Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) vs Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2
Between the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) and QuietComfort Ultra 2, the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) comes out ahead in driver size, while the QuietComfort Ultra 2 wins on weight and battery life. Overall, the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) scores 65.7 and the QuietComfort Ultra 2 scores 64 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
These two are nearly even on the Mars Score (65.7 vs 64). The decision isn't about overall quality — both clear the bar — it's about which specific trade-offs fit your use.
Pick the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) if you care most about driver size. The biggest gaps in its favor are driver size.
Pick the QuietComfort Ultra 2 if your top frustration with your current device is running out of charge before the day ends — endurance is the lead spec here. Its strongest claims are weight, battery life, multipoint.
Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, spatial audio, ldac, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: there is no wrong answer here — match the spec advantages to how you actually use the product. The Mars Score parity tells you both are well-rounded; the differences are about trade-offs, not quality.
Why Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) wins
- ▲Driver size — 14.29% more. 40 mm vs 35 mm.
Why Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 wins
- ▲Weight — 131.00 g less. 253 vs 384.
- ▲Battery life — 50.00% more. 30 h vs 20 h.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 384 g | 253 glead |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 40 mmlead | 35 mm |
| Impedanceⓘ | 10 Ω | 32 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 105 dBlead | 98 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 20 h | 30 hlead |
| Fast chargeⓘ | true | true |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Bose - QuietComfort Ultra 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.4lead |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| 3.5mm jack | false | truelead |
| LDACⓘ | false | false |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | truelead |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or QuietComfort Ultra 2?+
QuietComfort Ultra 2 lasts 30 hours vs 20 hours.
Do AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or QuietComfort Ultra 2 have active noise cancellation?+
Both models have active noise cancellation.
Which supports LDAC, AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or QuietComfort Ultra 2?+
Neither supports LDAC.
Spec-level deep dives
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