The catch
Sony WH-1000XM5
Compared with an inward-folding pair, a flat-folding one uses up more room in your bag.
Side by side
Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 4 Compared: Momentum adds USB audio, Sony weighs less
Quick verdict
Momentum 4 is the choice when long gaps between charges and USB audio come first. WH-1000XM5 is the choice when you would rather have a lighter frame. Multipoint and passive analog backup are on both, and neither folds inward.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
The pair splits on a 40-hour schedule
Eight hours a day for five days exceeds Sony’s 30-hour ANC claim and stays under Momentum 4’s 60-hour claim.
Where this comes from
5 × 8 = 40 hours. That leaves Sony 10 hours short by rating and Momentum 4 with a 20-hour margin by rating. Actual playback varies.
The catch
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
The cups swivel flat, yet they do not fold inward.
Sony WH-1000XM5
- Why pick it
- Losing 43 g of headphone weight is the goal.
- Between Bluetooth and an analog cable, your sources are covered.
- The catch
- Compared with an inward-folding pair, a flat-folding one uses up more room in your bag.
Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Why pick it
- Long listening weeks call for the 60-hour ANC claim.
- You want to play digital USB audio and skip a separate adapter.
- The catch
- The cups swivel flat, yet they do not fold inward.
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What this page compares
WH-1000XM5 against Momentum 4 is a trade between 43 g less weight and twice the stated ANC runtime. USB audio and passive cable use are covered too.
Day to day
How each one fits your routine
Buying a cable for a laptop meeting is a different decision
The computer can select MOMENTUM 4 as both its USB playback device and its recording device. That makes it the clearer starting point for a wired work call that does not use the laptop microphone. In its documented phone setup, Sony’s supplied analog route still leaves the speaking to the phone microphone. Pick Sony for wireless calls and Sennheiser for the confirmed USB input-and-output route.
Where this comes from
The USB instructions from Sennheiser explicitly have you choose the headset as audio output and/or recording input. Setup begins with disconnecting Bluetooth. Sony’s analog call instructions send speech through the phone.
At a desk with power, a forgotten charge causes less disruption
When the headset runs low during a working afternoon, MOMENTUM 4 can keep playing computer audio over USB while it takes power. XM5 turns off the moment charging starts. Go with Sennheiser if finishing the session on a desk cable is acceptable to you. Go with Sony if you can plan charging breaks and its other advantages count for more than uninterrupted powered use.
Where this comes from
The comparison is between operating states and not battery-hour estimates. Sennheiser documents USB playback together with charging, whereas Sony explicitly prevents powered playback and Bluetooth operation during charging.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
My weeks involve a lot of listening
More headroom for planning between charges comes from Momentum 4’s 60-hour claim.
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- Good
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Better fit
I want a lighter load on my head
Sony weighs 43 g less. Which pad and headband fit best still depends on the wearer.
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- Better fit
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Good
I want my computer to connect over USB
Direct USB audio works on Momentum 4. The USB-C port on Sony is for charging only.
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- Not suitable
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Better fit
I want a fallback for when the battery is empty
Passive analog is on both, with no powered noise cancellation.
- Sony WH-1000XM5
- Similar
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
The pair splits on a 40-hour schedule
Eight hours a day for five days exceeds Sony’s 30-hour ANC claim and stays under Momentum 4’s 60-hour claim.
How we worked this out
5 × 8 = 40 hours. That leaves Sony 10 hours short by rating and Momentum 4 with a 20-hour margin by rating. Actual playback varies.
The lighter frame weighs 14.7% less
Compared with Momentum 4, Sony takes off 43 g.
How we worked this out
14.7% = (293 − 250) ÷ 293 × 100.
Three connection paths compared with two
Bluetooth, USB audio and passive analog are all available on Momentum 4. Sony has Bluetooth and passive analog.
How we worked this out
Confirmed listening paths number three against two. Charging over USB does not count as audio.
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.
Sony WH-1000XM5
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
Sony, WH-1000XM5
WH-1000XM5
At 250 g, this pair suits hopping between a phone and a laptop, and you can still listen over an analog cable when you forget to charge. The earcups swivel flat, but the headband itself does not fold inward.
- Best for
- Losing 43 g of headphone weight is the goal.
Facts we checked
- Weight: 250 g
- ANC playback claim: Up to 30 hours
- USB audio: No
- Passive analog: Yes
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
- Long listening weeks call for the 60-hour ANC claim.
Facts we checked
- Weight: 293 g
- ANC playback claim: Up to 60 hours
- USB audio: Yes
- Passive analog: Yes
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Sony WH-1000XM5 | Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 250 g | 293 g | Sony wins on weight by 43 g. |
| ANC playback claim | Up to 30 hours | Up to 60 hours | Momentum 4 advertises twice the duration, which is not twice the verified real-world runtime. |
| USB audio | No | Yes | A compatible USB audio source can connect straight to Momentum 4. |
| Passive analog | Yes | Yes | A powered-off cable fallback is kept by both. |
| Inward folding | No | No | Neither one is built to fold inward for travel. |
| Analog cable | 1.2 m detachable | 1.2 m detachable, 2.5-to-3.5 mm | A headphone jack works with both, but the connections on the replacement cables differ. |
| Source-dependent codec | LDAC | aptX Adaptive | Look at the transmitter before counting either as an advantage. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Sony WH-1000XM5
- You can charge over USB-C, but not play digital USB audio.
With Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
- Accentum Plus weighs 66 g less than its 293 g.
Decision guide
How to decide
If long gaps between charges and USB audio matter most, go with Momentum 4. For a lighter frame, go with WH-1000XM5. Both come with multipoint and passive analog backup, and neither frame folds inward.
Long battery life suits certain routines
You get the most from the 60-hour figure if you hate charging or alternate between long workdays and travel. It counts for less when both pairs sit next to a charger every night. With that habit, Sony’s lower weight could help more often than battery headroom you never use.
A USB laptop may settle the question
Digital audio over USB works on Momentum 4, so music needs neither Bluetooth nor an analog adapter. Check your calling setup on its own, since playing audio and how the microphone behaves in meeting apps are different requirements.
Make space in your bag for either one
Long battery life or low weight does not mean a tiny travel package, so do not buy either pair on that assumption. Both frames turn flat instead of folding inward. Compare the supplied case with the bag you carry.
What this page can’t tell you
- Sony and Sennheiser do not publish battery tests run the same way.
- Nothing about measured noise reduction or sound quality is concluded from the battery or weight figures.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the headphones we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
Show the facts and the math
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sony WH-1000XM5 |
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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.
Sony WH-1000XM5
Losing 43 g of headphone weight is the goal.
See price & reviews on AmazonSennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless
Long listening weeks call for the 60-hour ANC claim.
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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