When a true wireless battery dies, it usually takes the earbud with it. Glue, miniaturisation and the absence of spare parts turn a consumable into e-waste. Sennheiser just announced the Momentum True Wireless 5 with a concrete answer to that problem: all three batteries — both earbuds and the case — are accessible with a screwdriver.1
The MTW5 goes on sale September 3, 2026 at $299.95, the same launch price as the MTW4.1 Five metallic finishes: graphite, cream, lavender, copper and denim.
The problem batteries pose for true wireless
A wireless earbud without a replaceable battery has a lifespan capped by the chemistry of its lithium-ion cell. After 300 to 500 charge cycles, capacity drops noticeably. For a product used daily, that can mean two to three years before the battery life becomes unbearable.
In most true wireless earbuds, the battery is glued inside a tiny housing whose opening risks breaking the seal. Even for skilled repairers, the operation is risky and proprietary batteries are rarely available for purchase.1 The result is simple: when the battery dies, the earbud goes in the bin.
What the MTW5 actually changes
Sennheiser has equipped the MTW5 with a user-replaceable battery system in both earbuds and the charging case.2 The replacement kit is included in the box. The procedure requires a compact screwdriver — no glue, no soldering, no proprietary tools.
The technical specs confirm the feasibility: each earbud carries a 72 mAh lithium-ion battery, and the case a 760 mAh cell.2 Battery life reaches 12 hours per charge with ANC off, or 6 hours with ANC on. The case adds two top-ups for a total of 40 hours.1 The case is now Qi-compatible and quick charge delivers one hour of playback from an 8-minute charge.
The comparison with the MTW4 is significant: the previous model topped out at 7.5 hours per earbud and 30 hours with the case.1
What repairability demands from a tiny product
Making a battery replaceable in a true wireless earbud is not just a matter of screws. It requires rethinking the entire mechanical architecture.
First, the case must accept being opened without cracking. Second, the battery connectors must be reliable over hundreds of insertion cycles. The IP54 water resistance of the MTW4 had to be maintained.2 The battery itself must be standardised enough to remain available for purchase years after the product launches. And the design must let a non-technical user perform the swap without risk.
Sennheiser does not detail the exact procedure in its official communications.3 The screwdriver is included, the batteries are available as spare parts, but the duration of parts availability is not yet publicly documented. That is the critical point: a "replaceable" battery without an accessible part to buy is worth very little.
The regulatory context
Replaceable batteries are becoming common again partly thanks to European sustainability regulations taking effect in early 2027.1 Sennheiser, Fender and Glorious already offer over-ear headphones with swappable batteries, but adoption for true wireless has been slow due to size and waterproofing constraints.
Bang & Olufsen offered replaceable batteries on the Beoplay Eleven in late 2024, but the swap required sending the product to a technician.1 Fairphone's Fairbuds also offer user-replaceable batteries, but in a very different market segment. The MTW5 is one of the first premium true wireless earbuds to offer this level of consumer-level battery autonomy.
What remains to be verified
The promise is solid on paper, but the real test will come after launch. Three questions remain open.
The price and availability of replacement batteries. A proprietary battery that costs half the price of the earbud does not encourage replacement.
The real lifespan of the connector system. Miniature connectors subjected to hundreds of insertion and removal cycles can degrade, especially in humid or dusty environments.
The long-term availability of parts. If Sennheiser stops producing the batteries in three years, the repairability is nothing more than a past promise.
The MTW5 is a concrete step toward earbuds that outlast their batteries. If the parts supply chain holds up, it is a model other manufacturers will have to follow.