Another excellent true wireless pair from Sennheiser, offering subtle tweaks to its sound, improved noise cancellation, and a thorough roster of features and customisation. It’s arguably just behind the class-leaders for sound and ANC but the Momentum True Wireless 5 are still a fantastic true wireless earbud
- Replaceable battery
- Competitive ANC performance with the class-leaders
- In-depth app
- Excellent wireless performance
- Call quality is still average
-
Spatial Audio support with head-tracking
-
aptX Lossless streaming over Bluetooth
We’re onto the fifth iteration of Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless series, and this has been a series that’s delivered from the get-go.
The original scored four-stars and since then it’s been successive five-stars for each release, so I’ve eagerly awaited the announcement of the Momentum True Wireless 5.
It could be argued that for all the five-star reviews I’ve given, Sennheiser has yet to surpass the likes of Sony and Bose by delivering the best all-in performance. With changes to design and performance, can the Momentum True Wireless 5 put Sennheiser on top?
- New look
- Replaceable batteries
- Comfy fit
It’s a considerable change on the design front, with the fifth Momentum TW5 going all Doctor Who and regenerating with a new design. They’re rounder and curvier than the squared look of the Momentum True Wireless 4. I was fine with how the previous earbuds looked and fitted, so the change is a surprise to me, but this new model is no worse for it.
They remain comfortable to wear, though I don’t find they provide the same sort of seal as the previous model. The Momentum True Wireless 5 feel looser than the previous model, and in a sense that change might work best for those who don’t like the ‘plugged in’ feeling of some true wireless. These feel lighter, and perhaps even slightly less conspicuous in the ear than previous generations.
The seal is still good, despite the looser fit, though the build quality doesn’t necessarily feel like it’s a notable step up. This new version is actually slightly heavier (7g compared to 6.2g), but overall they don’t feel too different, retaining the glossy two-tone appearance. The choice of colours gives the Momentum True Wireless 5 flavour with Cream, Graphite, Copper, Denim, and Lavender options.
Touch controls work well, responsive and easily findable with the logo marking the spot with its more textured touch. Taps and double taps have been fine over testing, and to put the earbuds into Bluetooth pairing, press down on the touch control just like before.
The IP rating is the same at IP54, so these aren’t fully waterproof but there’s protection against water and dust. The case doesn’t have any IP rating associated with it but has been redesigned: taller but slimmer, it feels premium with its faux leather look and distinctive logo.
You can swap out the batteries from both the earbuds and the charging case (there’s a little screw on the underside of the case). You won’t have to buy a tool to get started on replacing the batteries, as one is provided in the box.
Ear-tip cover sizes range from extra small to large, offering choice to fit a range of ear sizes; and the ear-tips are very easy to clip on.
I didn’t feel as if the design needed to change, so perhaps the biggest compliment I can give is that the changes made have not negatively affected the earbuds. They’re sensible, and for some, it may even result in greater comfort.
- Six hours with ANC
- Wireless charging
One caveat to note with the battery life. Sennheiser states the Momentum True Wireless 5 offer up to 12 hours, but that’s with ANC off. Turn it on, and it’s six hours.
For comparison, that’s the same as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2, around the same as the Technics EAH-AZ100 in its LDAC mode, but less than the Sony WF-1000XM6 (8 hours+) and the JBL Tour Pro 3 (10 hours).
A battery drain at 50% volume proves Sennheiser’s claims to be true. After three hours they fell to 50%, which if they keep that rate means they’ll hit six hours. That’s around the same as Sennheiser’s previous Momentum True Wireless efforts.
As mentioned earlier, you can replace the batteries yourself. Sennheiser supplies the official battery parts, and they expect the headphones to last for around three to four years before servicing. You can protect the battery through other means by engaging the Battery Protect Mode in the Sennheiser Smart Control+ app.
Wireless charging is supported, while fast charging provides an hour more playback from just 8 minutes of battery boost.
The bulk of the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5’s features are in the Smart Control+ app, and like the Sony WF-1000XM6, they’re packed with ways of customising and adjusting the earbuds’ performance.
