Sony WH-1000XM5 vs Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
Get the XM5 if quiet is the point. Excellent noise cancelling for far less. The Momentum 5 sounds better and lasts twice as long, so pick it if music matters more than silence.
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Which one is for you?
Sony XM5
Get the XM5 if this sounds like you: planes and commutes, less money, and you're gentle with your gear.
Is the Sony WH-1000XM5 worth it?Momentum 5
Detailed sound, charging once a week and a pair built to last: that's the Momentum 5.
Is the Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless worth it?Key differences
Noise cancelling
Battery
Durability
Price
What owners say
Verified buyers only; every 1–3 star review read by us. How we do this
Sony XM5
Owners love the noise cancelling, the sound and the comfort. The main complaint is noise cancelling that falls short of the hype, and the plastic hinge cracking comes up again and again.
- Excellent noise cancelling
- Great sound
- Comfortable for long wear
- Unreliable Bluetooth, random pauses or switching off, touch controls misfiring
- The hinge or headband joint cracked or snapped
Momentum 5
Owners love the sound, many on their first high-end headphones. Only one verified buyer has rated them below 4 stars.
- Excellent sound
- Good noise cancelling
- Easy touch controls
Nothing came up often enough to list.
Related pages
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: RTINGS, RTINGS, What Hi-Fi, manufacturer specifications.
Owner reports for the Sony XM5: 2,044 verified buyer ratings at Currys, Target (US), LDLC (France) and Takealot (South Africa), read October 2026.
Owner reports for the Momentum 5: 13 verified buyer ratings at Rakuten (Japan), Elgiganten (Nordics), Harvey Norman (NZ, Australia) and Otto (Germany), read November 2026.