Head to head
Sennheiser Momentum 5 vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Sennheiser's music-first Momentum 5 vs Sony's noise-cancelling WH-1000XM6: sound, ANC, battery, codecs and price, and which one suits how you listen.
This matchup is about what you value most. Reviewers at Trusted Reviews, WIRED, What Hi-Fi? and SoundGuys praise the Sennheiser Momentum 5's warm, detailed, bass-rich sound, its comfort and its 57-hour, user-replaceable battery. The Sony WH-1000XM6 is Wirecutter's top noise-cancelling pick and SoundGuys' choice for most people, and reviewers still rate its ANC above the Sennheiser's.
This is an editorial comparison built from manufacturer specs and published reviews, not our own testing. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026, and they move often. On that day the Sony's discount made it about $22 cheaper, even though its list price is higher.
Option A
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
- Over-ear ANC
- ~$399.95
- Jun 2026
- Any phone
The music lover's pick: warm, detailed sound and a claimed 57 hours from a battery you can swap.
- Music
- 5 out of 5
- Travel
- 4 out of 5
- Calls
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Affiliate link to Amazon. Price approx., seen Oct 2026.
Read the review: Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
Option B
Sony WH-1000XM6
- Over-ear ANC
- ~$378
- May 2025
- Any phone
The safest over-ear noise canceller: the big reviewers' default pick, now well under list.
- Travel
- 5 out of 5
- Calls
- 5 out of 5
- Music
- 4 out of 5
Editorial fit scores, 1–5, from published reviews and specs — not lab measurements.
Spec sheet
Side by side
| Feature | Momentum 5 | WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. Amazon price (Oct 2026) | ~$399.95 | ~$378Edge |
| List price | $399.95Edge | $459.99 (launched at $449.99) |
| Battery | Up to 57 h with ANC; user-replaceable 700 mAh batteryEdge | 30 h with ANC; 40 h without |
| Quick charge | 10 min gives 7 h | 3 min gives 3 h |
| Weight | 290 g | ~254 g (8.96 oz)Edge |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive, aptX Lossless | SBC, AAC, LDAC, LC3 |
| Mics | 8 ANC mics | 12 mics |
| Wired / USB-C audio | Hi-res USB-C audio | 3.5 mm wired |
| App / EQ | 8-band EQ; Dolby Atmos | 10-band EQ |
| ANC (review consensus) | Much improved, but still just behind Sony and Bose | Wirecutter top pick; SoundGuys best for most peopleEdge |
| Sound fit score (1–5) | 5Edge | 4 |
| Travel / calls fit scores (1–5) | 4 / 4 | 5 / 5Edge |
Manufacturer specs and published reviews; prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. “Edge” marks the side we think comes out ahead on that row.
Fit scores
How you listen, scored
| Scenario | Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless | Sony WH-1000XM6 |
|---|---|---|
| Travel / commute | 4 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Office calls | 4 out of 5 | 5 out of 5 |
| Workouts | 2 out of 5 | 2 out of 5 |
| Music listening | 5 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
| Gaming / latency | 3 out of 5 | 3 out of 5 |
| Value | 4 out of 5 | 4 out of 5 |
Editorial fit scores, 1–5 — not lab measurements. Higher score per row highlighted.
Choose the Momentum 5 if…
- Music comes first. Reviewers describe its sound as warm, detailed and bass-rich, and it earns a sound fit score of 5 to the Sony's 4.
- You hate charging. It's rated for up to 57 hours with ANC, and 10 minutes on the cable gives 7 hours.
- You want headphones that last for years: the 700 mAh battery is user-replaceable.
- Your phone supports aptX Lossless or aptX Adaptive, or you want hi-res audio over USB-C.
Choose the WH-1000XM6 if…
- Noise cancelling is the priority. Reviewers put the Momentum 5's ANC just behind Sony's.
- You take a lot of calls. The Sony has 12 mics and multipoint, and it earns a calls fit score of 5.
- You want the lighter, cheaper pair: ~254 g against 290 g, and ~$378 against ~$399.95.
- Your Android phone supports LDAC, or you want a 3.5 mm cable for in-flight entertainment.
Our verdict
Sony WH-1000XM6
For most people the WH-1000XM6 is the better buy. Reviewers rate its noise cancelling higher, it's better set up for calls, it's lighter, and it was about $22 cheaper at ~$378. Buy the Momentum 5 if you're a music-first listener who wants Sennheiser's richer sound, a 57-hour battery, and a battery you can replace yourself.
Watch
The matchup on video
Video by SoundGuys on YouTube. Their views are their own.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sennheiser Momentum 5's noise cancelling as good as Sony's?
Not quite. Trusted Reviews, WIRED, What Hi-Fi? and SoundGuys say it's much improved but still just behind Sony and Bose. If quiet on a plane matters more than anything, buy the Sony. If sound quality and battery come first, the Sennheiser's ANC is close enough to live with.
Can you replace the battery in the Sennheiser Momentum 5?
Yes. Sennheiser says the 700 mAh battery is user-replaceable, so a worn battery doesn't mean new headphones. Reviewers count that, along with the 57-hour rating, as a big part of its value at ~$400.
Which is better with an iPhone, the Momentum 5 or the WH-1000XM6?
Both list AAC, which is the codec iPhones use, and iPhones support neither aptX nor LDAC. So the Sennheiser's aptX family and the Sony's LDAC don't matter on an iPhone. Decide on the usual trade: the Sony for ANC, calls and price, the Sennheiser for sound and battery.
Disclosure: Independent editorial comparison based on published reviews and manufacturer specs, not our own lab measurements. Prices are approximate Amazon prices seen October 5, 2026. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no extra cost to you.