travel headphones

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• Table of Contents
• Best Headphones
• Best Upper Mid-Range
• Best Mid-Range
• Best Budget
• Best Earbuds

Notable Mentions

Recent updates, all reviews, the 6 best travel headphones - fall 2024.

Whether you're a jet setter or just taking the subway to work every day, a good pair of travel headphones can be a total game-changer. Having something comfortable with great noise isolation makes your travels much easier to endure and even more enjoyable.

When looking for travel headphones, you'll want something easy to use when hunting down your gate or running to catch a bus, with a long enough battery life to last you throughout the day. While many prefer over-ear headphones for long flights or train rides, earbuds or in-ear headphones are popular for their portability. Usually, models with active noise cancelling (ANC) do the best job at reducing the deep rumbling noises of bus or plane engines, but some in-ear headphones block out lots of noise passively.

We've tested over 810 pairs of headphones, and below are our recommendations for the best headphones for airplane use, traveling, and commuting. Also, make sure to check out our recommendations for the best headphones , the best noise cancelling headphones , and the best budget noise cancelling headphones .

Best Travel Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless are the best travel headphones we've tested. These top-of-the-line over-ears have a very comfortable fit and are suitable for long trips. They are equipped with powerful ANC and can block out a wide array of sounds, including the low rumble of bus and plane engines. And with their ANC on, they last 29 hours continuously, so you don't need to worry about running out of battery life. Unfortunately, the headphones need to be powered on if you want to use them wired, but at least you can plug them into in-flight entertainment without losing ANC.

These well-built over-ears have a bass-rich sound out of the box, delivering extra thump, rumble, and boom to your favorite tracks. You can adjust their sound using their companion app's graphic EQ and presets. You can even access a head-tracking feature for a more dimensional audio experience. Additionally, you can connect these headphones with up to two devices at a time, so you can stay connected to your smartphone and laptop simultaneously, and they come with a sturdy, durable carrying case to keep them safe in your bag.

See our review

Best Upper Mid-Range Travel Headphones

For something premium at a cheaper price, try the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. Even though they've been replaced by the Sony WH-1000XM5 Wireless and are getting harder to find in stock, these still provide the best noise cancelling performance for long journeys. Their fantastic ANC feature blocks bass-range noises like bus and plane engines, as well as passenger chit-chat. They also last about 37 hours continuously, so you won't need to recharge them during a long trip. You can even use them wired while keeping ANC on, and they come with an airplane adapter, all of which you can safely store in their sturdy carrying case.

They have a lightweight and well-padded fit, though the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless still have the edge regarding comfort. However, you can wear them during long trips without experiencing too much fatigue. Their bass-heavy sound profile adds extra thump and rumble to your audio, and if you prefer a different sound, you can also tweak them via their app's graphic EQ and presets.

If you need to take calls on the go, the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless are worth considering. These hybrid headphones are designed for casual use and gaming but have a sleek design that doesn't stand out from the crowd. Their integrated mic offers better overall performance, so your voice sounds clear and natural. However, their ANC system doesn't block out quite as much ambient noise as that of the Sony.

Best Mid-Range Travel Headphones

Travel is expensive enough without adding the cost of premium headphones. Fortunately, if you're looking for something more affordable, check out the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless, the best headphones for airplane trips we've tested at this price point. They have a shorter battery life than the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless and aren't quite as comfortable or well-built. However, they have an adaptive ANC system that adjusts itself to the noise around you and can block out a remarkable amount of ambient sound, including rumbling engines. Their overall noise isolation performance is almost as good as Sony's.

Out of the box, they have a V-shaped sound profile with extra emphasis on the bass and treble, which gives your audio intense rumble and punch, while instruments and vocals are bright and somewhat harsh. There's a companion app with graphic EQ and presets if you prefer a different sound. They last for around 27 hours continuously with their ANC on, and, in a pinch, you can always plug the included audio cable into your phone or laptop to listen to audio passively.

Best Budget Travel Headphones

If you're looking for a cheaper option, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are the best commuter headphones under $100 we've tested. Anker tends to dominate the mid-to-budget price range for over-ear headphones, especially when noise cancelling is important for use on a noisy plane or train. These headphones are significantly cheaper than the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless , but their ANC performs similarly, even though it's standard ANC and not adaptive. It does a fantastic job of blocking out the low rumble of engines and effectively reduces higher-pitched sounds like voices. Out of the box, their sound packs a lot of extra bass into your audio, so music has intense thump, rumble, and punch, but mixes can also sound muddy or cluttered. Like the previous pick, they have companion app support, including a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization.

These headphones are well-built and comfortable and have a long continuous battery life of around 44 hours. Unfortunately, they leak much more audio than the Q45, so your music is more likely to be audible to people nearby, especially if you like to listen at louder volumes. The Wyze Noise-Cancelling Headphones Wireless are also a good option if you want budget-friendly headphones with less leakage. They don't isolate from bass-range noise, like rumbling engines, as well as the Q30, but they still have a great overall noise isolation performance.

Best Cheap Travel Headphones

If you're on a tighter budget, the best cheap travel headphones we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 Wireless. These are an earlier version of the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless that are still available. Like their successor, they outshine similarly priced headphones from other brands in noise cancelling. Their ANC system doesn't block out as much bass-range noise as the previous picks but still does a decent job of reducing engine noise. It also does a great job of reducing higher-pitched sounds like background conversations.

