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These days, determining the “best” headphones is less about which ones lead the market and more about which ones best meet your standards. Sound quality is subjective, and the best headphones’ noise cancellation is within a few decibels of each other, leaving your decision criteria down to fit, design, features, and use cases.
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Sennheiser’s Momentum 5 and Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) are great examples of how difficult it is to identify the best pair of headphones on the market. Both headphones sound great, deliver excellent noise cancellation, and offer all-day comfort. The defining factors boil down to your habits and preferences. Let’s see how they compare.
Specifications
| Sennheiser Momentum 5 | Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) | |
| Wired connectivity | USB-C; 3.5mm jack | USB-C; 3.5mm jack |
| Codec support | SBC; AAC; AptX Adaptive; AptX Lossless | SBC; AAC; AptX Adaptive |
| Spatial audio | Optimized for Dolby Atmos | Bose Immersive Audio upmix |
| Foldable | No | Yes |
| Audio modes | ANC; Transparency; Adaptive ANC | ANC; Ambient Sound Mode; Adaptive Sound Control |
| Battery life | 57 hours (with ANC on) | 30 hours (with ANC on) |
| Price | $400 | $449 |
You should buy the Sennheiser Momentum 5 if…
1. You want high-quality codecs
Sennheiser’s Momentum 5 features the usual SBC and AAC codecs, along with a host of AptX codecs, including AptX, AptX HD, AptX Adaptive, and AptX Lossless for higher-quality listening via Bluetooth. Many hi-fi sources, such as turntables, support AptX codecs for wireless listening.
Review: Sennheiser Momentum 5
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) also supports SBC and AAC codecs, but only features AptX Adaptive for higher-quality audio. If you have source devices with AptX codecs, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 supports more of them than the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen).
2. Battery life is a big concern
If you’re like me, keeping any device other than your phone charged is a challenge. The Momentum 5 promises up to 57 hours of playtime, which is great for battery health (fewer charging cycles) and for folks like me who are forgetful. Additionally, the Momentum 5’s battery is user-replaceable, so once it dies, you can replace it yourself to keep your headphones going.
On the other hand, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) promises 30 hours of battery life without a self-replaceable battery. However, Bose fitted the QuietComfort Ultra 2 with a Bluetooth Low Energy-powered battery-saving feature. This feature saves power by disconnecting the headphones from Bluetooth when you take them off and lay them flat. You can extend Bose’s 30-hour limit, but if you’re a power user, the Momentum 5 may be a better fit.
3. You want more advanced features
The Momentum 5’s companion app is the home for all of the headphone’s features, including location-based listening settings, an eight-band equalizer, Dolby Atmos support, and hearing tests for a personalized audio profile.
Also: Sony WH-1000XM6 vs. Sennheiser Momentum 5: I wore both pairs for months, and prefer this one
Bose opts for fewer software features, instead offering hardware upgrades, including USB-C audio support, a battery-saving feature, Bluetooth upgrades, and comfort improvements to the headband and earcups.
You should buy the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) if…
1. You want a simple user experience
Bose’s user experience is very simple, as many of the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen)’s best features run in the background. Bose’s headphones have a feature called CustomTune, which emits a brief noise when you place the headphones on your head to measure your ear shape and deliver the best-tuned sound.
Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen)
Bose’s ActiveSense deploys noise cancellation to block out sudden noises and disruptions in your environment. Otherwise, Bose offers a simple three-band equalizer and the company’s proprietary Immersive Audio spatial audio upmixing. Though these software features are simple, they’re incredibly reliable and high-performing, delivering a consistent, premium experience.
2. You want the best for travel
Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) headphones live up to their name, with standout comfort and noise cancellation that make them ideal for traveling. Though Sennheiser’s Momentum 5 are comfortable and have great noise cancellation, Bose outpaces them. Additionally, Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) sports deeper, more comfortable earcups than the Momentum 5. Bose’s premium headphones also fold tightly, which is great for portability when you need to quickly throw the headphones in your personal bag.
In the noise-canceling department, Bose’s premium headphones are better at minimizing low- to midrange frequencies, such as a plane engine and human voices. Bose’s noise cancellation is smoothly deployed and nearly imperceptible, which decreases ear fatigue after hours of wear.
Writer’s choice
Choosing between these two headphones is not a black-and-white choice, as they both deliver suitable sound, noise cancellation, battery life, and comfort. However, you should choose the Sennheiser Momentum 5 if device longevity, critical listening, and Dolby Atmos compatibility are top of mind. You should choose the Bose QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) if an easygoing, highly comfortable pair of headphones with exceptional noise cancellation is your main priority.
Also: Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra shows the company still outperforms Apple in one key area
Objectively, the Momentum 5 delivers significantly more playtime than the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen), but Bose’s headphones offer better noise cancellation and comfort. Thus, I’ll reach for the QuietComfort Ultra (2nd Gen) over the Momentum 5.
