Sennheiser’s Momentum True Wireless 5 tackles one of the biggest weaknesses of premium earbuds: batteries that eventually wear out but cannot easily be replaced.
Both earbuds and the charging case use batteries owners can swap themselves with a small screwdriver.
The earbuds cost $299.95 and begin shipping September 3. That matches the US launch price of the Momentum True Wireless 4, so Sennheiser is adding repairability without raising the starting price.
| Feature | Momentum True Wireless 5 |
|---|---|
| Price | $299.95 |
| Battery | 12 hours; 40 hours with case |
| Replacement | Earbuds and case; Phillips PH000 |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth 6.0; aptX Lossless |
| Durability | IP54 |
Replaceable batteries are the biggest change
According to Sennheiser, owners can open the earbuds and charging case with a standard Phillips PH000 screwdriver. The company identifies the replacement parts as the BA 501, sold as a pair of earbud batteries, and the BA 502 for the charging case.
That makes the Momentum True Wireless 5 unusual among premium true wireless earbuds. The approach also follows a broader push toward repairable hardware, where easier battery and component replacement can extend how long a device remains useful.
There are still two important unknowns. Sennheiser has not published replacement-battery pricing, and its support documentation says the BA 501 and BA 502 will initially be available in the EU and selected countries. Buyers elsewhere should confirm local parts availability before treating self-repair as a guaranteed long-term option.
Sennheiser says the earbuds are covered by its warranty program, but its current support material does not specifically explain whether replacing the batteries yourself changes that coverage.
Battery life, audio, and what else changes
Sennheiser rates the earbuds for up to 12 hours of playback on one charge and up to 40 hours using the Qi-enabled charging case. An eight-minute quick charge provides up to one additional hour, while a full charge takes about 1.5 hours.
The previous Momentum True Wireless 4 was rated for up to 7.5 hours per charge and 30 hours with its case. For context, the current AirPods Pro 3 and Galaxy Buds4 Pro are both priced around $249 and carry shorter manufacturer battery ratings with active noise cancellation enabled, although testing conditions differ between brands.
Audio hardware centers on Sennheiser’s 7mm TrueResponse dynamic driver, with support for high-resolution playback up to 24-bit/96kHz, aptX Lossless, and Dolby Atmos-optimized head tracking. The Smart Control Plus app adds an eight-band EQ and Sound Personalization.
Connectivity moves to Bluetooth 6.0, and Sennheiser says a selectable robust mode is designed to improve stability in crowded wireless environments. The earbuds also carry an IP54 rating for dust, sweat, and splashes.
Calls use four microphones per earbud, including a voice accelerometer, alongside AI-powered voice isolation. Sennheiser has also redesigned its adaptive noise cancellation, added automatic anti-wind adjustment, and changed the fit based on data gathered from thousands of ear models.
Other earbuds are taking different routes to stand out. Sony’s LinkBuds Clip prioritizes an open-ear design and long total battery life, while Sennheiser is betting that owners will value being able to keep the same hardware running after its original batteries degrade.
For buyers considering the Momentum True Wireless 5, the key question is less whether the batteries are replaceable and more how practical that repair will be. Sennheiser has confirmed the parts and the DIY process, but replacement pricing and wider regional availability will determine how useful the feature becomes over several years.
Also read: Plaud One uses AI earbuds and a 4G-connected case to record, summarize, and act on conversations without relying on a nearby smartphone.