They have a V-shaped sound profile out of the box, with intense rumble and punch in the bass, bright and sparkly instruments, and lead vocals in the treble. This sound suits bass-heavy genres like EDM, hip-hop, pop, and rock. However, sibilants like S and T sounds can seem harsh, and they don't have sound customization features, unlike the Q30. That said, they have a similarly comfortable fit and a decently sturdy build quality, although they feel plasticky and only come with a cloth pouch instead of a rigid protective case like the Q30.

Best Travel Earbuds

Over-ears can be bulky and take up precious space in your bag or carry-on. If you're looking for something smaller and more portable, earbuds like the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless are worth checking out. They're comfortable, and their ShakeGrip coating means they'll stay in your ears while you're rushing around airports or train stations. Their sound profile is well-balanced and generally flat, apart from a peak in the mid-treble that can make sibilants a bit piercing. The good news is that you can tweak their sound profile to your tastes using their companion app's EQ and presets. Their case can also act as a Bluetooth transmitter, so you can hook up your earbuds to the in-flight entertainment via a 3.5 mm jack or USB-C port.

The Jabra can block out a significant amount of ambient noise, thanks to their outstanding ANC system. They easily tackle common commuter noise like rumbly buses and trains as well as ambient chatter. While their almost eight-hour continuous playback time falls short compared to over-ear headphones, their carrying case holds an extra three charges if needed. The Jabra don't support Bluetooth codecs like aptX Adaptive or aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) support. If those are important to you, check out the  Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless . The Bose are a little more comfortable for most people than the Jabra, but their ANC isn't as good, and they have a slightly shorter continuous battery life.

If you're looking for more earbud options, check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds !

• Apple AirPods Max Wireless: The Apple AirPods Max Wireless have a premium design and a remarkably effective ANC feature, but they don't fold into a more compact design. Unlike the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless, they come with a carrying sleeve, which doesn't completely cover the headphones and won't protect them from significant damage. See our review
• Bose 700 Headphones Wireless: The Bose 700 Headphones Wireless are premium ANC headphones designed for business professionals. If you care about call quality, their mic offers significantly better overall performance than the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. However, their ANC doesn't block out as much bass-range noise, but they still do an excellent job of reducing ambient noise around you overall. See our review
• Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless: The Apple AirPods Pro (2nd generation) Truly Wireless have an H2 chip, meaning they'll pair easily with your other Apple products, so they're an excellent choice for anyone who's deeply embedded in Apple's ecosystem. They also have a great noise isolation performance, but it's not as good as the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless', and they have a shorter battery life than the Jabra. See our review
• OnePlus Buds 3 Truly Wireless: The OnePlus Buds 3 Truly Wireless are budget-friendly earbuds equipped with ANC technology. While they don't block out as much external noise as the Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless, they're a fraction of the price. They also offer a comfortable, stable fit and last up to seven hours with ANC enabled. See our review

Sep 27, 2024: The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 True Wireless are our new 'Best Travel Earbuds' pick. The Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless are now an alternative earbuds pick for anyone who wants aptX Adaptive or aptX Adaptive (Low Latency) support.

Jul 04, 2024: We replaced the Sony WF-1000XM5 Truly Wireless with the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 as our alternative pick in the best travel earbuds category for their vastly superior microphone recording quality. As a result, we also removed the Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 3 as a Notable Mention.

May 02, 2024: We've added the OnePlus Buds 3 Truly Wireless as a Notable Mention due to their great cost-to-ANC-performance ratio, but our picks remain the same otherwise.

Mar 04, 2024: As the Razer Barracuda Pro Wireless are the same price as the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, we've removed the Razer as a separate pick and added them as a comparison to the Sony since they can be a viable choice if you care about call quality. We've also renamed the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless as the 'Best Mid-Range Travel Headphones' we've tested.

Jan 08, 2024: We've made the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless our top pick as they have a versatile performance and slightly outperform the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. We also replaced the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II Truly Wireless with the next generation Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Truly Wireless.

Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best noise cancelling headphones for travel for most people to buy. We factor in the price (cheaper headphones win over pricier ones if the difference isn't worth it), feedback from our visitors, and availability (no headphones that are difficult to find or almost out of stock everywhere).

If you would like to choose for yourself, here is the list of all our reviews for headphones, ranked by their suitability for commuting and traveling. Be careful not to get caught up in the details. There are no perfect headphones. Personal taste, preference, and listening habits will matter more in your selection, especially if you listen to audio at high enough volumes to drown out the ambient noise of your travels.

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• Tech Essentials

The 11 Best Noise-Canceling Headphones of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We tested noise-canceling headphones to find the best options for all of your travels.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Our Testing Process

• Others We Liked
• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Whether you can’t get enough of music, podcasts, or audiobooks, a pair of the best noise-canceling headphones can significantly improve the quality of your listening experience — especially if you’re traveling on a plane, commuting on a busy route, or working amid an abundance of background noise. 

In our New York City lab, we tested 27 pairs of noise-canceling headphones from the industry’s leading brands, including Apple, Samsung, and Jabra. We performed a series of tests that evaluated ease of use, functionality, comfort, and, of course, sound quality. We listened to a series of noises at different frequencies, such as a screaming baby, an airplane cabin, and a siren, to discover which headphones truly have the most ear-saving power. We then also tested all of these headphones out in the real-world to guarantee the best results to guide you while you shop.