You can toggle on Bluetooth multipoint (it’s disabled by default), allowing connection to up to two devices at once. Noise Control covers noise cancellation and Transparency mode, and can be customised for Transparency mode and phone calls. Toggling on Anti-Wind reduces wind noise automatically (and if I remember correctly, it’s not on by default).
Spatial Audio is supported through Dolby Atmos Music and you’ve got head-tracking support that ensures audio remains in the same direction whenever you move your head, and the Momentum True Wireless 5 boost loudness so when you turn away from the source, so it appears louder on the other side.
It might be the best implementation of spatial audio that I’ve heard on a pair of earbuds in some time – spacious and big sound without losing too much fidelity.
You can go deeper into the settings and adjust the EQ. There are several presets to choose from (Neural, Rock Classical, Movie), or you can create more with the Sound Check, a process of listening to audio that guides you to a preset; or manually create one through the Graphic EQ option and an 8-band EQ.
There’s a Bass boost for deeper lows, while Speech Clarity feature enhances voices, and Sound Personalisation plays three tracks of a song, highlighting strings, bass and drums in each pass to find the best volume and balance. The app requires you do an ear fit test before you carry out this feature.
Sound zones automatically changes settings (ANC and audio presets) whenever you enter or leave geo-ringfenced locations. Up to 20 of them can be created but this is one of a few features in the app locked behind a Sennheiser account sign-up (so it saves the settings to other mobile devices through your account).
If you lose the earbuds (or just one), you can find them through the app (though for whatever reason, the app seems to think I’m next door). You can customise the controls (volume is included by default), there’s the aforementioned Fit Test, and you can customise the tiles in the app to show only the info you want to see.
But wait, there’s more! Head to the Device Settings tab and you can update the firmware, play around with the sound quality (up to 24-bit/96kHz) or prioritise a stable wireless connection – check to see which codec is playing (SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Lossless/Snapdragon Sound). Toggle on auto-pause, enable Auto-Answer for calls and Battery Protection Mode. It’s an extensive but well-organised app, and you can spend as long or as little to configure the earbuds to your liking.
I’ve not had an issue with the wireless performance, even when its prioritised sound over the connection. The connection hasn’t faltered, though you’ll notice the soundstage does recede when it encounters plenty of wireless interference.
Auracast and Bluetooth LE Audio are on the spec list but haven’t been switched on yet, according to the Sennheiser website. That’ll happen in a future firmware update.
- Average call quality
Noise Cancellation separates the top-tier efforts from the pretenders – and right now there are plenty of top-tier efforts with little to choose between them. The Sennheisers are up there with the best.
Wearing them on a trip to the supermarket, they block out sounds very well. Used on the bus, Elizabeth Line and DLR I can’t say I experienced any issues. Most noise was suppressed, and even people’s voices came across as more diminished than usual.
Out on the street and road traffic is minimised, and on a plane there’s minimal intrusion from the loud cabin noise. The Momentum True Wireless 5 are a consistently quiet performer and there’s very little to distract during everyday activities.
That said, are they the class leaders? I’d say no, but like with the Momentum 5 Wireless over-ears, they’re not far behind their rivals. Carrying out a Pink Noise test with the Sennheiser against the Sony WF-1000XM6 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2, and while they’re not far off, the Sony and Bose are slightly quieter.
Compared to the Momentum True Wireless 4 and it does suppress more noise but the difference isn’t huge, though the newer pair is more effective. These Sennheisers are very strong, they’re just a little short of being class-leading.
The Transparency mode is excellent – clear, detailed and best of all, natural-sounding too. Again, this level of performance is up there with the best.
Where it disappoints the most is with its call performance. Despite Sennheiser claiming improvements, it didn’t seem to be any better than the previous gen. In loud areas the person on the other end couldn’t make out what I was saying, complaining that my voice become almost unintelligible and that only a few words were audible (I could hear them fine).
While the earbuds pick up your voice, they don’t isolate it as well from the background noise. A second attempt was even worse – the other person could barely hear me. They’re not as good as the Sony WF-1000XM6 or even the excellent Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max.
