7 Best Sennheiser Wireless Headphones

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One of the best audio companies, Sennheiser also offers a good selection of wireless headphones in addition to its excellent lineup of audiophile headphones. Like their wired siblings, Sennheiser wireless headphones are generally known for their good sound quality and build quality. Many of them also include plenty of useful features like multipoint, smart pause, and NFC.

Sennheiser sells more than a dozen wireless headphones, including neckband headphones, truly wireless headphones, and noise-canceling headphones. But only a few of them are really worth the money. If you are looking for the best Sennheiser wireless headphones currently out right now, check out the products below.

Budget
best-budget-sennheiser-wireless-headphones
Sennheiser HD 350BT
3.9/5.0
Type: Wireless over-ear
ANC: No
Foldable design and aptX-LL codec support.
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Best Value
best-value-sennheiser-wireless-headphones
Sennheiser HD 450BT
4.1/5.0
Type: Wireless over-ear
ANC: Yes
Foldable ear cups and great battery life.
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Top Pick
top-value-sennheiser-wireless-headphones
Sennheiser PXC 550-II
4.5/5.0
Type: Wireless over-ear
ANC: Yes
Great noise cancellation and multipoint support.
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Sennheiser Wireless Headphones Comparison Table

ModelRatingTypeANCConnectivityBatteryPrice
Sennheiser
PXC 550-II
4.5Wireless
over-ear
YesBluetooth
5.0, USB, 3.5
mm analog
20 hoursCheck Price
Sennheiser
HD 350BT
3.9Wireless
over-ear
NoBluetooth 5.030 hoursCheck Price
Sennheiser
HD 450BT
4.1Wireless
over-ear
YesBluetooth
5.0, 3.5 mm
analog
30 hoursCheck Price
Sennheiser
Momentum
Free
3.8Wireless
in-ear
NoBluetooth 4.26 hoursCheck Price
Sennheiser
Momentum
True
Wireless 2
4.2Truly
wireless in-
ear
YesBluetooth 5.17 hoursCheck Price
Sennheiser
RS 185
4.0Wireless
over-ear
NoWireless
transmitter
(optical,
RCA)
18 hoursCheck Price
Sennheiser
Momentum 3
4.5Wireless
over-ear
YesBluetooth
5.0, USB, 3.5
mm analog
17 hoursCheck Price

1. Top Pick: Sennheiser PXC 550-II

Sennheiser PXC 550-IIView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The PXC 550-II are the best all-around Sennheiser wireless headphones currently out, excelling in many important aspects – including comfort, controls, and battery life. They are over-ear headphones with active noise cancellation (ANC), versatile connection options, and touch controls. They are great for office use, commuting, and travel and include plenty of useful features.

Design & Features

A pair of closed-back headphones, the PXC 550-II are well-designed headphones with large, spacious ear cups and a metal-reinforced headband. Their build quality is good, with a sturdy headband and durable ear cups that are made of high-quality plastic. Although they are quite bulky, they are portable for over-ear headphones; they can be folded into a more compact format and include a zippered travel case to protect them from dust and scratches. Furthermore, their ear cups can swivel into a flat position, making them easier to wear around your neck when not in use.

The PXC 550-II are comfortable to wear for long hours, which is especially beneficial if you intend to use them as travel headphones. They are relatively lightweight for over-ear headphones and have soft, pleather-coated earpads that feel nice on the skin. Their headband clamp is not uncomfortably tight while their ear cups allow for a good amount of breathability despite their closed design. You can wear them during long flights without needing to remove them every other hour.

For controls, the PXC 550-II have an on-cup control scheme composed of a touchpad, a button, and a couple of switches. Located on the right ear cup, the touchpad is for adjusting the volume, managing your calls and music, and toggling the talk-through or ambient sound mode. The two switches are for the ANC and the Bluetooth while the lone button is for activating your assigned voice assistant.

There is no dedicated power button on the PXC 550-II. To turn them on or off, you simply need to unfold or fold them, which is convenient. The headphones also have a motion sensor that allows them to automatically pause the music playback or mute an active call when you remove them from your head; the music or call resumes when you wear them again. You can also answer incoming calls just by wearing the headphones.