The best noise-canceling headphones we tested are the Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700. These tried-and-true wireless headphones blew us away with the ability to silence any fracas with their active noise-canceling. On top of that, they are exceptionally comfortable to wear and are easy to set up and use. If over-the-ear headphones aren’t your style preference, we also have versatile earbud recommendations as well as verdicts on the best multi-use and budget options.

Best Overall

Bose noise cancelling headphones.

• Ease of Use 5 /5
• Functionality 5 /5
• Sound Quality 5 /5
• Noise Cancelation 5 /5
• Comfort 5 /5

These have a unique adjustability with an expandable headband and ear cups that slide up and down for an even better fit.

They didn't feel as secure on the head as other headphones we tested.

The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 earned the top spot on our list for the best noise-canceling headphones with superior performance across all of our testing categories. Most notably, these headphones blocked almost all outside sound with their active noise-canceling feature turned on — allowing you to work from anywhere . There are 11 levels of passive and active noise-canceling on this Bose model, and when we used the headphones at the highest setting, we couldn’t even hear ourselves voice talking. Even after six months of use, we found these to have the best noise-cancellation capabilities of any headphones we tested.

Along with the great noise cancellation quality, we also love how slim the case is — those two qualities seem ideal for commuting to the office. We wore these on a five-hour flight, and they were comfortable the whole time. The right earcup has touch sensors to adjust the sound level and noise-canceling presets as well as power the headphones on and off. Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa can work with these Bose headphones to allow hands-free assistance for answering texts or changing music selections. They're simple and easy to set up, but users will need to download the Bose app to take advantage of the headphones’ full functionality. Additionally, they're comfortable to wear, but when we moved around a bit, they didn’t feel as secure as some of the other headphones we tested.

The Details: Up to 20 hours battery life | Up to 33 feet Bluetooth range | Android and iOS | 8.96 ounces | Carrying Case | Over-ear

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik
• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best Budget

Anker soundcore life p3.

• Sound Quality 4 /5
• Noise Cancelation 4 /5
• Comfort 4.5 /5

The sound quality of the music is sharp and vibrant.

The sound quality isn’t as good during phone calls and it takes a few moments to turn them off and on.

For a pair of noise-canceling headphones at such an accessible price, we were impressed with the excellent sound projected from the Anker Soundcore Life P3 during testing. When listening to music at a low level, the active noise-canceling concealed all outside sounds, including the decibel tests with a baby screaming, a siren, subway sounds, and more. However, during the phone test, the person on the other end of our call could hear outside sounds. If some background noise during phone calls doesn’t bother you, this shouldn’t be a problem, but it’s something to consider if your primary use of these headphones would be for something requiring no disturbances.

After using these headphones for a full month, we found them to be so comfortable that we often forget we're wearing them. There are also several different sizes of tips included so you can tailor your headphones to your own preference. Users will need to download the Soundcore app to control the noise-cancelation settings, but the app was simple to use and the earbuds paired to our device immediately. 

The Details: 7 hours of playing time and another 35 hours with the case | Android and iOS | 2.24 ounces | Carrying Case | Earbuds

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Best Sound, Earbuds

Samsung galaxy buds pro.

The headphones have crisp and clear sound quality. 

The price depends on the color — some are more expensive than others.

The Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro headphones block out all surrounding noise and provide a vibrant sound. We love how lightweight and comfortable the earbuds are to wear, and they feel secure when you’re on the move. In lab testing, the active noise-canceling feature prevented almost all outside noises from being heard, except for some ambient noise at 84.5 decibels. Other than that, we couldn’t hear a siren, a baby screaming, an airplane cabin, or a construction drill at various decibel levels. Although Samsung is an Android product, we used an iPhone to pair with the earbuds and it was simple and hassle-free. Users can tap an earbud to adjust the active noise-cancelation and transparency levels as well as pause or play a song. We loved that it does a great job of adding bass to songs, creating a vibrant listening experience.

The Details: Up to 8 hours battery life | Up to 30 feet Bluetooth range | Android and iOS | 1.2 ounces | Carrying Case | Earbuds

Best Sound, Over-ear

Jbl tour one m2.

The smart noise cancelation instantly adapts to mask any new sounds introduced to your environment.

Talking on the phone or during video calls takes some getting used to as your own voice may sound echoey.

For daily commuters, frequent travelers, or anyone else who wants to be completely immersed in sound, JBL's Tour One M2 headphones have the adaptive technology you need to get that concert-quality experience. You can use these over-ear headphones right out of the box without the app, you just connect them to your device as you would any other Bluetooth device. The app, however, is helpful with interactive images to help guide you through headphone setup or to change the settings including the tap controls. Throughout our tests, we were able to connect to multiple devices, and especially love how it prioritizes your phone so, if you get a call while listening to your computer, it automatically switches devices when you answer.

These headphones are perfect for audiophiles as the noise-blocking capabilities are so advanced, it actually takes some getting used to. The Tour One M2's have smart noise cancelation that continuously adjusts as you’re wearing so if, for example, a train or siren goes by, the noise is blocked along with the regular nat sound of the room. We loved listening to music on these and felt more focused when listening to podcasts and audiobooks because there wasn’t any distracting background noise. It really allows you to be in your own world with whatever you’re listening to.

The Details: Up to 50 hours battery life | Android and iOS | 9.6 ounces | Over-ear

Most Comfortable, Over-ear

Sony wh-1000xm5 headphones.

