The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are the brand's flagship 2026 wireless in-ears, following on from the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4. This iteration brings a design overhaul, with an ergonomic refresh and new color variants, as well as a redesigned case. Sennheiser also advertises improved ANC performance, along with Dolby Atmos audio. One notable new addition comes in the form of replaceable batteries for the buds and case, which has the potential to extend their life cycle even if the battery wears out.
Our Verdict
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are great for sports and fitness. Despite doing away with the stability fins of the last generation, the buds' redesigned body anchors itself well within your outer ear for a highly stable and very comfortable fit. The buds are IP54-rated for resilience against sudden rain showers and sweat, so there's no need to baby them when out on a run. Plus, the ANC system offers both adaptive noise cancellation and transparency modes, meaning you can block out the sound of huffing weightlifters at the gym or stay aware of your surroundings while on a jog around the block.
Very comfortable fit.
Great stability for workouts.
No Bluetooth LE codec support.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are impressive travel earbuds. They offer a very comfortable and stable fit, so you can let them soundtrack long-haul flights or long car journeys without worrying about much pain or discomfort. Their continuous battery life clocks in at six and a half hours with ANC enabled, which should get you through most of a trans-Atlantic flight without needing a recharge, though you might need to pop them back in their case for longer voyages.
ANC system attenuates external noise across the frequency spectrum.
Very comfortable fit.
8-band graphic EQ in companion app.
No Bluetooth LE codec support.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are impressive for office work. They offer a very comfortable, stable fit that doesn't apply much pressure to your ear, even through long productivity sprints. Their adaptive ANC system does a fantastic job of blocking out everything from water cooler talk to stomping footsteps from the floor above, though it's not quite on par with the very best ANC-equipped earbuds. The built-in mic isn't quite on par with boom mic-equipped headsets, but it renders your speech intelligible enough for online meetings, even if it can sound a little boxy. It does a good job separating your voice from moderately busy environments, too, so you're still understandable while taking a call in a bustling bullpen-style office.
ANC system attenuates external noise across the frequency spectrum.
Very comfortable fit.
No Bluetooth LE codec support.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 aren't suitable for wireless gaming. Even with the AptX adaptive codec at low latency, latency is still too high for most gaming, except for turn-based titles and some RPGs.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 can't be used with a wired connection, so they're not suitable for this use case.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are very good for audio reproduction accuracy. Their frequency response generally follows their warm sound profile, with just a few peaks in the treble range that don't influence their already-recessed high-end. Our unit's L/R drivers were exceptionally well-matched, too, making for a balanced stereo field, with no discernible holes. If you're not a fan of the default tuning, there's an 8-band EQ available in the app that you can use to shape the sound.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are fantastic for noise isolation. Through a combination of high-frequency attenuation from their in-ear seal and low-frequency attenuation from the ANC system, they're able to tamp down on everything from roaring jet engines to screeching car tires. The ANC system is adaptive, so its intensity will vary according to your environment, though there's also a transparency mode available with adjustable intensities in case you prefer to stay aware of your surroundings. These buds leak very little audio too, so there's no need to worry about blasting your tunes in public spaces, as very little audio makes it out.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 have a reasonable microphone performance. The built-in mic is capable of rendering your voice in an easily understandable way, though your voice can sound a little boxy, especially if you have a deep voice. It does a good job of separating your voice from moderately busy backgrounds, too, like busy cafes and hotel lobbies. That said, speech clarity gets totally lost in the face of sudden, loud noises, like a passing train.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 have amazing frequency response consistency. As long as you pick out the right pair of ear tips and adjust the fit for a secure seal within your ear canal, you'll be rewarded with consistent audio delivery between listening sessions.
Performance Usages
Check Price
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 earbuds come in a few color variants, including our unit's 'Copper' colorway, as well as 'Graphite', 'Cream', 'Denim', and 'Lavender'. If you encounter another variant of these headphones, please let us know in the comments, and we'll update our review.
Popular Headphone Comparisons
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are premium, flagship buds from the veteran audio brand. Compared to the last generation Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, they bring some significant upgrades. The ANC system has been retooled and improved, Dolby Atmos compatibility has been introduced, the in-app EQ has been expanded to eight bands, and there's been an ergonomic overhaul: this generation sheds the stability fins and opts for a different body design that provides a more comfortable, stable fit overall. Still, while the ANC system does a fantastic job of blocking out external noise from across the frequency spectrum, it falls short of the stellar noise cancelling offered by the Sony WF-1000XM6. The Sony also offer a longer battery life and LDAC support, but their design won't be as comfortable for most people. Those already within the iOS ecosystem will naturally look to the Apple AirPods Pro 3, which offer a superior ANC performance to the Sennheisers. The Apple have a similar default sound profile but lack the Sennheisers' excellent build quality, plus most of their best features are only accessible if you own a compatible iOS device. It's worth noting that none of the Sennheiser's flagship competitors have yet to implement replaceable batteries in their designs.
For more choices, check out the best noise cancelling earbuds, the best wireless Bluetooth earbuds, and the best-sounding wireless earbuds.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 and the Apple AirPods Pro 3 are both flagship wireless earbuds from prominent headphone manufacturers. Choosing between them will largely depend on the other devices you own, as many of Apple's desirable features are only accessible via a compatible iOS device. These include the EQ function, as well as better mic performance and seamless Bluetooth multi-device switching. The Apples have a better ANC performance overall, as well as a longer continuous battery life. Both buds are very comfortable and stable, though, making them great choices for workouts and commutes alike, though the Sennheisers' replaceable batteries and top-tier build quality set them apart. The Sennheisers also offer a more customizable experience, with an 8-band EQ available through the companion app, as well as Dolby Atmos audio compatibility.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are the next generation of the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, and, for the most part, they're worth the upgrade. The new model has undergone an ergonomic redesign: they're more comfortable than their predecessor and more stable too, despite the lack of stability fins. The ANC system has been improved as well, cutting out more bass-range noise. When it comes to the sound, while the default frequency response hasn't drastically changed, the new model brings an expanded 8-band EQ and Dolby Atmos audio. Still, there are trade-offs: the newer model lacks its predecessor's Bluetooth LC3 compatibility, and the continuous battery life with ANC enabled has decreased from 7.5 hours to 6.5 hours.
The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 and the Sony WF-1000XM6 offer a similarly premium performance, though there are slight differences between them that can dictate a buying decision. If you value build quality and durability, the Sennheisers are a better bet. They're more sturdily built and feature user-replaceable batteries. They also boast a fit that'll be more comfortable and stable for most people, making them a solid choice for workouts. There are subtle differences in the tuning too, as the Sony boost the bass range slightly more, with a more prominent treble response, for a more excited sound overall. The Sony's longer battery life and superior ANC make them a better fit for commuting, plus they support the LDAC codec for high-resolution streaming.
The Technics EAH-AZ100 and the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are both high-end, ANC-equipped earbuds with different strengths. Both buds offer a stable fit, with comparable noise isolation performances. However, the Sennheiser are more comfortable, with slightly better build quality. Their mic performs better, and they come with Dolby Atmos audio compatibility. The Technics are a better choice for long journeys and workdays, thanks to their long, 12-hour battery life, though the batteries aren't user-replaceable like with the Sennheiser. The Technics also come out on top when it comes to connectivity: they boast LDAC support for high-resolution streaming, as well as three-way Bluetooth multipoint.
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
Test Results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
for pictures & test results
