Sony WH-1000XM6 vs Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
Get the Sony XM6. Unless sound and battery matter more than quiet — then the Momentum 5 lasts nearly twice as long.
Sony WH-1000XM6
Class-leading noise cancelling, rich and detailed sound, and the clearest calls. The ones to get.
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
Rich, detailed sound, about 57 hours of battery and great calls. Noise cancelling is a step behind.
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Both sound rich and detailed and make great calls. The Sony cancel more noise and fold up small; the Momentum 5 last about 57 hours a charge and let you replace the battery yourself.
- —You fly or commute somewhere noisy.
- —You want a pair that folds up small.
- —You like to tune the sound: there's a 10-band EQ.
- —Sound quality comes first.
- —You hate charging: a week of commuting on one charge.
- —You want headphones that last: the battery can be replaced.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +Among the very best noise cancelling
- +Rich, detailed sound with a 10-band EQ
- +Clear calls, even outdoors
- −The fit is snug and the cups are fairly small, which some people with glasses or big ears find tight.
- −Fast charging (3 minutes for 3 hours) needs a USB-PD charger, which isn't in the box.
- −No audio over USB-C, and the mic doesn't work over the cable.
- −A few owners report a cracked headband ring or hinge.
- +About 57 hours of battery
- +Rich, detailed sound
- +Replaceable battery
- −The ear cups fold flat but the headband doesn't fold up.
- −Bass is on the rich side, and the treble can change with your fit or glasses.
- −No water resistance.
Ready to choose?
- Is the Sony XM6 worth it?
- Is the Momentum 5 worth it?
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- Best headphones
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.