Performance

The PXC 550-II are good-sounding headphones that are suitable for all-around media consumption, with the Sennheiser Smart Control app allowing you to modify the sound profile, but the customization options are limited. Their mic quality is also decent for calls and video conferences while their wireless range is great. You can pair them with up to eight devices and maintain an active connection with up to two devices at the same time. Moreover, they support the Qualcomm aptX Low Latency (aptX-LL) codec for a low-latency wireless connection when paired with a compatible Bluetooth transmitter, which is beneficial for watching TV.

With their closed ear cups and ANC technology, the PXC 550-II are great at blocking out background noise. They are especially effective against ambient chatter, which is perfect for office use. They also reduce a good amount of low-frequency and high-frequency noises. You can adjust the ANC using the companion app. If you want to listen to your environment without removing your headphones, you can switch to ambient sound mode.

In wireless mode with ANC enabled, the PXC 550-II can last up to 20 hours per charge, which allows them to survive even the longest flight in the world on just a single charge. If you want to switch to a wired connection for longer battery life, you can use either the micro USB cable or the 3.5 mm analog audio cable included in the package; the micro USB cable is also used for charging. An airplane adapter is also included with the headphones, which can last up to an even more impressive 30 hours per charge when used in wired mode with ANC enabled.

Wrap-up

Overall, the PXC 550-II are some of the best noise-canceling headphones on the market. They are versatile headphones with good sound quality, easy-to-use controls, and long battery life. They have an impressive list of features that includes multipoint support, aptX-LL compatibility, touch controls, and smart pause. Whether for office use or traveling, they are easy to carry due to their foldable design, lightweight frame, and carry case. Although the PXC 550-II are quite expensive, normally selling for around $350, they are definitely worth every penny.

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Tech Specs
Type: Wireless over-ear
ANC: Yes
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, USB, 3.5 mm analog
Battery: 20 hours
Pros
Foldable design
User-friendly touch controls
Smart pause feature
Great noise cancellation
Multipoint support
USB and analog wired modes
aptX-LL codec support
Cons
Expensive
Limited app customization options

2. Budget: Sennheiser HD 350BT

Sennheiser HD 350BTView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 3.9/5

Released in early 2020, the HD 350BT are not exactly in the same category as cheap headphones under $50, but they are the best option if you want a more budget-friendly product. They are wireless over-ear headphones that are suitable for casual everyday use. Their design is similar to the HD 450BT, but with fewer features. They normally sell for around $120, but you can get them for around $100 or less.

Design & Features

The HD 350BT are wireless headphones with closed-back ear cups, which automatically means they provide passive sound isolation. Currently, they are available in black or white, with the former color option being the less flashy one. Their mostly plastic build is decent; their headband and ear cups both feel sturdy and durable while their earpads have nice pleather covers. Like our top pick, they fold into a more compact format for better portability, but they lack a carry case for travel.

With their well-padded ear cups and lightweight construction, the HD 350BT are generally comfortable to wear for most people. Their earpads are soft and don’t trap too much heat, which is a big plus if you sweat a lot. However, the earpads are shallow and can be uncomfortable for long listening sessions if you have large ears. In addition, the headband has a tight clamp, which is something you need to consider if you have a large head.

The on-cup controls of the HD 350BT are inferior compared to that of the PXC 550-II, especially regarding ease of use, but they are still decent. Using the on-cup controls, you can manage your calls and music, adjust the volume, and activate your voice assistant. You also get a dedicated button for turning the headphones on or off and for initiating the Bluetooth pairing. Although their layout could be improved, the controls are responsive and not too difficult to use while on the move.

Performance

The HD 350BT have good sound quality, with their warm sound profile making them appealing to most consumers. Their bass is not too emphasized while their mid-range is balanced, but their treble lacks detail and can be harsh in some tracks. If you don’t like the default sound, you can modify it using the Sennheiser Smart Control app, which is available on both iOS and Android.

