Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 Review: Repairable Batteries, High-Detail Sound

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 makes a rare change to the premium earbud formula: when its batteries wear down, owners can replace them. That applies to the cells in both earbuds and the charging case, giving this $299.95 pair a longer potential lifespan than the sealed designs that dominate the category. The trade-off is a high upfront price, plus noise cancellation and fit that won’t suit everyone.

Replaceable batteries aren’t the only reason to consider these buds. Their 7mm TrueResponse drivers deliver a spacious, detailed presentation, and the Smart Control Plus app offers meaningful sound adjustments. Battery life reaches up to 12 hours with ANC off, or up to 40 hours with the case, according to the listed specifications. Sennheiser has also made the case slimmer than earlier versions and added Bluetooth 6.0, multipoint and aptX Lossless support.

That mix makes the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 an appealing daily pair for listeners who care about sound and expect to keep their devices for years. But the stock tuning can be bright, the snug fit may make footsteps thump during a run, and ANC doesn’t match the strongest Bose and Sony models at cutting through office chatter. These aren’t an obvious pick for gym-first buyers or anyone seeking the quietest possible commute.

At a glance

The reviewed model is the Graphite MOMENTUM True Wireless 5. Sennheiser lists Graphite, Cream, Copper, Denim and Lavender finishes, each with a metallic look. The U.S. MSRP is $299.95, the same as the predecessor, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4. The buds use a stemless, in-ear design and weigh 7 grams apiece; the case weighs 55 grams, for a combined weight of 62 grams.

Each earbud uses a 7mm TrueResponse dynamic driver, with a stated frequency range of 5Hz to 21kHz. Supported codecs include SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Adaptive/Lossless. With a compatible source, aptX Lossless can support audio up to 24-bit/96kHz. The full benefit depends on the source device and audio being played, so the high-resolution capability won’t make every stream sound different.

Other listed features include hybrid adaptive ANC, automatic anti-wind mode, Dolby Atmos with head tracking, Google Fast Pair and Bluetooth multipoint. Each earbud has four microphones, including a bone-conduction microphone. The earbuds carry an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance; the case has no stated weather-resistance rating.

Battery replacement changes the ownership equation

Battery wear has long been the practical limit on true wireless earbuds. When tiny sealed cells lose capacity, replacing the entire product can feel like the only realistic option. Sennheiser addresses that weak point with user-replaceable lithium-ion batteries in both the earpieces and case. The listed capacities are 72mAh per earbud and 760mAh for the case, and the box includes a battery replacement tool.

The repair approach is the clearest distinction between these earbuds and the familiar premium alternatives. It doesn’t make the product inexpensive: $299.95 remains a significant purchase. But the ability to change the cells could make that initial cost easier to justify for someone who listens daily and plans to hold on to the buds after their original batteries fade.

The replaceable design sits alongside a more conventional set of charging options. The case supports USB-C and Qi wireless charging, with a full charge listed at about 1.5 hours. Sennheiser says an eight-minute top-up provides about an hour of playback. The USB-C connection supports up to 5W and does not use Power Delivery.

Rated listening time is up to six hours with ANC enabled, rising to 12 hours with ANC off. With the case, the listed total reaches 40 hours. Those are stated figures, not a promise for every listening session: louder playback, ANC and demanding codecs such as aptX Lossless can shorten a charge. The review estimates that using high-volume, high-bitrate audio with adaptive ANC may bring a session closer to five hours.

That’s still a useful amount of everyday endurance, and the option to recharge on a Qi pad makes topping up easy. The larger point is that battery performance and battery replacement work together here. A long-running case helps between charges; replaceable cells could help keep the whole system useful over a longer period.

A slimmer case, familiar earbud shape

Sennheiser keeps the recognizable circular metallic touch panels and etched branding, while reshaping the inner contours of the earbuds. The silicone tips are available in XS, S, M and L, and the revised contact points aim to reduce pressure during extended listening. The changes help, though the earbuds remain fairly large and can protrude from ears with a flatter shape.

The charging case is narrower and shallower than the older design, with rounded edges that make it easier to carry in a pants pocket. That change is practical: a case travels with the buds every day, so reducing its bulk matters beyond the product’s first impression. The finish can collect fingerprints and dust, however, especially if the case is carried loose with other items.

The earbuds are rated IP54, which covers dust and splashes. That makes them suitable for sweaty workouts or a walk in light rain, but the rating applies to the earpieces rather than the case. The overall design combines serviceable batteries with a gasketed seam and weather protection, although a user replacing a battery will still need to follow the intended repair process carefully.

Pairing and controls

Google Fast Pair makes setup quick on supported Android devices, while multipoint lets the earbuds connect to two devices and shift audio between a phone and laptop without requiring a fresh pairing each time. Bluetooth 6.0 is part of the spec sheet, and Sennheiser includes an RF robust mode intended to help maintain a connection in busy places such as train stations and airports.

