Club Benefits
I test a lot of the best headphones here at Tom's Guide. I get my hands on everything from wired audiophile cans like Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen, super-budget headphones like the CMF Headphone Pro, and, of course, the best wireless headphones like the AirPods Max 2, Sony WH-1000XM6, and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2.
But which of these flagship Bluetooth models would I actually buy for myself? Would it be the Bose, Sony, or Apple? Of course, each headphone is good for different things — Bose has the best ANC, Sony is the best of all worlds, and AirPods are best for Apple users — but which would I choose?
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Great sound quality is my #1 must-have
When I test headphones, I analyze sound quality incredibly closely. For me, sound quality is the most important thing. ANC, comfort, and call quality are all important, but sound quality is my number one. An audio product that doesn't sound good is, in my opinion, pointless. Why would you use headphones that make music sound bad? That's their main job.
I also have a very specific sound tuning preference. I like wide, expansive soundscapes with clarity in the high frequencies and rich warmth at the low end. I don't like headphones that are too bassy, nor headphones that are too detailed (think Hi-Fi headphones like the Cambridge Melomania P100 — loads of people love, but not for me).
As a result, I don't like how Bose headphones sound. The QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 are so bassy that they're bordering on muffled. This is a recurring issue with Bose gear — the QuietComfort (not Ultra) suffer from the same issue.
The Sony XM6 and AirPods Max 2 are much more my personal sound preference. However, I enjoy listening to the AirPods Max 2 more.
Don't get me wrong, the XM6 sound good. They have fantastic clarity across the entire frequency range and don't subdue subtle details. You really feel like you're there with the music. But something feels... absent. There's not as much width as with the AirPods Max 2. The Sony XM6 sound like the AirPods Max 2 after a hike. Still fit, still entertaining, but a little sleepy.
Personally, the AirPods Max 2 suit my preference more. I'm not saying the AirPods Max 2 are the best headphones in the world, because that would be a lie. The Dali i-O8, which I personally own, sound miles better — but they're also double the price, and don't have as good ANC.
There's no one "perfect" headphone. You just need to weigh up what you deem more important. For me, sound quality is the most important, so I'd be happy to spend $100 extra on the AirPods for that more energetic sound.
Which headphones are catwalk ready?
Again, design and aesthetics are very subjective, so what I prefer might not be what you prefer, and that's fine!
I really don't think the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2 look like $459 headphones. They're very plasticky and a little squeaky, and they feel like budget cans. While you're getting the best ANC in the world, the Bose aren't exactly going to win any design awards.
Similarly, I'm not a huge fan of the WH-1000XM6. They suffer from the same malady as the QC Ultra: plasticky body and cheap-looking design.
Sure, the AirPods Max 2 are heavy, but that's because they're made of anodized aluminum rather than cheap plastic. The mesh headband seriously alleviates the majority of that extra pressure. No, I wouldn't recommend the AirPods Max 2 for working out or for long-haul flights, but they're the best-looking headphones of the bunch.
Ideally, I'd like to see Apple utilize that innovation we all know it's capable of and make some metal, premium headphones that weigh less than the XM6. I know Apple can do it.
Honestly, most "features" I could take or leave
The only feature I massively care about is ANC. I am not the kind of person who gravitates towards AI assistants in my headphones — I'd actually rather that be kept as far away from me as possible. However, I have been known to utilize Siri a few times. If I'm cooking and my hands are dirty, I love being able to say "Hey Siri, pause Spotify" or "Hey Siri, transparency mode on".
It's lucky, then, that the AirPods Max 2, Bose, and Sony models can all do this. Sure, Siri with AirPods Max 2 is a little quicker, but nothing that'll have me scoffing at the Bose and Sony offerings.
However, that's not to say the WH-1000XM6 and QC Ultra Gen 2 can do everything the AirPods Max 2 can do, because that's not true. The AirPods Max 2 can live translate calls using Apple Intelligence. If you want to live translate with non-Apple headphones, you'll need to manually do this in an app.
Even so, I wouldn't pick one headphone over the other based solely on "smart" features. But the reason I'd choose the AirPods Max 2 over Sony or Bose (for me) is the seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem. I'm one of those people who is so deep in the Apple ecosystem that there's no possibility of clawing myself out.
So, it's AirPods Max 2 for me
As a result, I would keep the AirPods Max 2. Don't get me wrong, the Sony WH-1000XM6 are fantastic headphones, with an unbeatable cross-OS ecosystem. If you have some Android/Windows devices and some Apple devices, I would recommend the Sonys over the AirPods Max 2.
Similarly, if you need the best ANC and you're going to be wearing your headphones on long-haul flights or commutes, I'd go for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2. They have superior noise cancellation and are extremely lightweight.
Don't get me started on the AirPods Max 2's battery life. 20 hours in 2026 is inexcusable, and the main drawback of the new Apple cans. If you don't want them because of this, I completely get it.
But for me, I value sound quality over Android/Windows integration, lightness, and battery. The Apple sound signature seems to be perfectly tuned for my personal preference. I love the dynamic, expansive soundscape with rich bass and clarity in the high-end. Of course, I'm in no way saying the AirPods Max 2's sound can beat premium wireless headphones like the Bang & Olufsen H95, but they're also half the price.
Which headphones would you choose? The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Gen 2, Sony WH-1000XM6, or the AirPods Max 2? Or something else entirely? Let me know in the comments!
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