Apple
AirPods Max 2
Apple's H2-powered over-ear headphones with improved ANC, Adaptive Audio, Personalized Spatial Audio, and lossless USB-C playback.
Bettr Than Score · Balanced
18/100
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Sony
Sony WH-1000XM6
Premium wireless over-ear headphones with Sony's advanced adaptive noise cancellation, studio-tuned sound, and clear calling.
Bettr Than Score · Balanced
82/100
Use-case score
What matters most to you?
The facts stay fixed; only their published weights change.
AirPods Max 2
18/100
Balanced
Sony WH-1000XM6
82/100
Why the Balanced score looks this way
Each row explains whether the fact wins, ties, is missing, or is context only.
| AirPods Max 2 | Specification | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
$549.00 | Current priceWhy it mattersSony WH-1000XM6 leads by 151 USD. | $398.00 |
over-ear | Form factorWhy it mattersThis factual attribute is shown for context and does not affect the score. | over-ear |
20 hours | Maximum battery lifeWhy it mattersSony WH-1000XM6 leads by 20 hours. | 40 hours |
20 hours | Battery life with ANCWhy it mattersSony WH-1000XM6 leads by 10 hours. | 30 hours |
Yes | Active noise cancellationWhy it mattersThe verified values are equal. | Yes |
Yes | Transparency / ambient modeWhy it mattersThe verified values are equal. | Yes |
386.2 grams | WeightWhy it mattersSony WH-1000XM6 leads by 132.2 grams. | 254 grams |
5.3 | Bluetooth versionWhy it mattersThe verified values are equal. | 5.3 |
Not verified | Bluetooth multipointWhy it mattersBoth products need a verified value before this attribute can be scored. | Yes |
Not verified | Wired audioWhy it mattersBoth products need a verified value before this attribute can be scored. | Yes |
Yes | USB-C audioWhy it mattersBoth products need a verified value before this attribute can be scored. | Not verified |
Not verified | Full charge timeWhy it mattersBoth products need a verified value before this attribute can be scored. | 3.5 hours |
Yes | Spatial audioWhy it mattersThe verified values are equal. | Yes |
Not verified | Water resistanceWhy it mattersBoth products need a verified value before this attribute can be scored. | Not verified |
Not verified | FoldableWhy it mattersBoth products need a verified value before this attribute can be scored. | Yes |
Yes | Carrying case includedWhy it mattersThe verified values are equal. | Yes |
Editorial guidance
Sony WH-1000XM6 takes this one—by the receipts.
Sony WH-1000XM6 leads the Balanced result 82–18, driven by current price and maximum battery life.
Buy AirPods Max 2 if…
The verified model does not currently show a measured advantage for AirPods Max 2; choose it only for preferences outside the scored facts.
Buy Sony WH-1000XM6 if…
Prioritize current price ($398.00) and maximum battery life (40 hours).
Owner-approved guidance · Balanced preset · headphones-v2.0.0
Where to buy AirPods Max 2
We may earn a commission when you buy through links marked “Affiliate link.” This does not change your price or our scores. How we earn
No verified retailer offers are available yet.
Prices and availability can change. Totals exclude tax. Lowest-listed labels compare only fresh, in-stock offers with known shipping in the same currency. Sponsored status never changes their order.
Where to buy Sony WH-1000XM6
We may earn a commission when you buy through links marked “Affiliate link.” This does not change your price or our scores. How we earn
No verified retailer offers are available yet.
Prices and availability can change. Totals exclude tax. Lowest-listed labels compare only fresh, in-stock offers with known shipping in the same currency. Sponsored status never changes their order.
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Coverage and sources
This Balanced score uses 78% of its configured weight. The products share 73% of core Headphones facts. Missing and non-applicable facts never count as losses.
Scoring rules: headphones-v2.0.0
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