In a world with a bajillion types of headphones to choose from, naturally, it's gonna be tough finding the perfect pair for you. The TikTok girlies are using one thing, mega-celebrities have their designs they swear by, and respected speaker/tech/gadget brands are always releasing a new and never-been-done-before style that makes you feel like you'd be crazy if you didn't buy them...it's a lot! Plus, you've probably been influenced by what looks cute and trendy versus what actually has standout specs and features.
But, if you've landed on this story, chances are you've been eyeing the Sonos Ace headphones and Apple AirPods Max headphones—and, listen, my friend, I don't blame you. They're the hottest headphones in the game from two notable companies that have created some of the best tech in the world. The Stanley and Owala of over-the-ear audio gadgets, if you will. So, the million-dollar question is: Which one do you choose? Well, I spent weeks testing both to get you allllll the answers you need. Scroll down for the full, no-frills, Sonos Ace vs. Apple AirPods Max review.
And some background information you should know before we dive in: I tested the original version of the AirPods Max headphones before the new ones came out in September 2024 (not knowing a newer style was going to drop so soon!). The specs remain the same with the only difference being the charging port.
Design and Comfortability
Sonos Ace
When trying the headphones, I went in with the mindset that it'd be bulky no matter what. But I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortable both were! The Sonos Ace is wrapped in a pillowy, plush memory foam and cozy vegan leather for the ear cushions and headband, which feel as light as a feather and soft against the ears. It barely felt like I was wearing anything. As for fit, the band would slip down after some time and frequent head movement, and the ear cushions felt like were sitting on my ears rather than hugging them. I would rather have something that cups my ears because that feels more secure and supported.
AirPods Max
The AirPods Max has a sturdy steel frame design, which might feel a bit heavier (the AirPods Max is approximately 0.85 lbs while the Sonos Ace is 0.69 lbs), but the additional weight never bothered me. That's because the ear cushions are made from memory foam and have custom-designed mesh textiles that, from my experience, lessen the tension and overall weight against my ears. The mesh headband on top provides more light support. Plus, those iconic aluminum cups, which give 'em a sleek touch we don't see on other styles, are not just for appearance. They're also made to balance pressure. Because of this thoughtful design, I'd say they win on comfort.
Battery Life
Sonos Ace
Because the Sonos Ace has an On/Off button, it maintains its charge a little better. I used the headphones pretty actively for a week and it went from 100 percent to just 65 percent. Keep in mind, throughout this week, each time I put these on, I was listening to content for hours. If you ask me, that's pretty impressive! I must say though, it does take a hot second for it to charge. It took 15 minutes to get from 65 percent up to just 74 percent (which felt a little long for me).
AirPods Max
Unlike the Sonos Ace, the AirPods Max has no On/Off button. But it does come with a Smart Case, which automatically puts the AirPods Max in a "low power mode," and turns off "Bluetooth" and "Find My Friends" to preserve its charge. In my testing, I found that using this case preserved the battery, but it still lost charge much faster than the Sonos Ace. The headphones did last a full week without being charged at all, but it was at 1 percent by the end—even after being in the Smart Case throughout that timeframe. The Apple headphones do charge up fast though, I will say! It was able to go from 1 percent to 29 percent in 15 minutes.
Sound Quality
Sonos Ace
If you're simply looking for a clean and well-defined sound, then the Sonos Ace is for you. Listening to music on these felt crisp. I love a more immersive headphone experience, personally (need to feel those vibrations, sorry). The Sonos Ace does have spatial audio, which brought a lot of depth and enhancement to the sound, but not to a full you're-at-a-show extent (more on that below) like the AirPods Max. I think it lacks that extra oomph because the ear cushions sit on the ears versus hugging them.
The Sonos Ace also has an EQ (equalizer) setting in its paired app where you can play DJ and control the levels of bass, treble, and sound balance between your left and right ears. This is great if you are particularly sensitive to a sound or you wanna amp up the intensity.
AirPods Max
Disclaimer: I'm no sound engineer or tech wiz, just a 28-year-old woman who loves to blast music to the point where I can't hear myself think (which I'd like to believe means something!). But, there was something—a certain je ne sais quoi, one might say—about the AirPods Max that just...hit different. The moment you play your favorite whatever-you-choose-to-listen-to, you'll be transported. It'll feel like you're there live. There's only one way to describe the experience: It's like I have built-in surround-sound speakers in my head when I have these on. You're ~one~ with the frequencies, and every sound and beat is clear and crisp. FYI: The volume spectrum on these is very sensitive, so when it's at max volume it is overwhelmingly loud.
Check out all the color options to choose from!