• Ease of Use 2 /5
• Functionality 4 /5

They completely block out loud sounds and background noises.

The set-up can be tricky at first.

The Sony WH-1000XM5 are one of the most impressive all-around noise-canceling headphones we've used. We loved the lightweight and comfortable fit of the headphones; they aren't too snug or too loose but do appear slightly bulky on the head. During lab testing, these headphones impressed us with their automatic adaptive noise-canceling, which turns the noise-canceling on and off when someone starts speaking and allows users to easily skip or pause songs by tapping the side of the ear cups. When the active noise-canceling was turned on, it could prevent the sounds of a ride-on lawnmower from being heard while landscaping. And, when we walked around the city, the headphones created a “bubble” where outside noises were completely tuned out.

We did have some difficulties setting up the headphones due to a lack of instructions included by Sony, but once the app was downloaded, it became a much more intuitive experience. While the setup was tricky, these headphones more than made up for the inconvenience with incredible active noise cancelation.

The Details: Up to 30 hours battery life | Up to 30 feet Bluetooth range | Android and iOS | 8.8 ounces | Carrying Case | Over-ear

Most Comfortable, Earbuds

Jabra elite 85t earbuds.

• Functionality 4.5 /5
• Sound Quality 4.5 /5
• Noise Cancelation 4.5 /5

The Jabra app has a tool that tests sound leakage and recommends which size of the rubber earbud tip should be used.

You may have to read the directions to help with connecting to your computer.

Earbuds can be uncomfortable to wear for long amounts of time, but the Jabra Elite 85ts come with several thoughtful features to enhance comfort. There are three different sizes of rubber earbud tips, and the Jabra Sound+ app has a tool that emits a sound to test for leakage so that it can recommend the best fit for improving sound and comfort quality. We loved how lightweight and secure the earbuds felt.

There are 11 sound levels with active noise-canceling and a transparency mode for when you need to hear surrounding sounds better. You can toggle between six included sound settings and create custom presets on the app or by tapping the earbud. After wearing these headphones regularly for one month, we found that the noise-canceling aspect does work really well and makes for much more pleasant rides on the commuter train. These earbuds would be ideal for commuting or extended flights when travelers want to listen to music for long periods of time without having to worry about ear pain. 

The Details: Up to 25 hours battery life | 30 feet Bluetooth range | Android and iOS | 1.06 ounces | Carrying Case | Earbuds

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Karen Chen

Best Splurge

Apple airpods max.

The sound quality and noise-canceling are excellent during phone calls.

They don't turn off unless they're in the case, so you have to always carry the case with you.

Apple’s first pair of over-the-ear headphones, the AirPods Max earned our fandom with noise-canceling abilities that blocked out nearly all outside commotion while providing crisp and vibrant sound for music and phone calls. We found the sound quality to be much higher than other options, and the cancel/transparency range is larger. We also appreciated how intuitive the headphones are to use thanks to buttons along the earpiece that allow you to adjust the sound level, play or skip a song, and change the active noise-cancelation and transparency settings. During our decibel tests, the headphones only let in the sound of a screaming baby at 75.3 decibels; otherwise, the noise-cancelation blocked out sirens, talking, construction drills, and more. Even with the transparency setting on, we noted that the headphones provided a noise-blocking effect.

The headphones are comfortable to wear and shaped nicely to our heads without many adjustments needed, but they still not be the best option to use during your workouts. Although these Apple headphones have a higher price point than some, we think the sound and material quality match the cost for those who have a larger budget. Even after six months of regular use, these headphones certainly live up to the hype and continue to deliver an amazing listening experience.

The Details: Up to 20 hours battery life | 33 feet Bluetooth range | Android and iOS | 13.6 ounces | Carrying Case | Over-ear

Best Battery Life

Jabra elite 85h.

There are six preset equalizer settings, but you can save custom presets, too.

The noise-cancelation didn’t feel as strong as other headphones we tested.

On one single charge, the Jabra Elite 85H has a 36-hour battery life with the active noise cancelation turned on — an ideal length for travelers that might not have regular access to a power-up. To pair the headphones and control the noise-canceling abilities, users will have to download the Jabra Sound+ app, which includes features like sleep mode and a headphone tracker to find them if they get misplaced. We had no issues setting up the app and appreciated the tour the app gave that outlined how to use the headphones. After one month of regular use, these exceeded our expectations. The audio quality is amazing and the noise cancelation and hear-through mode works like a charm.

The noise-canceling feature especially impressed us by blocking out ambient noise like the sounds of an airplane cabin. We were able to hear the highest-pitched sounds like a baby screaming, but thoughtful features like the ability to play white noise from the app help block out noise. The headphones are comfortable to wear but aren’t as lightweight as the others we tested. On the plus side for portability, they fold up and fit into a compact carrying case that is perfect for air travel. 

The Details: Up to 36 hours battery life | 33 feet Bluetooth range | Android and iOS | 10.4 ounces | Carrying Case | Over-ear

Best for Apple Users

Apple airpods pro.

• Durability 4.5 /5

It takes Apple users seconds and almost no effort to pair Apple AirPods Pro.

After six months of use, we noticed the battery life doesn't last as long as when they were new.

Apple users who are looking to stay within the iOS family should consider the AirPods Pros. The pairing process for Apple users takes minimal effort and almost no time at all. We paired the headphones to a phone easily and were able to adjust the active noise-canceling and transparency features without issue. The sound quality of the headphones didn’t blow us away, but we were thoroughly impressed with the noise-canceling ability that silenced any outside noise, including our simulated tests with sounds like a siren, a screaming baby, and a car honking. On a flight, we were impressed with the quality and its ability to drown out the airplane noises.

