Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Battle of the best value flagships

If you’re shopping for high-end noise canceling headphones, it’s likely you’ve narrowed it down to a few popular contenders. Aside from Sony, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are some of the best in the game. Both offer compelling features and premium performance, but approach the listening experience in slightly different ways. After extensive testing, here’s how they compare across the categories that matter most.

What’s it like to use the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless compared to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

The Bose QC Ultra Headphones prioritize comfort above all, with light construction, plush padding, and a headband that accommodates glasses wearers without pressure points. They include a reliable carrying case, but lack any sort of waterproof rating, so no workouts or walks in the rain. Their tactile controls are limited to just two buttons and a volume slider, meaning most adjustments are easier through the app.

Meanwhile, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 delivers a similar commuter-friendly experience with capacitive touch controls that mirror Sony’s approach. The headband feels secure but can press into the skull if over-tightened. I appreciated the smart pause feature, which automatically pauses playback when you remove the headphones. Their fabric-wrapped carrying case is roomy and thoughtfully designed.

Do the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have more features?

Both headphones offer app support, customizable EQ, and effective ANC. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones add future-facing features like Snapdragon Sound and aptX Lossless, putting them ahead in terms of forward compatibility. However, these are only useful to Android users with newer Snapdragon chips. They also include Immersive Audio with head tracking, though I found the effect underwhelming in daily use.

Sennheiser’s Smart Control app brings more granular control and the excellent “Adaptive ANC” feature, which adjusts to your environment. While the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless lacks Immersive Audio, it wins points for USB-C audio support and a smarter overall feature suite, including geotagged ANC presets and Smart Pause—practical features that make a real difference day-to-day.

How do the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones connect?

Bose supports Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio, aptX Adaptive, and a 2.5mm-to-3.5mm analog cable. Unfortunately, the USB-C port is for charging only—there’s no digital audio passthrough. Pairing is quick and easy, and aptX Lossless offers promise for high-res wireless fans, though it’s not accessible to iPhone users.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless supports a wider array of codecs (SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, and aptX Adaptive) and adds USB-C digital audio, a rare and valuable feature. It gives you flexibility to plug in and avoid compression artifacts altogether, which I appreciated when editing audio files on my laptop.

Is battery life better on the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

This category isn’t even close. In our testing, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless delivered a staggering 56 hours and 21 minutes of battery life with ANC on. That’s more than double what most competitors offer and means you’ll rarely worry about recharging. Just be wary of the auto-shutoff—it sometimes activates when you don’t want it to.

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones clock in at a still-respectable 27 hours and 37 minutes, but that’s nearly half of what Sennheiser achieves. Fast charging gives you 2.5 hours of playback in 15 minutes, but the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless still wins for sheer endurance and battery longevity over time.

Do the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones block noise better?

Bose still wears the ANC crown. The QuietComfort Ultra Headphones reduce environmental noise by an average of 85%, and their seal around the ears helps isolate sound before the ANC even kicks in. I found these especially effective on planes and trains, with engine hums reduced to a background whisper.

While the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless performs decently—cutting about 75% of high-pitched noise and low-pitched rumbles—it doesn’t quite reach the same attenuation levels. However, Sennheiser’s ANC is still strong enough for most commuters, especially in offices or cafes, and the Adaptive ANC adds convenience.

Do the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless sound better than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless delivers a more refined and natural listening experience out of the box. It avoids wild frequency swings, leans slightly into bass, and presents vocals and instrumentation with excellent clarity and balance. Whether listening to music or bingeing podcasts, I consistently preferred the MOMENTUM 4’s sound signature.

Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra Headphones also sound quite good, especially using the CustomTune feature, which personalizes the sound to your ears. But distortion is a bit more noticeable, and while the Immersive Audio is fun to test, it didn’t improve my daily listening. I preferred to leave it off.

Multi-Dimensional Audio Quality Scores (MDAQS)

According to MDAQS, both headphones scored 4.6 overall, but with slightly different strengths:

These close scores validate what my ears told me—both sound great, but Bose wins slightly on Immersiveness, while Sennheiser holds the edge in accuracy and low distortion.

Objective Measurements

Sennheiser sticks close to our studio target curve, with mild bass boost and detailed highs. The result is a smooth, enjoyable presentation that most listeners will appreciate. Bose’s response is tailored per user via CustomTune, which works well, but default tuning skews slightly bassy and has minor channel imbalance, which affects spatial accuracy in stereo recordings.

Do the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless or Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones have a better microphone?

Neither headset replaces a dedicated mic, but Sennheiser’s microphone setup edges out Bose in overall clarity. However, noise rejection struggles in wind and busy environments. Bose’s mic performance is solid, especially indoors. It holds its own for most daily calls and online meetings.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Ideal conditions):

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless microphone demo (Wind conditions):

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones microphone demo (Wind conditions):

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: Price and availability

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones retail for $429 at Amazon, while the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless undercuts them at $289.23 at Amazon. That $80 difference is substantial, especially considering the MOMENTUM 4 Wireless often goes on sale.

Bose banks on cutting-edge features like aptX Lossless and Immersive Audio to justify the premium, while Sennheiser wins on value with superior battery life, sound, and USB-C audio. Both are widely available through major retailers.

Should you get the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless or the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones?

If noise cancelation and future-proof wireless features are your top priorities, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are a smart investment. They’re extremely comfortable, well-built, and equipped for the next generation of Android audio tech. Just know you’re paying more for these perks.

On the other hand, the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is the more balanced buy. It offers better sound out of the box, dramatically longer battery life, USB-C listening, and a lower price tag. While its ANC isn’t quite as strong, it’s still good enough for most real-world use.

Unless you absolutely need the best ANC or plan to use aptX Lossless right now, I’d recommend the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless to most people. It simply offers more for less.