Capable of connecting with two devices at the same time, the HD 350BT have an excellent wireless range. They support Bluetooth 5.0 and can be paired with up to eight devices, but only two connections can be active at any given time. Like most of the headphones in this guide, they support the aptX-LL codec, which allows for low-latency connectivity when paired with the right Bluetooth transmitter.

With their closed design, the HD 350BT can only provide passive sound isolation, but they are mostly good on that front. Their sound leakage is low even when listening to music at high volume while their noise isolation is good. They reduce a good amount of high-frequency noises and are also decent against ambient chatter, making them suitable for office use. However, they hardly block noises in the low-frequency range like the deep rumble of airplanes.

Of the best Sennheiser wireless headphones in this guide, the HD 350BT are some of the best in battery performance. They can run up to an impressive 30 hours per charge, tying them with the HD 450BT in battery life per charge. They require around two hours of charging time to go from fully drained to 100 percent battery and also include a more modern USB-C charging cable. Unfortunately, they can’t be used in wired mode to conserve power since they lack an audio cable.

Wrap-up

There are other Sennheiser products that normally sell for a lower price, but the HD 350BT are the best budget option overall, offering better long-term value. While they are not loaded with features, they are good headphones for casual everyday use. Their sound quality, battery life, and passive sound isolation are good while their on-cup controls and build quality are decent. They also have a companion app and include a USB-C cable, further giving them an edge over older Sennheiser wireless headphones selling for a lower price.

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Tech Specs
Type: Wireless over-ear
ANC: No
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0
Battery: 30 hours
Pros
Long battery life
Good passive sound isolation
Foldable design
aptX-LL codec support
Great wireless range
Multipoint support
Cons
No audio cable included
Subpar mic quality
No carrying case or pouch

3. Best Value: Sennheiser HD 450BT

Sennheiser HD 450BTView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.1/5

If you take the HD 350BT and give them ANC technology, you’ll end up with the HD 450BT. The two headphones are similar in design, but the HD 450BT are more versatile and have more accessories, including an audio cable for wired mode, which is a big plus for many people. They are all-around headphones that offer great value for the money, especially if you can get them for around $150 or less.

Design & Features

The HD 450BT are so similar to the HD 350BT in design that many of the things we said about the latter also apply to the former. They are wireless over-ear headphones featuring closed ear cups with soft cushions covered in artificial leather. They are also mostly made of plastic, but their frame feels better-built. Their ear cups are similarly foldable, but unlike our budget pick, they also include a travel case, which makes them a bit more portable.

Considering their design similarities to the HD 350BT, it’s not surprising that the HD 450BT have the same pros and cons in regard to comfort and fit. They are lightweight and have thick earpads that allow for decent breathability. Their earpads are also shallow, which can be an issue if you have large ears, while their headband clamp is tight. The tight clamp is not all bad, though; although it’s uncomfortable for long listening sessions if you have a large head, it allows for a more stable and secure fit.

With an almost identical control layout, the HD 450BT are on the same level as the HD 350BT in regard to controls, which is to say they are only decent at best. They have the same controls for call and music management, volume adjustment, and voice assistant activation. The only difference between the two headphones is the power/Bluetooth button: on the HD 450BT, the button is also used for turning the ANC on or off. You can’t switch to ambient sound mode, though, which means you need to remove your headphones if you want to listen to your surroundings or converse with someone.

Performance

The HD 450BT are good in most performance categories, with their mediocre mic quality being the only notable blemish. Although they have a rather dark sound profile, they sound good and are suitable for general media consumption. They can connect with two devices at the same time and have a superb wireless range. Moreover, they support the aptX-LL codec for low-latency Bluetooth connectivity and can connect with the Sennheiser Smart Control app for sound customization and firmware updates.

Compared to the HD 350BT, the HD 450BT are better in the sound isolation category. Their leakage is similarly low even at high volume. But what gives them the edge is their better noise isolation, which is hardly surprising – they are equipped with ANC, after all. They are better at blocking out all types of noise, from ambient chatter to the sound of airplane engines. This makes them a better option not only for office use but also for commuting and traveling.

