
The AirPods Max generally offer superior sound quality, delivering richer bass, clearer mids, and more detailed highs. Spatial audio enhances the listening experience. The Bose QC35 still provides a balanced sound profile, but the AirPods Max offers a more premium audio experience, making them a better choice for audiophiles. The AirPods Max offers a better audio experience.
How does the control system differ between the two?
The AirPods Max utilizes a Digital Crown and noise control button for intuitive volume adjustment and mode switching. The Bose QC35 uses physical buttons. The Digital Crown on the AirPods Max is more intuitive for many users. While both have the controls you need, the Digital Crown on the AirPods Max is easier to use. The AirPods Max has a more modern system.
What is the battery life like for each headphone?
Both offer approximately 20 hours of listening time with noise cancellation enabled. The AirPods Max offers quick charging capabilities. The Bose QC35 also has a long battery life. Both headphones provide ample power for daily use. The QC35 can also be used in wired mode, which is an advantage. The battery life is similar, but the quick charge feature is better with the AirPods Max.
How does the price of each headphone compare?
The AirPods Max is significantly more expensive than the Bose QC35. The QC35 offers excellent value, making it a more budget-friendly option. The AirPods Max is a premium product, and the price reflects its superior design and features. The QC35 is a more affordable option that still provides great value. The QC35 offers a better price.
Which headphone is better for travel?
Both are good for travel, but the Bose QC35 offers a lighter design and is more comfortable for extended wear, which is beneficial for travel. The AirPods Max offers superior sound quality and better noise cancellation. The Bose QC35’s lighter build makes it more travel-friendly. The QC35 is a better choice for travel due to its lightweight design.
Final Verdict
While the AirPods Max delivers a premium listening experience with superior sound quality and a luxurious design, its higher price point and heavier build make the Bose QC35 a compelling alternative. The QC35 provides excellent noise cancellation, comfortable all-day wear, and a balanced sound profile at a significantly lower cost. The choice depends on individual priorities, but the QC35 offers better value for most consumers.
Winner: Bose QC35