To suit your size preference, the Apple earbuds come with three different earbud tips so you can customize how snug you want them to feel in your ear. Another great feature for Apple users is the ability to track your earbuds if you misplace them by using the Find My Friends app on an iPhone. Android users can certainly enjoy a pair of AirPods Pros, but we think Apple users or people new to using wireless earbuds will appreciate the convenience the most. [Note: We tested the first generation headphones here, but we've also later reviewed the newer model as well.]

The Details: Up to 5 hours battery life | Android and iOS | 0.18 ounces | Carrying Case | Earbuds

Best Multi-use

Beats fit pro noise canceling earbuds.

• Ease of Use 4.5 /5

You can skip songs and adjust the volume level by tapping on the earbud.

The control buttons aren't easy to locate; you may have to feel around to find them.

Whether you're traveling, commuting, or working out at the gym, you'll love how comfortable and intuitive the Beats Fit Pros are. Pairing the headphones to a phone is incredibly easy — all you have to do is open the case and the device will automatically connect via Bluetooth. These earbuds have special audio that allows users to adjust the sound transparency to completely block out noise or allow it to filter through while using the earbuds. The sound quality for playing music was powerful, and nothing leaked through the active noise-cancelation. However, when talking on the phone, you may not want to activate the noise-canceling feature, otherwise you may not sound clear on the other end. After six months of regular use, we're so impressed with the battery power on these headphones and find that they only need to be charged once a week.

The Details: Up to 24 hours battery life | 33 feet Bluetooth range | Android and iOS | Carrying Case | Earbuds

Best Customizable

Bose quietcomfort earbuds.

• Ease of Use 4 /5
• Comfort 3.5 /5
• Noise-Cancellation 5 /5

We love the quiet mode for when you really need to focus.

They may not be comfortable for people with small ears.

When it comes to noise-canceling headphones, we usually focus on blocking out sound so you can hear your music or movie without distraction. These headphones take things one step further by allowing users to customize their own noise-cancelation mode from a full cancelation "quiet" mode to a fully aware mode that automatically adjusts based on your surroundings. There's also an app you can use to track you earbuds — not just the case — in case one gets lost. We were also very impressed with the sound quality of these earbuds when listening to music. It feels like a full surround system and the music is so clear. The downside is that the left earbud doesn't work on its own since the Bluetooth actually connects to the right bud. Both earbuds also have tap controls, so these are best used together for optimal listening.

The Details: Up to 6 hours battery life | 30 feet Bluetooth range | Android and iOS | 0.3 ounces | Carrying Case | Earbuds

We gathered our product testers in our New York City lab to find the best noise-canceling headphones through a series of tests that evaluated ease of use, functionality, sound quality, comfort, noise-cancelation, and overall value. We tested 27 earbuds and headphones from industry-leading tech and audio brands like Apple, Bose, Sony, and more.

Travel + Leisure / Vicky Wasik

To test the ease of use, we had our participants unbox each set of headphones and note how easy it was to pair their cellphones to them. Some brands require an app to be downloaded that controls the features of each headphone, whereas others can be controlled by tapping on the earbud to adjust the settings. These features were tested for functionality to determine how difficult it was to navigate the headphones’ features.

Next, we carefully considered the comfort of each pair of headphones and earbuds. Some earbuds came with multiple sizes of rubber tips, and the over-the-ear headphones could be adjusted to fit the shape of the user’s head. Everyone made a phone call to test the microphone and asked the person on the other end of the call how clear their voice sounded. 

Our team used the headphones during a variety of noise-canceling challenges that included listening to music while walking around outside and participating in frequency assessments to listen for sounds at different levels with and without music playing. The decibel tests included a baby screaming, sirens, subway noises, construction drills, cars honking, and airplane cabin noises.

Travel + Lesiure / Vicky Wasik

Other Noise-canceling Headphones We Liked

Some noise-canceling headphones came close to making our list of top performers, but the pairs below lacked features and qualities compared to our winners. 

Bose QuietComfort 35 II : These headphones were comfortable to wear and easily blocked ambient sounds, but the sound quality didn’t impress us, and we think there are better headphones out there for the same price or less. 

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX : These have a great battery life and the app is easy to use, but the price is high considering we couldn’t fully tell the difference between the active noise-canceling and transparency settings. 

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

Sony WH-1000XM4 : Despite having excellent sound quality and noise-canceling abilities, the newer version of these headphones outperformed this older set during testing. 

OnePlus Buds Pro True Wireless Earbuds : These earbuds are simple to use, but they weren’t the most comfortable to wear and felt disorienting when listening to only one earbud at a time.

Tips for Buying Noise-canceling Headphones

Consider your primary use .

Depending on what you plan on using a pair of noise-canceling headphones for, be sure to consider factors like earbuds versus headphones, noise-canceling ability with phone calls versus music, and the price. If you’re planning on using a pair of noise-canceling headphones for work, consider prioritizing headphones that block out noise during phone calls specifically. For travelers, a lightweight pair of earbuds will be best for portability as well as long battery life and overall comfort for long journeys. 

