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What we think
The PerfectRec Earbuds or Headphones team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
If price is a major factor, the Apple Earpods are significantly less expensive than the Sennheiser Momentum 4, offering decent overall sound quality for a budget option. However, the Sennheiser Momentum 4, despite being pricier, provides superior overall sound quality, better noise isolation due to its closed-back design, and active noise cancelling which is absent in the Earpods. Momentum 4 is also more comfortable, has a significantly longer battery life, and includes features like an app equalizer and customizations that are not available with the Earpods. Although the Earpods are highly portable and score well for calls, if active noise cancelling, sound quality, and comfort are key for you, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 would be the better choice, especially for air travel, gaming, and TV, where its low latency is also an advantage. 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 Earpods
- Very good for phone calls
Advantages of the Sennheiser Momentum 4
- Excellent for gaming
- Very good for TV and video
- Very good for air travel
- Very good for podcasts and audiobooks
Key differences
Gaming
8.3
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for gaming, while the Apple Earpods is very good.
Phone Calls
8.0
6.8
The Apple Earpods is very good for phone calls, while the Sennheiser Momentum 4 is only fair.
Podcasts and Audiobooks
7.4
8.2
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for podcasts and audiobooks, while the Apple Earpods is good.
TV and Video
7.4
8.9
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is very good for TV and video, while the Apple Earpods is good.
Noise Reduction
2.5
9.1
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 is excellent for noise reduction, while the Apple Earpods is poor.
Battery
N/A
59.0 Hours
The Apple Earpods does not have a battery. The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has 59 hours of battery life.
Cost
$20
$250
$0
$50
$100
$150
$200
$250
$300
$350
The Apple Earpods has a price of $20 and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 costs $250.
Build Quality
7.6
9.0
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 has excellent build quality, while the Apple Earpods has good build quality.
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Key similarities
Music
7.8
7.5
The Apple Earpods and Sennheiser Momentum 4 are both good for music.
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How the Apple Earpods and the Sennheiser Momentum 4 compare to other earbuds and headphones
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Apple Earpods | Sennheiser Momentum 4 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$20 | $250 | ||
Brand | |||
Brand | Apple | Sennheiser | |
Release Date | |||
Release Date | September 1, 2012 | August 1, 2022 | |
Form Factor | |||
Form Factor | Earbuds | Headphones | |
Connectivity | |||
Connectivity | Wired | Wired + Wireless | |
SOUND | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Music Score | |||
Music Score | 7.9/10 | 7.5/10 | |
Phone Calls Score | |||
Phone Calls Score | 8/10 | 6.9/10 | |
Gaming Score | |||
Gaming Score | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | |
TV and Video Score | |||
TV and Video Score | 7.4/10 | 9/10 | |
Exercise Score | |||
Exercise Score | 4.1/10 | 6.4/10 | |
PERFORMANCE | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery life | |||
Battery life | N/A | 59 Hours | |
Wireless charging | |||
Wireless charging | N/A | No | |
Charging time | |||
Charging time | N/A | 2 Hours | |
Bluetooth version | |||
Bluetooth version | N/A | 5.2 | |
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 | N/A | No | |
Android App | |||
Android App | N/A | Yes | |
iOS App | |||
iOS App | N/A | Yes | |
Mic Quality | |||
Mic Quality | 8.3/10 | 8/10 | |
BUILD AND DESIGN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality | |||
Build Quality | 7.6/10 | 9/10 | |
Comfort score | |||
Comfort score | 7/10 | 8.4/10 | |
Size | |||
Size | Small | N/A | |
Weight (headset or single earbud) | |||
Weight (headset or single earbud) | 6.5 Grams | 294.8 Grams | |
Microphone style | |||
Microphone style | In-Line | Integrated | |
Shopping
Apple Earpods
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Dig into reviews and images
CNN Underscored
Michael Andronico | May 2023
"Apple’s wired buds sound just fine for the price, and their handy inline controls and clear microphone give them an edge on wireless earbuds that are much more expensive. Plus, you never have to worry about running out of battery — or worse, a stray earbud going missing."
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 Earpods 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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About the Earbuds or Headphones team
Joe Golden, Ph.D
CEO and Earbuds and Headphones Editor
Joe is an entrepreneur and lifelong electronics enthusiast with a Ph.D in Economics from the University of Michigan.
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Earbuds and Headphones Expert
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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