Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Apple AirPods Max 2

What published reviews say about each, where the two differ, and who each one suits.

Summed up from 16 published reviews

Sony

WH-1000XM6

The XM6 is a top-tier premium headset, excelling at noise cancellation, sound, and battery life despite comfort and connectivity caveats.

Best for: Travelers prioritizing noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life.
Skip it if: You need USB-C audio, rugged rating, or a lower price.

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Sony WH-1000XM6

Apple

AirPods Max 2

Excellent Apple-integrated headphones with top-tier sound and noise cancellation, but price, weight, battery life, and case design are drawbacks.

Best for: Apple users prioritizing sound, noise cancellation, and seamless integration
Skip it if: Current owners, Android users, or shoppers prioritizing portability and value

PriceToday's price on AmazonView on Amazon

What reviewers say about the Apple AirPods Max 2

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Specs side by side

Spec	Sony WH-1000XM6	Apple AirPods Max 2
Fit	Over-ear	Over-ear
Connection	Wireless	Wireless
Noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
Best for	Music, Travel, Work & calls	Music, Travel, Work & calls
Microphone	Built-in mic	Built-in mic
Ear cups	Closed-back	Closed-back

Rows where the two differ come first.

What reviewers like, and what they don't

Sony WH-1000XM6

Industry-leading noise cancellation handles traffic and background chatter 1 2 3 4
Detailed, balanced sound offers strong bass and customization 1 2 3 5
Long battery life with convenient fast charging 1 2 3 4
Multipoint, strong calls, and ambient mode add practical flexibility 1 2 3 4
Replaceable earpads help extend product longevity 1 3 5
Premium pricing and upgrade cost can limit value 1 2 3 4
Comfort varies, especially for glasses wearers during long sessions 1 3 4 8
No USB-C wired audio or aptX HD support 5 6 7
Touch controls can misfire or feel overly sensitive 2 4 8

Apple AirPods Max 2

Excellent sound with rich detail and engaging presentation 1 2 3 4
Class-leading active noise cancellation and transparency modes 1 2 3 4
Seamless Apple integration with adaptive audio features 1 2 3 5
Premium materials and well-regarded build quality 2 3 4 6
Heavy weight and clamping pressure can impair long-session comfort 1 2 5 7
High price and poor case protection limit value 1 2 3 4
Battery life trails rivals in several reviews 1 5 8
Apple-centric features and incremental changes limit broader appeal 1 2 3 5

Ranked in our guides

Guide	WH-1000XM6	AirPods Max 2
Best noise cancelling headphones	#1	#3
Best soundproof headphones	#1	#3
Best headphones for travel	#1	–

Sources

We don't test products ourselves. This page sums up 16 published reviews, read on October 21, 2026; each point above links to the reviews that make it.