Sennheiser Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Noise-Canceling Wireless Review
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphones offer legendary battery life and classic sound, but make compromises on noise cancellation and premium feel.
The 30-Second Version
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is the battery life king with classic Sennheiser sound. Its ANC and build are just average, but it'll last you a week on a charge. Worth it if you prioritize endurance above all else.
Overview
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is a solid pair of wireless over-ear headphones that nails the basics. You get that classic Sennheiser sound signature—detailed, balanced, and easy to listen to for hours.
Where it really stands out is battery life. The 60-hour rating isn't just marketing fluff; it's a genuine week-longer between charges compared to most rivals. It's a headphone built for long listening sessions, not for topping charts in any single category.
Performance
Performance is good, not great, across the board. In our database, its scores for sound, ANC, and comfort all hover right around the 48th to 50th percentile. That means it's perfectly average compared to the competition. The sound is clean and balanced, the ANC cuts out a decent amount of noise, and the mic is fine for calls. Nothing will blow you away, but nothing will disappoint you either. It's the definition of competent.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Insane 60-hour battery life is a real game-saver. 96th
- Classic Sennheiser sound is detailed and non-fatiguing. 95th
- Build quality feels solid and the travel case is great. 93th
- Comfort is good for long wear, with thick padding. 91th
Cons
- ANC is just okay, lagging behind Sony and Bose.
- The plastic build feels less premium than some rivals.
- The companion app is functional but not the best.
- Not a strong choice for gaming due to higher latency.
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 value proposition is a bit mixed. You're paying a premium for the Sennheiser name and that exceptional battery life. If marathon battery sessions are your top priority, it's worth it. But if you want the absolute best noise cancellation or the most luxurious feel for your money, there are better options that often cost the same or less.
Price History
vs Competition
Stack it up against the giants, and the trade-offs are clear. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has significantly better noise cancellation and a more polished app. The Apple AirPods Max offers a more premium build and seamless Apple ecosystem integration, for a much higher price. The Momentum 4's ace is its battery, which smokes both of them. It's for the person who prioritizes never plugging in over having the absolute best ANC. The Beats Studio Pro is a closer call, offering similar battery life and spatial audio, but with a more bass-forward sound.
| 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 use the microphone for calls when plugged in with the cable?
Yes, the built-in microphone still works when you use the included 3.5mm audio cable, so you can use them for wired conferencing.
Q: How do the ear cups feel and what are they made of?
They're very plush and padded for comfort, but Sennheiser doesn't specify if it's genuine leather or a synthetic material.
Q: Is the noise cancellation adjustable or can you turn it off completely?
You can adjust the ANC level or turn it off entirely through the Smart Control app. Turning it off doesn't let in external sound; for that, you need to use Transparency mode.
Who Should Skip This
Skip these if you're a hardcore gamer. The latency in our tests puts it in the 14th percentile for gaming, so you'll notice audio lag. Also, look elsewhere if you need the absolute strongest noise cancellation on the market; the Sony WH-1000XM5 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra are better for that.
Verdict
Buy the Sennheiser Momentum 4 if you're a commuter, traveler, or just someone who hates charging headphones and wants reliable, great-sounding audio. It's the endurance champion. Its balanced, detailed sound signature makes it a fantastic all-day listener for music and podcasts.