Sennheiser’s new Momentum 5 earbuds feature easily replaceable batteries - The Verge
A screwdriver is all you’ll need to swap a new battery into the Momentum 5’s charging case and earbuds. A screwdriver is all you’ll need to swap a new battery into the Momentum 5’s charging case and earbuds. Other earbuds allow users to replace the battery in the charging case, but the Momentum 5 join the Fairphone Fairbuds as one of the few options where users can replace the buds’ batteries themselves.
A screwdriver is all you’ll need to swap a new battery into the Momentum 5’s charging case and earbuds.
A screwdriver is all you’ll need to swap a new battery into the Momentum 5’s charging case and earbuds.
Sennheiser announced the next version of its flagship wireless earbuds with a major redesign focusing on sustainability. The company claims the new design improves the Momentum True Wireless 5’s “comfort, stability, and portability,” but a more compelling reason to upgrade is that you won’t have to replace them in a few years when they stop holding a charge. Both the Momentum 5 earbuds and their charging case feature user-replaceable batteries that are accessible using a compact screwdriver instead of having to hack through layers of glue.
The Momentum True Wireless 5 will be available starting on September 3rd for $299.95, which is the same price as the Momentum 4 that launched in early 2024. Color options include five metallic finishes: lavender, copper, denim, graphite, and cream.
Replaceable batteries are becoming more common in devices again thanks in part to European sustainability regulations that will go into effect in early 2027. Sennheiser and other companies like Fender and Glorious now offer larger over-ear headphones with swappable batteries, but adoption has been slow for earbuds that are typically assembled using glue to make them as small and light as possible.
Bang & Olufsen’s Beoplay Eleven earbuds launched in late 2024 with replaceable batteries, but users need to send them in so a professional technician can do the swap. Other earbuds allow users to replace the battery in the charging case, but the Momentum 5 join the Fairphone Fairbuds as one of the few options where users can replace the buds’ batteries themselves. On top of that, the Momentum 5’s battery life has been boosted to up to 12 hours per charge, or up to 40 in total when paired with the Qi-compatible and now slimmer charging case. The Momentum 4 topped out at 7.5 hours alone, or up to 30 hours with their case.
Other improvements include a redesigned ear tip that works alongside a revised adaptive ANC system to improve noise canceling, and support for Dolby Atmos and spatial audio with the addition of interactive head tracking. Sennheiser also claims the Momentum 5 will offer more stable wireless connections with support for Bluetooth 6.0 and a “robust mode” that improves connectivity in environments with a lot of interference.