The circular touch panels support single, double and triple taps for common playback and listening controls. Press-and-hold gestures can adjust volume, and the earbuds provide a tone when an input registers. Smart Control Plus lets listeners remap gestures on each side or switch touch controls off. That flexibility is useful if the panels trigger by accident while adjusting the earbuds or wiping away sweat.

Touch controls aren’t flawless in wet conditions. The review found triple taps less dependable with damp fingers, and contact while adjusting a hat or the fit can register an unwanted command. Turning the controls off is a straightforward workaround, though it means relying on the phone or another connected device for playback adjustments.

App controls go beyond basic EQ

The Smart Control Plus app gives the earbuds more tuning options than the three-band sliders of earlier versions. Its manual equalizer has eight bands and supports adjustments in 0.1dB increments, allowing listeners to soften the brighter treble or add warmth to the low end with more precision. For anyone who’d rather not shape an EQ curve, Sound Personalization uses guided listening prompts to create a profile tailored to the user.

The app also provides controls for ANC, transparency and wind reduction. Other options include a fit test, automatic Smart Pause, gesture customization and Sound Zones, which can switch ANC and EQ settings when the user enters a configured location such as a home office or gym. These tools give the earbuds room to adapt to different routines instead of locking listeners into one preset.

There are small software irritations. The app can take several seconds to reconnect to the earbuds even while audio is playing, and syncing custom sound profiles across devices requires setting up an account. Neither issue changes the sound, but both add friction to controls that should be ready when needed.

Detailed sound, with some treble bite

The strongest case for the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 is the way it handles music. The 7mm drivers create a broad, airy presentation, with instruments separated clearly in dense mixes. Bass has weight and texture, particularly in electronic and rock tracks, but doesn’t swamp the middle frequencies. Vocals stay centered and natural, which also makes podcasts and dialogue easy to follow.

On compatible devices and sources, aptX Lossless and other high-bitrate options can bring out fine details such as guitar string noise, fading cymbals and room ambience. The earbuds don’t depend on those formats to sound engaging, but listeners with suitable equipment have more ways to make use of the hardware. Dolby Atmos with head tracking is also listed as a supported feature.

The default tuning has a brighter edge. On some sharply mastered pop tracks, vocals can sound sibilant, and brass can feel a little hot. The eight-band EQ gives listeners a direct way to adjust the upper frequencies. That’s a manageable flaw for anyone willing to spend a few minutes tuning, but buyers who prefer a warmer signature straight from the case may find the stock sound less comfortable.

ANC and fit have real limits

Hybrid adaptive ANC is improved at reducing low, steady sounds such as train rumble and air-conditioning. The anti-wind mode also helps during outdoor walks by reducing buffeting. Transparency mode brings in traffic and nearby conversation without a prominent layer of hiss, making it useful when the listener needs to hear what’s happening around them.

Still, ANC doesn’t lead the field. Irregular sounds, especially office conversation, remain more noticeable than they do through Bose and Sony flagship earbuds. Buyers who prioritize a particularly quiet cabin for work or travel may prefer those rivals. Sennheiser’s strengths lie more in sound quality and repairability than in creating the strongest wall of silence.

The snug seal has another downside during movement. Footsteps and jaw motion can travel through the earbuds and sound like a thump inside the ear canal, a familiar occlusion effect that can be distracting on a brisk run. There’s no stabilizing fin, either, and the review identifies gym stability as a weak spot for some users. These are better suited to commuting and everyday listening than to workouts where a locked-in fit is the priority.

What comes in the box

The package includes a pair of MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 earbuds, the charging case, a USB-C cable, four sizes of ear tips, a battery replacement tool and documentation. The tool is a small but telling inclusion: replaceable cells are part of the product’s intended ownership experience, not just a detail buried in the specifications.

Who should buy them?

At $299.95, the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 sits among premium options such as the Sony WF-1000XM5, Bose QuietComfort Ultra and AirPods Pro. The source review says competing models offer stronger ANC or closer integration with their respective ecosystems. Sennheiser’s pitch is different: detailed sound, aptX Lossless, extensive EQ and batteries that owners can replace.

That combination makes the price easier to defend for listeners who will use the buds often, appreciate a more revealing sound and want a repairable product. Long-term value depends on actually keeping them long enough to benefit from new batteries, and the purchase still asks for a substantial sum up front. Earlier generations and capable midrange models may cost less, while listeners who mainly use lossy streams may not get much from high-bitrate support.

These are also a less natural fit for runners who are sensitive to footstep thumps, or commuters who judge earbuds primarily by how completely ANC quiets a noisy room. The sound can be adjusted, but the physical seal and noise reduction won’t suit every ear or setting. For buyers who value music detail and everyday comfort more than class-leading isolation, the trade-off is more appealing.

The MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 earns its appeal through a combination that remains unusual in wireless audio: high-detail sound and user-replaceable batteries. Its slimmer case, multipoint, Qi charging and capable app make it a strong everyday package, while bright default tuning, mediocre performance against office chatter and movement noise in the ear are meaningful caveats. If the goal is to keep a premium pair working for years, Sennheiser has made a compelling case for looking beyond the first charge.