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Head-to-head · Best Over-ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 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.

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The short answer

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about value-conscious commuters — read the strengths below before deciding.

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Ranked #3 in Best Over-ear Headphones
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
3 sources$327.99as of Aug 1

No headphone in this lineup cancels noise better. RTINGS calls the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones 'top-of-the-line noise cancelling headphones,' and What Hi-Fi praises 'class-leading, customisable ANC' alongside sound that is 'both hugely accomplished and hugely entertaining.' Bose's Immersive Audio spatial mode is the addition over the standard QuietComfort, and they sit a clear tier above it. The price is steep and they skip hi-res codecs, but for outright silence plus comfort they are hard to beat.

Strengths
  • — Class-leading, highly customizable active noise cancellation — among the best measured anywhere
  • — Rich, entertaining, well-balanced sound that satisfies casual listeners and enthusiasts alike
  • — Bose Immersive Audio spatial mode adds a convincing sense of space the standard QC lacks
Watch-outs
  • — Premium price — the most expensive Bose in this guide
  • — Immersive Audio noticeably shortens battery life and not everyone will use it
  • — No high-resolution LDAC/aptX HD codec support, unlike the Sony WH-1000XM6
$327.99 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Over-ear Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
6 sources$217as of Aug 1

SoundGuys and What Hi-Fi? both point to the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless for battery life and sound quality that beats much of what else sells at this price. Active noise cancellation works well without matching the top-tier models from Bose and Sony. What Hi-Fi? called it 'one of the best-performing ANC over-ears at their price today,' while lamenting the departure from the brand's previously classy design aesthetic. Commuters and frequent travelers who want performance and value in one package are the target; audiophiles may find the ANC short of premium offerings.

Strengths
  • — Excellent battery life with up to 60 hours of playback
  • — Superior sound quality that's ahead of the pack according to SoundGuys
  • — Effective active noise cancellation for the price point
Watch-outs
  • — Middling ANC performance compared to top-tier competitors like Bose or Sony
  • — Drops predecessors' classy aesthetic for a more generic design
  • — Mic noise rejection is subpar according to SoundGuys
$217 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

How they stack up

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones

The QuietComfort Ultra sits a clear tier above the standard Bose QuietComfort Headphones in this guide, adding Immersive Audio spatial sound and stronger ANC for roughly $80 more. Against the Sony WH-1000XM6 it arguably edges ANC and comfort but gives up hi-res LDAC playback and longer battery. Versus the Apple AirPods Max 2 it is lighter, folds flat and works equally well on Android, while costing well over $100 less.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless excels in battery life and sound quality compared to the Bose QuietComfort 45 and Apple AirPods Max, though it doesn't match the ANC performance of the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X. Unlike the Sony WH-1000XM5, it lacks IP rating and is less premium in build quality, but offers better value for money than the Apple AirPods Max which is more expensive and ecosystem-dependent.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBose QuietComfort Ultra HeadphonesSennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Driver35mm dynamic42 mm dynamic
Weight253g295 g
ANCYes, adjustable + Immersive AudioYes
CodecSBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive—
ConnectivityBluetooth 5.3, multipoint, 3.5mm5.2
Battery Life24h (18h Immersive)60 hours
FoldingFolds flat, hinged—
Charging Method—USB-C
← See the full ranking of best over-ear headphones