Sennheiser has announced the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5, premium wireless earbuds with user-replaceable batteries, including the charging case. The brand promises up to 12 hours of listening time per charge without active noise cancellation and 40 hours with the case’s rechargeable batteries. This design can extend the product’s lifespan, but doesn’t make it « indestructible »: other components can wear out or become obsolete.
What changes
The main new feature concerns repairability. Sennheiser states that the batteries in both the earbuds and the charging case are replaceable with a compact screwdriver. A replacement tool is included in the box. The repair is therefore designed to be done at home, rather than requiring a professional technician. However, the brand does not specify the price of replacement batteries or their availability period in the information we consulted.
The rest of the specifications target the premium segment: Bluetooth 6.0, 7mm TrueResponse drivers, adaptive noise cancellation, and Dolby Atmos support with head tracking. Sennheiser also announces the aptX Lossless codec, but its use depends on a compatible source. These features are information provided by the manufacturer, not the results of independent testing. ( newsroom.sennheiser.com )
How it works
In miniature earbuds, the battery is often difficult to access, making it hard to replace when it loses capacity. Sennheiser claims to have designed the MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 with easy access, allowing for cell replacement using common tools. The charging case battery is also advertised as replaceable. The expected benefit is clear: avoiding the need to replace the entire device when battery life becomes insufficient due to worn-out batteries.
The brand advertises up to 12 hours of listening time with noise cancellation off, and up to 6 hours with it on. The charging case extends the total battery life to 40 hours and supports Qi wireless charging. According to the manufacturer’s specifications, eight minutes of charging provides up to one hour of listening time. These durations vary depending on usage conditions. ( eu.sennheiser-hearing.com )
What you need to check
Replacing a battery alone is not enough to guarantee a long lifespan: spare parts must also remain available, and opening the device must not compromise its normal use. The advertised IP54 rating applies to the earbuds, not the case. The product information sheet alone does not provide any independent assessment of ease of repair or resistance after opening.
The regulatory context also warrants some clarification. The European regulation on batteries includes removal and replacement requirements for certain integrated batteries, with implementation scheduled for 2027 and possible exemptions depending on the product category. The European Commission announced further exemptions in July 2026, notably for certain wearable devices. It would therefore be an oversimplification to present the law as a uniform obligation applicable to all headphones. ( environment.ec.europa.eu )
What this changes for users
For those who keep their earbuds for several years, a replaceable battery is a potential advantage: it can prevent the need to discard a still-functional product when its battery life declines. The MOMENTUM True Wireless 5 are listed at €299.90 on Sennheiser’s European online store. The manufacturer announced a shipping start date of September 3, 2026, but the page currently shows a pre-order: actual availability in France therefore remains to be confirmed. ( newsroom.sennheiser.com )
Key takeaway: the announcement combines high-end audio features with user-replaceable batteries, both in the earbuds and the charging case. This is a concrete step towards preventing premature replacement, but actual longevity will also depend on parts availability and long-term repairability.
Source: Home > New Products > News
Checks: Sennheiser announcement , European product sheet and European Commission on derogations from battery rules .
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