Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6: which should you buy?

On aggregated review scores the Sony WH-1000XM6 comes out ahead with a HearWiki score of 89. The full breakdown - sub-scores, specs and what reviewers actually said - is below.

Our pick: Sony WH-1000XM6 - Outstanding overall at around $398.

Over-Ear

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless

83Outstanding

$400

Full review data

Over-Ear

Sony WH-1000XM6

89Outstanding

$400

Full review data

Score breakdown

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

Sony WH-1000XM6 leads on 6 of 7 measures.

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless
Sony WH-1000XM6

HearWiki score

Sound

8.8

9.0

Noise cancelling

8.2

9.6

Battery

9.4

8.1

Calls

8.0

9.6

Value

7.3

8.2

Price (USD)

$400

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

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless (2026) against Sony WH-1000XM6 (2025). Neither is straightforwardly newer: the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless brings Bluetooth 5.4 against 5.3 and Top codec aptX Lossless against LC3, while the Sony WH-1000XM6 answers with LE Audio (LC3) and ANC type Adaptive against Hybrid.

MOMENTUM 5 Wireless20261 yr newer
WH-1000XM62025

What differsMOMENTUM 5 WirelessWH-1000XM6

Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
Top codec: aptX Lossless; LC3
LE Audio (LC3): No; Yes
ANC type: Hybrid; Adaptive

Level on: Multipoint pairing, USB-C, Wear detection, Transparency mode, Custom EQ, Companion app.

Specifications

MOMENTUM 5 WirelessWH-1000XM6

Type: Over-Ear; Over-Ear
Price (USD): $400; $400
HearWiki score: 83; 89
Released: 2026; 2025
Availability: Sold new; Sold new
Driver: 42 mm dynamic; 30 mm dynamic
Driver type: dynamic; dynamic
Driver size: 42 mm; 30 mm
Drivers per side: 1; 1
Frequency response: 6 Hz - 40 kHz; 4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance: 520 Ω; 48 Ω
Sensitivity: 108 dB/mW; 103 dB/mW
Bluetooth: 5.4; 5.3
Codecs: aptX Lossless; SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing: Yes; Yes
Wireless range: -; 10 m
Battery life: 57 h; 40 h
Battery life (ANC on): 57 h; 30 h
Full charge time: 120 min; 210 min
Quick charge: 10 min → 7 h; 3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging: No; No
Active noise cancelling: Yes; Yes
ANC type: hybrid; adaptive
Transparency mode: Yes; Yes
Companion app: Yes; Yes
Custom EQ: Yes; Yes
Wear detection: Yes; Yes
Controls: touch; buttons
Voice assistant: Yes; Yes
Weight: 290 g; 254 g
Water resistance: none; none
Foldable: Yes; -
Detachable cable: Yes; Yes
USB-C: Yes; Yes
Connector: 3.5 mm; 3.5 mm
Microphones: 8; 12
Microphone type: MEMS; MEMS
Call noise reduction: Yes; -
Call NR technology: beamforming; -

Specification comparison of Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless vs Sony WH-1000XM6
Spec	Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless	Sony WH-1000XM6
Type	Over-Ear	Over-Ear
Price (USD)	$400	$400
HearWiki score	83 / 100 Outstanding	89 / 100 Outstanding
Released	2026	2025
Audio
Driver	42 mm dynamic	30 mm dynamic
Driver type	dynamic	dynamic
Driver size	42 mm	30 mm
Drivers per side	1	1
Frequency response	6 Hz - 40 kHz	4 Hz - 40 kHz
Impedance	520 Ω	48 Ω
Sensitivity	108 dB/mW	103 dB/mW
Wireless
Bluetooth	5.4	5.3
Codecs	aptX Lossless	SBC, AAC, LC3, LDAC
Multipoint pairing	Yes	Yes
Wireless range	-	10 m
Battery
Battery life	57 h	40 h
Battery life (ANC on)	57 h	30 h
Full charge time	120 min	210 min
Quick charge	10 min → 7 h	3 min → 3 h
Wireless charging	No	No
Features
Active noise cancelling	Yes	Yes
ANC type	hybrid	adaptive
Transparency mode	Yes	Yes
Companion app	Yes	Yes
Custom EQ	Yes	Yes
Wear detection	Yes	Yes
Controls	touch	buttons
Voice assistant	Yes	Yes
Design
Weight	290 g	254 g
Water resistance	none	none
Foldable	Yes	-
Detachable cable	Yes	Yes
USB-C	Yes	Yes
Connector	3.5 mm	3.5 mm
Calls
Microphones	8	12
Microphone type	MEMS	MEMS
Call noise reduction	Yes	-
Call NR technology	beamforming	-

What reviewers said

Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless

The Sennheiser MOMENTUM 5 Wireless is a premium over-ear headphone that refines the previous model with Bluetooth 5.4, hybrid ANC, and an impressive 57-hour battery life. It delivers detailed, well-balanced sound with aptX Lossless support, while maintaining a comfortable, foldable design. The update is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, keeping the same core design and adding meaningful wireless and codec upgrades.

Pro:Excellent 57-hour battery life with ANC on
Pro:Supports aptX Lossless for high-quality wireless audio
Pro:Comfortable and foldable design with solid build

Con:Design is largely unchanged from the previous generation
Con:No water resistance or wireless charging
Con:Call quality could be better for the price

Sony WH-1000XM6

The Sony WH-1000XM6 is a premium over-ear wireless headphone that combines adaptive active noise cancellation with a long-lasting battery and support for high-quality audio codecs. It features multipoint Bluetooth connectivity and a transparent mode, making it a versatile choice for both focused listening and everyday commutes. With a lightweight build and tactile controls, it balances comfort and functionality for extended use.

Pro:Adaptive active noise cancellation for personalized silencing
Pro:Multipoint Bluetooth 5.3 for seamless device switching
Pro:Transparency mode for ambient awareness when needed

Con:No water resistance rating for wet conditions
Con:No wireless charging option
Con:Relies on physical buttons rather than touch controls

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

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