By: Dipin Sehdev

Sennheiser is updating its flagship true wireless earbuds with the new MOMENTUM True Wireless 5, bringing a redesigned chassis, Bluetooth 6.0, improved active noise cancellation, Dolby Atmos-optimized head tracking and one particularly unusual feature for modern earbuds: user-replaceable batteries.

The MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 will begin shipping September 3, 2026, with an MSRP of $299.95.

The new earbuds replace the well-regarded MOMENTUM True Wireless 4, which currently holds an 87% CE Critic Score. Rather than simply refining that formula, Sennheiser has made some substantial changes for its fifth generation.

“We set out to bring the larger-than-life sound and connected technology of the MOMENTUM series into a remarkably compact format,” said Frank Foppe, Product Manager. “From its exquisite audio reproduction to the advanced hardware powering it all, MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 represents our most advanced integration of audio technology in an earbud.”

MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 Specs

Sennheiser Reworks Its Flagship Earbuds

The MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 retains Sennheiser's 7mm TrueResponse dynamic transducer, manufactured and tested at the company's Tullamore, Ireland facility. The bigger changes surround that driver.

Bluetooth has been upgraded to Bluetooth 6.0, with Snapdragon Sound, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless support. Compatible devices can deliver high-resolution wireless playback up to 24-bit/96kHz, while a low-latency mode is available for gaming.

Sennheiser has also redesigned its adaptive hybrid ANC system. Four microphones are dedicated to maximizing noise-cancelling performance, while the complete voice system combines six microphones with two bone-conduction voice accelerometers. An AI speech-extraction algorithm then attempts to separate the user's voice from noisy surroundings.

There's also an automatic anti-wind mode and what Sennheiser describes as its most natural transparency implementation yet.

Dolby Atmos Comes to MOMENTUM True Wireless

Another major addition is Dolby Atmos-optimized head tracking. The system can anchor spatial audio as the listener moves their head, creating a more speaker-like presentation when playing compatible Dolby Atmos material. Head tracking isn't restricted to Atmos content, either. Sennheiser says the feature can be used with other audio content, although the experience has specifically been optimized for Dolby Atmos sources. That could make the MTW5 particularly interesting for people who use their earbuds for movies and TV as much as music.

Replaceable Batteries Could Be the Biggest Upgrade

Perhaps the most interesting engineering decision isn't related to sound at all. Both the earbuds and charging case have user-replaceable batteries. Wireless earbuds inherently have a finite lifespan because their tiny lithium batteries gradually lose capacity. Sennheiser's solution allows owners to replace the cells using a small screwdriver rather than replacing an otherwise functional pair of $300 earbuds.

“Balancing compact size, our signature high-fidelity acoustics, and a replaceable battery is a major breakthrough,” said Lilika Beck, President of Sennheiser Consumer Hearing. “With MOMENTUM True Wireless 5, we are proving that cutting-edge performance does not have to sacrifice longevity.”

Battery life itself has also improved, reaching up to 12 hours from the earbuds and 40 hours total with the charging case. An eight-minute quick charge provides up to another hour of listening.

MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 vs. True Wireless 4

*Dependent on codec/source support.

Can Sennheiser Beat an 87% CE Critic Score?

The 87% CE Critic Score for the MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 gives the new model a relatively high bar to clear. But on paper, this is more than a routine generational update.

Sennheiser has kept the core TrueResponse acoustic platform while addressing areas outside pure sound quality. Longer battery life, better ANC, improved voice pickup, Bluetooth 6.0 and Dolby Atmos head tracking all broaden what the earbuds can do.

I'm particularly interested in the replaceable batteries. True wireless earbuds have become remarkably sophisticated, yet battery degradation can effectively turn premium models into disposable electronics after several years. Making both the earbud and case batteries replaceable could substantially extend the usable life of the MTW5.

Sennheiser has also redesigned the physical shape using data from thousands of ear models. According to the company, 73% of testers found the new fin-less design more comfortable than the previous generation.

The question now is whether all these improvements translate into a better listening experience. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 already scored an impressive 87%, so the fifth generation doesn't have an easy target.

At the same $299.95 launch price, however, Sennheiser is offering considerably more technology without raising MSRP. If the improvements to ANC, comfort and calls deliver—and Sennheiser maintains the sound quality that made the MTW4 successful—the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 could have a good shot at pushing that CE Critic Score even higher.

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 will begin shipping September 3, 2026, through Sennheiser and select retailers.