Head to head
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) vs Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e leads 3 to 0 on the 3 rankable specs and costs $150 less, which makes it the straightforward pick. Most of the 14 attributes tracked here are descriptive rather than numeric.
Catalog as of September 1, 2026
Why, in numbers
Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Sony WH-1000XM4$348Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Sony WH-1000XM5$399Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429Sonos Ace$449Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Swap
Compare a different headphone
AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation$179Anker Soundcore Space One Pro$199AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C)$249Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds$299Sony WF-1000XM5 Earbuds$299Sony WH-1000XM4$348Bose QuietComfort Headphones$349Beats Studio Pro$349Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless$379Sony WH-1000XM5$399Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones$429Sonos Ace$449Focal Bathys Hi-Fi Wireless$699Buying for
Your devices
Straight answer
Overall: 0 to 3
Buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e.
- Leads 3 of 3 rankable overall specs.
- Weight: 307 g vs 384.8 g
- Battery life: 30 hours vs 20 hours
- It is also $150 cheaper.
Deal-breakers
tick what would make you walk away
- Trips:Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) · No (swivels flat)Trips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · No (swivel earcups)
- Trips:Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) · AAC, SBCClear:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC
- Trips:Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) · 384.8 gTrips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · 307 g (10.8 oz)
- Trips:Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) · 20 hoursClear:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · 30 hours
- Trips:Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) · No official IP ratingTrips:Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e · No official IP rating
At a glance
The handful of numbers that decide most purchases in this category.
Weight
Apple
384.8 g (13.6 oz)
Bowers & Wilkins
307 g (10.8 oz)
Active Noise Cancelling≠
Apple
Yes (Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation with dual H1 chips)
Bowers & Wilkins
Yes (Hybrid Noise Cancellation with 6 microphones)
Battery life
Apple
20 hours (ANC + Spatial Audio enabled)
Bowers & Wilkins
30 hours (ANC on)
Comfort, Clamp & Travel Fit Check
Ergonomic factors that affect daily comfort, glasses wearers, and luggage space.
Folding & Travel Packability
Swivels flat only; Smart Case leaves headband exposed
Standard folding earcups
Clamp Force & Glasses Comfort
Firm clamp force (~5.2 N; steel & aluminum)
Standard headphone clamp
Weight & Crown Pressure
385g (heavy; noticeable neck load after 2 hours)
Standard headphone weight
The 90-Day Owner Regret Check
Documented ergonomic quirks, hardware annoyances, and maintenance realities reported by real owners.
Apple: What to watch for
- Ergonomics
Heavy 385g weight creates neck fatigue during long flights.
- Hardware Quirk
Smart Case offers virtually zero physical drop or travel protection.
- Maintenance
Condensation buildup inside earcups under mesh cushions.
Bowers & Wilkins: What to watch for
- Maintenance
Requires ongoing care to maintain peak out-of-box performance.
Design
leads 1-0| Type | Over-ear, closed-back | Over-ear, closed-back |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 384.8 g (13.6 oz) | 307 g (10.8 oz) (wins this row: lower) |
| Foldable | No (swivels flat) | No (swivel earcups) |
| Carrying case | Smart Case included (low-power state trigger) | Slim fabric hard-shell travel case included |
| IP rating | No official IP rating | No official IP rating |
Audio
5 differences| Driver | 40 mm Apple-designed custom dynamic driver | 40 mm dynamic full-range bio-cellulose drivers (angled) |
|---|---|---|
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes (Pro-level Active Noise Cancellation with dual H1 chips) | Yes (Hybrid Noise Cancellation with 6 microphones) |
| Transparency mode | Yes (Adaptive Transparency Mode) | Yes (Ambient Pass-Through) |
| Supported codecs | AAC, SBC | aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX, AAC, SBC |
| Microphones | 9 microphones total (8 for ANC, 3 for voice pickup) | 4 mics for ANC + 2 mics for telephony |
Connectivity & Battery
leads 1-0| Multipoint Bluetooth | Yes (seamless automatic switching across Apple devices) | Yes (Bluetooth 5.2 multipoint) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 20 hours (ANC + Spatial Audio enabled) | 30 hours (ANC on) (wins this row: higher) |
| Charging time | 2 hours via USB-C (5 min charge gives 1.5 hours) | 2 hours (15 min quick charge gives 7 hours) |
Ownership
leads 1-0| Warranty | 1 year | 2 years (wins this row: higher) |
|---|
Which one should you buy
Pick this one if
Apple AirPods Max (USB-C)
Luxury over-ear headphones with custom dynamic drivers, computational audio, and anodized aluminum earcups.
- Superb spatial audio with dynamic head tracking
- Best-in-class transparency mode realism
- Premium stainless steel frame with breathable mesh canopy
What you give up
- Heavier than plastic-built competitors at 384g
- Smart Case provides minimal protection
Pick this one if
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e
Evolved wireless headphones with 24-bit DSP engine, custom 40mm bio-cellulose drivers, and luxe metal detailing.
- Exquisite musical detail, separation, and stereo imaging
- High-end construction with memory foam earcups and metal arms
- Direct 24-bit streaming support from Bowers & Wilkins Music App
What you give up
- ANC is good but not on par with class leaders Bose/Sony
- Microphone wind reduction in outdoor calls is average
Best for each use
Flights & commutes
For flights & commutes, buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e.
Calls & work
Too close to call on calls & work from the spec sheets. Only battery life is rankable here.
Sound quality
Too close to call on sound quality from the spec sheets. Only weight is rankable here.
Done deciding?
Open the full standalone spec sheet for either device.
Manufacturer pages: Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) ↗ · Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e ↗
Common questions
Which is cheaper, the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) or the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e?
Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e costs $150 less at list price.
What is the biggest catch with the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e?
Both has this deal-breaker: does not fold. Takes a bigger slot in a carry-on.
Which is better for flights & commutes, the Apple AirPods Max (USB-C) or the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e?
For flights & commutes, buy the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S2e. Leads 2 of 2 rankable flights & commutes specs. Battery life: 30 hours vs 20 hours
What cannot be compared from spec sheets?
Of the 14 specs tracked here, 11 are descriptive and cannot be ranked on numbers alone. Spec sheets also cannot measure subjective factors like build quality, real-world performance, or comfort.