Sony XM5 too pricey? These cheaper Sennheiser headphones are the better Cyber Monday buy anyway

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless deal graphic
(Image credit: Future)

If you have been looking for a cracking Cyber Monday headphones deal, you are likely to have stumbled upon the Sony WH-1000XM5, our favourite noise-cancelling wireless over-ears, currently down to $289 at Walmart this Cyber Monday.

Sure, these Award winners are the class leaders below the $300 mark, but are they the best-value pair out there right now? Not in our book. If you cannot stretch your budget to the Sonys or are simply keen to get the most for your money, we would suggest seriously considering the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless for $225 at Amazon instead.

Not only are they currently $64 cheaper than the Sonys thanks to an unprecedented 41 per cent discount, but they sound almost as good, block noise almost as well, and actually offer better features. These flagship Sennheisers are therefore the best-value pair you can buy at this premium level this Cyber Monday.

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones was $380now $225 at Amazon (save $155)Five stars

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless Headphones was $380 now $225 at Amazon (save $155)
The Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless have plunged to their lowest price ever. The wireless ANC over-ears received five stars during testing for their great sound and quality feature set, which includes a best-in-class 60-hour battery life and high-quality aptX Adaptive Bluetooth codec support. Five stars

In our expert review team's Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review, we praised Sennheiser's flagship Bluetooth headphones for their clean, neutral, and musical sound profile. They demonstrated a well-balanced tonal quality, with crisp highs, detailed mids, and controlled bass, and an undisputable sonic highlight is their lively nature, which ensures upbeat music sounds just that. We preferred the Sony XM5's extra midrange clarity and transparency, as well as their more prominent bass, but as we said in our review, "the gap isn’t huge exactly".

One of the standout features of the Momentum 4 Wireless is an impressive 60-hour battery life... and that's with both Bluetooth and active noise cancellation engaged. That's more or less double the Sony's durability. Our testing confirmed this claim, making Sennheisers offering a top choice for long-haul travellers and/or those who don’t want to mess around with another gadget to charge daily.

The Momentum 4 Wireless also support aptX Adaptive Bluetooth, with effective ANC performance to boot. The Adaptive Mode is particularly effective, automatically adjusting the noise-cancelling intensity based on the surrounding environment.

Sennheiser has also equipped these headphones with a range of useful features accessible through the companion Smart Control app. One of these is the Sound Zones feature, which allows users to create profiles with specific EQ and noise isolation levels that automatically activate based on location.

Performance aside, most users will find them comfortable too – we found the wide headband effectively distributes pressure, preventing discomfort during extended wear, while the ear cups were also praised for their secure yet comfortable fit.

At just $225 at Amazon, the Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless headphones offer immense value. For those in the market for a pair of premium wireless headphones, this is certainly an opportunity worth jumping on.

MORE:

See our full comparison: Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM5

Read our full Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless review

Our pick of the best wireless headphones you can buy right now

Becky Roberts

Becky is the managing editor of What Hi-Fi? and, since her recent move to Melbourne, also the editor of Australian Hi-Fi magazine. During her 10+ years in the hi-fi industry, she has reviewed all manner of audio gear, from budget amplifiers to high-end speakers, and particularly specialises in headphones and head-fi devices. In her spare time, Becky can often be found running, watching Liverpool FC and horror movies, and hunting for gluten-free cake.