AirPods Max USB-C vs Sony XM5: Which Premium Headphone Wins?

The AirPods Max vs WH-1000XM5 debate comes up constantly, so I figured it was time to settle this once and for all.

Head-to-Head Comparison

| Feature | Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) | Sony WH-1000XM5 | | ----------- | ------------------------- | --------------- | | Price | £499 | £299 | | Type | over-ear | over-ear | | Anc | excellent | excellent | | Battery | 20h | 30h | | Weight | 384g | 250g | | Codec | AAC | LDAC, AAC | | Rating | 8.0/10 | 9.2/10 |

Sound Quality

The AirPods Max offers a warm sound profile, while the WH-1000XM5 leans more reference-tuned. Both sound excellent, though your preference will depend on what genres you listen to most.

Noise Cancellation

The AirPods Max has a slight edge in ANC performance, particularly at low frequencies.

Comfort and Design

Both are comfortable, though the WH-1000XM5 has a slight edge for larger heads.

Our Pick

Both are exceptional, but the AirPods Max edges ahead thanks to more comfortable fit.