Sennheiser's Momentum 5 Wireless and Sony's WH-1000XM6 are two of 2026's best premium ANC headphones, built around genuinely different priorities — we compare battery life, noise cancellation and price.
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Read one point at a time. The highlighted option has the advantage for that particular use—not necessarily overall.
57 hours
Around 28-30 hours
The Sennheiser can last roughly twice as long between charges, making it easier to take through a working week or a long trip without carrying a cable. Sony's battery is still enough for several days of ordinary listening.
Improved over the previous Momentum but not class-leading; Tom's Guide rated it 'pretty poor' for ANC-first buyers
'The best ANC performance yet,' per multiple reviewers, with adaptive auto-adjustment
Sony is more effective at reducing aircraft, train, traffic and office noise, so music and podcasts remain clearer at a lower volume. Choose it when creating the quietest possible journey matters more than maximum battery life.
Yes — swappable with a small screwdriver
No
If the battery wears out after several years, the Sennheiser is designed to be restored rather than replaced as a complete pair of headphones. That gives it a meaningful long-term ownership advantage.
£329.90
£400 at launch (frequently discounted to around £329)
At full price, the Sennheiser costs less while offering much longer battery life. Sony discounts can remove that advantage, so compare the actual prices on the day rather than relying on the launch figures.
290g
Lighter, in line with Sony's 254g previous generation
The Sony places less weight on your head and may feel easier to wear through a long journey or working day. Fit is personal, though, so the shape of the headband and ear cups can matter more than the number alone.
Rich, natural midrange, praised for detail and instrument separation
'The most detailed, dynamic, precise and open sound' from a wireless Sony flagship, per What Hi-Fi?
Both provide premium sound but have different characters: Sennheiser favours a rich, natural presentation, while Sony sounds more precise and energetic. This is a preference rather than a simple specification win.
If all-day battery life and a genuinely repairable design matter most to you, the Momentum 5 is hard to beat and comfortably cheaper. If best-in-class noise cancellation is your top priority, the Sony WH-1000XM6 is worth the extra money — What Hi-Fi? gave it a five-star Award-winning review and said it makes even the Bose QuietComfort Ultra 'sound out of their depth' by comparison.
These links support the measurements and attributed judgments above.
