Head-to-head · Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins Px8 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 #4 in Best Noise Cancelling Headphones

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

4.4

$699as of Apr 22

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 delivers exceptional audio clarity and a luxurious build quality that justifies its premium price for discerning listeners. However, the experience is marred by inconsistent wear detection, a lack of low-volume adjustment in wired mode, and significant weight that can cause discomfort during extended use.

Strengths

— Outstanding clarity with a fast and punchy sonic presentation
— Luxurious build featuring soft Nappa leather and cast aluminium arms
— Angled 40mm carbon cone drivers provide a comfortable fit

Watch-outs

— Sound quality becomes limp at lower volume levels
— Wear-on/wear-off detection function can be erratic
— Heavy 320g mass causes pressure and heat buildup over long sessions

$699 · 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

Bowers & Wilkins Px8

The Bowers & Wilkins Px8 stands out with the most luxurious Nappa leather and cast aluminum build, offering a premium tactile experience that feels more upscale than the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless. Despite its superior clarity, it is the heaviest option in the group, causing more pressure than the lightweight Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and its sound quality drops at low volumes unlike the consistent performance of the Sennheiser.

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	Bowers & Wilkins Px8	Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Driver Size	40mm	42 mm
Driver Type	40mm carbon cone	Dynamic
Bluetooth Version	5.1	5.2
Weight	320g	295 g
Charging Method	USB-C	USB-C
Codecs	aptX adaptive	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX-HD, aptX Adaptive
ANC	Yes	Yes
Battery Life	30 hours	60 hours

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