Sonos Ace vs AirPods Max – Which One’s Better in 2025?

After years of everyone wondering and waiting, Sonos has finally jumped into the high-end headphone game with the Ace. These are their very first over-ear headphones, and of course, people are immediately comparing them to Apple’s AirPods Max.

Apple’s fancy headphones have been the ones to beat since they came out back in 2020, setting the standard for great design, sound, and how well they work with other Apple stuff. But a lot has changed since then, and tech has gotten even better.

So, the big question for 2025 is this: Can the Sonos Ace outperform the AirPods Max, or does Apple still hold the crown?

First Impressions

The Sonos Ace made headlines the moment it launched — not just because it’s Sonos’s first attempt at personal audio, but because it shows how much the brand learned from years of mastering home sound systems. The headphones feel refined, confident, and focused. You can sense Sonos didn’t want to imitate anyone; they wanted to compete seriously.

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On the other hand, Apple’s AirPods Max are already iconic. The AirPods Max are definitely a style icon. With their metal earcups and that sleek, modern look, they make a strong fashion statement the moment you put them on. But as nice as they are, they’re a bit of a heavy piece of tech. But when you put them next to the new Sonos Ace, the difference is pretty clear. The Ace is a lot lighter, and that makes the AirPods Max feel a bit old-fashioned and less comfortable to wear.

Design & Comfort

At first glance, the Sonos Ace and AirPods Max look related — both minimalist, elegant, and built to impress. But the differences become clear the moment you pick them up.

The Sonos Ace opts for recycled plastic with a matte finish in black or soft white. They feel sleek but understated, and more importantly, they’re lighter — weighing around 312 grams, compared to the 385 grams of the AirPods Max. Those few grams make a surprising difference during long listening sessions.

Sonos uses memory foam ear cushions wrapped in vegan leather, offering a soft, snug seal that isolates sound beautifully. The AirPods Max, meanwhile, use acoustic mesh fabric cushions — breathable and luxurious but sometimes warmer and less isolating. Both are comfortable, but the Sonos Ace wins for lighter pressure and less fatigue.

I also appreciate that Sonos includes a sturdy travel case with a small pouch for cables — something Apple could learn from. The AirPods Max case, while stylish, feels oddly impractical and leaves the headband exposed.

If design elegance is your priority, Apple’s aluminum finish still feels premium. But if comfort, practicality, and everyday usability matter more, the Sonos Ace feels like the smarter, more balanced design.

Features & Connectivity: Experience vs Ecosystem

Apple’s AirPods Max integrate deeply within the Apple ecosystem. Pairing is instant. Switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac is effortless. You get spatial audio, head tracking, transparency mode, and active noise cancellation (ANC) that still ranks among the best.

But Sonos has done something special. The Sonos Ace not only supports Bluetooth 5.4, but it’s also compatible with Snapdragon Sound’s aptX Lossless and Apple’s ALAC codecs, meaning you can finally experience lossless audio wirelessly — something Apple still hasn’t added to the AirPods Max (which are stuck on Bluetooth 5.0).

The Sonos Ace also introduces TV Audio Swap when paired with a Sonos Arc soundbar. With one button press, your TV’s sound transfers seamlessly to your headphones, powered by TrueCinema calibration that creates an immersive, room-like surround effect. It’s an incredible feature for nighttime viewing or shared living spaces — something Apple doesn’t currently offer.

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As for controls, Sonos takes a hybrid approach. There’s a slider for volume and playback, buttons for ANC and awareness mode, and a power/pairing control. It’s tactile, intuitive, and simple. Apple’s AirPods Max rely on the Digital Crown — which is iconic but limited in function.

For now, Sonos doesn’t support Wi-Fi streaming (though future updates might). Still, the combination of newer Bluetooth tech and smart ecosystem features already gives it an edge.

Sound Quality: New Challenger, Old Champion

When it comes to sound, both headphones impress — but in different ways.

When it comes to sound, the AirPods Max give you that classic Apple quality. The audio is really well-balanced, clear, and full of little details. They make everything sound great, from an orchestra to your favorite rap song, because the sound feels wide and open. The only downside is that they can’t play the absolute highest quality audio files because of a limit with Bluetooth.

The Sonos Ace, by contrast, feels more audiophile-tuned. The sound is crisp and spacious, with deep, clean bass and beautifully layered mids. The high-end detail is remarkable — you can pick up textures in instruments that feel slightly blurred on the AirPods Max. It’s clear Sonos leaned into their home audio DNA, prioritizing sound precision and realism.

Spatial audio performance is on par with Apple’s — immersive, accurate, and full of life. Both headphones use dynamic head tracking and active noise cancellation, and both perform admirably in noisy environments. Apple’s transparency mode still feels more natural, but Sonos’s noise isolation is superior.

Battery Life & Charging: A Clear Win for Sonos

Now lets compare the battery life and to be honest Sonos is clear winner. The Sonos Ace offers 30 hours of playback with ANC on, and just a 3-minute quick charge gives you another 3 hours of listening.

The AirPods Max manage around 20 hours, which was solid in 2020 but now feels modest. Quick charging gives you 1.5 hours in five minutes, but that’s still less efficient.

And here’s the kicker — the Sonos Ace charges via USB-C, while the AirPods Max still use the Lightning port. In 2025, that feels outdated, especially since Apple has already switched its iPhones to USB-C.

Compatibility & Everyday Use

This is where things get interesting. If you live inside Apple’s ecosystem — using an iPhone, iPad, and Mac — the AirPods Max will still feel seamless. You’ll love the instant pairing, automatic device switching, and integration with Siri.

But if you value cross-platform flexibility, Sonos Ace is more open. It connects easily to any Bluetooth device, and the sound customization through the Sonos app adds another layer of personalization that Apple simply doesn’t offer.

The Sonos Ace also works wonderfully for TV viewing with the Sonos Arc, making it great for both entertainment and travel.

Price & Value

Pricing plays a huge role in this comparison.

• Sonos Ace: $449 / £449 / AU$699
• Apple AirPods Max: $549 / £549 / AU$899 (though often discounted to ~$499)

Even though it’s just $100 less, that savings gets you some great stuff. So with the Sonos Ace, you get newer tech, a battery that lasts longer, a modern USB-C port, and better sound quality. So, for a lower price, you’re actually getting more modern features. Unless you’re deeply tied to Apple’s software ecosystem, it’s hard not to see Sonos as the better value in 2025.

Verdict

After comparing both in depth, here’s the honest takeaway:

The Sonos Ace doesn’t just challenge the AirPods Max — it redefines what premium wireless headphones should offer today. It combines Sonos’s legendary sound tuning with thoughtful design, superior battery life, and forward-looking features like aptX Lossless and USB-C.

Don’t get me wrong, the AirPods Max still sound amazing, and if you have an iPhone or Mac, they connect and work perfectly. But their age is starting to show. They use older Bluetooth technology, can’t really play the highest quality audio, and their battery doesn’t last as long as newer options.

So, if you’re all-in on Apple and love how everything connects so easily, the AirPods Max are still a great and stylish pick. But for just about everyone else, the Sonos Ace is the better buy. If you care more about top-notch sound, a comfortable fit, and modern features, the Ace feels smarter, more up-to-date, and ready for the future.