Know the pros and cons of overhead versus earbuds

Overhead headphones and earbuds can both offer excellent noise-canceling abilities but differ when it comes to style, portability, and comfort. Travelers might find earbuds to be easier to carry around — especially if they are already bringing along a travel pillow — but headphones that go over the ears may end up being more comfortable for longer amounts of time. Plus, while earbuds are small and discreet, headphones are noticeable and could get in the way of workouts or sleeping on your side.

Noise-canceling headphones are designed to reduce background noise while listening to music or talking on the phone. While they can’t eliminate all surrounding sounds, active noise-cancellation can help with drowning out ambient noise and providing clear and crisp sound quality whether you’re listening to music or taking a phone call. Some headphones, like those from the Jabra brand, have white noise features that let users listen to sounds like ocean waves to help cover outside noise.

Active noise-canceling (ANC) neutralizes outside sounds using built-in microphones to pick up sounds and using sounds that are out of phase with the external sounds to counteract ambient noise. Passive noise-canceling features are the physical design of the earbud or headphones that prevent outside noise. For example, the shape and cushion of ear cups and the rubber tips on earbuds are passive noise-canceling features. 

Noise-canceling headphones, especially over-ear headphones, generally have padding and other components that block noise even when they are not projecting music. Active noise-canceling headphones (ANC) can block noise whether or not you are playing music.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Anna Popp is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure , where she writes and reviews travel products. She has been travel writing since 2018 and product testing since 2021. Anna worked with travel editors to determine the results for the best noise-canceling headphones based on a series of tests completed by our testers in our lab.

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Article updated on September 24, 2024 at 10:30 AM PDT

Best Travel Headphones for 2024

Do you have upcoming travel plans? We've rounded up the best noise-canceling headphones to pack for all your adventures.

Our Experts

• Maggie Award for Best Regularly Featured Web Column/Consumer

CNET’s expert staff reviews and rates dozens of new products and services each month, building on more than a quarter century of expertise.

What to consider

Value can reflect quality. Consider your needs and what your budget allows.

Fit (Comfort)

Ensuring the headphones you choose fit your head help minimize any discomfort from extended wear.

Sturdy quality helps ensure your headphones hold up well over time.

Premium headphones should offer best-in-class noise cancelling as well as have great microphones for phone calls.

Return Policy

Be sure to buy from a reputable retailer so you can make a return if you aren't 100% happy with your purchase.

What are the best travel headphones overall?

However you choose to travel, the right pair of headphones can take a noisy vessel and turn it into a joyful experience full of music or stories while you go to new lands. There are many noise-canceling headphones to pick from for both Apple users and Android users alike. Something to think about when selecting the best travel headphones for you in addition to offering great quality of sound for music is if you want them to also be good for phone calls.

I've tested and used a lot of headphones including earbuds and over-ear headphones during my travels over the last 10 years, and it's tough to pick just one model as the absolute best overall travel headphones. For full-size models, I like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones , the Sony WH-1000XM5 and even the lightweight and more affordable Sony CH-720N (lighter is better when it comes to travel headphones). All these models are wireless headphones, but they include a cord so you can plug into an in-flight entertainment system. They feature active noise canceling to block external noise and are also good for making voice calls.

There are also plenty of great noise-canceling earbud options , including the highly rated Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds , Apple's AirPods Pro 2 and Sony's WF-1000XM5 . True-wireless earbuds are easier to carry around and can be stored in your pocket. The downside is they don't have a wired option and won't connect to an in-flight entertainment system unless you buy a Bluetooth transceiver like Twelve South's AirFly Pro (around $50) and other similar products you can find on Amazon . (Read our full review of the AirFly Pro .)

I've tested all the headphones on this list and will update the list as new travel-friendly headphones are released.

Best travel headphones of 2024

• Excellent sound and best-in-class noise canceling
• Fit Kit ear tips and stabilizer system gets you a secure, comfortable fit
• Immersive Audio creates a different listening experience
• Slightly improved voice-calling
• No wireless charging or multipoint Bluetooth
• Immersive Audio mode hurts battery life

Best for noise-canceling

Bose quietcomfort ultra earbuds.

While the QC Ultra Earbuds aren't a major upgrade over Bose's excellent QC Earbuds 2 that were released in 2022, they're a little better. They should fit most ears very well, and they feature superb noise canceling, arguably the best travel headphones for blocking sound out there. A natural-sounding transparency mode with a new ActiveSense feature kicks in some ANC should the sound get too loud around you (it's sort of similar to the AirPods Pro's Adaptive Audio feature). These Bose headphones also sound slightly better overall, with a touch more clarity, and their new Immersive Audio feature opens up the sound a bit.

• Design is an upgrade
• Lightweight and very comfortable
• Excellent sound and great noise canceling
• Voice-calling performance is top-notch
• Immersive Audio mode offers some sound-quality enhancements
• Higher price than the previous model
• No USB-C audio

Best Bose noise-canceling headphones

Bose quietcomfort ultra headphones.

While Bose's new flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones may not be a huge upgrade over the company's Noise Cancelling 700 headphones, they feature a more premium design along with Bose's new Immersive Audio feature, which delivers some sound-quality enhancements. Along with excellent sound and great noise canceling, the QC Ultra Headphones are also superb for making calls, with top-notch background noise reduction. All that adds up to the best new noise-canceling headphones of 2024 and a worthy adversary to Sony's highly rated WH-1000XM5 and Apple's AirPods Max.

