Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Bose QuietComfort Ultra vs Sennheiser Momentum 4
Which premium ANC headphones win? We compare Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra, and Sennheiser Momentum 4 across noise cancellation, sound, and value.
Ethan Mercer
Editor-in-Chief
The premium noise-canceling headphone market has three clear leaders: Sony's WH-1000XM5 at $400, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra at $429 (currently $279 on Amazon), and Sennheiser's Momentum 4 Wireless at $350. All three promise exceptional noise cancellation, all-day comfort, and audiophile-grade sound. But which one actually delivers?
Here's what matters: Sony and Bose have dominated this category for years, but Sennheiser's Momentum 4 brings 60-hour battery life that makes competitors look outdated. The Sony costs less than the Bose but claims better noise cancellation. The Bose is on sale for $150 off, which changes the value equation entirely. And the Sennheiser undercuts both on price while doubling their battery life.
We've analyzed expert reviews from CNET, RTINGS, TechRadar, and What Hi-Fi?, plus hands-on testing from our editorial team. Here's the definitive verdict on which headphones deserve your money.
★ Quick Navigation
- 1
SonyNew Model SoonNew model coming in a few months
- 2
BoseDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
- 3
SennheiserDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
WH-1000XM5
SonyNew Model SoonNew model coming in a few months
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
BoseDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
Momentum 4 Wireless
SennheiserDeals LikelyNewer model likely available — look for deals on this one
How We Review
Every product on this list was evaluated by aggregating expert reviews from trusted, independent sources. We don't accept pay-for-placement — our rankings are based entirely on review consensus, real-world testing data, and measurable performance.
Products are scored on a 10-point scale using a weighted formula that factors in expert ratings, price-to-value ratio, and recency. Newer products with strong reviews get a meaningful boost because we believe our readers deserve current recommendations.
Sources analyzed for this article: 3 products across multiple expert reviews.
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