Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Cheaper alternatives to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones
Updated November 4, 2026
Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Momentum 4 instead of QC Ultra (2nd Gen)?
Momentum 4 pros
Much longer battery life
Fewer charges on trips
More natural sound
Less tiring for music
Momentum 4 cons
Slightly less noise blocked
Noticed on planes
Heavier and doesn't fold
Bulkier in a bag
- Is the Momentum 4 as good?
- Close: a bit less quiet, but far longer battery.
- What's the difference?
- Bose: quieter and lighter. Sennheiser: longer battery, natural sound.
- Is the QC Ultra (2nd Gen) worth the extra?
- Yes for frequent flyers who want the quietest pair.
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What are you actually paying extra for with the QC Ultra (2nd Gen)?
What the extra money buys
- Class-leading noise canceling in its quietest mode
- Very light at 250 g, comfy for hours
- Folds small into a hard case
- Lossless music over a USB-C cable
Worth it if
- You want the quietest flights you can get
- You wear headphones all day and hate weight
- You travel with a small bag
Not worth it if
- You listen mostly at home or your desk
- Long battery matters more than total silence
Other alternatives
Best on a budget
Soundcore Space 2
- Memory-foam cushions that reviewers rated very comfortable
- LDAC for better Bluetooth on Android, plus a headphone cable
Best for: Long days in a soft, comfortable pair, for a fraction of the price
Catch: Voices and office chatter come through, and the sound split reviewers.
About a third of the QC Ultra (2nd Gen)'s price
Good to know
Why we picked the Momentum 4, and our final recommendation.
Only with the Momentum 4
- Far longer battery between charges
- A more natural, less brash sound
- Roughly half to two thirds of the price
- A little of Bose's silence on low drone
- The light, folding build
Expert Reviews found the Momentum 4 removes most noise, with Bose blocking a little more. Its measured battery runs much longer than the 30 hours Bose claims. The catch is size: at 293 g it is heavier, the cups only swivel flat, and its touch controls can react to a stray brush of the hand.
Final recommendation: Most people get the better deal with the Sennheiser Momentum 4: fine sound, long battery and decent quiet for much less. Take the Soundcore Space 2 if comfort and price matter most. Stay with the Bose if you fly often, wear headphones all day, or want them to fold into a small case.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Premium | Affordable | Budget |
| Battery, noise canceling on (claimed) | Up to 30 hours | Up to 60 hours | Up to 50 hours |
| Weight | 250 g | 293 g (10.3 oz) | 264 g |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Two devices at once | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Folds / case | Folds, hard case | Doesn't fold (cups turn flat), carry case | Folds flat, no hard case |
| Headphone cable | Yes, USB-C audio or 2.5 mm cable | 3.5 mm and USB-C audio | Yes, 3.5 mm |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Is the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) better than the first one?
Only a little. Reviewers found the noise canceling and sound slightly improved, the battery rated longer, and music now plays over USB-C. The design, comfort and case are the same, so owners of the first model have little reason to upgrade.
Does the Sennheiser Momentum 4 cancel noise as well as the Bose?
Nearly. Reviewers found it removes most traffic and engine noise, but the Bose is a step quieter, especially on low drone. Most people notice the gap on planes rather than on a city commute.
Which is most comfortable for long flights?
The Bose, at about 250 g with soft pads and an even fit. The Soundcore Space 2 comes close for comfort at a fraction of the price. The Momentum 4 is comfortable too, but heavier.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Bose: QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen), TechRadar: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review, What Hi-Fi?: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) review, Sennheiser: Momentum 4 Wireless, SoundGuys: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4, Expert Reviews: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review, Soundcore: Space 2 product page, Tom's Guide: Soundcore Space 2 review, What Hi-Fi?: Soundcore Space 2 review, Expert Reviews: Anker Soundcore Space 2 review.