Sennheiser Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Noise-Canceling Wireless Review
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones trade flashy features for marathon 60-hour battery life and balanced sound. It's the pick for listeners who value endurance above all else.
The 30-Second Version
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is the endurance champion with a 60-hour battery and great sound for music. Its noise cancellation and design are just good, not great. Worth buying if you hate charging your gear, but look elsewhere for top-tier ANC.
Overview
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is a solid, no-nonsense pair of wireless over-ears. It ditches the old-school folding design for a sleeker, fold-flat look that's easier to toss in a bag. You're getting Sennheiser's signature sound tuning, which tends to be a bit more balanced and natural than some of the bass-heavy competition.
Our data shows it's a middle-of-the-pack performer across the board. Its scores for sound, ANC, and comfort all hover right around the 50th percentile. That means it's perfectly competent, but it's not leading the charge in any single category. The big headline here is the 60-hour battery life, which is genuinely impressive.
Performance
Performance is exactly what you'd expect from a mid-tier scorecard: good, not great. The 42mm drivers deliver clean, detailed audio that's excellent for music, landing it in the 49th percentile for sound quality. The adaptive noise cancellation works well enough for planes and offices, sitting at the 48th percentile. But it doesn't have the sheer silencing power of the class leaders. The mic is fine for calls, and comfort is decent for long sessions, though some might find the earcups a bit warm.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Insane 60-hour battery life is a real standout. 96th
- Sound signature is balanced and natural, great for music. 95th
- Comfortable for all-day wear with thick padding. 93th
- Includes a hard travel case, which many competitors don't. 91th
Cons
- Noise cancellation is good, but not best-in-class.
- The design is a bit plain compared to the old Momentum line.
- Mic quality is just okay for voice calls.
- Can feel a bit bulky and warm on the ears.
The Word on the Street
Specifications
Full Specifications
Design
| Form Factor | Over-Ear |
| Open/Closed | Closed |
| Weight | 0.3 kg / 0.6 lbs |
Audio
| Driver Type | Dynamic |
| Driver Size | 42 |
| Drivers | 1 |
| Freq Min | 50 |
| Freq Max | 10000 |
| Impedance | 470 |
| Sensitivity | 106 |
| Max SPL | 106 |
| Hi-Res Audio | Yes |
| Codecs | AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, SBC |
Noise Control
| ANC | Yes |
Connectivity
| Wireless | Yes |
| Bluetooth | 5.2 |
| Profiles | HFP, AVRCP, A2DP |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Wired Connector | 3.5mm |
| Cable Length | 1.2 |
Battery
| Battery Life | 60 |
| Charge Time | 2 |
| Fast Charging | 5min=4hrs |
| Charging | USB-C |
| Capacity | 700 |
Microphone
| Microphone | Yes |
| Mic Count | 4 |
| NC Mic | Yes |
| Mic Pattern | Omnidirectional |
Features
| Touch Controls | No |
| App | iOS, Android |
| Volume Limiting | No |
Value & Pricing
At its typical street price between $270 and $340, the Momentum 4 sits in a crowded spot. You're paying for the Sennheiser name and that monster battery. If battery endurance is your absolute top priority, this is a strong value. But if you care more about having the absolute best noise cancellation or the sleekest design, your money might go further with a competitor.
Price History
vs Competition
This is where it gets tricky. The Sony WH-1000XM5 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra generally have better, more adaptable ANC. The AirPods Max offer a more premium feel and seamless Apple integration, for a much higher price. The Momentum 4's play is its combination of good-enough everything with that marathon battery. Think of it as the reliable workhorse next to the flashy sports cars. It won't win every race, but it'll never leave you stranded.
| Spec | Sennheiser Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Noise-Canceling Wireless | Sony Sony WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Wireless Over-Ear | Apple AirPods Max Apple AirPods Max Wireless Over-Ear Closed-Back | Sennheiser Sennheiser ACCENTUM Plus Wireless Active | JBL JBL Tune 770NC Noise-Cancelling Over-Ear | Bang & Olufsen Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX Noise-Canceling Wireless |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form Factor | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear | Over-Ear |
| Driver Type | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Driver Size (mm) | 42 | 30 | 40 | 37 | 40 | 40 |
| Impedance Ohms | 470 | 48 | 16 | — | 32 | 24 |
| Wireless | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Active Noise Cancellation | true | true | true | true | true | true |
| Open Closed Back | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.2 | 5.3 | 5.1 |
| Battery Life Hours | 60 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 70 | 35 |
Common Questions
Q: Can you turn off the noise cancellation completely?
Yes, you can disable the adaptive noise cancellation through the Smart Control app. You can also use transparency mode to let sound in.
Q: What are the ear cups made of?
Sennheiser doesn't specify if it's genuine leather. Our take is they're a high-quality synthetic material that feels soft but might not breathe as well as some alternatives.
Q: Does the microphone work when using the wired connection?
Yes. If you plug in via the 3.5mm jack, the built-in microphones will still function for calls and conferencing.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you're a hardcore gamer. Our data scores it at a dismal 14.4/100 for gaming, thanks to latency and a mic that's just okay. Also, if you live on airplanes and need the absolute strongest noise cancellation to vanish, the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra will serve you better.
Verdict
Buy the Sennheiser Momentum 4 if you're a music purist who hates charging headphones. Its balanced sound and epic battery life make it perfect for long commutes, workdays, or travelers. It's a fantastic all-rounder for someone who values endurance and audio fidelity over having the absolute latest tech tricks.