Head-to-head · Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

Apple AirPods Max 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 narrow margin (4.4 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about Audiophiles and travelers needing extreme battery longevity — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #3 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

Apple AirPods Max

4.4

$549as of Apr 22

The Apple AirPods Max deliver premium sound quality and industry-leading noise cancellation within a luxurious, durable metal build. However, their high price is compounded by significant drawbacks like a non-protective smart case, the lack of a 3.5mm jack, and limited functionality outside the Apple ecosystem. They are an excellent choice for dedicated Apple users but less ideal for those seeking versatility or better value.

Strengths

— Best-in-class active noise canceling and transparency mode
— Sturdy all-metal build with stainless steel headband and aluminum ear cups
— Extremely comfortable ear pads with soft fabric and even weight distribution

Watch-outs

— Smart case provides virtually no protection and is considered terrible
— No 3.5mm headphone jack, requiring an adapter for wired listening
— Proximity sensors and voice assistant features do not work on Android or Windows

$549 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

4.6

$350as of Apr 22

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

$350 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Apple AirPods Max

The Apple AirPods Max offer a unique all-metal build and durability that the plastic-heavy Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra cannot match, alongside a superior transparency mode. However, they are significantly heavier than the Bose and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, lack a 3.5mm jack unlike the Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins Px8, and suffer from a non-protective case that no other competitor in this list shares.

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

Spec	Apple AirPods Max	Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Driver Size	40 mm	42 mm
Driver Type	Dynamic	Dynamic
Bluetooth Version	5.0	5.2
Weight	386 g	295 g
Charging Method	Lightning connector	USB-C
Codecs	AAC, SBC	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX-HD, aptX Adaptive
ANC	yes	Yes
Battery Life	20 hours	60 hours

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