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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Style
    2. Comfort
    3. Controls
    4. Breathability
    5. Portability
    6. Case
    7. Build Quality
    8. Stability
    9. Headshots 1
    10. Headshots 2
    11. Top
    12. In The Box
  5. Sound
    1. Sound Profile
    2. Frequency Response Consistency
    3. Raw Frequency Response
    4. Bass Profile: Target Compliance
    5. Mid-Range Profile: Target Compliance
    6. Treble Profile: Target Compliance
    7. Peaks/Dips
    8. Imaging
    9. Passive Soundstage
    10. Virtual Soundstage
    11. Weighted Harmonic Distortion
    12. Test Settings
  6. Isolation
    1. Noise Isolation - Full Range
    2. Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios
    3. Noise Isolation - Voice Handling
    4. ANC Wind Handling
    5. Leakage
  7. Microphone
    1. Microphone Style
    2. Recording Quality
    3. Noise Handling
  8. Active Features
    1. Battery
    2. App Support
  9. Connectivity
    1. Wired Connection
    2. Bluetooth Connection
    3. Wireless Connection (Dongle)
    4. PC Compatibility
    5. PlayStation Compatibility
    6. Xbox Compatibility
    7. Base/Dock
  10. Comments

Apple AirPods Max vs Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Apple AirPods Max
Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

Tested using Methodology v1.8

Updated Feb 10, 2025 03:32 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.8

Updated Aug 29, 2024 08:10 PM

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BestBuy.com
Apple AirPods Max Picture
Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless Picture
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. Apple

Variants

  • AirPods Max (USB-C) (Blue)
  • AirPods Max (Lightning) (Green)
  • AirPods Max (USB-C) (Midnight)
  • AirPods Max (USB-C) (Orange)
  • AirPods Max (Lightning) (Pink)
  • AirPods Max (USB-C) (Purple)
  • AirPods Max (Lightning) (Silver)
  • AirPods Max (Lightning) (Sky Blue)
  • AirPods Max (Lightning) (Space Gray)
  • AirPods Max (USB-C) (Starlight)
  • QuietComfort 45/QC45 (Eclipse Grey)
  • QuietComfort 45/QC45 (Midnight Blue)
  • QuietComfort 45/QC45 (Triple Black)
  • QuietComfort SE (Triple Black)
  • QuietComfort 45/QC45 (White Smoke)

Our Verdict

Apple AirPods Max

Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless

The Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 are slightly more versatile headphones than the Apple AirPods Max Wireless. The Bose are lighter and more comfortable. Their integrated mic offers significantly better overall performance, and these headphones support multi-device pairing or 3.5mm wired. However, the Apple feel better built and have a virtual soundstage feature. They also have the edge in noise cancelling, although both headphones still do a fantastic job in this regard.

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