The catch
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
Against Sennheiser's 60-hour claim, the standard ANC rating is 24 hours.
Side by side
Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Compared: Momentum stretches charging gaps, Bose folds smaller
Quick verdict
QuietComfort 2nd Gen is the better fit if you want less weight and a pair that folds into a busy bag. MOMENTUM 4 suits you if charging is something you often forget. Both offer USB audio and a passive analog backup, so connections will not settle this one.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Pick 63 g less weight or 36 more rated hours
Bose weighs about 21.5% less than MOMENTUM 4. In return for that extra mass, Sennheiser claims 60 hours of ANC against 24. Neither number measures comfort or noise reduction.
Where this comes from
21.5% = (293 - 230) / 293 × 100, and 60 - 24 = 36 hours. The Bose weight is rounded from 0.507 lb.
The catch
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
MOMENTUM 4 is 63 g heavier, and it does not fold inward.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Why pick it
- Stay below 250 g of headphone weight
- Pack a pair that folds inward into your bag
- The catch
- Against Sennheiser's 60-hour claim, the standard ANC rating is 24 hours.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Why pick it
- Count on more rated ANC hours between charges
- Stream with aptX Adaptive from a compatible source
- The catch
- MOMENTUM 4 is 63 g heavier, and it does not fold inward.
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What this page compares
How Bose QuietComfort 2nd Gen and MOMENTUM 4 differ in weight, packing shape, ANC battery ratings and wired backup, so you can match one to your travel routine.
QuietComfort 2nd Gen is the better fit if you want less weight and a pair that folds into a busy bag. MOMENTUM 4 suits you if charging is something you often forget. Both offer USB audio and a passive analog backup, so connections will not settle this one.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
I want headphones that weigh 250 g or less
QuietComfort 2nd Gen weighs approximately 230 g, while MOMENTUM 4 is listed at 293 g.
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Good
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Not suitable
Between chances to charge, I listen for about 30 hours
Bose tops out at 24 hours, so thirty hours exceeds it. Sennheiser advertises 60 hours with ANC under its test conditions.
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Caution
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Better fit
I need USB at my desk plus an analog backup for a dead battery
Both document these two wired paths. Use the analog lead included for your specific model.
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Good
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Good
My earcups have to fold inward
Bose folds inward, while MOMENTUM 4 turns flat and so packs into a wider outline.
- Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- Good
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Pick 63 g less weight or 36 more rated hours
Bose weighs about 21.5% less than MOMENTUM 4. In return for that extra mass, Sennheiser claims 60 hours of ANC against 24. Neither number measures comfort or noise reduction.
How we worked this out
21.5% = (293 - 230) / 293 × 100, and 60 - 24 = 36 hours. The Bose weight is rounded from 0.507 lb.
A listening week of 30 hours passes only one published ceiling
Six listening days of five hours each come to 30 hours. That is six hours past the Bose standard rating and halfway to the Sennheiser maximum. For that charging routine, MOMENTUM 4 is the safer starting point.
How we worked this out
6 × 5 = 30 hours, with 30 > 24 and 30 / 60 = 0.5. It plans against claimed maximums and does not predict actual battery life.
Both offer the same cable flexibility, so leave it out of the upgrade argument
USB audio and passive analog listening are covered by both models. Choosing MOMENTUM 4 for a bigger charging margin does not mean giving up the Bose-style fallback when power runs out.
How we worked this out
Digital USB listening and an analog mode that needs no battery power appear in both manufacturer records. ANC is not part of passive playback.
Plug in your setup
Which headphones suit the way you listen?
Start with how you listen. Charging over USB is not the same as playing audio over USB, and some headphones need power even on a cable. These answers are placeholders until you apply your own.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Passes these checksPlays over Bluetooth.
Battery figures are maker claims for the stated mode. They do not reflect measured travel time. Volume, codec, calls and battery age all change runtime. Closed earcups can still leak some sound. Weight alone does not predict comfort. USB audio needs a compatible source and cable. This check does not judge sound quality, mic quality or amplifier power.