In the battery category, the HD 450BT are also similar to the HD 350BT. In addition to featuring a more modern USB-C charging port, they can also run up to 30 hours on a single charge. However, the HD 450BT have an advantage in one area: wired connectivity. Unlike our budget pick, they come with an analog audio cable for switching to wired mode to conserve power. The audio cable terminates in a 3.5 mm plug, which allows for easy compatibility with most devices.

Wrap-up

If noise isolation and the option to switch to wired mode are critical aspects for you, it’s much better to save up for the HD 450BT than settling for the cheaper HD 350BT. They are the more versatile pair of headphones, with their noise-canceling being the chief reason. In addition to having more features and a better set of accessories, they offer almost all the things the HD 350BT bring to the table – both the good and the bad. The HD 350BT are still a good buy and will work well for most people, but the HD 450BT are a better investment overall.

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Tech Specs
Type: Wireless over-ear
ANC: Yes
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, 3.5 mm analog
Battery: 30 hours
Pros
Foldable ear cups
Great battery life
Multipoint support
Excellent wireless range
Low sound leakage
aptX-LL codec support
Cons
Subpar mic quality
Tight clamp can be uncomfortable
No ambient sound mode

4. Sennheiser Momentum Free

Sennheiser Momentum FreeView on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 3.8/5

The Momentum Free are another option if you have a limited budget. They are wireless earphones in a very portable neckband form. While their list price is $200, you can get them for less than $100. They are basically a rebranded HD1 Free – which can still be purchased online – with minor cosmetic changes. If you find the older model at a much more affordable price, don’t hesitate to buy that one instead since you won’t really miss out on any features.

Design & Features

Featuring stylish earpieces made of plastic and metal, the Momentum Free are in-ear headphones in an ultra-portable neckband form factor. This means they are not completely wireless headphones like the Momentum True Wireless 2. They have a short audio cable connecting to the two earpieces, with a small cable management clip in the middle. Unlike true neckband headphones, they lack an actual collar, which makes them even lighter and more portable.

The Momentum Free come with four pairs of ear tips, a micro USB charging cable, and a nice leather case that protects the earphones from scratches. They are comfortable to wear, with their in-ear design allowing for excellent breathability, but they are not recommended for sports use. In addition to lacking stability fins for a more secure fit, they are not adequately protected against water and sweat.

With their extremely lightweight and compact design, the Momentum Free are easy to carry every day, whether for commuting or office use. They will easily fit into small pockets. Even if you keep them in the travel case, they still have a small footprint and will take up minimal space in your bag. You can also simply wear them around your neck when not in use. But you should always be mindful of them since the magnets in their earpieces are weak, making them less secure around your neck even when the earpieces are snapped together.

There’s nothing special about the controls of the Momentum Free. You get a standard in-line remote with the familiar three-button layout. Using the three buttons, you can manage your calls and music, control the volume, and initiate the Bluetooth pairing. The buttons are responsive and easy to press, which makes them easy to use while on the move.

Performance

The Momentum Free excel in the sound department. They are good-sounding earphones that sound clear and detailed, with the right amount of bass. They can accurately reproduce vocals and instruments and don’t sound too harsh even at high volume levels. They are a solid all-rounder suitable for a variety of music genres. Their in-line mic is also decent enough for non-business calls, but it’s not suitable for phone calls in noisy places.

Capable of connecting with up to two Bluetooth devices at the same time, the Momentum Free have a good wireless range and a stable connection. They can’t connect using NFC, though some product listings mention that they support NFC technology. On the bright side, they support the aptX-LL codec for low-latency connectivity when paired with a compatible Bluetooth transmitter.

With their passive in-ear seal, the Momentum Free provide good sound isolation. Their sound leakage is very low even when listening to music at high volume while their noise isolation is good. They are quite good at reducing ambient chatter and high-frequency noises. This makes them good earphones for office use. But you’ll need to charge them at least once during a typical work shift – especially if you also use them during commutes – since their battery life is only six hours per charge.

