Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless Headphones Review (2026)
Wired's review of the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless headphones, arriving nearly four years after the Momentum 4, finds them a strong return despite turbulence at Sennheiser, whose consumer division was sold to hearing aid maker Sonova and is now reportedly up for resale. The headphones combine a comfortable, mostly plastic design with denim headband trim, strong noise cancellation, long battery life and a notably repairable battery, positioning them competitively against rivals from Sony, Apple and Bowers & Wilkins.
The Momentum 5 offers up to 57 hours of battery life with active noise cancellation on, nearly double that of the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3, though slightly less than the Momentum 4 and the Marshall Monitor III ANC. A standout feature is the easily swappable battery, accessible via four screws, though it isn't yet sold separately. The headphones support advanced audio codecs including aptX Lossless, offer app-based EQ and ANC customisation, and deliver noise cancellation the reviewer rates as good but marginally behind class leaders like the Sony WH-1000XM6 or Bose QuietComfort Ultra.
- Sennheiser's first new Momentum headphones in nearly four years impress reviewers.
- Battery lasts up to 57 hours and is user-replaceable.
- Noise cancellation is strong but slightly behind Sony and Bose rivals.
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Sennheiser is a German audio company known for headphones and microphones. Its consumer audio business was sold to Sonova, a hearing aid maker, and reports say that business may be sold again; this has raised questions about the future of Sennheiser’s consumer products.
The Momentum range is Sennheiser’s line of premium wireless headphones, competing with models from Sony, Apple and Bowers & Wilkins. Buyers often compare comfort, sound, noise cancellation and battery life, while repairability can affect how long headphones remain useful.
The Momentum 5’s design includes a battery that can be removed by undoing four screws, although a replacement battery is not yet sold separately. Its advertised battery life and noise cancellation also help explain how it compares with other high-end headphones.