Sennheiser Momentum 5 Review: Brings together the features that matter most

I reviewed the Sennheiser Momentum 4 a few years ago, and it left me with very little to complain about. It had the sound, comfort, ANC and battery life to make a strong case as an everyday pair of premium wireless headphones. That also makes the new Momentum 5 more interesting to review. It is not stepping into an empty space; it is following the headphones that already got most things right.

Priced at ₹39,990, the Momentum 5 has a bigger challenge than simply being a newer model. Sennheiser is promising its strongest ANC yet, more sensitive microphones and a more immersive listening experience with Dolby Atmos spatial audio. On paper, these are meaningful upgrades. But after spending time with it, the real question is simpler: does the Sennheiser Momentum 5 actually improve the experience enough to justify moving on from the Momentum 4?

Design

At first glance, the Momentum 5 does not look dramatically different from its predecessor. Sennheiser has stayed with the familiar minimalist design, but there are subtle changes that make the new headphones feel more refined. My review unit came in the Blue Denim finish, which gives the headphones a sleek and understated look. The Sennheiser branding on the band adds to that premium appeal without making the design feel flashy.

The biggest difference becomes noticeable when you wear them. The Momentum 5 feels light and sits snugly around the head. The earcups provide enough cushioning to make longer listening sessions comfortable. I used them during my daily commute and at the gym, and the lightweight construction never became a distraction. The earcups are also slightly larger than before, which helps with comfort. At around 290 grams, they remain easy to carry and wear for extended periods.

The headphones fold flat, making them easier to pack into a bag. The case is also smaller than the one supplied with the Momentum 4 and HDB 630. Sennheiser has managed to make the overall package more travel-friendly without cutting down on the essentials. The box is smaller too, while still including the travel case, charging cable and audio cable. The exchangeable 700 mAh battery is another practical touch, giving the Momentum 5 a longer usable life.

Controls

The Momentum 5 retains the touch-based approach that worked well on the Momentum 4. You can swipe to adjust the volume, skip tracks and manage playback. You can also use the controls to answer calls without reaching for your phone.

The touch controls make the headphones practical during a commute or workout. On-head detection can pause playback when you remove the headphones, and resume it when you put them back on. You can also manage several functions through the app. These are small touches, but they matter more in everyday use than adding another complicated feature that you rarely use.

Connectivity and App

Connectivity is straightforward. The Momentum 5 supports Bluetooth 5.4 along with SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive and aptX Lossless. Snapdragon Sound is supported. There is a 3.5mm audio connection and USB-C support for wired listening. This makes the Momentum 5 flexible enough for a phone, laptop or in-flight entertainment system.

The Sennheiser Smart Control Plus app is an important part of the experience. You get EQ adjustments, sound personalisation, adaptive ANC and spatial audio controls. The EQ is useful because you can shape the sound depending on what you are listening to. It is not as precise as the parametric EQ offered by the HDB 630, which remains the more serious option for audiophiles who want detailed control. The Momentum 5, however, strikes a better balance between customisation and simplicity.

Sound Quality

Sennheiser has done a fine job with the Momentum 5's sound. It retains the familiar Momentum character but makes the presentation feel a little more dynamic. The bass has more weight than the Momentum 4, yet it remains controlled. It does not overpower the mids or turn the headphones into a bass-heavy pair.

The mids remain one of the strongest parts of the experience. Vocals sound natural and detailed, while instruments maintain good separation. The treble adds enough brightness to keep the presentation open. Together, these elements make the Momentum 5 versatile. It works just as well with music during a commute as it does with movies, podcasts or during longer listening sessions. The 42mm transducers also deliver a wide and immersive soundstage.

ANC is another area where Momentum 5 makes a meaningful improvement. The four microphones on each side help it deal with external noise more effectively. I found it particularly useful in a crowded metro, where background conversations and general commuter noise can quickly become distracting. It does not completely erase the outside world, but it creates a noticeably quieter space around you.

You also get transparency and adaptive ANC modes. Transparency works well when you need to hear your surroundings, while adaptive ANC adjusts according to the environment. Dolby Atmos with head tracking adds another layer to supported content. It is particularly interesting for movies and shows, where the wider presentation can make the experience feel more immersive.

Compared with the HDB 630, however, the Momentum 5 is tuned more for everyday enjoyment. The HDB 630 offers a more neutral presentation and far deeper sound customisation. The Momentum 5 is the easier all-rounder. It gives you detail without asking you to constantly adjust the sound.

Call Quality

Call quality is good, as expected from a premium Sennheiser headphone. The four microphones on each side help improve voice pickup and noise reduction. During regular calls, voices remained clear, and the headphones handled background noise well. This makes the Momentum 5 reliable enough for calls during commutes or while working from a café.

Battery

Battery life remains one of the strongest reasons to consider the Momentum series. The Momentum 5 offers up to 57 hours of playback with ANC enabled. It also supports quick charging, with 10 minutes of charging providing up to seven hours of playback. A full charge takes around two hours.

I personally spent a week using the headphones during my commute and gym sessions before needing to charge them. That kind of endurance makes the Momentum 5 easy to live with. You do not have to think about charging them every night. The exchangeable battery also gives the headphones a practical advantage for long-term ownership.

Verdict

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 brings together the things that matter most in an everyday wireless headphone. It offers a comfortable and lightweight design, strong battery life, detailed sound, improved ANC, dependable calls and useful connectivity. The Dolby Atmos support adds another dimension, while the Smart Control Plus app gives you enough customisation without making the experience complicated.

For Momentum 4 owners, the upgrade is not revolutionary. The basic character remains familiar, just as the Momentum 4 itself remained a strong everyday headphone even after the later 80th Anniversary Edition. However, the Momentum 5 improves the areas that matter in daily use. The lighter design, stronger ANC, slightly more engaging sound, compact case and replaceable battery make it a valid upgrade from the Momentum 4. If you want one pair of headphones that can move from the metro to the gym, office and couch without demanding much from you, the Momentum 5 is a strong candidate for your audio arsenal.