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What we think
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Updated January 10, 2024·
If you prioritize a lower price and portability for daily use, the Apple AirPods (2nd generation) are a good option as they are significantly less expensive than the Sennheiser Momentum 4 and offer good sound quality and convenience features for Apple users, with a compact form factor ideal for on-the-go listening. However, if you're after the best sound experience, comfort for extended use, and features like active noise cancelling for travel or noisy environments, and don't mind a larger size and higher cost, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 headphone would be the better choice, especially for high-fidelity listening and they also include a wired option. Keep in mind the Momentum 4's superior battery life but also the longer charge time compared to the AirPods. For exercise, the AirPods' smaller design could be preferable; they also have a higher score for use during exercise. 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 Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
- The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has no clear advantages over the Sennheiser Momentum 4.
Advantages of the Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Good for music
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
Key differences
Music
5.8
7.5
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is good for music, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Gaming
4.8
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for gaming, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
TV and Video
5.4
8.9
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) is poor.
Battery
4.0 Hours
59.0 Hours
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has 4 hours of battery life. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has 59 hours of battery life.
Cost
$89
$280
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
$400
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has a price of $89 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 costs $280.
Build Quality
7.6
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has excellent build quality, while the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Phone Calls
6.9
6.8
The Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and Sennheiser Momentum 4 are both only fair for phone calls.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
8.1
8.2
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 and Apple Airpods (2nd generation) are both very good for podcasts and audiobooks.
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How the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Airpods (2nd generation) | Sennheiser Momentum 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$89 | $280 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | March 1, 2019 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wireless | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 5.9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 7/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 4.9/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 5.5/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 5.8/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | 4 Hours | 59 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | Yes | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | 0.5 Hours | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | 5 | 5.2 | |
Case Battery Life | |||
Case Battery Life | 24 | N/A | |
FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Active Noise Cancelling | |||
Active Noise Cancelling | No | Yes | |
Noise Reduction Score | |||
Noise Reduction Score | 2.5/10 | 9.1/10 | |
Virtual Surround | |||
Virtual Surround | No | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | No | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | No | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7.6/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 4 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | Integrated | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Airpods (2nd generation)
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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."
Get a great deal on the Apple Airpods (2nd generation) or the Sennheiser Momentum 4
About Apple
Apple Inc. is an American technology company, founded in 1976, known for its wide range of premium products, including smartphones, computers, and audio solutions. Apple offers the very popular personal audio line AirPods, highly regarded for their wireless, smart capabilities and their seamless integration with the iPhone, iPad and Mac devices. They provide a high-quality sound, comfort and lifestyle features perfect for all users invested in their ecosystem.
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.
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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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Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Luis is a Mexico-based headphones expert. He’s been making headphone recommendations for five years and has close to 100 pairs in his personal collection.
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