Bose QuietComfort 45 vs. AirPods Max
Bose QuietComfort 45
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are over-ear headphones designed for comfort and noise cancellation. They have soft, cushioned earcups and a padded headband made from synthetic leather, making them comfortable to wear for long periods. The headphones are built with impact-resistant nylon and metal hinges, so they’re sturdy enough for regular use. They offer two listening modes: Quiet Mode, which blocks out most background noise, and Aware Mode, which lets you hear your surroundings through built-in microphones. The sound is balanced, and you can adjust the bass, mids, and treble using the Bose Music app. The headphones connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, with a range of about 30 feet, and can remember up to seven devices for easy switching. They offer up to 22 hours of battery life on a full charge, and if you’re in a hurry, a quick 15-minute charge gives you about 3 hours of listening time. Their design is simple and lightweight, and they fold flat for easier storage. You c...
AirPods Max
The AirPods Max are Apple's high-end wireless over-ear headphones, first released in 2020. They stand out for their premium build, active noise cancellation (ANC), and spatial audio that creates an immersive, theater-like sound experience. Design & Comfort The AirPods Max have an aluminum body, a mesh canopy headband, and memory foam ear cushions for a snug yet breathable fit. They come in multiple colors, and the ear cushions are swappable for a custom look. Sound & Features Inside, each ear cup has Apple’s H1 chip, enabling adaptive EQ, transparency mode, and computational audio that adjusts sound in real time. The Digital Crown (like the Apple Watch) lets you control volume, skip tracks, answer calls, and activate Siri. Battery & Charging They offer up to 20 hours of listening time with ANC and spatial audio on. A quick 5-minute charge provides 1.5 hours of playback. The 2024 model switched from Lightning to USB-C for charging and wired audio.
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/21/2025
My wife bought these Bose QC 45 on unclaimedbaggage.com and I ended up using them more than she does. I own a pair of Bose QuietComfort that I otherwise like but the microphone struggles with picking up my voice, especially when I'm outside. I've had people complain that they couldn't hear me on multiple occasions. Bose QC 45's has all the feature's I've grown to value in my Bose QuietComfort - battery life, sound quality ANC - without the microphone problems.
Reviews
Reviewed on 2/15/2025
I'm giving these headphones three stars because I loved using mine but they broke just months after my Apple Care had expired. I also struggled to have them turn on automatically and had to hard reset them and re-pair with my iPhone on a regular basis. On the other hand, when they did work you forgot they were even there, as most Apple products they didn't get in the way. I use my headphones for calls and I had a hard time finding a replacement pair of headphones with noise cancellations and the microphone as good as those of the Airpod Max.
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
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| Light | 1 | |
| Comfortable | 1 | |
| Noise cancelling works well | 1 | |
| Quick to charge | 1 |
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| Occasional sounds distortions on calls | 1 |
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
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| Sounds quality | 1 | |
| Noise cancellation | 1 | |
| Sturdy feel | 1 | |
| Microphone | 1 |
| Item | Votes | Upvote |
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| Heavy | 1 | |
| Occasional problems turning on | 1 | |
| Expensive | 1 | |
| The case is weird | 1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Both the Bose QuietComfort 45 and AirPods Max offer excellent noise cancellation, but they do so in slightly different ways. The Bose QuietComfort 45 features a dedicated Quiet Mode that effectively blocks out background noise, while the AirPods Max utilizes active noise cancellation combined with spatial audio for an immersive experience. Users have noted that the Bose model is lighter and more comfortable for extended wear, which may enhance the overall noise-canceling experience.
The AirPods Max are generally regarded as having superior sound quality due to their adaptive EQ and computational audio features, which adjust sound in real time. However, the Bose QuietComfort 45 also delivers balanced sound with adjustable bass, mids, and treble through the Bose Music app. Ultimately, the choice may depend on personal preference for sound profile and the type of audio experience desired.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 is designed for comfort with soft, cushioned earcups and a lightweight build, making them suitable for long listening sessions. In contrast, the AirPods Max, while featuring memory foam ear cushions, are heavier and may not be as comfortable for extended use. Users often find the Bose model to be more suitable for prolonged wear.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 offers up to 22 hours of battery life on a full charge, while the AirPods Max provides up to 20 hours with active noise cancellation and spatial audio enabled. Both headphones have quick charge features, but the Bose model has a slight edge in overall battery longevity.
The AirPods Max is significantly more expensive than the Bose QuietComfort 45, priced at $549 compared to the more budget-friendly Bose model. While the AirPods Max offers premium features such as superior sound quality and build, the Bose QuietComfort 45 provides excellent value with comfort and effective noise cancellation. The justification of the price depends on individual preferences for brand, features, and audio quality.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones have several pros, including being lightweight, comfortable, effective noise cancellation, and quick charging capabilities. However, a notable con is that there can be occasional sound distortions during calls.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones offer up to 22 hours of battery life on a full charge. Additionally, a quick 15-minute charge provides approximately 3 hours of listening time.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones feature two listening modes: Quiet Mode, which blocks out most background noise, and Aware Mode, which allows you to hear your surroundings through built-in microphones.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones connect wirelessly via Bluetooth, with a range of about 30 feet. They can remember up to seven devices for easy switching.
The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are designed with soft, cushioned earcups and a padded headband made from synthetic leather. They are built with impact-resistant nylon and metal hinges, ensuring durability for regular use.
The Bose Music app allows users to adjust the bass, mids, and treble settings for the Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones, providing a customizable audio experience.
The pros of AirPods Max include their excellent sound quality, effective noise cancellation, sturdy feel, and high-quality microphone. However, the cons are that they are relatively heavy, can have occasional problems turning on, are expensive at $549, and the design of the case has been criticized as being weird.
AirPods Max are known for their premium sound quality, featuring adaptive EQ and computational audio that adjusts sound in real time. They provide an immersive listening experience, making them ideal for music lovers and those who appreciate high-quality audio.
AirPods Max are designed with memory foam ear cushions and a mesh canopy headband, providing a snug yet breathable fit. This design helps enhance comfort during long listening sessions, although some users may still find them heavy after extended use.
AirPods Max come with several advanced features, including active noise cancellation (ANC), transparency mode, and spatial audio for an immersive sound experience. They also have a Digital Crown for easy control of volume, track skipping, and Siri activation.
AirPods Max offer up to 20 hours of listening time with active noise cancellation and spatial audio enabled. Additionally, a quick 5-minute charge provides approximately 1.5 hours of playback, making them convenient for users on the go.
The Smart Case for AirPods Max is designed to put the headphones into a low-power mode when not in use. However, its unique purse-like design has received mixed reviews, with many users finding it odd and not very practical.