Wrap-up

All in all, the Momentum Free are good headphones for casual everyday use, with their very portable design making them easy to carry for office use and commuting. Their list of features doesn’t really jump off the page, but their overall design and performance are mostly good. Their sound quality, build quality, passive sound isolation, and connectivity features are good while their mic quality and controls are decent.

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Tech Specs
Type: Wireless in-ear
ANC: No
Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.2
Battery: 6 hours
Pros
Portable neckband design
Good passive noise isolation
Low sound leakage
Multipoint support
Good wireless range
aptX-LL codec support
Cons
Short battery life
Weak earpiece magnets
No stability fins

5. Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2

Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.2/5

If portability is the most important aspect for you, get the Momentum TW 2. They are earphones in a truly wireless format, making them even more portable than the Momentum Free. Unlike the neckband-style Momentum, they also have noise-canceling technology, which increases their capability to block out background noise. But on the other hand, they are some of the most expensive truly wireless headphones, normally selling for around $300.

Design & Features

The Momentum TW 2 are extremely compact headphones with an in-ear fit. They are made of high-quality materials and definitely look like premium earphones. They have an IPX4 rating, which means they are resistant to water splashes. They come with a similarly compact charging case, along with a USB-C charging cable and four pairs of ear tips. Although it has no official IP rating, the charging case is also well-built and has magnets to keep the earphones more secure when docked.

Not everyone will find the Momentum TW 2 comfortable to wear for long hours. This is also true for many other earphones. They are extremely lightweight and breathable due to their in-ear form factor and stay securely in your ears despite lacking stability fins – the latter is especially beneficial if you intend to use them for sports. On the other hand, their in-ear fit can be uncomfortable after an hour or two of continuous use, especially if you can’t get a good fit with any of the included ear tips.

For controls, the Momentum TW 2 have a touch-sensitive panel on each unit. Their onboard controls are actually some of the better ones among truly wireless headphones. Using the touchpads on the two earpieces, you can manage your calls and music, control the volume, activate your voice assistant, and switch between ANC and talk-through mode. The earphones also have a smart pause feature, with the music playback automatically pausing when you remove them from your ears. If you don’t like the default controls, you can customize them using the Sennheiser Smart Control app.

Performance

Capable of running up to seven hours on a single charge – and up to 28 hours total with the additional charges in the charging case – the Momentum TW 2 are suitable for listening to most music genres and for general media consumption. They sound clear and detailed, with deep bass and a natural-sounding mid-range.

Their mic quality is also decent enough for non-business calls while their wireless range is great, but they don’t support multipoint and NFC, which is disappointing for a premium product. The aptX-LL codec is also not supported, unlike most of the headphones in this guide.

The Momentum TW 2 reduce a good amount of noise, thanks to their tight in-ear seal and noise cancellation. Their sound leakage is also minimal even at high volume. However, their overall noise isolation performance is a little disappointing for noise-canceling headphones. They are very effective at blocking out background chatter and high-frequency noises. But they struggle against low-frequency noises, although this could change with future firmware updates.

With the Sennheiser Smart Control mobile app, you get a decent amount of customization options for the Momentum TW 2. Using the app, you can modify the sound profile, customize the touch controls for each earpiece, and toggle the talk-through mode. Managing all your connected Bluetooth devices – the earphones can be paired with up to eight devices – is also done on the app.

Wrap-up

Despite lacking some features usually included in premium wireless headphones, the Momentum TW 2 are a great pair of truly wireless earphones. They are versatile earphones that are suitable for office use, traveling, and sports. Carrying them around with you for everyday use won’t be a problem due to their extremely portable design. They are good in most design and performance aspects – including build quality, sound, and controls – and can be customized with a mobile app.

