Sennheiser Momentum 5 Review: 57-Hour Battery and Balanced Sound for $399.99

Summary

Reviewed September 27, 2026, Sennheiser’s $399.99 Momentum 5 enters the crowded $300 to $400 premium headphone market below the pricier Sony WH-1000XM6 and Apple AirPods Max 2. It delivers balanced sound with natural vocals, controlled bass and fine musical detail, while Dolby Atmos creates more enveloping music and movie audio. Eight microphones, double the previous generation’s count, strengthen active noise cancellation against voices and nearby chatter. Sennheiser claims up to three times better blocking of those sounds, although plane engines remain audible. ANC works without the uncomfortable pressure some rivals create.

Battery life reaches the rated 57 hours in testing, roughly twice the Sony WH-1000XM6 and nearly three times the AirPods Max 2. Ten minutes of charging supplies up to seven hours, while a full charge takes about two hours. The user-replaceable battery can be swapped after degradation, and the unusually slim case fits medium-sized purses while conserving luggage space. Smart Control Plus provides an 8-band EQ, presets, adjustable ANC, anti-wind mode and Sound Personalization based on a listening test, all through a straightforward interface. Compromises include greater weight than the Sony WH-1000XM6, less comfort than some Sony and Apple models, and materials that feel less premium, but sound, endurance and price remain competitive.