Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: Excellent sound and record battery life at a lower price
Sennheiser's new Momentum 5 headphones deliver excellent sound and up to 57 hours of battery life for $399.99, competing with pricier Sony and Apple models.
After several weeks of testing, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 headphones stand out in the crowded $300-$400 headphone market, priced at $399.99 — cheaper than the Sony WH-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Max 2, yet still competitive on features.
Sound and noise cancellation
The sound is described as balanced, with natural-sounding vocals and bass that's strong without overpowering the mix. Listeners can pick out subtle details, like background harmonies or guitar strings, that cheaper headphones often miss. The headphones support Dolby Atmos for a surround-sound listening experience. For this generation, Sennheiser doubled the microphone count to eight to improve active noise cancellation. The company claims the system is up to three times more effective at blocking voices and nearby chatter than the previous generation, though it still falls short of blocking out something like a plane engine entirely.
Battery life and comfort
Battery life is a standout feature, rated at up to 57 hours and holding up in real-world testing — roughly twice that of the Sony WH-1000XM6 and nearly three times that of the AirPods Max 2. A 10-minute charge provides up to seven hours of playback, while a full charge takes about two hours. Unlike its competitors, the Momentum 5 features a user-replaceable battery cell, letting owners swap it out once it degrades instead of buying new headphones. Comfort doesn't quite match premium Apple or Sony models, but that's a reasonable trade-off given the lower price. The thin carrying case was also noted as a practical plus for travel and smaller bags.
App features
The companion Smart Control Plus app offers an 8-band equalizer, adjustable noise cancellation levels, an anti-wind mode, and a "Sound Personalization" feature that creates a tailored sound profile based on a hearing test.
Overall, the Momentum 5 is considered a strong option at its price point, with minor downsides — it's heavier than the Sony model and less comfortable than some rivals.
