AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM5: which is better?

It depends on your ecosystem. The AirPods Max offer superb build quality and effortless integration with Apple devices, while Sony's WH-1000XM5 are lighter, fold up, and often undercut on price. Both deliver excellent noise cancellation. iPhone owners tend to prefer AirPods Max; if portability or Android matters more, Sony is compelling. Compare current prices for both on shopfox.

Do AirPods Max work with Android phones?

Yes, but with limits. The AirPods Max connect to any Android phone as a standard Bluetooth headset, so audio and calls work fine. However, you lose Apple-only extras like automatic device switching, Siri, and easy firmware updates. If you are mostly on Android, weigh that against alternatives, and check both New and Refurbished AirPods Max prices on shopfox.

How long does the AirPods Max battery last?

Apple rates the AirPods Max at up to about 20 hours of listening with active noise cancellation or spatial audio turned on. A short charge gives you several hours of playback, and they enter a low-power state in the Smart Case. Real-world battery life varies with volume and ANC use, but a full day of listening is realistic.

Apple AirPods Max Headphones & Earbuds vs Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones Comparison

Name: Apple AirPods Max Headphones & Earbuds
Brand: Apple

Apple AirPods Max Headphones & Earbuds

$49.00$549.00(91.07% off)

Prices last updated Nov 7, 2026

Apple4.34.3

(10 reviews)

$49.00$549.00(91.07% off)

Prices last updated Nov 7, 2026

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All-in-One Comparison

10 sellers & 1 platforms

SKU	Platform	Merchant	Delivery	Return Policy	Price	Shipping
White	pazokitabarLowest Price	pazokitabar 5.0(579)	5 - 11 day...	30 days re...	$49.00	$10.30
Black	kindikristFastest	kindikrist 5.0(910)	4 - 10 day...	No returns	$320.00	$9.52
Blue	TheMemphisMRKT	TheMemphisMRKT 5.0(3181)	4 - 9 days	No returns	$329.99	$14.20
Purple	warehousedeals2021	warehousedeals2021 5.0(3649)	4 - 8 days	No returns	$349.99	Free
Black	bhanousek	bhanousek 4.4(754)	5 - 11 day...	No returns	$350.00	Free
Blue	Shoppers_Carousel	Shoppers_Carousel 5.0(7232)	4 - 10 day...	No returns	$399.99	Free
Blue	averyrae2009	averyrae2009 5.0(250)	4 - 10 day...	No returns	$400.00	$6.53
Blue	r663801	r663801 5.0(119)	4 - 9 days	No returns	$400.00	$7.08
Purple	DailyDealDiscounts	DailyDealDiscounts 5.0(2273)	4 - 9 days	No returns	$409.99	Free
Black	hartensia22	hartensia22 5.0(159)	6 - 12 day...	30 days re...	$400.00	$14.46

pazokitabar

Lowest Price

$49.00

White

pazokitabar5.0 (579)$10.30

5 - 11 day...30 days re...

kindikrist

Fastest

$320.00

Black

kindikrist5.0 (910)$9.52

4 - 10 day...No returns

TheMemphisMRKT

$329.99

Blue

TheMemphisMRKT5.0 (3181)$14.20

4 - 9 daysNo returns

warehousedeals2021

$349.99

Purple

warehousedeals20215.0 (3649)Free

4 - 8 daysNo returns

bhanousek

$350.00

Black

bhanousek4.4 (754)Free

5 - 11 day...No returns

Shoppers_Carousel

$399.99

Blue

Shoppers_Carousel5.0 (7232)Free

4 - 10 day...No returns

averyrae2009

$400.00

Blue

averyrae20095.0 (250)$6.53

4 - 10 day...No returns

r663801

$400.00

Blue

r6638015.0 (119)$7.08

4 - 9 daysNo returns

DailyDealDiscounts

$409.99

Purple

DailyDealDiscounts5.0 (2273)Free

4 - 9 daysNo returns

hartensia22

$400.00

Black

hartensia225.0 (159)$14.46

6 - 12 day...30 days re...

