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Choose the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless if long battery life, engaging music playback, extensive EQ control and value matter most. Choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) if the strongest noise cancellation, Bose Immersive Audio and a travel-focused comfort profile matter more. Bose announced a 2nd Gen Ultra in September 2025, so check the generation before comparing battery figures or buying.
The short answer
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones are both circumaural wireless headphones, but they prioritize different things. Comparative reviews from RTINGS and SoundGuys give Bose the edge for active noise cancellation (ANC), especially against aircraft, trains, office chatter and changing background noise. The same comparisons favor the MOMENTUM 4 for overall sound and its more extensive equalizer controls.
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Battery life is the least ambiguous difference. Sennheiser rates the MOMENTUM 4 for up to 60 hours of Bluetooth playback with ANC enabled. The first-generation Bose is rated for up to 24 hours with Immersive Audio disabled and 18 hours with it enabled. Bose’s 2nd Gen, announced on September 10, 2025, raises those figures to 30 and 23 hours respectively. Those are different generations and should not be mixed in a retailer listing or comparison chart.
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Comfort cannot be awarded universally. Both use padded over-ear contact points, yet clamp pressure, headband pressure, glasses, head shape, heat buildup and stability all change the experience. The practical choice is therefore straightforward: MOMENTUM 4 for endurance and music-first flexibility; first-generation QuietComfort Ultra for maximum isolation and Bose’s spatial-audio option.
#1 Best Overall
- Seamless Firmware & App Updates: Enjoy a smoother, more reliable experience with the latest firmware and Smart Control Plus app features for your over the ear Bluetooth headphones, including ANC toggle and touchpad off switch for premium music quality
- Audiophile-Inspired Sound : Sennheiser wireless over-ear headphones over with signature sound, 42mm transducers and aptX Adaptive deliver crystal-clear audio and deep, immersive music. Ideal for music lovers and travelers
- Personalized Listening Experience: Tailor your sound on these wireless over ear headphones via the Smart Control Plus app with integrated equalizer, presets, and sound modes for a unique custom audio profile, whether used for music, podcasts, or gaming
- Adaptive Noise Cancellation & Transparency Mode: Block distractions or stay aware of your surroundings with these Bluetooth headphones for uninterrupted music enjoyment anywhere, ideal for commuters, students, and professionals
- Exceptional Comfort & Long Battery Life: These Sennheiser wireless noise cancelling headphones are lightweight, foldable and designed with a cushioned headband and ear pads; enjoy up to 60 hours of long-lasting comfort playback with fast charging capability
Specifications at a glance
| Feature | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen, 2023) | Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen, announced 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Over-ear/circumaural wireless headphones with a padded headband and deep cushioned earpads | Over-ear/circumaural design with removable cushions and a premium comfort-and-stability focus | Generation-specific design; do not assume every 1st Gen specification applies |
| Published ANC-on battery life | Up to 60 hours (Sennheiser Hearing, 2026) | Up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio on; up to 24 hours with it off (Bose, 2023) | Up to 23 hours with Immersive Audio on; up to 30 hours with it off (Bose, 2025) |
| Full-charge time | About two hours | Not stated in the supplied product evidence | Not stated in the supplied product evidence |
| Quick charge | Five minutes provides up to four hours of playback | Not stated in the supplied product evidence | Not stated in the supplied product evidence |
| ANC comparison | Effective, but trails Bose in the cited comparative reviews | Stronger overall ANC in the cited comparative reviews | Do not use 1st Gen review results as a substitute for a 2nd Gen test |
| Sound comparison | Favored for sound quality and a more engaging stock presentation in the cited comparisons | Offers Bose Immersive Audio and CustomTune-style personalization | Includes the newer generation’s feature set; verify the exact listing |
| EQ flexibility | More extensive app-based EQ customization in the cited comparisons | Personalization is emphasized, but the comparative reviews give Sennheiser the broader EQ advantage | Confirm current app controls for the specific 2nd Gen model |
“Up to” figures are manufacturer ratings, not a guaranteed runtime for every volume, codec, temperature or usage pattern. The Bose figures change when Immersive Audio is turned on, so that setting must be included whenever battery life is discussed.
