Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) vs Sony - WH-1000XM6
Between the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) and WH-1000XM6, the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) comes out ahead in driver size, while the WH-1000XM6 wins on weight and battery life. Overall, the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) scores 65.7 and the WH-1000XM6 scores 60.5 on our Mars Score.
Which should you buy?
The AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) edges ahead on the Mars Score (65.7 vs 60.5), but the 5.2-point gap is small enough that the right pick comes down to which spec advantages matter to you.
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 WH-1000XM6 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, among others.
Both ship with comparable active noise cancellation, spatial audio, water resistance, so those specs don't separate the two — focus on the differences below.
Bottom line: the AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) is the safer default. The other model is the right choice only when its specific advantages line up with your priorities.
Why Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) wins
- ▲Driver size — 33.33% more. 40 mm vs 30 mm.
Why Sony - WH-1000XM6 wins
- ▲Weight — 130.00 g less. 254 vs 384.
- ▲Battery life — 50.00% more. 30 h vs 20 h.
- ▲Has Multipoint.
- ▲Has LDAC.
Spec comparison
Design
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Sony - WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Type | over-ear | over-ear |
| Weight | 384 g | 254 glead |
| Water resistance | none | none |
Audio
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Sony - WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Driver sizeⓘ | 40 mmlead | 30 mm |
| Impedanceⓘ | 10 Ω | 16 Ωlead |
| Sensitivityⓘ | 105 dBlead | 101 dB |
| Active noise cancellationⓘ | true | true |
| Transparency mode | true | true |
| Spatial audioⓘ | true | true |
Battery
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Sony - WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 20 h | 30 hlead |
| Fast chargeⓘ | true | true |
Connectivity
| Spec | Apple - AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) | Sony - WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluetoothⓘ | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| Multipointⓘ | false | truelead |
| 3.5mm jack | false | truelead |
| LDACⓘ | false | truelead |
| aptX HDⓘ | false | false |
Frequently asked
Which has better battery life, AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or WH-1000XM6?+
WH-1000XM6 lasts 30 hours vs 20 hours.
Do AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or WH-1000XM6 have active noise cancellation?+
Both models have active noise cancellation.
Which supports LDAC, AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) or WH-1000XM6?+
WH-1000XM6 supports LDAC; AirPods Max (USB-C, 2nd gen) does not.
Spec-level deep dives
More from the same brands
vsMars is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.