Sound Off: Apple AirPods Max vs. Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs. Sony WH-1000XM5

pcmag.com:

With prices in the hundreds of dollars, who wouldn’t conduct thorough research before investing in a pair of top-shelf noise-cancelling headphones? From least to most expensive, Sony's $399.99 WH-1000XM5, Bose's $429 QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, and Apple's $549 AirPods Max are the best noise-cancelling headphones you can buy—as well as some of the priciest. So how should you choose between them?

We're here to break down the differences between all three and help you pick the pair most suitable for your needs. Our analysis covers active noise cancellation (ANC), audio quality, battery life, companion apps, design, and more, so you can compare the aspects that matter most to you. Before you make up your mind, make sure to read our in-depth review of each model to get the full details.

All three pairs of headphones are highly effective at dialing back surrounding noise so you can focus or relax. They all offer varying degrees of adaptive ANC, which essentially means that their noise cancellation circuitry responds rapidly to everything from head movements to sudden environmental noises.

They each dial back deep, low-frequency rumble quite well, but Bose does so most effectively. That said, the AirPods Max and the WH-1000XM5 aren't far behind. All three models cut mids considerably, but Bose again proves the most adept at tamping down complex midrange noises, such as from a recording of a busy cafe.

We must mention, however, that the Bose headphones can exert an uncomfortable amount of ear pressure at times. The AirPods Max do the same to an extent, while Sony's headphones don't. We also find that Bose’s ANC circuitry is extremely adaptive to the point of being a potential distraction; sometimes, one ear noticeably