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3 sites · 8 platforms · 12 offers

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3 sites · 8 platforms · 12 offers

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Price History

Historical price trends tracked across multiple e-commerce platforms

Microcenter

Apple

eBay

Avg

Best price

Lowest in 30d

$45.00

Best price

eBay · Oct 9

Live

Current lowest

$45.00

Live

eBay · Current

Specifications

AirPods Max

Apple

Adult

DJ, Live Monitoring

2024-09-20

AirPods Max

Apple

Adult

DJ, Live Monitoring

2024-09-20

Side-by-Side Comparison

6 similar products · scroll horizontally to browse

This Product

Apple AirPods Max Headphones & Earbuds

4.3(32K+)

$49.00 - $603.90

Avg 4.6

1.Seamless integration with Apple devices and powerful Active Noise Cancellation deliver an immersive listening experience.

Apple loyalists

Noise cancellationImmersive audio

Headphones

Dynamic Driver

20 Hz - 20 kHz

Active Noise Cancellation

16 ohm

5.0

20 hours

Noise Cancellation

24.35 x 23.99 x 8.1 inches

0.07 Pounds

Bluetooth

Not Water Resistant

2024-09-20

AirPods Max

Quiet Travel

Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones & Earbuds

4.8(191.9K+)

$219.95 - $383.90

Best Noise Cancelling

Sony WH-1000XM5 Headphones & Earbuds

4.4(141.4K+)

$195.00 - $438.90

Fast Charge

Sony WH-CH520 Headphones & Earbuds

4.8(133K+)

$34.99 - $46.36

Travel Ready

Sony MDRZX110 Headphones & Earbuds

4.6(25.9K+)

$20.79 - $24.99

Pro Audio

Sony WH-CH720N Headphones & Earbuds

6(154.4K+)

$49.23 - $89.99

Avg 4.6

Avg 4.3

Avg 3.1

Avg 4.1

1.Built around industry-leading active noise cancellation and a lightweight, comfortable design, this headset delivers 30-hour battery life and a travel-ready case, perfect for uninterrupted focus on long journeys.

2.A practical choice for anyone who values silence and comfort while commuting or flying.

1.Industry-leading active noise cancellation and a comfortable, lightweight design make these ideal for blocking out distractions during travel or deep focus.

2.With 30-hour battery life and quick 3-minute charge for 8 hours of playback, they keep up with long commutes and workdays.

1.With 50-hour battery life and a 5-minute quick charge that provides 4 hours of playback, these lightweight headphones minimize downtime.

2.A practical choice for users who need reliable wireless listening with voice assistant support and fast recharging.

1.With active noise cancellation, a comfortable foldable design, and up to 80 hours of noise-canceling battery, this Sony headphone is built for travelers who value quiet and comfort.

2.Its lightweight on-ear build and reliable sound quality make it a practical choice for daily commutes and long journeys.

1.With a 40mm dynamic driver delivering crisp sound and 35-hour battery life, the Sony WH-CH720N offers great audio for long listening sessions.

2.Its lightweight 192g design and comfortable faux leather earpads make it easy to wear for extended periods.

Frequent travelersNoise-sensitive listeners

Travel and commutingFocus in noisy environments

Frequent travelersRemote workers

Noise-free travelDeep focus

Frequent travelersBusy commuters

Quick chargingLong listening sessions

Frequent travelersCommuters

TravelDaily commute

Music enthusiastsFrequent travelers

Long listening sessionsNoise isolation

Ear-Cup (Over the Ear)

Dynamic Driver

Not specified

20 Hz-20,000 Hz

12 - 22,000 Hz

Not specified

Active Noise Cancellation

None

Active Noise Cancellation

16 ohm

48 ohm

24 ohm

325 ohm

5.2

—

5.2

30 Hours

30 hours

50 hour

—

35 hours

1000

520

110

720

Fast Charging, Microphone Included, Noise Cancellation

Fast Charging, Lightweight, Microphone Included, Noise Cancellation

Wireless

Adjustable Headband, Closed Back, Foldable, Leather Cushions, L-Shape Plug, Replaceable Earpads, Rotating Ear Cups, Stereo

Adaptive Sound control, Adjustable Ambient Sound mode, Dual Noise Sensor technology, Long battery with quick charging, Microphone Included, Multipoint connection

7.27 x 9.94 x 3.03 in

12.00 x 10.00 x 4.00 in

22.8 x 17.2 x 4.4 cm; 147 g

‎20 x 15 x 3.5 cm; 120 g

26 x 20.8 x 5.5 cm; 192 g

0.76 g

8.82 ounces

Approx. 5.19 oz (approx. 147 g)

0.263 lbs

0.1 kg

Bluetooth

Wired

Bluetooth

Not Water Resistant

2020

2025

2023

—

2023

WH-1000XM4

WH-1000XM5

WH-CH520

MDRZX110

WH-CH720N

Reviews & Ratings

(10)

5.0

10 reviews

👍 Pros

👎 Cons

Sound Quality

5.0

100%

Rich, deep bass with crystal-clear highs; no distortion at high volume. Excellent balance and immersion for music, calls, and media.

