Apple AirPods Pro 3 vs Sennheiser Momentum TW4 Comparison

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Each bud has beamforming outer microphones, an inward-facing mic and a speech-detecting accelerometer. On Apple devices, Voice Isolation helps reduce background noise on calls. In a café the far end should hear a clear voice with less background chatter. In a quiet room the voice sounds natural, though a boom-mic model like the Jabra Evolve2 75 still sounds fuller.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Each bud has multiple microphones for calls, with processing to reduce wind and background noise. Calls work over standard Bluetooth on phones and laptops. Voice quality is clear in quiet places and acceptable in busier ones, though not a strength compared with business buds. Background noise is reduced, but voices can sound a bit processed in loud spaces.

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple claims the ANC is up to twice as effective as on AirPods Pro 2. The new foam-infused tips seal better, and that improves passive isolation before any processing begins. On a busy commute the cancellation is among the best in earbuds, reducing engine rumble and voices to a low background.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Adaptive ANC adjusts to your surroundings, and a transparency mode lets sound in. There is also an anti-wind mode for outdoor use. Cancellation is good on buses and in offices, cutting steady noise well. Against Bose and Sony flagships it lets more mid-frequency sound through, including voices and keyboard chatter.

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple quotes up to 8 hours of listening with ANC on, 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature, and up to 24 hours in total with the case. Heart-rate sensing during workouts reduces this to 6.5 hours. Five minutes in the case gives around an hour of listening.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Sennheiser quotes up to 7.5 hours with ANC on and up to 30 hours in total with the case. A quick charge restores about an hour in minutes. That is fine for a working day with mixed listening, though Sony and Poly last a little longer per charge. Lossless streaming draws slightly more power, so expect a little less when using aptX Lossless all day.

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Each bud weighs 5.55 g, and Apple includes silicone tips in five sizes, from XXS to L. The bud shape is slightly smaller than before, and the stems carry touch controls. For a full working day the fit is secure and light, and the extra-small tips make them practical for people who found the previous model too big.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

The buds are compact with a smooth outer shell, and Sennheiser includes ear tips in four sizes. The water rating is IP54 for dust and splashes. Most ears find them comfortable for a few hours. The shape sits fairly flush, so they work while lying back on a headrest, though some find the fit loosens with jaw movement.

Apple AirPods Pro 3

The buds use Bluetooth 5.3. With an iPhone, iPad and Mac on the same Apple Account, they switch automatically to the device you are using, which works like multipoint inside Apple's ecosystem. Apple's AirPods user guide covers Live Translation, Find My with a speaker in the case, and head gestures for answering calls.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Bluetooth 5.4 supports multipoint, Google Fast Pair and Auracast broadcast audio. Auracast lets you join shared audio streams in airports, gyms and venues that support it, without pairing to each transmitter. The Smart Control app handles firmware, EQ and gesture settings, and LE Audio support should improve over time as more phones and laptops adopt the newer standard.

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Apple uses its H2 chip and Adaptive EQ, which measures the sound in your ear and adjusts the tuning to match your fit. Spatial Audio with head tracking is supported on Apple devices. The sound is clean and well balanced, with more bass depth than the previous Pro and clear vocals.

Sennheiser Momentum TW4

Each bud uses Sennheiser's 7 mm TrueResponse dynamic driver, and Snapdragon Sound supports aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, AAC, SBC and LC3. The Smart Control app adds EQ and a Sound Check personalisation tool. The result is the most refined sound in this group. Instruments separate clearly, vocals sound natural and the bass is deep without blooming.