Verdict
Head-to-head · Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.2 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about Audiophiles and travelers needing extreme battery longevity — read the strengths below before deciding.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra
Ranked #5 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra
$329as of Jun 7

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra headphones deliver top-tier noise cancellation and exceptional comfort, making them a strong upgrade for daily travelers and commuters. However, the lack of water resistance and the premium price tag may deter some buyers, alongside minor reports of audio channel inconsistencies.

Strengths
  • Industry-leading Active Noise Cancelling with CustomTune calibration
  • Exceptional comfort with soft padding and a lightweight 253g design
  • Supports high-quality audio codecs including aptX Adaptive and Snapdragon Sound
Watch-outs
  • No IP rating for water or sweat resistance
  • High retail price point compared to competitors
  • Some users reported occasional channel matching issues
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
$226.89as of Jun 7

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless offers exceptional sound quality and a massive 60-hour battery life, making it a strong value proposition despite a more generic design. While its active noise cancellation and microphone performance lag behind key competitors like Sony and Bose, the headphones excel in audio fidelity and comfort for long listening sessions.

Strengths
  • Exceptional 60-hour battery life that outperforms competitors
  • Clean, neutral, and musical sound quality ahead of the pack
  • Supports wired listening via USB-C and 3.5mm jack without draining the battery
Watch-outs
  • Active Noise Cancellation is technically inferior to Bose and Sony top-tier models
  • Microphone noise rejection is mediocre for calls
  • Design drops the classy metal and leather aesthetic of predecessors for a plainer look

How they stack up

Bose QuietComfort Ultra

While the Bose QuietComfort Ultra matches the Sony WH-1000XM5 in noise cancellation prowess, it distinguishes itself with superior lightweight comfort that outshines the heavier Bowers & Wilkins Px8. It falls short of the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless in battery endurance and lacks the premium metal construction of the Apple AirPods Max, making it a comfort-first choice rather than a durability or battery king.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless dominates the category with a 60-hour battery life that dwarfs the Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Apple AirPods Max, while offering a wired listening option the AirPods Max lacks. Its active noise cancellation is weaker than the Sony and Bose models, and its microphone quality is inferior to the Sony, but it delivers a more neutral, musical sound signature than the bass-heavy Sony or the heavy Px8.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBose QuietComfort UltraSennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Driver TypeBose customDynamic
Bluetooth Version5.35.2
Weight250g295 g
Charging MethodUSB-CUSB-C
CodecsAAC, aptX AdaptiveSBC, AAC, aptX, aptX-HD, aptX Adaptive
ANCYesYes
Battery Life24h60 hours
Driver Size42 mm
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