Option A
Bose, QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
A very flexible travel pick, since it handles USB audio at a desk, Bluetooth on the train and passive analog playback with an empty battery. Ultra 2 is the one with the longer battery claim.
- Best for
- USB-C audio and an airplane cable that needs no battery
Facts we checked
- USB audio input is supported up to 24-bit, 48 kHz.
- Immersive Audio lowers the rating to 18 hours from up to 24.
- With a depleted battery, the included analog audio cable works in passive mode.
- The manufacturer gives the weight as 0.507 lb, approximately 230 g.
Option B
Sennheiser, MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
If you would rather charge rarely than fold the headphones small, this is a strong fit. It combines a 60-hour ANC claim with USB audio and a passive analog fallback.
- Best for
- Wired listening that stays flexible, with long gaps between charges
Facts we checked
- Over Bluetooth with ANC, the rating is up to 60 hours, tested with an iPhone at mid volume.
- It weighs approximately 293 g.
- USB audio and a detachable 2.5-to-3.5 mm analog cable are supported.
- Codec support covers SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headphone weight | About 230 g | 293 g | Leaving out the cases, Bose is about 63 g lighter. |
| ANC playback rating | Up to 24 hours | Up to 60 hours | Under its own test conditions, Sennheiser publishes a much longer interval between charges. |
| Packing | Folds inward | Turns flat without folding inward | A headset that folds can slip into gaps where a flat one will not fit. |
| Immersive listening mode | Up to 18 hours with Immersive Audio | 60-hour figure is ordinary ANC music playback | Neither standard rating matches the workload of the Bose 18-hour mode. |
| USB audio and passive analog | Both supported | Both supported | With the right cables, either can serve a USB desk and an unpowered analog backup. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
- The Bose rating drops further, to 18 hours, with Immersive Audio.
With Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- The flat case still takes up dedicated space in your bag.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
250 g is a hard weight cap
Go with Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen). At approximately 230 g, Bose fits within it. Sennheiser does not.
I want the biggest advertised ANC margin between charges
Go with Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless. Sennheiser’s 60-hour claim is 2.5 times Bose’s 24-hour claim.
I need a guaranteed 30 real hours with my own settings
Neither model fits. Both figures are manufacturer maximums, and neither specification guarantees a runtime for your own use.
Decision guide
How to decide
Pick QuietComfort 2nd Gen when low weight and a fold that fits a crowded bag count most. Pick MOMENTUM 4 when you tend to let the battery run down. Because both handle USB audio and a passive analog backup, the connections can’t separate them.
Charging more often may be a fair price for a lighter pair
Charge every evening and the extra battery you never use does little for you day to day. Bose takes off about 63 g and folds inward, which can count for more than a bigger runtime number if your bag already holds a laptop, charger and work documents. You still need to try the fit on your own head.
Tally your listening hours before you crown a battery winner
Commute an hour each way for five days and you have ten hours, under both published limits. Full workdays of music change that quickly. MOMENTUM 4 offers far more nominal headroom, particularly if you can’t count on reaching a charger. Calls and volume can cut either figure short.
Check the Bose generation
A USB audio path is new on the second-generation QuietComfort, and analog sources connect through a USB-C-to-3.5 mm lead. A first-generation QuietComfort or an Ultra listing won’t necessarily behave the same way, so don’t swap one in. Read the full product name on Amazon.
What this page can’t tell you
- Manufacturer battery figures are maximums reached under the maker’s stated test conditions. This comparison includes no measurements from us of sound quality, noise reduction, fit or call quality.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the headphones we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
None of the 60 models checked meets all of “I want a pair that weighs 250 g or less”, “My bag has no space left”, “I would prefer fewer charging sessions”, and “I want to get audio over a USB-C cable”, so the pick goes to the closest practical compromise.
0 models fit, out of 60 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “I want a pair that weighs 250 g or less”, “My bag has no space left”, “I would prefer fewer charging sessions”, and “I want to get audio over a USB-C cable”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen) |
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| Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Bose QuietComfort Headphones (2nd Gen)
Stay below 250 g of headphone weight
See price & reviews on AmazonSennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Count on more rated ANC hours between charges
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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