Momentum True Wireless 3

Real-Life Performance for Real People

I love what reviewers are saying about these earbuds. The Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 hit that sweet spot where you get genuinely excellent sound without paying flagship prices.

Let's talk about what matters in daily life. The sound is spacious and detailed, which means your music actually sounds good whether you're listening to podcasts during your commute, working through Spotify at your desk, or winding down at night. The balanced tuning means nothing feels harsh or fatiguing even after hours of listening. That's huge if you're wearing these all day.

The design is noticeably smaller and sleeker than the previous model, which is great if you care about how they look in your ears. The touch controls are responsive and customizable through the app, so you can set them up exactly how you want. The Smart Control app is genuinely useful with EQ adjustments and Sound Zones that automatically tweak settings based on where you are. That's the kind of thoughtful feature that makes a difference in everyday use.

Battery life gets you through a full workday at 7 hours, and the wireless charging case is convenient. The 10-minute quick charge feature means you can grab 60 minutes of playback if you're running late. Honestly, that's practical and helpful.

Now for the real talk. The noise cancellation is good but not exceptional compared to Sony or Bose. It handles office noise and traffic well, but if you're expecting total silence, you might be disappointed. The fit is secure for normal activities but can feel a bit chunky during intense exercise. If you have very small ears, you might struggle with the fit even with the included smaller tips.

The biggest missing feature is multipoint Bluetooth, which means you can't seamlessly jump between your phone and laptop. That's annoying if you do that frequently. There's also occasional connection dropout beyond 8 meters, which is something to be aware of.

But here's the thing: at $250, you're not paying flagship prices for flagship sound. These are genuinely well-made earbuds that sound better than their price tag suggests. For busy people who want reliable, great-sounding earbuds without breaking the bank, these absolutely deliver.

The Case for Good, Not Great

Sennheiser's Momentum True Wireless 3 sits in that awkward middle ground where it does enough things right to be recommendable, but not enough to be compelling. At $250, they're priced like a premium product, yet they're missing features that competitors offer at the same cost.

Let's start with what works. The sound is genuinely good. Reviewers consistently praise the balanced, spacious tuning with a pleasant frequency response. This isn't synthetic or fatiguing audio. The midrange is detailed, and the bass is present without overwhelming treble. For someone coming from budget earbuds or the True Wireless 2, this is a meaningful upgrade. The Smart Control app is also well-executed, offering a five-band EQ, Sound Zones for location-based adjustments, and customizable touch controls. These aren't gimmicks; they add real value.

But here's where the business case breaks down. Multipoint Bluetooth, promised via firmware update, is absent at launch. At this price point, that's inexcusable. Apple's AirPods Pro have it. So do many competitors. Sennheiser's omission feels like cost-cutting dressed up as a future feature.

Then there's the connectivity issue. SoundGuys reported Bluetooth drops beyond eight meters and occasional failures at close range. That's not acceptable in 2024. The connection should be rock-solid, especially when you're paying for wireless charging and premium audio.

Battery life tells another story. The spec sheet says seven hours, but real-world testing shows 5 hours 33 minutes. That's a significant gap. With ANC on, you're looking at roughly one full workday before needing the case. The case itself holds 22 hours total, which is fine, but the discrepancy between rated and actual performance suggests Sennheiser's testing conditions don't match real usage.

Comfort is mixed. The rubberized fins and multiple ear tip sizes help most people find a fit, but reviewers report discomfort after two hours. During workouts, the fit isn't secure enough for vigorous movement. If you're commuting or working at a desk, fine. If you're running or at the gym, you'll want something else.

Noise cancellation is competent but not competitive. Sony's WF-1000XM4 and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds deliver noticeably better isolation. Sennheiser's adaptive ANC mode works, but you can't manually adjust it, and wind noise remains a persistent problem. For a product positioning itself as premium, this is a genuine weakness.

The design refresh is subtle. The earpieces are 16 percent smaller and more discreet, which is nice. The fabric-wrapped case feels solid. But reviewers note the materials look less premium than the previous model. You're paying flagship prices for what feels like a mid-tier product.

At $250, you're in the space where Sony WF-1000XM4, Apple AirPods Pro, and Bose QuietComfort Earbuds compete. The Sennheiser offers good sound and decent features, but it lacks the multipoint connectivity, superior ANC, and rock-solid reliability that justify the premium tier. It's a solid alternative if you specifically want Sennheiser's sound signature and customization, but it's not a home run.

The verdict: good audio at a fair price, with enough compromises to keep it from being a clear recommendation.