Sonos Ace vs Apple AirPods Max: which noise-cancelling headphones should you buy?

Sonos Ace leaning up against a colourful background, next to the Apple AirPods Max.

Sonos Ace

Bluetooth: 5.4 (SBC, AAC, AptX Lossless)
Battery life: 30hrs
Finishes: 2
Weight: 312g

After such a long wait and sky-high anticipation, the Sonos Ace sadly don't deliver where they need to in such a competitive marketplace. Sound quality and noise cancelling performance both need to be better to compete with the AirPods Max (and some cheaper rivals).

For

• Streamlined, stylish design
• Physical controls work well
• Inoffensive, balanced sound
• Okay levels of detail

Against

• Lack of clarity and expression
• Stunted dynamics and rhythmic drive
• Slightly buggy during testing
• Average call quality

Apple AirPods Max

Bluetooth: 5.0 (AAC)
Battery life: 20hrs
Finishes: 5
Weight: 385g

It's fair to say that the Apple AirPods Max are looking a little long in the tooth in the features department, four years since they were released. But from a sound perspective they still more than hold their own at their premium price point, and the noise-cancelling here is great too. The Sonos Ace may have been inspired by the Max in the design department, but they can't worry them where it counts.

For

• Superb audio and noise-cancelling
• Cinematic spatial audio
• Exceptional build quality

Against

• Near-pointless case
• Audio cable not included
• Practically Apple-only