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Tech Specs
Type: Truly wireless in-ear
ANC: Yes
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1
Battery: 7 hours
Pros
Extremely portable design
Customizable controls
IPX4 rating for water resistance
28-hour total battery life
Smart pause feature
Minimal sound leakage
Cons
Short battery life per charge
No multipoint and NFC
In-ear fit is not for everyone

6. Sennheiser RS 185

Sennheiser RS 185View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4/5

The RS 185 are the best option if you need wireless headphones specifically for watching TV. They are unique among the headphones listed here. Instead of using Bluetooth technology, they come with their own wireless transmitter that connects to an audio source via analog and optical cables. This setup allows for low-latency wireless connectivity, similar to wireless gaming headsets. Additionally, they are the only open-back headphones in this product guide.

Design & Features

A pair of over-ear headphones, the RS 185 are bulky headphones that are meant for home use only since they need their wireless transmitter to work. Their ear cups have velour-covered cushions while their headband is reinforced with metal for a sturdier frame. Despite their bulky design, they are very comfortable to wear for long hours: their clamp is not too tight while their open design and velour earpads make them more breathable.

In addition to the wireless transmitter – which also serves as a charging dock – the RS 185 include an optical cable, an RCA cable, and a power supply connector with multiple adapters for different regions. Two rechargeable AAA batteries for the headphones are also included, but you can use other AAA batteries if you want.

The controls for the RS 185 are located on both the headphones and the transmitter. The controls on the headphones include a power button, volume buttons, balance buttons, and a level button for switching between automatic level control (ALC) and manual level control (MLC). While in ALC mode, the headphones automatically adjust for sudden volume jumps when watching TV, but only when using the analog cable for audio input.

If you set the headphones to MLC mode, you need to use the level control knob on the transmitter, which also has its own button for switching between manual and automatic. The two balance buttons on the headphones are for increasing or decreasing the volume on each side, which is beneficial if one of your ears is impaired or weaker than the other one.

Performance

Because of their open design, the RS 185 have the most different sound among the headphones in this guide. They are the most neutral-sounding headphones and have the most spacious soundstage, making them more appealing to audiophiles who prefer a more open and natural sound. They are great for both watching TV and listening to music.

Using the RS 185 for watching TV allows you to turn the volume up without disturbing your neighbors and other people in your household (provided that they are not sitting right next to you). However, the headphones are not going to block out any ambient noise due to their open design. Furthermore, their sound leakage is very high, which can be undesirable or annoying for people who are lounging beside you in the living room or bedroom.

The RS 185 are easy to connect to their wireless transmitter, which supports both analog and digital inputs. Their wireless range is good while their latency is very low, practically eliminating lip-sync issues when watching TV. They can last up to 18 hours on a single charge, which is perfect for movie marathons. Unfortunately, they can’t be used as regular wired headphones if they run out of power in the middle of a movie, but you can use other AAA batteries as a temporary fix.

Wrap-up

For mainly watching TV at home, the RS 185 are the best Sennheiser wireless headphones. They are comfortable to wear for long hours and allow for low-latency wireless connectivity. They are very easy to set up out of the box, with analog and digital connection options for the transmitter, and include on-cup controls that are useful for watching TV.

If you need TV headphones that offer better passive noise isolation, the closed-back RS 175 are the better option. But if the poor noise isolation and high sound leakage of the RS 185 are non-issues for you, they are the better TV headphones overall, beating their closed-back counterpart in build quality, controls, comfort, and sound quality.

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Tech Specs
Type: Wireless over-ear
ANC: No
Connectivity: Wireless transmitter (optical, RCA)
Battery: 18 hours
Pros
Comfortable over-ear fit
Convenient on-cup controls
Good sound quality with a spacious soundstage
Low-latency connection
Analog and digital inputs
Easily replaceable AAA batteries
Cons
Expensive
Very bulky frame
Long charging time

7. Sennheiser Momentum 3

Sennheiser Momentum 3View on Amazon

Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5

The Momentum 3 are noise-canceling headphones that also make a strong case for the best Sennheiser wireless headphones overall. They are more premium than the PXC 550-II, with a better-built frame and more connectivity features. But while they are the more premium headphones, they are not automatically better than the PXC 550-II since the two headphones have different strengths.