• More refined sound and even better noise canceling
• Slightly more comfortable
• Best-in-class voice call quality
• Robust feature set
• Higher price tag than the previous model
• Larger carrying case (headphones fold flat but not up)

Best noise-canceling headphones from Sony

Sony wh-1000xm5.

When you have a product that a lot of people love, change can be risky. Such is the case for Sony's WH-1000XM5, the fifth generation of the 1000X series headphones, which were first released in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless and have become increasingly popular as they've improved with each generation. Over the years, Sony has made some tweaks to the design, but nothing as dramatic as what it's done with the WH-1000XM5. Other than the higher price tag, most of those changes are good, and Sony's made some dramatic improvements with voice-calling performance, as well as even better noise-canceling and more refined sound.

• New smaller design
• Improved sound, noise canceling and voice calling
• Upgraded processors and drivers
• No Find My feature integrated into app

Best Sony earbuds

Sony wf-1000xm5.

When Sony's  WF-1000XM4  earbuds came out in 2021, we awarded them a CNET Editors' Choice. And while they're excellent, we had some quibbles -- they're on the large side and aren't a good match for certain ears. Clearly, Sony took those gripes to heart when it set out to design its next-generation WF-1000XM5 flagship noise-canceling earbuds. Not only are the XM5s smaller, but they also offer improved performance pretty much across the board, with better noise canceling, great sound quality and voice calling. Are the XM5s perfect? Not quite. At $300 -- $20 more than their predecessor -- they're costly too. Overall they're really impressive; among the very top earbuds on the market.

• Comfortable fit
• Good sound for their low price
• Decent noise-canceling and voice-calling performance
• ANC disabled when in wired mode
• Lacking a bit of clarity

Top new budget noise-canceling headphones

Earfun wave pro.

Earfun has made some very solid budget earbuds and now it's entered the full-size ANC headphone space with its new-for-2024 Wave Pro headphones. They list for $80, but click the coupon on their product page and add the code EWPROCNET at checkout and the price drops to $63 . While they may not sound as good as premium noise-canceling headphones from Bose, Sony, they're comfortable to wear, feature decent sound with punchy bass (they're a bit lacking in clarity and bass definition compared to more expensive models) and offer respectable noise canceling and voice-calling performance. I found them to be a step up from the Soundpeats Space headphones, which sometimes cost a little less.

They're rated for up to 80 hours of battery with noise-canceling off and 55 hours with it on and support multipoint Bluetooth pairing as well as Sony's LDAC audio codec for Android smartphones and other devices that support that protocol. I also like that they come with a hard case and a cable for wired listening (though noise-canceling is disabled when you go wired, which is a bit of a bummer).

• Significantly improved sound and noise canceling
• Better battery life and upgraded microphones
• Powered by Apple's new H2 chip
• Basically the same design as previous model
• No high-resolution audio

Best Apple noise-canceling wireless earbuds

Apple airpods pro 2 (usb-c).

The AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are powered by Apple's new H2 chip, which delivers more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that offers better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved -- Apple says the new AirPods have "double" the noise canceling of the original AirPods Pro. Additionally, the new AirPods add an extra hour of battery, up from five to six hours with noise canceling on. Plus, a speaker in the case that emits a sound that helps locate your buds via Find My should they decide to hide from you.

• Lightweight and comfortable
• Good sound with very good noise canceling
• Good voice-calling performance
• 35 hours of battery life
• No carrying case
• No ear-detection sensors
• No LDAC audio codec support

Top midrange noise-canceling headphones

Sony ch-720n.

Sony's improved entry-level noise-canceling headphones, the CH-720Ns, have a bit of a plasticky budget vibe, but they're lightweight and very comfortable. Part of me was expecting them to sound pretty mediocre, but I was pleasantly surprised. No, they don't sound as good as the WH-1000XM5s. They sound more premium than they look (and feel), and their overall performance is a step up from their predecessor, the CH-710Ns. Are they worth $150? Maybe -- or maybe not. The good news is that, like the CH-710N and WH-XB910 before them, these should see significant discounts in the not-so-distant future, which is what you may want to wait for.

• Well-designed and comfortable to wear
• Good sound quality and noise-canceling performance
• Strong feature set
• Strong battery life
• Voice-calling suffers in windy environments

New mid-range JBL noise-canceling headphones

Jbl live 770nc.

The well-designed and comfortable JBL Live 770NC offers some modest improvements over its predecessor, including better battery life (up to 65 hours with ANC off and 50 hours with ANC on) and Bluetooth 5.3 with LE Audio (via a future firmware upgrade). Equipped with 40mm drivers, you get bold, nicely defined sound with powerful bass that's relatively tight. JBL's Ambient Aware and TalkThru features are on board along with multipoint Bluetooth pairing (the one feature that's missing is ear-detection sensors that pause your music when you take the headphones off). I thought the headphones' noise muffling capabilities were good and callers said they could hear me well even in noisier environments except when the wind picked up around me. The headphones fold up and a simple carrying pouch (no hard case) is included along with a cable for wired listening.

• Improved sound quality, noise canceling and ear pad design
• Very good voice-calling performance
• Spatial audio with head tracking for Apple users
• USB-C audio
• No Apple H2 chip
• No major design changes except for case

Best Beats over-ear headphones

Beats studio pro.