Generation check: which Bose Ultra is being compared?
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen)
The original QuietComfort Ultra Headphones launched in 2023. Bose publishes up to 24 hours of playback with Immersive Audio off and up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio on. Those are the numbers relevant to most “MOMENTUM 4 vs QuietComfort Ultra” reviews published around the launch period.
QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Bose announced the 2nd Gen on September 10, 2025. Its published rating is up to 30 hours with Immersive Audio off and up to 23 hours with Immersive Audio on. A current 2026 buying guide should label this generation in every table, retailer link and price reference. A listing that says only “QuietComfort Ultra” is not enough to establish which battery claim applies.
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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →How to verify a listing
- Look for “2nd Gen” in the product name, not only in a description or review title.
- Match the stated battery rating to the generation: 24/18 hours indicates the 1st Gen; 30/23 hours indicates the 2nd Gen.
- Check the model details, box image and return policy when a retailer combines old and new stock on one page.
- Compare prices and availability immediately before purchase; live pricing and stock are not established here.
Comfort for long listening sessions
What the physical designs establish
Sennheiser specifies a padded headband and deep, cushioned earpads on the MOMENTUM 4. Bose describes the Ultra as a premium circumaural design with comfort and stability in mind and removable cushions. Both are intended to surround the ear rather than sit directly on it, which generally gives more room for the ear than an on-ear model, but the published descriptions do not establish a universal pressure or heat result.
Why fit varies from person to person
- Glasses: Earpad pressure against spectacle arms can create a leak or a sore spot. A small leak also reduces perceived bass and weakens isolation.
- Clamp and headband pressure: A secure clamp helps when walking, while excessive pressure becomes noticeable after an hour. Head shape and hair change the result.
- Heat: Deep synthetic or leather-like cushions can feel warm in a heated room or during summer travel. Neither published product description provides a standardized heat rating.
- Ear clearance: “Over-ear” does not guarantee that every ear avoids the inner grille. Compare the opening with your ear shape if you are sensitive to contact.
- Stability: A stable fit matters on a train platform or while reaching into a luggage compartment. A looser fit may feel comfortable at a desk but shift during movement.
A practical fit test
- Put the headphones on with your normal glasses, hairstyle and clothing. Do not test only on bare ears if you will normally wear spectacles.
- Check that the cushions surround the ears and that no part of the ear is folded against the inside.
- Listen for 20 to 30 minutes without adjusting the headband. Note pressure at the crown, jaw and glasses arms separately.
- Walk, turn your head and lean forward. The headphones should remain stable without requiring a tight clamp.
- Test ANC in a quiet room and with steady background noise. Comfort and perceived isolation can change when the microphones and seal are active.
There is no independent population survey or standardized comfort statistic that can turn these observations into a universal winner. If comfort is your deciding factor, buy from a seller with a usable return window and judge the fit with your own glasses, ears and climate.
Rank #2
- Seamless Firmware & App Updates: Enjoy a smoother, more reliable experience with the latest firmware and Smart Control Plus app features for your over the ear Bluetooth headphones, including ANC toggle and touchpad off switch for premium music quality
- Audiophile-Inspired Sound : Sennheiser wireless over-ear headphones over with signature sound, 42mm transducers and aptX Adaptive deliver crystal-clear audio and deep, immersive music. Ideal for music lovers and travelers
- Personalized Listening Experience: Tailor your sound on these wireless over ear headphones via the Smart Control Plus app with integrated equalizer, presets, and sound modes for a unique custom audio profile, whether used for music, podcasts, or gaming
- Adaptive Noise Cancellation & Transparency Mode: Block distractions or stay aware of your surroundings with these Bluetooth headphones for uninterrupted music enjoyment anywhere, ideal for commuters, students, and professionals
- Exceptional Comfort & Long Battery Life: These Sennheiser wireless noise cancelling headphones are lightweight, foldable and designed with a cushioned headband and ear pads; enjoy up to 60 hours of long-lasting comfort playback with fast charging capability
Active noise cancellation: Bose wins the isolation decision
The comparative reviews cited for this matchup place the Bose QuietComfort Ultra ahead for ANC effectiveness. That advantage is most relevant when the noise is loud, low-frequency or variable: aircraft engines, train rumble, road traffic and a busy office with voices appearing from different directions. Better cancellation can reduce the volume you feel you need, which may make long travel listening less fatiguing.
