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I compared the best headphones from Apple, Sony, Bose, and Sonos: Here's how the AirPods Max wins


Here's what makes Apple's over-ear headphones great, where they fall short, and whether they're still worth it in 2025.

The stainless steel accents give it an elevated look, no logos or branding make them appear sophisticated, and the Digital Crown successfully replaces multiple buttons that can be confused with one another. The Sonos Ace and Bose QuietComfort Ultra have plushy earcups and sturdier headbands, and they're better suited for long-term wear when I travel or work at my desk. And if you want headphones with a simple, clean design that offers aspects of Apple's user interface and supports native Android features, the Beats Studio Pro are for you.

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AirPods Max

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