Is the Sony WH-1000XM3 worth the upgrade from the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless?
Verdict
Downgrade
The Sony WH-1000XM3 actually scores 7.0 points below the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, so on aggregate review consensus this is a step backwards. The gains are concentrated in noise cancelling (8.0 to 9.0). You do give up ground on sound (8.5 to 8.0) and battery (9.5 to 9.0). On paper: weight 293 g to 255 g. Worth checking: battery life goes 60 h to 38 h and bluetooth goes 5.2 to 4.2. It is at least $124 cheaper, so the lower score comes with a saving. Only worth it if a specific feature above matters more to you than overall quality does.
What actually changes
Sub-scores both products have, on the same 0-10 scale. Bars extend right for a gain, left for a loss.
- Sound8.58.0
- Noise cancelling8.09.0
- Battery9.59.0
- Calls7.57.0
- Value8.58.0
Spec differences
Only where the two genuinely differ - everything they share is omitted.
| Spec | MOMENTUM 4 Wireless | WH-1000XM3 | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery life | 60 h | 38 h | |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, LDAC | |
| Weight | 293 g | 255 g | |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 | 4.2 | |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes | No | |
| Battery life (ANC on) | 60 h | 30 h | |
| Full charge time | 120 min | 180 min | |
| Driver size | 42 mm | 40 mm | |
| Transparency mode | Yes | No | |
| Custom EQ | Yes | No | |
| Wear detection | Yes | No | |
| ANC type | adaptive | hybrid | |
| Quick charge | 5 min = up to 4 h | 10 min = 5 h | |
| Call noise reduction | beamforming noise reduction | Yes | |
| Driver | 42mm dynamic drivers | dynamic | |
| Frequency response | 6 Hz - 22 kHz | 4 Hz - 40 kHz |
About this verdict
Direction matters here: this page answers "MOMENTUM 4 Wireless to WH-1000XM3". The other direction is a separate question with a different answer. Scores blend published review verdicts across over-ear and shift as new reviews land, so a marginal call today may not be one next quarter.