Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM4: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 80. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless - Great overall at around $234.

Over-Ear

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

80Great

$230

Full review data

Over-Ear

Sony WH-1000XM4

75Great

$320

Full review data

Score breakdown

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

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Sony WH-1000XM4

HearWiki score

Sound

8.8

8.0

Noise cancelling

7.8

8.2

Battery

9.6

8.5

Calls

7.4

6.1

Value

9.2

4.2

Price (USD)

$230

$320

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?

Mixed generations

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless (2022) against Sony WH-1000XM4 (2020). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless brings Bluetooth 5.2 against 5.0, while the Sony WH-1000XM4 answers with Top codec LDAC against aptX Adaptive.

MOMENTUM 4 Wireless20222 yr newer
WH-1000XM42020

What differsMOMENTUM 4 WirelessWH-1000XM4

Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.0
Top codec: aptX Adaptive; LDAC

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

Specifications

MOMENTUM 4 WirelessWH-1000XM4

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $230; $320
HearWiki score: 80; 75
Released: 2022; 2020
Availability: Still sold new; Still sold new
Driver: 42 mm dynamic; 40 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 42 mm; 40 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 6 Hz - 22 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 60 Ω; 16 Ω
Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW; 105 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.0
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive; SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; -
Battery life: 60 h; 38 h
Battery life (ANC on): 60 h; 30 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 180 min
Quick charge: 5 min → 4 h; 10 min → 5 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: adaptive; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: touch; touch
Voice assistant: Yes; Alexa, Google Assistant
Weight: 293 g; 254 g
Water resistance: none; none
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Microphones: 4; 2
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: beamforming; -

Specification comparison of Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM4
Spec	Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless	Sony WH-1000XM4
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$230	$320
HearWiki score	80 / 100 Great	75 / 100 Great
Released	2022	2020
Audio
Driver	42 mm dynamic	40 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	42 mm	40 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	6 Hz - 22 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	60 Ω	16 Ω
Sensitivity	106 dB/mW	105 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.2	5.0
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive	SBC, AAC, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	-
Battery
Battery life	60 h	38 h
Battery life (ANC on)	60 h	30 h
Full charge time	120 min	180 min
Quick charge	5 min → 4 h	10 min → 5 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	adaptive	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	touch
Voice assistant	Yes	Alexa, Google Assistant
Design
Weight	293 g	254 g
Water resistance	none	none
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Calls
Microphones	4	2
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	beamforming	-

What reviewers said

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless are premium over-ear headphones that combine robust active noise cancellation with an exceptional 60-hour battery life, even with ANC on. They deliver balanced, high-quality audio through 42mm drivers and support a wide range of codecs, including aptX Adaptive. With a comfortable fit, touch controls, and multipoint Bluetooth 5.2, they offer strong all-around performance for daily use, though they lack water resistance and wireless charging.

Pro:Outstanding battery life of 60 hours with ANC active
Pro:High-quality sound with wide codec support (aptX Adaptive, AAC)
Pro:Comfortable over-ear design with adaptive noise cancellation

Con:No water resistance rating for sweat or rain protection
Con:Slightly heavy at 293 grams, which may affect long-term comfort
Con:No wireless charging support despite USB-C connectivity

Sony WH-1000XM4

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are premium wireless over-ear headphones that deliver outstanding active noise cancellation and balanced, detailed sound. They remain a top pick thanks to their comfortable fit, long battery life, and useful features like adaptive ANC, multipoint pairing, and touch controls. Despite being a few years old, they still compete strongly with newer flagships.

Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
Pro:Rich, well-balanced audio with LDAC support
Pro:Comfortable lightweight design for long sessions

Con:No water resistance rating
Con:No wireless charging support
Con:Touch controls can be finicky for some users

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

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