Macworld

At a glance

Expert's Rating

Pros

  • Excellent sound quality
  • Firm bass
  • Competitive price
  • Improved noise-cancellation

Cons

  • 2.5mm line-in on headphones
  • More expensive than previous model
  • No travel adaptor

Our Verdict

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless combines excellent sound, firm bass, and improved noise cancellation with outstanding battery life. Its lightweight, padded design stays comfortable during long listening sessions, while USB-C and analog connections add flexibility. The AirPods Max still has an edge when blocking higher-frequency noise, but the Momentum 5 costs considerably less and lasts far longer between charges.

Price When Reviewed

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Best Prices Today: Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless

Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide

What are they? Comfortable wireless over-ear headphones with excellent sound, improved noise cancellation, and long battery life.

Who are they best for? Travelers and frequent listeners seeking great sound and longer battery life for less than AirPods Max.

Who should skip them? Bargain hunters who can save with the Momentum 4, or buyers prioritizing the strongest noise cancellation.

The Momentum 4 was already one of our favourite over-ear headphones, and the new Momentum 5 provides a number of improvements that help to improve both sound quality and noise-cancellation. This update is a little more expensive though, now costing $399.95/£329.99, although the Momentum 4 is still widely available online with a reduced price of around $299.00/£199.00 so that’s still a good option if you’re looking for a bargain.

Available in a variety of colours, the Momentum 5 looks very similar to its predecessor, with large earpieces that house 42mm drivers and are thickly padded for comfort. Despite the large earpieces, the headphone only weighs 290g – compared to 386g for Apple’s AirPods Max – so they’re light and comfortable enough to wear for long periods of time, and Sennheiser also includes a sturdy travelling case to protect the headphones when you’re out and about. Battery life is impressive too, lasting for around 57 hours even when using noise-cancellation – compared to just 20 hours for the AirPods Max – which makes the Momentum 5 a great option for long journeys. And, if the battery does run down then you can switch to wired mode, with both USB-C and 3.5mm cables included (although the 3.5mm cable has a 2.5mm jack for connecting to the headphones, which could cause problems if you lose the cable and need to buy a replacement).

Bluetooth support has been updated for this model, stepping up to Bluetooth 5.4 and aptX Lossless/Adaptive, along with AAC for Apple devices, and support for Dolby Atmos spatial audio. The Momentum 5 is also certified for hi-res audio, and provides an impressive frequency response of 6Hz – 40KHz when using Bluetooth or a USB-C connection, which results in excellent sound quality.

It digs really deep for the rumbling electronic bass effects on Max Richter’s Shadow Journal, while the spatial audio creates an atmospheric soundstage for the track’s hazy, ambient sounds. There’s clarity on the higher frequencies too, with the violins cutting through haze to add a sense of urgency to the piece. Switching to something heavier and harder, the Momentum 5 does a great job of balancing the sonic mash-up of Sing Along by Sturgill Simpson. The fuzzy guitar riffs have a head-banging power that drives the track forward, while the precise, ticking percussion is irresistibly catchy. The synths wail with dance-floor energy, and the bass drop toward the end has a real kick to it.

The noise-cancellation has been improved as well. The Momentum 5 can now match the AirPods Max when it comes to blocking out low-frequency sounds such as the rumble of an aircraft engine. It does a good job with higher frequency sounds too, although the AirPods Max still has an edge in that area. Mind you, the AirPods Max are around $200/£200 more expensive so the Momentum 5 is really good value for money, especially with that outstanding battery life for long journeys.

Should you buy the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless?

The Momentum 5 Wireless is a strong choice if you want excellent sound, effective noise cancellation, and enough battery life for long journeys. Its deep, firm bass brings energy to electronic music and rock, while clear higher frequencies keep instruments distinct. The lightweight design and generous padding also make it comfortable for extended listening.

For Apple users, AAC support, Dolby Atmos spatial audio, and USB-C audio provide useful flexibility. Noise cancellation matches the AirPods Max for low-frequency rumble, although Apple’s headphones retain an advantage with higher-frequency sounds. The Momentum 5 counters with a considerably lower price and around 57 hours of battery life with noise cancellation enabled.

At $399.95/£329.99, it offers a compelling balance of sound, comfort, and endurance. However, bargain hunters should consider the Momentum 4, available for around $299/£199. The improved sound and noise cancellation make the newer model appealing, but the older headphones remain a good budget option.