Sony's last flagship
Sony WF-1000XM5
- 8 hours with noise cancelling
- Small, discreet buds
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Catch: Fit can feel less secure
About a third cheaper
Cheaper alternatives to the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5
Two cheaper flagship pairs and one budget pick that keeps hi-res sound.
Updated 5 November 2026
Comfiest fit
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
- Very comfortable, secure fit
- Survives a dunk (IP57)
What buyers love: how it sounds.
Catch: Only 6 hours with ANC
About a third cheaper
Budget hi-res
EarFun Air Pro 4
- LDAC plus aptX Adaptive
- Up to 7.5 hours with ANC
The original
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5
Worth it if: Sound quality is your priority
- Rich, natural sound
- Strong but natural noise cancelling
What are you actually paying extra for with the Momentum TW 5?
What the extra money buys
- Rich, natural sound
- Strong but natural noise cancelling
- Replaceable batteries
- Sweat and dust proof (IP54)
Worth it if
- Sound quality is your priority
- You want buds that last for years
- You dislike pressure-like noise cancelling
Not worth it if
- You want all-day battery with ANC on
- You want small, light buds
Good to know
Why each one made the list, and our final recommendation.
Sony WF-1000XM5
Sony's previous flagship lasts longer than the Sennheiser with noise cancelling on and its buds are smaller. What Hi-Fi praised the balanced, controlled sound and clear calls in wind. HIFI.DE found it blocks even high-pitched noise, though the foam tips need a twist to seal.
Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro
Samsung's flagship is the comfort pick here: Expert Reviews found it slipped in easily and stayed put, with sound and quiet close to Sony's best. What Hi-Fi liked its clear, agile sound but noted you need a recent Galaxy phone for hi-res audio and the full app.
EarFun Air Pro 4
The Air Pro 4 costs about a third of the Sennheiser and still brings hi-res Bluetooth to Android. Android Central praised its comfort and balanced, lively tuning. PC Gamer found it kept wind and engine hum down but let sudden sounds through, and the mic is poor.
Final recommendation: The Sony WF-1000XM5 is the natural swap if you want flagship sound and longer battery for less. Galaxy phone owners will find the Galaxy Buds4 Pro the comfiest pick. The EarFun Air Pro 4 keeps hi-res codecs for a third of the price. Buy the Momentum True Wireless 5 for the richest sound and batteries you can swap out later.
Side by side
Specs from each maker. Price levels come from shop prices we checked recently; tap through for today's price.
| Model | | | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price level | Affordable | Affordable | Affordable | Budget |
| Battery per charge, noise cancelling on (claimed) | Up to 12 hours (ANC off) | Up to 8 hours | Up to 6 hours | Up to 7.5 hours |
| With the case, noise cancelling on (claimed) | Up to 40 hours | Up to 24 hours | Up to 26 hours | Up to 35 hours |
| Weight per bud | 7 g | 5.9 g | 5.1 g | – |
| Fit | Sealed, silicone tips (4 sizes) | Sealed, foam tips | Sealed, silicone tips | Sealed, silicone tips |
| Water resistance | IP54 | IPX4 | IP57 | IPX5 |
| Bluetooth codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX Lossless | SBC, AAC, LDAC | SBC, AAC, Samsung SSC | SBC, AAC, aptX Adaptive, LDAC, LC3 |
| Shop | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ | Check price on Amazon ↗ |
Questions people ask
Why do the Momentum True Wireless 5 have replaceable batteries?
Earbud batteries wear out after a few years of daily use. Sennheiser lets you open the buds and case with a screwdriver and fit new cells, so the buds can outlive their first battery.
Do the Momentum True Wireless 5 stay in during exercise?
For everyday use, yes. What Hi-Fi found the seal could loosen on runs or an exercise bike. They're IP54 rated, so sweat and rain are fine.
Are the Momentum True Wireless 5 bulky?
A little. Expert Reviews found them bulkier than some rivals, and each bud weighs around 7 g. Smaller ears may prefer Sony's WF-1000XM5.
Related guides
How we reached this
We compared the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 with the alternatives most often recommended by independent reviewers, then checked each against the makers' own specs and current prices.
We haven't tested these products ourselves. Our picks weigh independent expert reviews against each maker's published specs and the prices we checked. Opinions are ours; facts link to where they come from. How we choose.
Sources: Sennheiser UK: Momentum True Wireless 5, What Hi-Fi?: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review, Expert Reviews: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 review, Sony UK: WF-1000XM5, What Hi-Fi?: Sony WF-1000XM5 review, HIFI.DE: Sony WF-1000XM5 im Test, Samsung UK: Galaxy Buds4 Pro, What Hi-Fi?: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review, Expert Reviews: Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro review, EarFun: Air Pro 4, Android Central: EarFun Air Pro 4 review, PC Gamer: EarFun Air Pro 4 review.