Head-to-head · Best Over-ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 45 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 (4.3 vs 4.6). The gap is mostly about value-conscious commuters — read the strengths below before deciding.

Ranked #5 in Best Over-ear Headphones

Bose QuietComfort 45

4.3

$299

The Bose QuietComfort 45 delivers excellent active noise cancellation that remains among the best in class, making it ideal for frequent travelers and commuters. SoundGuys praised its comfort and USB-C upgrade over previous models, though noted the sound quality isn't exceptional. PCMag's Tim Gideon gave it an Editors' Choice rating, highlighting its reliability and comfort despite some outdated control mechanisms. The headphones are best suited for users prioritizing ANC performance over audio fidelity, and those seeking more advanced codec support should look elsewhere.

Strengths

— Outstanding active noise cancellation that's among the best in class
— Comfortable over long periods of time with well-distributed weight (240g)
— USB-C charging port replaces outdated micro-USB

Watch-outs

— Sound quality is not great, with only SBC and AAC codecs supported
— No true off ANC mode; must use Aware mode to disable ANC
— Controls are physical buttons that can be odd to get used to

$299 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Over-ear Headphones

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

4.6

$350

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless offers excellent battery life and superior sound quality that outperforms many competitors in its price range, according to SoundGuys and What Hi-Fi? While it provides effective active noise cancellation, reviewers noted it lags behind top-tier models from Bose and Sony. What Hi-Fi? called it 'one of the best-performing ANC over-ears at their price today,' though they were disappointed by the departure from the brand's previous classy design aesthetic. The headphones are aimed at commuters and frequent travelers seeking a balanced package of performance and value, though audiophiles may find the ANC lacking compared to 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

$350 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

Bose QuietComfort 45

While the Bose QuietComfort 45 offers outstanding active noise cancellation that rivals the Sony WH-1000XM5 and Apple AirPods Max, it falls short in sound quality compared to the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless and Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X, which both deliver superior audio fidelity. Unlike the Sony WH-1000XM5, it lacks true off ANC mode, forcing users to rely on Aware mode to disable ANC, a limitation not present in its competitors.

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

Spec	Bose QuietComfort 45	Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Weight	240 g	295 g
Connectivity	5.1	5.2
Driver	40mm	42 mm dynamic
ANC	Yes	Yes
Battery Life	24 hours	60 hours
Charging Method	USB-C	USB-C

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