Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $398.

Over-Ear

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless

63Good

$230

Full review data

Over-Ear

Sony WH-1000XM6

89Outstanding

$400

Full review data

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

8.1

9.0

Noise cancelling

6.2

9.6

Battery

4.8

8.1

Calls

5.3

9.6

Value

8.2

Price (USD)

$230

$400

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

New platform

Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025) against Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless (2019). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.0, Top codec LC3 against aptX, LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

MOMENTUM 3 Wireless2019
WH-1000XM620256 yr newer

What differsMOMENTUM 3 WirelessWH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Top codec: aptX; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Hybrid; Adaptive
Wear detection: No; Yes
Water resistance: IPX4; Not rated

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

MOMENTUM 3 WirelessWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $230; $400
HearWiki score: 63; 89
Released: 2019; 2025
Availability: Still sold new; Sold new
Driver: 42 mm dynamic; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 42 mm; 30 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 6 Hz - 22 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 100 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: 99 dB/mW; 103 dB/mW
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms): 118; -
Bluetooth: 5.0; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: -; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): 17 h; 30 h
Full charge time: 180 min; 210 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 1.5 h; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: No; Yes
Controls: touch; buttons
Voice assistant: -; Yes
Weight: 305 g; 254 g
Water resistance: IPX4; none
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: 3.5 mm; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 4; 12
Microphone type: beamforming; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: beamforming; -

Specification comparison of Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$230	$400
HearWiki score	63 / 100 Good	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2019	2025
Audio
Driver	42 mm dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	42 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	6 Hz - 22 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	100 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	99 dB/mW	103 dB/mW
Sensitivity (dB/Vrms)	118	-
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.0	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	-	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	17 h	30 h
Full charge time	180 min	210 min
Quick charge	10 min → 1.5 h	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	No	Yes
Controls	touch	buttons
Voice assistant	-	Yes
Design
Weight	305 g	254 g
Water resistance	IPX4	none
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	4	12
Microphone type	beamforming	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	beamforming	-

What reviewers said

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless are over-ear headphones with a premium retro look, hybrid active noise cancellation, and a balanced, detailed sound signature. They offer solid wireless features like aptX Low Latency and multipoint, though their battery life is modest and the price can be steep for what you get.

Pro:Balanced, detailed sound quality
Pro:Effective hybrid ANC and transparency mode
Pro:Comfortable fit with premium materials

Con:Battery life is below average, especially with ANC on
Con:Premium price tag
Con:Touch controls and app can be finicky

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.

Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed

Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
Con:No wireless charging option
Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

Swap either side out, or start again from the picker.

New comparison Sennheiser MOMENTUM 3 Wireless Sony WH-1000XM6