Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with an HearWiki score of 88. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $400.

Over-Ear

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless

85Outstanding

$230

Full review data

Over-Ear

Sony WH-1000XM6

88Outstanding

$400

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 5 of 7 measures.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

8.5

8.0

Noise cancelling

8.0

8.5

Battery

9.5

7.5

Calls

7.5

7.0

Value

8.5

7.5

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 4 Wireless (2022). The Sony WH-1000XM6 is the newer platform here: Bluetooth 5.3 against 5.2, Top codec LC3 against aptX Adaptive and LE Audio (LC3).

MOMENTUM 4 Wireless2022
WH-1000XM620253 yr newer

What differsMOMENTUM 4 WirelessWH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Top codec: aptX Adaptive; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes

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

Specifications

MOMENTUM 4 WirelessWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $230; $400
HearWiki score: 85; 88
Released: 2022; 2025
Availability: Discontinued; 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: 60 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: 106 dB/mW; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.2; 5.3
Codecs: SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: 10 m; 10 m
Battery life: 60 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): 60 h; 30 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 210 min
Quick charge: 5 min → 4 h; 3 min → 3 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; buttons
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 293 g; 254 g
Water resistance: none; none
Detachable cable: -; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: -; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 4; 12
Microphone type: -; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: beamforming; -

Specification comparison of Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$230	$400
HearWiki score	85 / 100 Outstanding	88 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2022	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	60 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	106 dB/mW	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.2	5.3
Codecs	SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	10 m	10 m
Battery
Battery life	60 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	60 h	30 h
Full charge time	120 min	210 min
Quick charge	5 min → 4 h	3 min → 3 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	buttons
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	293 g	254 g
Water resistance	none	none
Detachable cable	-	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	-	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	4	12
Microphone type	-	MEMS
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 deliver a well-rounded experience, highlighted by exceptional battery endurance and strong overall performance. They pack effective noise cancellation, support for high-quality wireless audio, and a comfortable design, making them a versatile choice for daily use and travel. While not the absolute leaders in any single category, their combination of features and usability offers excellent value at their price point.

Pro:Outstanding battery life of up to 60 hours
Pro:Comfortable fit for extended listening sessions
Pro:Solid active noise cancellation performance

Con:Sound quality is very good but not class-leading
Con:Design feels less premium compared to some rivals
Con:ANC is effective but not the absolute best available

Sony WH-1000XM6

This premium over-ear headphone delivers class-leading adaptive noise cancellation and a well-balanced sound profile, with support for high-resolution LDAC streaming. Its 30-hour battery life, multipoint Bluetooth 5.3, and intuitive button controls make it a versatile choice for both travel and daily listening. The lightweight build and 12-microphone array also ensure clear calls and effective transparency mode.

Pro:Excellent adaptive noise cancellation
Pro:Supports LDAC for high-quality wireless audio
Pro:Comfortable and light at 254g

Con:No water resistance rating
Con:Battery drops to 24 hours with ANC on
Con:No touch controls—buttons only

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

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