Sound Quality

5.0

100%

Rich, deep bass with crystal-clear highs; no distortion at high volume. Excellent balance and immersion for music, calls, and media.

Comfort & Fit

4.5

90%

Firm cushioned ear cups feel like pillows; slight initial tightness loosens over time. Mesh headband remains like new. Some weight but manageable.

Comfort & Fit

4.5

90%

Firm cushioned ear cups feel like pillows; slight initial tightness loosens over time. Mesh headband remains like new. Some weight but manageable.

Battery Life

4.8

96%

Exceptional longevity; lasts days without charging even with heavy use. Consistent performance across daily and travel scenarios.

Battery Life

4.8

96%

Exceptional longevity; lasts days without charging even with heavy use. Consistent performance across daily and travel scenarios.

Noise Cancellation

5.0

100%

Outstanding, near-silence even with loud background noise. Completely blocks AC, TV, conversations. Slightly overpowering but effective.

Noise Cancellation

5.0

100%

Outstanding, near-silence even with loud background noise. Completely blocks AC, TV, conversations. Slightly overpowering but effective.

Build Quality & Design

3.5

70%

Premium materials with sleek, stylish colors. However, case offers minimal protection and finish may chip or dent easily. No power button.

Build Quality & Design

3.5

70%

Premium materials with sleek, stylish colors. However, case offers minimal protection and finish may chip or dent easily. No power button.

Keywords

User Voices

5.0AMAZONJul 16, 2026

HappyParent_19

19-Month Update: Still Worth Every Penny

We’ve had these since December 2024, so this isn’t a quick take. My daughter wears them almost 24/7—if she’s awake, they’re on. After 19 months of daily use, I had to come back and update because this is the kind of review I’d want before dropping this much cash. They’re surprisingly comfortable. They have a bit of weight, but once on, they feel like a firm, cushioned pillow around your ears. The mesh headband still looks brand new—no stretch or sag. Sound quality is insane: deep bass, crystal clear, and they get loud without that scratchy sound. Even at high volume, they stay smooth. Barely any sound leakage—you can’t hear what she’s listening to unless you’re wearing them. Battery life is crazy; she’s gone days without charging and still had juice. With an iPhone, setup is effortless—just put them on and they connect. No Bluetooth menu, no fuss. The ear cups rotate flat, making the case easy to use. Durability? After 19 months, no paint chips, cushions hold shape, mesh headband looks great, and they still work perfectly. Twice the audio acted weird, but a quick settings fix resolved it. The only “downside” is how freakishly good the noise cancellation is. It creeps me out. If she has them on, she can’t hear me at all—even without music. I have to text or walk into her room. Annoying as a parent, but that’s exactly what it’s supposed to do. Expensive? Sure. But after 19 months of daily use, worth every penny. If these broke tomorrow, we’d buy another pair without thinking twice.

5.0VerifiedAMAZONJul 12, 2026

TechGuru99

The headphones I didn’t know I needed

I picked these up for work and they’ve totally blown me away. The noise cancellation is incredible—everything just disappears when I put them on. Sound quality is crystal clear and balanced, perfect for music or video calls. They felt a bit tight at first, but after a week they loosened up and now I can wear them for hours. Pairing with my Mac is instant, and while I had a couple of drops on Windows, reconnecting is quick. Battery life is fantastic, and the build feels premium. Honestly, these are the best headphones I’ve bought this year.

Apple AirPods Max Headphones & Earbuds

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Apple AirPods Max Headphones & Earbuds vs Sony WH-1000XM4 Headphones & Earbuds

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Specifications

General6

Wearing & Design9

Audio11

Mic & Controls5

Connectivity9

Battery10

Durability3

Compatibility3

Dimensions3

Warranty2

Others1

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Specifications

General6

Wearing & Design9

Audio11

Mic & Controls5

Connectivity9

Battery10

Durability3

Compatibility3

Dimensions3

Warranty2

Others1

Reviews & Ratings