Apple AirPods Max - Blue
Apple AirPods Max - Orange
Apple AirPods Max -Purple
Noise-Cancellation
Sonos Ace
The Sonos Ace has three different modes of noise cancellation to choose from: "Active Noise Cancellation" (blocks outside noise), "Aware Mode" (lets you hear external sounds at a low intensity), and "Off" (welcomes in sounds from inside and outside the headphones). You can toggle between these depending on the type of listening experience you want. When I was outside on the streets of NYC, I'd switch to "Aware Mode" so I could be alert, and I never felt anxious that I couldn't hear my surroundings. Big ups for that! However, something I did notice was that when the toggle was switched to "Off," the sound was a little fuzzy and felt distant. When I used "Noise-Cancellation," I was able to hear more external sounds (people talking, cars, etc.) as long as the volume was at a low or medium level.
AirPods Max
As for the AirPods Max, it has the options of "Off," "Transparency," and "Noise Cancellation." It has the same function as the Sonos Ace modes, just with slightly different names. But if I'm going to be brutally honest, when I switched through the modes, it was hard to detect a difference between them. It felt like I always had "Noise Cancellation" on. (It's worth noting that I typically had the volume right below medium.) The only time I'd be able to hear external noises across the three modes was when I cranked down the volume to where it was almost silent. Personally, as someone who appreciates hearing the textures, richness, and definition of the audio in my headphones and doesn't mind changing the volume when needed, this didn't bother me.
Voice Calls
Sonos Ace
I tested out both headphones during my video calls, and the sound on my end was always precise and didn't sound/feel different compared to when I was headphone-less—which was a big win! However, when I FaceTimed my mom (who I video call all day, every day) whilst wearing the Sonos Ace, she did say that my voice sounded a bit muffled. She said it sounded like I was "speaking into a handheld microphone" that was more sensitive to background noise.
AirPods Max
With the Apple AirPods Max, my mom said she wouldn't have been able to tell if I was wearing them if she didn't know prior. It was easy to understand me and she could still hear the sounds of The Outside, but not in an overpowering or intense way. It's worth noting that I was FaceTiming my mom while using both headphones because I have an iPhone, so perhaps the sound was exceptionally clearer with the Airpods Max because I had connected two Apple devices.
Pricing
Both of these headphones will cost you a pretty penny. But in my opinion, they're both worth it!
Sonos Ace
$449
AirPods Maxs
$547
As you can see, there's a $100 difference in the cost—which is pretty slim, all things considered. But let's be real: they're both astronomical (or, as your out-of-touch friend might say, an investment). Despite how expensive they are, headphones are an item you wear and use almost every day, so if you need a bit more justification, there you go. But, if you're still cringing over the amount, I'm happy to also report that both often go on sale (the AirPods Max has almost been $200 off before on Amazon), so you can snag them on the low-low if you keep a good eye out.
The Pros and Cons
Just in case you need a quick reminder about the upsides and downsides of these two headphones, I've got you covered with a straight-to-the-point pros and cons list.
Sonos Ace
Pros
- Exceptionally lightweight
- Clear and crisp sound
- Has an "On/Off" button
- USB-C capability
- User-friendly app
- Two devices can be paired with them at the same time
- Compatible with Apple and Android phones
- Less than $500
Cons
- Can slip off during some movements
- Weighs down the ears a bit
- Only available in two colorways
Apple AirPods Max
Pros
- Immersive sound where you can hear every detail
- Comfy, cupped ear cushions that don't move
- Smart case that automatically puts them in lower power mode
- Sends notifications from text messages, calendars, and reminders
- Works with Siri
- Ear cushions are removable, making them easy to clean
- Charges incredibly fast
- Breathable, mesh headband
- Newer generation has USB-C capability
- Compatible with Apple and Android phones
Cons
- Older generation uses a Lightning connector instead of a USB-C
- Aluminum cups are prone to scratches
The Final Verdict
This wasn't an easy decision! Both styles are so luxe and high-quality. But at the end of my testing, I ultimately concluded that the Apple AirPod Max headphones checked all my boxes. The AirPods Max is supportive and comfortable, easy to style, has an out-of-this-world sound system that feels like I'm at a live performance, and is in the Apple ecosystem, which makes the connectivity and user experience so simple with my iPhone.
The Sonos Ace is so featherlight I barely feel it sitting on my head, the sound is precise and accurate, and it's slightly more affordable. It just missed the mark for me when it came to sound immersion.
You can't actually go wrong, though...just depends on how much you're willing to spend. If you have the budget, the Apple AirPods Max are worth the splurge, 100 percent. But if that $549 price tag is a bit too much, the Sonos Ace is an amazing second choice and will deliver incredible sound.
Why Trust Cosmo?
Megan Uy is an associate shopping editor at Cosmopolitan and has five years of experience writing about tech products. She is an authority in all tech and lifestyle categories but has a special interest in headphones, thanks to years of trying out the latest and greatest in the game.
