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Beats Powerbeats vs Sennheiser MOMENTUM Free Special Edition: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Beats Powerbeats comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 68. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Beats Powerbeats - Good overall at around $155.

Score breakdown

Each axis is a 0–10 blend of what reviewers scored, not a lab measurement.

Beats Powerbeats leads on 5 of 5 measures.

  • Beats Powerbeats
  • Sennheiser MOMENTUM Free Special Edition
HearWiki score
68
59
Sound
7.7
7.5
Battery
8.4
3.8
Calls
6.5
5.0
Price (USD)
$160
$160

Generation & platform

The scores rank quality. This is the other question: is the newer one actually newer technology, or the same platform in a new shell?

Mixed generations

Beats Powerbeats (2019) against Sennheiser MOMENTUM Free Special Edition (2018). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Beats Powerbeats brings Bluetooth 5.0 against 4.2, while the Sennheiser MOMENTUM Free Special Edition answers with Top codec aptX against AAC. The Beats Powerbeats answers on convenience features: it adds Wireless charging, Wear detection, Companion app and Water resistance (IPX4).

  • Powerbeats20191 yr newer
  • MOMENTUM Free Special Edition2018
What differsPowerbeatsMOMENTUM Free Special Edition

Platform

Bluetooth
5.0
4.2
Top codec
AAC
aptX

Everyday features

Wireless charging
Yes
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Water resistance
IPX4
Not rated

Level on: Multipoint pairing.

Specifications

PowerbeatsMOMENTUM Free Special Edition
Type
Neckband
Neckband
Price (USD)
$160
$160
HearWiki score
68
59
Released
2019
2018
Availability
Discontinued
Still sold new
Driver
dynamic
dynamic
Driver type
dynamic
dynamic
Drivers per side
1
1
Frequency response
20 Hz - 20 kHz
15 Hz - 22 kHz
Impedance
-
480 Ω
Sensitivity
-
118 dB/mW
Bluetooth
5.0
4.2
Codecs
SBC, AAC
SBC, AAC, aptX, aptX Low Latency
Multipoint pairing
Yes
Yes
Wireless range
-
10 m
Battery life
9 h
-
Battery incl. case
24 h
-
Full charge time
-
90 min
Quick charge
5 min → 1.5 h
-
Wireless charging
Yes
No
Active noise cancelling
No
No
ANC type
-
none
Transparency mode
-
No
Companion app
Yes
No
Custom EQ
-
No
Wear detection
Yes
No
Controls
buttons
buttons
Voice assistant
Siri
-
Weight
8.7 g
17 g
Case weight
80 g
-
Water resistance
IPX4
none
Detachable cable
No
-
USB-C
No
No
Microphones
-
1

What reviewers said

Beats Powerbeats

These wireless neckbuds are built for workouts, offering a secure fit, long-lasting battery, and quick charging to keep you moving. They deliver a balanced sound with clear vocals, though the treble can be a bit soft, and they rely on Apple's H1 chip for easy pairing and Siri access. While they lack noise cancellation and modern USB-C, their sporty design and reliable performance make them a solid pick for active listeners.

  • Pro:Excellent battery life with fast charging
  • Pro:Secure, comfortable fit for exercise
  • Pro:Stable Bluetooth 5.0 connection with multipoint
  • Con:No active noise cancellation
  • Con:Limited to SBC and AAC codecs
  • Con:No USB-C charging port

Sennheiser MOMENTUM Free Special Edition

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM Free Special Edition is a lightweight neckband-style wireless earphone that prioritizes audio performance, delivering clear, dynamic sound with a musical character. It supports a wide range of codecs including aptX Low Latency and offers multipoint connectivity, though it lacks ANC and water resistance. While its battery life is modest, it remains a solid choice for listeners focused on sound quality in a compact, portable design.

  • Pro:Rich, dynamic sound with good clarity
  • Pro:Lightweight and portable neckband design
  • Pro:Supports aptX and aptX Low Latency codecs
  • Con:Battery life is limited at around six hours
  • Con:Treble can sound slightly harsh at times
  • Con:Call quality is not the strongest

Summaries are AI-condensed and paraphrased from published reviews and specs - not original hands-on testing. More on our method.

Compare something else

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New comparisonBeats PowerbeatsSennheiser MOMENTUM Free Special Edition