Head-to-head · Best Over-ear Headphones

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6

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 4.4). Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless is best for: value-conscious commuters. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Over-ear Headphones

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

4.5

6 sources$212.5as of Oct 12

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

$212.5 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #5 in Best Over-ear Headphones

Sony WH-1000XM6

4.4

3 sources$378as of Oct 12

Sony's WH-1000XM6 fixes most of what people complained about in the previous generation: the fragile hinge is gone and the design folds again, with no cost to the top-tier noise cancellation and sound quality. What is still missing is water resistance and USB audio support, which matters if you want durability or flexible wired connections. As an all-rounder for commuters and travelers, it stays a strong pick despite those specific omissions.

Strengths

— Includes 12 microphones for superior call quality and voice pickup
— Supports Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connection and LC3 codec
— Offers a new power/Bluetooth button design that is easier to operate while wearing the headphones

Watch-outs

— Lacks any ingress protection rating, making them susceptible to moisture and sweat
— Does not support USB audio listening, limiting wired usage options
— Ear pads provide minimal clearance between the chassis and the user's skin

$378 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

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.

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 folds up on a redesigned hinge and lists 40 hours of battery life, against up to 30 hours for the Sony WH-1000XM5 and 24 hours for the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones. It supports LDAC, which the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones' entry says that model lacks. Like the Sony WH-1000XM5 it has no ingress protection rating, and it costs considerably more than that model.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless	Sony WH-1000XM6
Weight	295 g	254g
Connectivity	5.2	BT 5.4, 3.5mm
Driver	42 mm dynamic	40mm
ANC	Yes	Yes
Battery Life	60 hours	40h
Charging Method	USB-C	—
Codec	—	LDAC, AAC, SBC, LC3
Folding	—	Folds up, hinged

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