How We Research
We compare products from their published specs and features; the verdicts below are our independent editorial opinions.
If you want the most trusted name in noise cancellation with simple voice control and a proven over-ear fit, choose Bose QuietComfort 35; if you need dramatically longer battery life, audiophile-grade drivers and a customizable sound profile, choose Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4.
• Bose QuietComfort 35 biggest strength: three adjustable levels of active noise cancellation plus Alexa voice control and a noise-rejecting dual-microphone system for calls.
• Bose QuietComfort 35 biggest trade-off: about 20 hours of playback per charge, which is a fraction of what the Sennheiser offers.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 biggest strength: up to 60 hours of battery life with fast charging that adds roughly 6 hours from a 10-minute top-up, plus 42mm transducers and aptX Adaptive audio.
• Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 biggest trade-off: it leans toward listeners who want to tinker with EQ and app settings, and its higher impedance (470 ohm) is a spec aimed at serious audio gear rather than casual plug-and-play.
• Buy the Bose if you want effortless, voice-driven noise cancelling for travel, commuting or an open office.
• Buy the Sennheiser if you want marathon battery life, personalized sound and a foldable, travel-ready design.
The QuietComfort 35 is built around one idea: make the noise go away, and make it easy to control. Bose gives you three levels of active noise cancellation, so you can dial in full blocking on a plane and back it off when you still need to hear a boarding announcement. That adjustability is the heart of the product, and it's why the QC35 line earned its reputation among frequent flyers.
Voice control is the second pillar. The headphones are Alexa-enabled, so you can ask for music, weather, a shopping list addition or a smart-home command without touching your phone. A dedicated action button triggers the assistant, and the Bose Connect app handles setup, Bluetooth pairing, noise-cancellation levels and firmware updates. There's also Bose AR support, an audio-only take on augmented reality that works through compatible apps.
On the audio side, Bose promises balanced performance at any volume, with 32-ohm impedance and dynamic drivers covering 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. A 3.5 mm jack means you can go wired when the battery runs down, and the dual-microphone system rejects noise so callers hear you clearly. The package includes a carry case, charging cable and backup audio cable, and the headphones weigh about 8.32 ounces.
So who should buy it? Travelers, commuters and anyone who wants noise cancellation they can adjust on the fly and control by voice. Skip it if battery life is your top priority, or if you want deep EQ tinkering — the QC35 keeps things simple rather than customizable.
The MOMENTUM 4 is the opposite personality: it's for the listener who wants to shape the sound. Sennheiser's signature tuning runs through 42mm transducers with aptX Adaptive, and the Smart Control Plus app adds an integrated equalizer, presets, sound modes and a Sound Personalization feature that tailors audio to your hearing. If you've ever wished your headphones sounded more like yours, this is the pitch.
Battery is the headline number. Up to 60 hours of playback per charge, with fast charging that delivers roughly 6 more hours from a 10-minute charge. For a long-haul trip or a week of commuting without hunting for a cable, that's a genuinely different experience from a 20-hour headphone.
Noise handling is adaptive rather than fixed. The MOMENTUM 4 automatically adjusts its active noise cancellation to your surroundings, and a touch switches on Transparency Mode when you want to hear the world without removing the headphones. Four digital beamforming microphones handle calls with wind-noise suppression and voice-assistant access — Google Assistant and Siri are both supported. Bluetooth 5.2 keeps the connection current, and the fold-flat, lightweight design with a padded headband and cushioned oval earpads is made to be worn for hours. Everything ships with a carry case, USB-C cable, a 3.5mm-to-2.5mm audio cable and an airplane adapter.
Buy it if you fly often, work long days in headphones, or care about sound customization. Skip it if you want the simplest possible setup or you prefer physical buttons over a touchpad — the MOMENTUM 4 relies on touch controls, and it includes a touchpad off switch in the app for when you'd rather not.
• Best for battery life → Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. Up to 60 hours versus roughly 20 on the Bose.
• Best for adjustable noise cancellation → Bose QuietComfort 35. Three selectable levels put you in direct control.
• Best for sound customization → Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. Built-in EQ, presets and Sound Personalization.
• Best for voice-assistant control → Bose QuietComfort 35. Alexa is built in with a dedicated action button.
• Best for long-haul travel → Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. Fold-flat design, 60-hour battery and an included airplane adapter.
• Best for hassle-free calls → either. Bose uses a noise-rejecting dual-mic system; Sennheiser uses four beamforming mics with wind suppression.
• Best for wired backup → both. Each includes a 3.5 mm audio cable, so neither leaves you stranded when the battery drains.
• Best for simplicity → Bose QuietComfort 35. Fewer settings to manage and a straightforward app.
If I were buying one pair for myself, I'd take the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4. In my opinion, up to 60 hours of battery with fast charging, 42mm transducers, adaptive ANC and a real equalizer simply cover more of what modern listeners actually do — long commutes, flights, workdays and late-night listening. The Bose QuietComfort 35 is still an excellent choice if adjustable noise cancellation and Alexa control matter most to you, and it's the one I'd recommend for someone who wants zero fuss. But for the widest range of everyday use, the MOMENTUM 4 wins my vote.
FAQ
They work differently. Bose gives you three manually selectable levels of active noise cancellation, while Sennheiser's ANC adapts automatically to your surroundings and adds a Transparency Mode. Bose offers more hands-on control; Sennheiser offers more automation.
Both do. Each includes a 3.5 mm audio cable, and the MOMENTUM 4 also ships with an airplane adapter. That's useful on flights or when you'd rather not use Bluetooth.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 is the stronger pick here. Its 42mm transducers, aptX Adaptive support and app-based equalizer, presets and Sound Personalization give you far more ways to tune the sound to your taste.
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