Headphones / QC Ultra Headphones vs Momentum 4 Wireless
QC Ultra Headphones vs Momentum 4 Wireless
Momentum 4 Wireless
The battery-life and sound-quality champion for long trips.
Wins overall by 0.1 points
Quick Verdict
This is a close call. The Momentum 4 Wireless edges ahead by 0.1 points overall, but the QC Ultra Headphones is still an excellent choice — especially if bose's most comfortable, most immersive-sounding anc headphone.
The QC Ultra Headphones and Momentum 4 Wireless are both closely matched headphones, and the Momentum 4 Wireless is $129.10 cheaper than the QC Ultra Headphones ($299.95 vs $429). On battery, the Momentum 4 Wireless leads (9.8 vs 7.4/10) — playtime, standby, and charging speed. On noise cancelling, the QC Ultra Headphones leads (9.6 vs 8.7/10) — how well ambient noise is blocked. On comfort, the QC Ultra Headphones leads (9.4 vs 8.5/10) — clamp force, padding, and weight for long sessions. Overall, the Momentum 4 Wireless scores 8.7/10 across our 10 test categories versus 8.6/10 for the QC Ultra Headphones, though the gap is close enough that your specific use case should decide it. Below, we break down the full spec sheet, category-by-category scores, and exactly who should buy which one.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Spec | QC Ultra Headphones | Momentum 4 Wireless |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $429.00 | $299.95 |
| Release Year | 2023 | 2022 |
| Battery Life (hrs) | 24 | 60✓ |
| Battery (ANC off) (hrs) | 24 | 60✓ |
| Quick Charge (min for 3hrs) | 15 | 10✓ |
| Bluetooth Version | 5.3 | 5.2 |
| Weight (g) | 254✓ | 293 |
| Driver Size (mm) | Not published | 42 |
| Active Noise Cancelling | Yes | Yes |
| Multipoint Pairing | Yes | Yes |
| Microphones (mics) | 6✓ | 4 |
| Foldable | Yes | Yes |
| Water Resistance | None | None |
| App EQ | Yes | Yes |
| Warranty | 12 months | 24 months |
| Colors | Black, White Smoke, Sandstone | Black, White, Graphite |
Category Scores
Battery Life
The QC Ultra Headphones is rated for up to 24 hours with ANC on (24 hours with ANC off), while the Momentum 4 Wireless is rated for up to 60 hours with ANC on (60 hours with ANC off). Quick charge gets the QC Ultra Headphones roughly 3 hours of playback from a 15-minute top-up, versus a 10-minute top-up for the Momentum 4 Wireless.
Noise Cancelling
On our noise cancelling score, the QC Ultra Headphones rates 9.6/10 versus 8.7/10 for the Momentum 4 Wireless. Momentum 4 Wireless carries the ANC edge overall in this matchup based on the combined scoring above — see the Scores section for the full category breakdown.
Comfort
The QC Ultra Headphones weighs 254g and scores 9.4/10 for comfort; the Momentum 4 Wireless weighs 293g and scores 8.5/10. Lighter weight generally means less clamp fatigue over multi-hour sessions.
Sound Quality
Sound quality scores: QC Ultra Headphones 9.2/10, Momentum 4 Wireless 9.4/10. Driver size is Not publishedmm on the QC Ultra Headphones versus 42mm on the Momentum 4 Wireless — larger drivers don't guarantee better sound, but they're one input into tuning.
Calls & Microphone
The QC Ultra Headphones uses a 6-microphone array and scores 9.0/10 for calls, while the Momentum 4 Wireless uses 4 microphones and scores 8.2/10.
Travel
For travel we weight battery life, ANC, and foldability together. The QC Ultra Headphones scores 8.8/10 and folds flat; the Momentum 4 Wireless scores 9.2/10 and folds flat.