Design & Features

Featuring a metal frame with a genuine leather headband, the Momentum 3 are closed headphones that certainly look the part of premium headphones. They are stylish headphones with exposed steel arms where their large ear cups slide up and down for adjusting the fit. They fold into a more compact form for better portability, with their ear cups folding smoothly into the frame. A travel case is included in the box, along with a USB-C charging/audio cable, a USB-A adapter, and an analog audio cable.

The Momentum 3 are well-designed headphones that are comfortable to wear for long hours, but they are not as comfortable as the PXC 550-II. In addition to their bulkier frame, they are heavier and have a tighter headband clamp that can be uncomfortable if you have a large head. Their ear cups are also less breathable, which can be undesirable if you live in a hot and humid place.

Unlike our top pick, the control scheme of the Momentum 3 is simply composed of buttons and a switch, with no touch controls. There are four buttons and one switch in total, all of which are located on the right ear cup. The switch is for turning the ANC on or off and for switching to the talk-through mode. One of the buttons is for activating your assigned voice assistant and for starting the Bluetooth pairing while the other three buttons are for volume, music, and call controls.

The buttons are responsive and easy to press, but due to their rather cramped layout, they are a bit more difficult to use than the controls on the PXC 550-II, especially while on the move. The Momentum 3 also have a smart pause feature, automatically pausing the music playback or muting a call when you remove them from your head; the audio resumes when you wear them again. Moreover, they automatically turn on and off when you unfold and fold them.

Performance

The overall performance of the Momentum 3 is great. Their mic quality is good while their wireless range is excellent. They support NFC for faster pairing and can connect with up to two devices at the same time. Like most of the other headphones listed here, they also support the aptX-LL codec for a low-latency connection when paired with compatible devices. Furthermore, they have Tile integration, which helps you find your headphones if you lose them.

Although their bass-heavy sound profile is not going to please everyone, the Momentum 3 are good-sounding headphones that are suitable for a variety of music genres. They have an exciting sound, with powerful bass, a balanced mid-range, and a detailed treble. They are great for listening to music and for general media consumption. If you don’t like their default sound, you can modify it using the Sennheiser Smart Control app.

The Momentum 3 are also good in the sound isolation category. Their noise isolation is one of the best among noise-canceling headphones. They are good at blocking out background chatter and the sound of airplane and bus engines. Sound leakage is also low, but only when listening to music at moderate volume levels. You can choose between three ANC levels, along with the option to enable the talk-through mode if you want to listen to your surroundings without removing your headphones.

Compared to the PXC 550-II, the Momentum 3 have a shorter battery life per charge, but not by a wide margin. They can last up to 17 hours per charge, which is still good and should be enough for most people for casual everyday use. If you want to conserve power, you can use them in wired mode with either the USB-C cable or the analog cable, which terminates in a 3.5 mm plug for easy compatibility with most devices. Alternatively, you can use the included USB-A adapter to connect to computers.

Wrap-up

The Momentum 3 would be our top pick here if the PXC 550-II didn’t exist. They are some of the best noise-canceling headphones currently out. They are all-around headphones that are great in both design and performance, with very few notable flaws. They are loaded with useful features, including smart pause and NFC pairing. But they are also some of the most expensive noise-canceling headphones on the market, normally selling for around $400.

If you need help choosing between the Momentum 3 and the PXC 550-II, here’s a quick rundown of their different strengths: The Momentum 3 are better-built headphones with better mic quality and more connectivity features (NFC, USB-C). On the other hand, the PXC 550-II are cheaper and more comfortable, with more breathable ear cups and a looser clamp. Their controls are easier to use while their battery life is longer. Regarding sound quality, both headphones are good, but the Momentum 3 are more bass-heavy while the PXC 550-II have a lighter and more accurate bass.

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Tech Specs
Type: Wireless over-ear
ANC: Yes
Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.0, USB, 3.5 mm analog
Battery: 17 hours
Pros
Premium build quality
Foldable design
Great noise cancellation
Smart pause feature
Multipoint and NFC support
USB and analog wired options
aptX-LL codec support
Cons
Very expensive
Limited ANC levels
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