The MOMENTUM 4 still provides active noise cancellation and can be a substantial improvement over passive isolation alone. Its weakness in the comparisons is relative performance, not an absence of ANC. If your normal environment is a quiet home, library or lightly occupied office, the difference may matter less than sound preference and battery endurance.
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Choose by the noise you actually face
| Use case | More suitable starting point | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Frequent flights and long-haul travel | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) | The cited comparisons give Bose the stronger ANC result; comfort and isolation are the priority. |
| Commuter trains and buses | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) | Variable rumble and voices favor the Bose ANC advantage. |
| Open-plan office | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) | Comparative reviews position it better for mixed background noise and speech. |
| Quiet home listening | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 | ANC is less decisive, so sound, EQ and 60-hour endurance can carry more weight. |
| Mostly passive use | Either, based on fit | Seal, clamp and comfort become more important than the published ANC ranking. |
Sound quality, tuning and spatial audio
MOMENTUM 4: the music-first choice
RTINGS and SoundGuys favor the MOMENTUM 4 for sound quality in this comparison. They describe its stock presentation as more engaging than Bose’s conventional presentation and give Sennheiser the advantage for listeners who want a lively, music-focused sound. The companion app also offers more extensive EQ customization, making it easier to alter bass, mids and treble to suit different recordings or personal hearing preferences.
That advantage is not the same as saying every listener will prefer Sennheiser. A neutral or relaxed balance, a particular genre, ear shape and seal can change what sounds best. Use the EQ as a way to correct preference, not as evidence that one headphone is objectively perfect.
QuietComfort Ultra: Immersive Audio as the differentiator
Bose’s key feature distinction is Immersive Audio. It spatializes compatible playback to create a wider, more speaker-like presentation rather than keeping every sound directly inside the conventional left-right headphone image. Bose’s CustomTune-style personalization is intended to adapt the experience to the listener.
Rank #3
- brand: Sennheiser
Immersive Audio is also the reason Bose publishes separate battery figures. The first-generation Ultra is rated for up to 18 hours with it on versus 24 hours with it off; the 2nd Gen is rated for up to 23 hours on versus 30 hours off. Treat it as a deliberate mode: use it when the wider presentation improves a film, concert recording or compatible track, and turn it off when endurance matters more.
How to decide without relying on a single demo
- Use familiar tracks with vocals, acoustic instruments, dense bass and busy treble. Familiar recordings expose changes more reliably than an unfamiliar playlist.
- Listen first with each headphone’s default tuning and ANC off, so the comparison is about sound rather than the noise-control processing.
- Apply only small EQ changes. Large boosts can introduce distortion or consume headroom, and they make an unfair comparison with the other headphone’s default mode.
- Try the Bose Ultra with Immersive Audio both off and on. The feature changes presentation and battery expectations, so it should not be treated as a minor toggle.
- Repeat the test with a good seal. Glasses gaps or an incorrectly adjusted headband can make one model appear bass-light or noisy for reasons unrelated to its tuning.
Bose Chief Product Officer Raza Haider described the design philosophy in September 2023: “We know that listening to music is a deeply personal experience — what you listen to, when and where you listen, and the emotion it has the power to evoke.” That is a useful framing for this comparison: choose the sound and processing modes you will actually use rather than selecting a winner from a frequency graph alone.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Battery life and charging
Sennheiser’s endurance advantage
Sennheiser Hearing’s 2026 product information rates the MOMENTUM 4 for up to 60 hours of Bluetooth playback with ANC enabled. It lists about two hours for a full charge and says a five-minute charge can provide up to four hours of playback. Even allowing for lower real-world results at high volume or in cold conditions, the published figure gives Sennheiser a major advantage for frequent travelers and people who dislike charging every few days.
