Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless in Digit Test Labs: Familiar, yet more repairable flagship headphones

Sennheiser has launched its flagship wireless headphones for 2026, the Momentum 5 Wireless, in India at Rs 39,990. The new model builds on the Momentum 4 with changes to the design, microphones, audio hardware, connectivity, and, perhaps most importantly, battery replaceability. Sennheiser has added a user-replaceable battery that could make the headphones easier to keep for longer. Truly speaking, that was the highlight for me at the Momentum 5 launch event.

But as is the case, the company presentation and pitch emphasised several of the Momentum 5 audio aspects, including a new 42mm dynamic driver made at Sennheiser’s acoustic facility in Tullamore, Ireland. The company says the driver takes inspiration from its HD 600 series and is tuned for tighter and more controlled sound. There is also an eight-microphone array, up from the previous generation, which Sennheiser says improves active noise cancellation and voice capture. I have spent some time with the headphones, but not enough for the full review. So, here are my first impressions.

Design and repairability

The first thing I wanted to know is whether the new Sennheiser headphones come in the signature monochrome shade. Well, they do and they are also available in a few other interesting colours. We got the blue denim one, and it looks fine. It even has a fabric finish. The case also shares the same finish and colour. Both the inner case and the undersides of the headphone headband and earcushions have a cream colour. The same creamy colour is present on the bundled 2.5mm wire and USB-C cable.

The new model retains the flat-pivoting, non-folding hinge mechanism, but the overall footprint of the chassis is compact for travel. The case also has this compactness to it, and Sennheiser says it is 20% slimmer than the predecessor. The case closes with a zip, and you can carry or hang it with the attached carry loop.

The headphones aren’t that heavy at 290 grams. For context, the Momentum 5 is lighter than the 384-gram AirPods Max and 320-gram Sony The Collexion. It is largely polycarbonate construction with faux-leather ear pads. They are plump and offer decent passive isolation while wearing the headphones and sit closely around the ears, which should also help with passive isolation.

There is no IP rating for dust or water resistance, so these are still headphones I would keep away from rain and the beach. By the way, neither the Sony The Collexion nor the AirPods Max have ingress protection claims.

The biggest design change, however, is that Sennheiser has made the battery user-replaceable.

The left ear pad can be removed to access the battery compartment. Four Phillips-head screws hold the assembly in place, after which the 700mAh battery can be accessed and replaced. This is a notable approach for a premium pair of wireless headphones, where battery degradation can eventually become one of the main reasons to replace the entire product.

For users who intend to keep their headphones for several years, this could matter more than a minor improvement in sound or ANC. While a replaceable battery does not make the headphones maintenance-free, it could considerably extend their useful life.

Also Read: Sony LinkBuds Clip review: Premium, good-sounding open-ear earbuds

Controls and connectivity

The control layout remains fairly conventional. The right earcup houses the USB-C port, 2.5mm headphone jack, power cum pairing button, along with the capacitive touch controls. Playback, volume, and track navigation can be handled through taps and swipes. I especially appreciate the pinch-in and pinch-out-based gesture on the right earcup to switch between ANC and transparency modes. Intuitive!

In the limited time I used them, I didn’t find any trouble pairing or staying connected with the device. I used it with my MacBook Air and Nothing Phone 4a. With the laptop, I did try both USB-C audio and the 2.5mm-to-3.5mm analogue cable for playback. Both worked. And by the way, Sennheiser says the headphones can decode close-to-lossless files at up to 24-bit/96kHz through the type-C connection.

Furthermore, during the launch event, the company did mention that with the Sennheiser BTD 700 dongle, the Momentum 5 can use aptX Lossless or aptX Adaptive and offer a low-latency mode, which can appeal to gamers and video watchers. The Momentum 5 works through Bluetooth 5.4 and supports aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive, aptX HD, AAC, and SBC.

Spatial audio is another part of the package, with Dolby Atmos support and head tracking using built-in gyroscopic sensors.

You can control this and other features and options in Sennheiser’s Smart Control Plus app. It has everything you’d expect, like EQ settings, ANC and transparency controls, playback options, etc.

Since I am yet to test the audio and noise cancellation, I haven’t played around with many of these options. But from what I have heard so far, I don’t have any complaints about the Momentum 5.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 first impressions

Momentum series is popular for its sound and overall offering. Sennheiser doesn’t have to reinvent the formula. Rather, it has to refine, and there are claims of doing that. And I am eager to listen more and deeply to understand how much of a refinement the Momentum 5 is.

I will be testing the upgraded noise cancellation, call quality, and niche use cases like Spatial Audio. One thing I won’t be able to test within the review period, but I am most excited about, is — no drum rolls required — the user-replaceability of the battery. But hey, I’ll tell you how long the battery lasts between charges.

So the Momentum 5 feels like a flagship-grade product, and while the replaceable battery could be its big head-turning feature, buyers will also want to know about sound, ANC, and comfort in everyday use. So, there is plenty to test, and I am all the more excited considering how promising things look on paper. If you are also excited and want to know more before deciding whether to buy it, stay tuned for our review soon.

Also, the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5, which is the brand’s all-new flagship pair of TWS earbuds, came to us a little later, and you can expect its review to coincide with the headphones.

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