Gaming
Neither model is a dedicated gaming headset, but relative gaming scores are 7.0/10 for the QC Ultra Headphones and 7.3/10 for the Momentum 4 Wireless. For latency-sensitive games, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Best For
Choose the QC Ultra Headphones if…
- • Noise cancelling is your top priority — the QC Ultra Headphones scores 9.6/10 for blocking ambient noise.
- • You wear headphones for hours at a time and need superior comfort.
- • You're on calls constantly and need clear mic pickup with background noise rejection.
- • Your main use case is commute.
Choose the Momentum 4 Wireless if…
- • You want maximum battery life — the Momentum 4 Wireless runs up to 60 hours on a charge.
- • You want the most performance for the lowest price.
- • You want to spend less — it's $129.10 cheaper.
Pros & Cons
QC Ultra Headphones
Pros
- +Best-in-class comfort, even during multi-hour wear
- +Immersive Audio head-tracking is unique in this class
- +ANC that rivals or beats Sony in wind and transit noise
- +CustomTune auto-calibrates sound to your ears and fit
Cons
- −Shortest battery life of the flagship competitors
- −Driver size not published, hard to compare on paper
- −Immersive Audio mode drains battery faster
Momentum 4 Wireless
Pros
- +Class-leading 60-hour battery life
- +Excellent, detailed sound signature audiophiles favor
- +Widest codec support (aptX Adaptive, LDAC, AAC)
- +2-year warranty, longest of any brand here
Cons
- −Heavier and less streamlined design than rivals
- −Weakest microphone array of the flagship competitors
- −Touch controls are less precise than Sony/Bose
Shop by Need
FAQs
Is the QC Ultra Headphones or Momentum 4 Wireless better overall?+
Based on our 10-category scoring, the Momentum 4 Wireless comes out ahead overall. See the full breakdown in the scores section above — the right pick still depends on which categories matter most for your use case.
Which has better battery life, the QC Ultra Headphones or the Momentum 4 Wireless?+
The Momentum 4 Wireless lasts longer, rated for up to 60 hours with ANC on versus 24 hours for the QC Ultra Headphones.
Is the QC Ultra Headphones worth the price difference over the Momentum 4 Wireless?+
The Momentum 4 Wireless is the cheaper option at $299.95 versus $429. Whether the pricier model is "worth it" depends on how much you value its lead in battery.
Which is better for travel, the QC Ultra Headphones or the Momentum 4 Wireless?+
For travel, we weight battery life, ANC performance, and foldability. The Momentum 4 Wireless scores higher here (9.2/10).
Which has better noise cancelling?+
The QC Ultra Headphones has the stronger ANC, scoring 9.6/10 versus 8.7/10.
Can I use the QC Ultra Headphones and Momentum 4 Wireless for gaming?+
Both support standard Bluetooth audio, but neither is purpose-built for competitive gaming latency. Between the two, the Momentum 4 Wireless scores better for gaming use (7.3/10). For latency-critical gaming, a wired connection is recommended for either.
Do the QC Ultra Headphones and Momentum 4 Wireless support multipoint Bluetooth pairing?+
Yes, the QC Ultra Headphones supports multipoint. Yes, the Momentum 4 Wireless supports multipoint too.
Which is more comfortable for long listening sessions?+
The QC Ultra Headphones scores higher on comfort (9.4/10), largely due to clamp force, padding, and weight — the QC Ultra Headphones weighs 254g and the Momentum 4 Wireless weighs 293g.
What's the warranty on the QC Ultra Headphones vs the Momentum 4 Wireless?+
The QC Ultra Headphones ships with a 12-month warranty; the Momentum 4 Wireless ships with a 24-month warranty. Always confirm current terms on the manufacturer's site before buying.
Should I wait for the next model instead of buying either of these?+
If either model is more than two years old, a successor may be close — check the "Latest Model" link on each product page. Otherwise, both are current, well-supported options and there's no strong reason to wait.
Cheaper Option
Px7 S2e — $399.00
Premium Option
WH-1000XM5 — $328.00