Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: A contender for best headphones of 2026

There’s been a flurry of headphone launches in recent months, with brands such as Apple and Sony adding impressive new models to their line-ups. Now the competition is heating up even further with Sennheiser unveiling its fully refreshed Momentum 5 Wireless headphones. These new cans have been a long time coming. The previous Momentum 4 launched back in 2022, meaning fans have waited four years for a major update. So, has it been worth the wait?

The short answer is yes.

The Momentum 5 sound superb. Pair them with a smartphone or music player, and you're immediately treated to rich detail, crystal-clear vocals and plenty of bass that delivers impact without overwhelming the mix.

If you love listening to music with a real thump, I’d say these are some of the best I’ve used in a very long time.

Sennheiser has packed in some impressive audio technology too. The Momentum 5 feature Hi-Res Audio certification alongside Snapdragon Sound with support for Bluetooth codecs up to aptX Lossless, helping deliver true CD-quality wireless audio, as long as you are using the right streaming service and have a compatible phone. iPhones can’t tap into aptX or Snapdragon Sound, so you’re better off with Android.

If you love listening to music with a real thump, I’d say these are some of the best I’ve used in a very long time.

Dynamic head tracking adds another layer of immersion, while active noise cancellation (ANC) does an excellent job of shutting out the outside world.

I've used them on the London Underground and in busy cafés, and the ANC consistently proved effective at eliminating distracting background noise.

As impressive as the sound quality is, battery life may be even more remarkable. The Momentum 5 offer a huge 55 hours of playback, comfortably beating much of the competition.

There's also a unique twist when it comes to longevity. Unlike most premium headphones, the Momentum 5 has a user-replaceable battery.

According to Sennheiser, owners can swap out the power cell in just a few minutes using a small Phillips-head screwdriver, helping keep the headphones in service for years rather than replacing them when battery performance eventually declines.

It's not something I've needed to test yet, but it's a genuinely welcome feature and one that should significantly extend the lifespan of these headphones over rivals.

Other highlights include responsive touch controls that make it easy to adjust volume, skip tracks and toggle ANC with simple gestures.

You can also answer or reject calls, end conversations and activate Dolby Atmos features without reaching for your phone.

I still prefer physical buttons, but Sennheiser's implementation is intuitive and reliable enough that I rarely found myself wishing for them.

The accompanying app is equally impressive, offering extensive customisation options. A full EQ allows users to fine-tune the sound to their preferences, while multipoint connectivity lets two devices stay connected simultaneously for seamless switching between phones, tablets and laptops.

There's even location tracking support to help find the headphones should they be left behind on a train.

Comfort is another area where the Momentum 5 perform well. Even during extended listening sessions, I experienced no discomfort or fatigue.

They also fold neatly away into a sturdy yet slim carry case, making them easy to slip into a bag when travelling. This case also includes a USB-C cable (something Sony left out of its £549 WH-1000X The ColleXion cans) and a 3.5mm audio wire.

There’s a lot to admire about the Momentum 5, but I do have one criticism.

My review sample arrived in white and, despite the premium £329 price tag, the design doesn't quite look as premium as it should.

Competitors such as the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 and Sonos Ace have a noticeably more premium appearance thanks to materials such as faux leather, metal accents and memory foam pads.

Oddly, the Momentum 5’s headband looks and feels high-end, but the ear cups and hinges could benefit from more premium materials, flashes of metal or stronger Sennheiser branding.

That design quibble aside, the Momentum 5 are easy to recommend.

They sound exceptional, deliver class-leading battery life, offer effective noise cancellation and introduce a genuinely useful replaceable battery system that sets them apart from rivals.

If you're already a fan of the brand, want powerful, detailed sound with bucket loads of bass and aren't overly concerned about having the most luxurious-looking headphones on the market, the Momentum 5 Wireless won't disappoint.

The Momentum 5 Wireless are available now in Black, White and Denim colourways, priced at £329.