Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 5 vs 4 is a choice between newer features and a potentially better-priced older pair. These are in-ear earbuds, not the similarly named MOMENTUM Wireless over-ear headphones. The biggest surprise: the newer model does not win every battery comparison.
Quick verdict: upgrade for the right reason
Buy MTW5 for user-replaceable batteries, the redesigned fit and Dolby Atmos/head tracking. Buy MTW4 when a substantial discount matters more and you want longer ANC-on listening. Already own working MTW4? Keep them unless fit, calls or battery degradation are a specific frustration. The headline 12-hour MTW5 claim is with ANC off.
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Amazon.com listings: MTW5 Graphite and MTW4 Black Graphite, each with its charging case. Check the selected model, condition, seller, warranty and delivery eligibility.
What actually changes from MTW4 to MTW5?
| Buying factor | MTW5 versus MTW4 |
|---|---|
| Battery servicing | MTW5: user-replaceable cells in earbuds and case. MTW4: built-in cells. |
| Fit and case | MTW5: redesigned body without stabilizer fins; slimmer plastic case. MTW4: removable fins and a fabric-covered case. |
| Sound controls | MTW5: 8-band EQ and Dolby Atmos with optional head tracking. MTW4: 5-band EQ; both offer sound personalization. |
| Everyday features | Both: adaptive ANC, multipoint, USB-C/Qi case charging and IP54-rated earbuds. IP54 is splash resistance, not swimming protection. |
MTW5 began shipping on September 3, 2026. Its useful upgrades concern ownership and daily use; sharing the 7mm TrueResponse driver name does not make the sound identical, or prove a dramatic improvement.
Battery life: compare ANC on with ANC on
Generated editorial illustration of listening environments, not product photography or a Decively battery test.
| Evidence | MTW5 versus MTW4 |
|---|---|
| Official single-charge claims | MTW5: up to 6 hours ANC on / 12 off. MTW4: up to 7 hours ANC on / 7.5 off. |
| Official case-inclusive headline | MTW5: up to 40 hours. MTW4: up to 30 hours. These are not uninterrupted listening times. |
| SoundGuys playback tests | MTW5: 6 hours 17 minutes. MTW4: 7 hours 45 minutes. SoundGuys uses ANC for its standardized testing. |
| RTINGS ANC-on comparison | Approximately 6.5 hours for MTW5 versus 7.5 for MTW4. |
The two labs use different methods, but both favour MTW4 for uninterrupted ANC-on listening. MTW5’s 12-hour figure should not be treated as a doubling of commuter battery life. Calls, spatial processing, volume and codecs can reduce runtime; an older pair’s battery condition also matters.
Replaceable batteries: the strongest reason to choose MTW5
Sennheiser documents user replacement in both earbuds and the case using a PH000 screwdriver. The required proprietary parts are BA 501 for the earbud pair and BA 502 for the case. The support page describes availability in the EU and selected other countries; confirm supply and cost where you live before treating this as guaranteed cheap servicing.
This offers a route around worn-out cells, not a promise that every component will last indefinitely. With only weeks of MTW5 ownership evidence available, multi-year durability remains unproven. MTW4’s battery-protection mode helps manage charging, but does not make its cells user-replaceable.
Sound, ANC and calls: improvement with qualifications
RTINGS finds MTW5 better at blocking low-frequency noise, while its overall sound remains broadly similar to MTW4. SoundGuys describes effective noise reduction on both generations and warns that MTW5’s treble can bother sensitive listeners. Do not upgrade solely because a new model is assumed to sound better.
Calls are a more practical reason to consider MTW5: SoundGuys found MTW4 inconsistent in background noise, while its MTW5 review reports better noise rejection except in wind and echo. RTINGS still finds MTW5 speech can sound boxy and break down with sudden loud noise. It is not a guaranteed replacement for a dedicated work headset.
Fit and phone support can change the verdict
RTINGS preferred the redesigned MTW5 fit despite its missing fins. However, Tom’s Guide reviewer Erin Bashford found the buds too large for her small ears. The new shape is a reason to try them, not a universal comfort guarantee. Choose a seller with suitable returns and test the seal.
Both work with iPhone and Android and offer multipoint. MTW5 uses Smart Control Plus; MTW4 uses Smart Control. aptX Lossless requires a compatible source: an iPhone’s built-in Bluetooth does not unlock it. MTW4 already supports aptX Adaptive/Lossless, so that codec name alone is not an upgrade.
As checked October 15, Sennheiser still describes MTW5 LE Audio/Auracast as awaiting a future firmware update. MTW4’s official specifications list LC3. Do not assume Bluetooth 6.0 means the newer earbuds already offer every feature of the older model.
Who should buy MTW5?
Choose MTW5 at a modest premium if you plan to keep your earbuds through battery wear, can obtain the replacement parts, or specifically want its fit, spatial audio or EQ controls. Those are stronger reasons than a blanket claim of better sound or longer battery life.
Who should buy—or keep—MTW4?
Choose MTW4 at a meaningful discount for music, ANC and longer tested playback between case breaks. Compare new with new, including seller warranty, return terms and condition. A small saving is less attractive if you value MTW5’s servicing option.
Existing MTW4 owners with comfortable, reliable earbuds can wait. If sealed tips themselves are the problem, our Bose open-ear comparison covers a different fit approach; open-ear listening does not provide this kind of noise isolation.
Check current Amazon.com prices rather than an old launch-price gap. Delivery eligibility, import costs and local warranty arrangements vary outside the US.
Research notes
Researched October 15, 2026. Decively has not tested these earbuds. Manufacturer claims are separated from attributed independent tests; different lab results are not averaged. Replacement-part pricing and long-term MTW5 durability are not established here. No live Amazon prices, ratings or invented review score are reproduced.
Sennheiser: MTW5 specifications and ANC-on/off battery limits
Sennheiser: MTW4 specifications, battery limits and LC3
Sennheiser: MTW5 battery parts, codec requirements and planned Auracast
Sennheiser: launch and September 3 shipping date
Christian Thomas, SoundGuys: MTW5 laboratory and call tests
Christian Thomas, SoundGuys: MTW4 battery and microphone tests
RTINGS: MTW5 versus MTW4 battery, fit and noise-isolation findings
Erin Bashford, Tom’s Guide: contrasting small-ear fit experience
