Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
Headphones comparison: specs, VersusAnything Score, key differences and a clear recommendation.
If you are torn between Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless, this page lays out every specification that separates them and what each one means in use. The Sony WH-1000XM5 set the benchmark for noise cancellation with eight microphones, LDAC support and a 30-hour battery. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless pairs audiophile-grade tuning with a class-leading 60-hour battery and aptX Adaptive support.
Quick verdict
Sennheiser Momentum 4 scores 68 to Sony WH-1000XM5's 52 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for music lovers who want the best sound and longest battery in the class. Sony WH-1000XM5 remains the right call for frequent flyers who want top noise cancellation at a now-discounted price.
VersusAnything Score
Scores are calculated from measurable specifications normalised within the headphones category and weighted by the factors above. Text-only rows (such as chipset or operating system) are explained but not scored. How the score works.
Side-by-side overview
Sony WH-1000XM5
The Sony WH-1000XM5 set the benchmark for noise cancellation with eight microphones, LDAC support and a 30-hour battery.
Best for frequent flyers who want top noise cancellation at a now-discounted price
Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless pairs audiophile-grade tuning with a class-leading 60-hour battery and aptX Adaptive support.
Best for music lovers who want the best sound and longest battery in the class
Key differences
- Active noise cancellation: Sony WH-1000XM5 Yes, 8-mic adaptive ANC vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Yes, adaptive ANC — a preference, not a scored win
- Bluetooth codecs: Sony WH-1000XM5 SBC, AAC, LDAC vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive — a preference, not a scored win
- Weight: Sony WH-1000XM5 250 g vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 293 g — Sony WH-1000XM5 is better here
- Rated battery (ANC on): Sony WH-1000XM5 30 h vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 60 h — Sennheiser Momentum 4 is better here
- Driver size: Sony WH-1000XM5 30 mm vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 42 mm — Sennheiser Momentum 4 is better here
Specification comparison table
| Specification | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Sennheiser Momentum 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Active noise cancellation | Yes, 8-mic adaptive ANC | Yes, adaptive ANC |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive |
| Driver size | 30 mm | 42 mm |
| Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 |
| Multipoint pairing | Yes (2 devices) | Yes (2 devices) |
| Weight | 250 g | 293 g |
| Folds flat/inward | Flat only (no inward fold) | Flat only (no inward fold) |
| Rated battery (ANC on) | 30 h | 60 h |
| Launch price (USD) | $399 | $379 |
Sound: Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Score: Sony WH-1000XM5 20 · Sennheiser Momentum 4 65
The two differ on active noise cancellation (Yes, 8-mic adaptive ANC against Yes, adaptive ANC), and ANC quality decides how much airplane and train noise disappears. For bluetooth codecs, Sony WH-1000XM5 uses SBC, AAC, LDAC whereas Sennheiser Momentum 4 goes with SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive. This is a preference rather than a scored win: high-bitrate codecs like LDAC or aptX help with Android phones; iPhones use AAC regardless. Sennheiser Momentum 4 leads on driver size with 42 mm versus 30 mm, a margin of 12 mm. In practice driver size is one factor in bass depth, though tuning matters more.
Bluetooth version is identical at 5.2. Both list Yes (2 devices) for multipoint pairing, so nothing separates them here.
Comfort: Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Score: Sony WH-1000XM5 90 · Sennheiser Momentum 4 20
On weight, Sony WH-1000XM5 keeps it to 250 g while Sennheiser Momentum 4 lists 293 g. That 43 g edge counts since lighter headphones are more comfortable for long flights.
Both list Flat only (no inward fold) for folds flat/inward, so nothing separates them here.
Battery: Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Score: Sony WH-1000XM5 50 · Sennheiser Momentum 4 100
Sennheiser Momentum 4 offers 60 h of rated battery (ANC on) while Sony WH-1000XM5 stops at 30 h; the 30 h gap matters because longer battery means fewer charges on a long trip.
Value: Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Score: Sony WH-1000XM5 60 · Sennheiser Momentum 4 80
On launch price (USD), Sennheiser Momentum 4 keeps it to $379 while Sony WH-1000XM5 lists $399. That $20 edge counts since launch price is the fairest baseline.
Pros and cons
Sony WH-1000XM5
Pros
- Class-leading ANC
- LDAC hi-res Bluetooth
- Lightweight at 250 g
- Better weight (250 g)
Cons
- Weaker driver size (30 mm)
- Weaker rated battery (ANC on) (30 h)
- Weaker launch price (USD) ($399)
Sennheiser Momentum 4
Pros
- 60-hour battery
- Audiophile sound signature
- aptX Adaptive
- Better weight (293 g)
Cons
- Weaker driver size (42 mm)
- Weaker rated battery (ANC on) (60 h)
- Weaker launch price (USD) ($379)
Which one should you buy?
Choose Sony WH-1000XM5 for…
Frequent flyers who want top noise cancellation at a now-discounted price. It stands out for class-leading anc, ldac hi-res bluetooth, lightweight at 250 g.
Choose Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless for…
Music lovers who want the best sound and longest battery in the class. It stands out for 60-hour battery, audiophile sound signature, aptx adaptive.
Final verdict
Sennheiser Momentum 4 scores 68 to Sony WH-1000XM5's 52 on our category weighting, making it the stronger overall pick for music lovers who want the best sound and longest battery in the class. Sony WH-1000XM5 remains the right call for frequent flyers who want top noise cancellation at a now-discounted price. The VersusAnything Score is a transparent starting point, not a command; weight the rows you care about and the right answer for you may differ.
Compare with another pair of headphones
Frequently asked questions
Is Sony WH-1000XM5 better than Sennheiser Momentum 4?
On the VersusAnything Score, Sennheiser Momentum 4 finishes ahead 68 to 52. That makes Sennheiser Momentum 4 the better overall pick for music lovers who want the best sound and longest battery in the class, while Sony WH-1000XM5 is still the right choice for frequent flyers who want top noise cancellation at a now-discounted price.
What is the biggest difference between Sony WH-1000XM5 and Sennheiser Momentum 4?
The largest gap is active noise cancellation: Sony WH-1000XM5 lists Yes, 8-mic adaptive ANC while Sennheiser Momentum 4 lists Yes, adaptive ANC. ANC quality decides how much airplane and train noise disappears.
Which is cheaper, Sony WH-1000XM5 or Sennheiser Momentum 4?
Sennheiser Momentum 4 is cheaper on launch price (USD): $379 against $399 for Sony WH-1000XM5. Street prices vary by country and retailer, so check current offers.
Who should choose Sennheiser Momentum 4 over Sony WH-1000XM5?
Sennheiser Momentum 4 is the better fit for music lovers who want the best sound and longest battery in the class. Its strongest points are 60-hour battery, audiophile sound signature, aptx adaptive.
Sources
- Sony WH-1000XM5: Sony official (manufacturer)
- Sennheiser Momentum 4: Sennheiser official (manufacturer)
Specifications last verified: 2026-10-01. Prices are launch or official list prices in US dollars unless stated. See our sources and data policy.