- Smooth, detailed sound
- Spacious midrange
- Balanced bass
Sennheiser has always been great for sound, and the Momentum True Wireless 5 are no different, but are they the best?
Judged on their own, they bring a welcome sense of balance to music. Bass is weighty, the midrange is smooth and detailed with clear highs at the top end. Would I call these earbuds neutral? In a way, yes, in terms of their balanced approach; in another way, not so much, because they sound a warmer and richer than their rivals.
Sennheiser continues with its 7mm TrueResponse driver, and it delivers great results from vocals and instruments, of which sound very natural and expressive – what separates the Sennheiser from most of the pack is its deft sense of detail and subtlety.
I don’t think it’s that different from the Momentum True Wireless 4. Highs seem a smidge more detailed – I actually hear less bass with the newer pair – and something is interesting going on with the midrange that had me thinking whether it was deliberate or something amiss with the earbuds but it’s more spacious and features more depth, especially with vocals.
I don’t find the Sennheisers to sound too bright or crisp in the treble, while the bass in GoGo Penguin’s Erased by Sunlight takes a measured approach. It’s smooth, natural and elegant-sounding true wireless.
If you’re after big bass the Momentum True Wireless 5 offer nice weight and power but balance seems to be key rather than a rich bassline thump. It’s not the most powerful but regardless, I like the balance it goes for. Bass boost offers a slight helping of more bass without affecting the overall tone.
But compared to the Sony WF-1000XM6, and there’s a few areas where I think the Sennheisers aren’t quite a match. For one, they seem a little softer with midrange detail, the Sony is more defined though both offer a clear, subtle quality in capturing the tone of singers’ voices.
Both have a great sense of timing and rhythm but the Sony offers a little more punch, energy and dynamism. Treble sounds clearer and a pinch more detailed, while the bass is pretty similar across the divide.
The performances of the two are similar but I think the detail-rich performance of the Sony edges the slightly smooth and soft sound of the Sennheiser.
Should you buy it?
If you want your earbuds to last for a long time
Replaceable battery elements in both the earbuds and charging case ensures that you can enjoy these headphones for a very long time.
They’re pipped by the class-leaders
Sony and Bose still rule the roost for ANC, though the Sennheiser is very close. Sony also remains the best pick for sound.
Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 5 are its best wireless earbuds yet. I wouldn’t say they’re a improvement on the pretty great Momentum True Wireless 4.
There are some differences between the two, some small and some ways in which the previous generation might be better, but add them all up and the Momentum True Wireless 5 wins out.
The noise cancellation is excellent, the wireless performance is brilliant, the battery life hits the stated goals; the design potentially offers more comfort and sustainability is improved with the replaceable batteries. The new model also edges it for sound, and the implementation of spatial audio works really well.
For me, they are still slightly behind Sony and Bose when it comes to noise cancellation but only slightly. And the same is true with sound against the Sony. Where they still have issues is with call quality, which despite Sennheiser claims, is still a weakness.
This is the same brilliance we’ve come to expect from Sennheiser. A very strong pair of wireless earbuds that earns a five-star rating.
The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 were tested over the course of a month in real world environments, and compared against price rivals.
A battery was carried out over several hours, while call quality was assessed outdoors.
- Tested for a month
- Tested with real world use
- Battery drain carried out
| Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 Review | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Sennheiser |
| IP rating | IP54 |
| Battery Hours | 6 |
| Wireless charging | Yes |
| Fast Charging | Yes |
| Weight | 62 G |
| Release Date | 2026 |
| Audio Resolution | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, aptX Lossless |
| Driver (s) | 7mm TrueResponse dynamic |
| Noise Cancellation? | Yes |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 6 with multi-point |
| Colours | Cream, Graphite, Copper, Denim, Lavender |
| Frequency Range | 5 21000 – Hz |
| Headphone Type | True Wireless |
| UK RRP | £249 |
| USA RRP | $299 |
| EU RRP | €299 |
| CA RRP | CA$479 |