Bose figures by generation and mode
| Bose model | Immersive Audio off | Immersive Audio on | Published source and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) | Up to 24 hours | Up to 18 hours | Bose, 2023 |
| QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) | Up to 30 hours | Up to 23 hours | Bose, 2025 |
The first-generation Ultra therefore needs charging substantially more often than the MOMENTUM 4, especially if Immersive Audio stays on. The 2nd Gen narrows the gap but still does not approach Sennheiser’s 60-hour rating. Charging times and quick-charge allowances for the Bose models are not stated in the supplied evidence, so they should not be guessed from another model or generation.
What the numbers mean in practice
- For a weekly commuter who listens one to two hours per day, either Bose generation may last several days, while the MOMENTUM 4 can go much longer between charges.
- For a long trip with several flights, the MOMENTUM 4 gives more margin if you forget a charging cable. Bose’s ANC advantage may still be worth carrying a charger or power bank.
- If you use Immersive Audio only occasionally, compare Bose’s off-mode figure for ordinary listening and its on-mode figure for the sessions in which you enable the feature.
- Do not compare Sennheiser’s ANC-on rating with Bose’s Immersive-Audio-on rating as though they measured identical modes; each manufacturer defines its own test conditions.
Value, pricing and what to check before buying
A live price cannot be stated reliably because promotions, regional taxes, stock and Bose generation vary by retailer. The value case is nevertheless clear from the specifications: MOMENTUM 4 gives you considerably more rated battery life and deeper EQ flexibility, while QuietComfort Ultra asks you to pay for stronger ANC, Bose’s processing and a travel-oriented experience. Compare the actual price of the 1st Gen with the 2nd Gen rather than assuming the newer model is automatically the better deal.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches- Confirm whether the listing says “QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen)” or “2nd Gen.”
- Check whether the seller is offering new, refurbished or open-box stock; warranty and return terms can differ.
- Verify that the advertised battery figure identifies Immersive Audio as on or off.
- Make sure the return period is long enough to test clamp, glasses comfort, heat and ANC in your normal environments.
- For the MOMENTUM 4, confirm the exact regional package and warranty rather than assuming every market includes identical accessories.
Which headphone should you buy?
Buy the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless if:
- You want the longest published battery life: up to 60 hours with ANC on.
- You care more about music sound and EQ control than absolute noise cancellation.
- You listen to many genres and want to shape the response in an app.
- You spend more time at home, in a library or in a moderately noisy office than on aircraft.
- You want a five-minute charge to provide up to four hours of playback.
Buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (1st Gen) if:
- Your main problem is aircraft, train or office noise and the strongest ANC is worth the shorter battery life.
- You prefer Bose’s comfort-and-stability design emphasis after trying the fit with your own glasses and head shape.
- You want Immersive Audio for spatialized music, films or other compatible playback.
- You are comfortable charging more frequently: up to 24 hours with Immersive Audio off or 18 hours with it on.
Consider the Bose 2nd Gen instead if:
- You specifically want the newer model and its published 30-hour/23-hour battery ratings.
- The price difference from remaining 1st Gen stock is small enough to justify the newer generation.
- You have confirmed that the retailer’s listing, warranty and return policy refer to the 2nd Gen rather than mixed inventory.
Bottom line
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 is the better all-round value for music listeners who prioritize battery endurance, sound and EQ freedom. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra (1st Gen) is the better specialist choice for travelers and office users who put ANC first and want Immersive Audio. Comfort remains personal, so test the seal and pressure with your real glasses, listening posture and climate. If you are shopping in 2026, identify the Bose generation before trusting any battery number or review.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
