AirPods Max vs Sony WH-1000XM5: Which is better?

For most people, the Sony WH-1000XM5 is the better buy. It’s lighter, more comfortable for long listening, has better battery life, and usually costs less than AirPods Max.

Pick AirPods Max instead if you’re deep in the Apple ecosystem and care most about premium build, seamless iPhone/iPad/Mac switching, and Apple-style spatial audio integration. It feels more luxurious, but it’s heavier and typically a worse value.