AirPods Max vs WH-1000XM5
Put the AirPods Max next to the WH-1000XM5 and you have Apple and Sony going after exactly the same over-ear headphones crowd. This one has a front-runner. The WH-1000XM5 wins 1 of 3 compared areas, and battery & charging is where the difference is hardest to miss. Money matters here as well, since the AirPods Max started out $149 above the WH-1000XM5.
At a glance
- Sound & Noise Cancelling Tie
- Battery & Charging WH-1000XM5 wins
- Features & Connectivity Tie
- Price WH-1000XM5 wins
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging0.0
- Sound & Noise Cancelling10.0
- Battery & Charging1.9
Spec scores (0 to 10) are calculated from manufacturer specs against other models in the same class. See how the formula works. They are not reviews or user ratings.
Key Differences
-
The WH-1000XM5 has 10 h more listening per charge
On battery (single charge), the WH-1000XM5 posts 30 h against 20 h for the AirPods Max, a gap big enough to feel in everyday use. Longer listening per charge matters on long flights, workdays and road trips.
-
The WH-1000XM5 has a 4.75 oz lighter build
This is one of the widest gaps in the whole comparison: 8.82 oz for the WH-1000XM5 versus 13.57 oz for the AirPods Max. Fit and pressure matter as much as weight, but a lighter build is a good starting point for comfort.
Design & Size
In the weight column, the WH-1000XM5 leads by 4.75 oz.
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods Max | WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 13.57 oz | 8.82 oz (winner) Lightest in class |
Sound & Noise Cancelling
Too close to call
Both the AirPods Max and the WH-1000XM5 cover sound & noise cancelling equally well on paper. If sound & noise cancelling was going to be your tiebreaker, you’ll need a different one.
Battery & Charging
WH-1000XM5 leads
No contest in battery & charging: the WH-1000XM5 is the stronger of the two. The WH-1000XM5 gives you 10 h more listening per charge. Ratings usually assume moderate volume and specific settings, so real results vary. The takeaway: on battery & charging, the WH-1000XM5 is the stronger pair.
Battery (single charge)
AirPods Max: 20 h WH-1000XM5: 30 h The WH-1000XM5 runs longer before needing a break, so you’re less likely to be interrupted mid-podcast.
Features & Connectivity
Too close to call
On paper, the features & connectivity comparison ends all square. Either pair will serve you equally well on features & connectivity.
Full Specifications
Sound & Noise Cancelling
| Spec | AirPods Max | WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver size | N/A (not specified) | 1.18 in |
| Active noise cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Transparency mode | Yes | Yes |
| Spatial audio | Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking | 360 Reality Audio |
| Bluetooth codecs | N/A (not specified) | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
Battery & Charging
| Spec | AirPods Max | WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery (single charge)Manufacturer rating, ANC on where available | 20 h | 30 h (winner) |
| Wireless charging | No | No |
| Charging port | Lightning (USB-C on the 2024 version) | USB-C |
Features & Connectivity
| Spec | AirPods Max | WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.0 (Apple H1 chip) | Bluetooth 5.2 |
| Multipoint | N/A (not specified) | Yes |
| Heart-rate sensing | No | No |
| Controls | Digital Crown + noise control button | Touch |
Fit & Build
| Spec | AirPods Max | WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Form factor | Over-ear | Over-ear |
| Water resistance | none | none |
| Weight (per earbud / headset) | 13.57 oz | 8.82 oz (winner) Lightest in class |
Price
| Spec | AirPods Max | WH-1000XM5 |
|---|---|---|
| Launch price | $549 | $400 (winner) |
“N/A” means the manufacturer does not specify the value or we could not confirm it. Figures marked “manufacturer rating” are the maker’s own claims, not our measurements.
Price & Value
The AirPods Max asked for $149 more at launch. That gap of 37% has to be justified by the specs. The WH-1000XM5 costs $149 less and still comes out ahead in more areas, a rare combination.
Prices shown are US launch prices as of May 2022. Retail prices change often, so it’s worth checking current offers.
Which One Should You Buy?
Choose the WH-1000XM5 if…
- you listen for hours at a stretch (30 h vs 20 h per charge)
- you want the lighter fit (8.82 oz vs 13.57 oz)
- you want more value for your money ($149 less at launch)
Also Compared
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better for most people, the AirPods Max or the WH-1000XM5?
On the specs compared here, the WH-1000XM5 makes more sense for most buyers; the AirPods Max doesn’t win a single measurable area.
Which has better battery life, the AirPods Max or the WH-1000XM5?
On paper, the WH-1000XM5 has the edge: 30 h of battery (single charge) against 20 h for the AirPods Max. Real-world results also depend on how you use it.
Is the AirPods Max cheaper than the WH-1000XM5?
The AirPods Max launched at $149 more than the WH-1000XM5, based on prices as of May 2022.
Which weighs less, the AirPods Max or the WH-1000XM5?
On the scale, the WH-1000XM5 comes out ahead at 4.75 oz lighter than the AirPods Max.
Executive Summary
Comparing the AirPods Max and the WH-1000XM5 feels a bit like comparing two good restaurants with different menus. If I had to name one reason, it’s that the WH-1000XM5 brings 10 h more listening per charge. Add a 4.75 oz lighter build to the list, and the WH-1000XM5 looks even better.
Choose by what you’d use most: the things a spec sheet can’t capture leads to the AirPods Max, battery & charging leads to the WH-1000XM5.
My pick: the WH-1000XM5.
Personal opinion based on the data above. Your priorities may differ.