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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If you value comfort and longer battery life, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 would be a better choice, and they are also better for gaming and watching TV due to lower latency. However, if you prefer headphones optimized for both Android and Apple devices, with virtual surround features and slightly better soundstage, then the Sony WH-1000XM5 could suit you, despite having a shorter battery life. Both models offer excellent overall sound quality, active noise cancelling, and are foldable, so your decision may hinge on specific features and price considerations. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Advantages of the Sony WH-1000XM5
- Very good for music
Key differences
Music
7.5
8.2
The Sony WH-1000XM5 is very good for music, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is good.
Gaming
9.0
5.6
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for gaming, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Phone Calls
6.8
5.5
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is only fair for phone calls, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.2
6.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is only fair.
TV and Video
8.9
5.8
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for TV and video, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 is poor.
Battery
59.0 Hours
40.3 Hours
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has 59 hours of battery life. The Sony WH-1000XM5 has 40.3 hours of battery life.
Cost
$380
$398
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has a price of $380 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 costs $398.
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Key similarities
Noise Reduction
9.1
9.1
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Sony WH-1000XM5 are both excellent for noise reduction.
Build Quality
9.0
8.8
Although they have very similar scores, PerfectRec considers Sennheiser Momentum 4 to have excellent build quality, while the Sony WH-1000XM5 has very good build quality.
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How the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and the Sony WH-1000XM5 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Sennheiser Momentum 4 | Sony WH-1000XM5 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$380 | $398 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Sennheiser | Sony | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | August 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Headphones | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired + Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.5/10 | 8.3/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 6.9/10 | 5.6/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 9.1/10 | 5.6/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 9/10 | 5.8/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 6.4/10 | 6.3/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 59 Hours | 40.3 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | No | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 2 Hours | 3.5 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5.2 | 5.2 | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 9.1/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | Yes | |
Android App | |||
Android App | Yes | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | Yes | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8/10 | 8.5/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 9/10 | 8.8/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 294.8 Grams | 249.4 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Waterproof Rating | |||
Waterproof Rating | 0 | 0 | |
Shopping
Sennheiser Momentum 4
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Sound Guys
Christian Thomas | January 2023
"If you're looking for a slightly more affordable set of ANC headphones in comparison to the Bose or Sony offerings: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless is not a bad way to go. While its ANC is technically behind the other top-tier headphones, its sound quality is ahead of the pack—as is its battery life. Not bad for $350 USD."
Sony WH-1000XM5
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Headphonesty
Kazi Mahbub Mutakabbir | February 2023
"The Sony WH-1000XM5 are the best Sony Bluetooth headphones so far and one of the most well-rounded Bluetooth headphones around. Look no further if you need class-leading ANC with a mostly inoffensive sound signature. Just be ready to pony up the price premium."
Get a great deal on the Sennheiser Momentum 4 or the Sony WH-1000XM5
About Sennheiser
A family-owned company, Sennheiser is a German, high fidelity, audio equipment manufacturer founded in 1945. Their consumer audio division is now owned by the Swiss hearing aid and cochlear implant manufacturer Sonova. Sennheiser offers a wide variety of, very high quality, audio equipment solutions, from headphones to earbuds, full sets of monitoring speakers, amplifiers and microphones. They also make what is widely regarded as the best, and most expensive, headphones in existence, the HE-1 Orpheus, costing a whopping $59,000 dollars.
About Sony
Sony is a multinational corporation, based out of Japan, with over 75 years of experience in the consumer electronics industry. In the audio market, Sony has been a trendsetter several times throughout its history. In 1979 they released the first-ever portable music player, the Sony Walkman, followed by the Discman 20 years later. Today, Sony is one of the leaders in the wireless headphone and earbud market, especially in terms of Active Noise Cancellation technology.
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This information was produced and vetted by the PerfectRec earbuds & headphones team. We are a product research and recommendation organization that meticulously reviews and evaluates the latest earbuds or headphones information and makes it digestible for you.
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