Love 'em or hate 'em, Beats Studio headphones are among the most popular headphones of all time, launching as wired headphones back in 2008. This is the fourth generation version, and they carry the same list price as their predecessor and look very similar on the outside but have some big changes on the inside that make them significantly better headphones. I'm tempted to describe them as more affordable plastic versions of the AirPods Max. That's not quite accurate due to a choice in chipsets and one notable missing feature. Read our full review to find out what makes this a very good headphone with some caveats.

• Excellent sound
• Improved noise canceling and voice-calling performance
• Impressive battery life
• Good sound personalization features
• Ho-hum design
• Noise-canceling isn't as good as Sony's or Bose's

Best Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones

Sennheiser momentum 4 wireless.

Sennheiser's previous-generation Momentum Wireless headphones have always had a pretty distinct look that was part retro, part modern, and stood out for the exposed metal on their headband. For better or worse, that's all gone now, and the new Momentum 4 Wireless, Sennheiser's flagship noise-canceling headphones, look a bit more subdued and also a bit more like some of their competitors.

The Momentum 4 Wireless offers superior performance over the Momentum 3 Wireless in every regard, although the biggest gains are with noise canceling and voice-calling performance as well as battery life, which is outstanding (up to 60 hours at moderate volume levels). Transparency mode allows ambient sound in, and they can create a custom sound profile in the Smart Control app for iOS and Android using the built-in EQ, sound modes and a new Sound Personalization feature that "assesses the user's listening preferences and adjusts the listening experience according to their taste." 

Equipped with 42mm drivers, Sennheiser says the Momentum 4 Wireless offers "best-in-class" sound, which is debatable. I'd say the Momentum 4's sound quality is right there with other models in this price range. They sound excellent, with the requisite well-defined, punchy bass, relatively wide soundstage (they sound pretty open) and smooth treble that brings out some of the finer details in well-recorded tracks. They're a pleasure to listen to.

• Very good sound and noise canceling
• Headphone cable now has integrated microphone
• Mostly the same as previous model but costs $50 more

Slightly upgraded Bose noise-canceling headphones

Bose quietcomfort headphones.

When Bose released its new flagship QuietComfort Ultra Headphones, it also replaced the QuietComfort 45s with a new, slightly updated model simply called the QuietComfort Headphones. Like the QC 45s, this model carries on the very comfortable tried-and-true legacy QuietComfort design that's been around for a few generations and that people continue to love. The QC Ultra Headphones add Bose's new Immersive Audio feature and have a more refined design with some metal parts (they also have Bluetooth 5.3 instead of Bluetooth 5.1). The QuietComfort Headphones still feature very good sound (the Ultras offer a small step up in quality), excellent noise canceling and strong voice-calling performance.

As for differences between these and the QC45s, Bose says it adjusted some of the electronics to improve battery life (now 24 hours vs. 22 hours) and adjusted the logos to make the products "visually distinguishable and more in line with its latest design language." It also added an inline microphone to the auxiliary cable to "help with some users who may prefer a plug-and-play solution rather than Bluetooth pairing." There's also a Wind Block feature and some additional small performance improvements due to software upgrades. Finally, the headphones come in new color options, including green and a light blue version that's only available at bose.com.

While the QuietComfort Headphones carry a $350 list price that's $50 higher than that of the QC 45s, we expect them to be regularly discounted to $250 and possibly less than that in 2024 -- so look to buy them when they're on sale. You can read our review of the QuietComfort 45 to get a good take on the QuietComfort Headphones.

Factors to consider when choosing travel headphones

Before anything else, you'll want to figure out how much you're willing to spend on new travel headphones. The quality of value-priced noise-canceling headphones continues to improve, so you can find good affordable headphones for less than $100. The premium models, which offer better build quality and performance, tend to cost $200 or more -- sometimes much more. 

Fit (comfort)

It's key that the travel headphones you buy fit your head well. They should offer a comfortable fit that's snug yet not too snug. Ideally, you want headphones you can wear over a day with minimal breaks.

You want travel headphones that hold up well over time, so look for models that we note have sturdy build quality.

Maximize performance and features for your budget

You want the best-sounding headphones with the best noise-canceling, call quality and features for whatever fits your budget.

Return policy

It's critical to buy your headphones at a retailer that has a good return policy, in case you have buyer's remorse. Some people who are having trouble deciding between two models sometimes buy both, try them out for a few days and then return one.

How we test travel headphones and earbuds

We test travel headphones and earbuds based on six key criteria. These criteria include  design ,  sound quality , noise-canceling performance ,  voice-calling performance, features  and  value . 

• Design : Evaluating design, we assess not only how comfortable the headphones and earbuds fit (their ergonomics) but their build quality and how well the controls are implemented. When it comes to earbuds, we also look at water- and dust-resistance ratings. 
• Sound quality : We evaluate sound by listening to a set playlist of music tracks and comparing the earbuds to top competing products in their price range. Sonic traits such as bass definition, clarity, dynamic range and how natural the headphones sound are key factors in our assessment.
• Noise-canceling performance : We evaluate noise-canceling performance by wearing headphones in the same spot indoors near a noisy HVAC unit to see how well they do at muffling lower frequencies. Then we head out to the streets of New York to test the headphones in a real-world environment where we see how they do at muffling not only street noise but people's voices. 
• Extra features : Some great-sounding noise-canceling headphones and earbuds aren't loaded with features, but we do take into account what extra features are on board. These include everything from quick-access awareness to transparency modes (your music pauses and the headphones open up to the outside world so you can have a conversation) to special sound modes to ear-detection sensors that automatically pause your music when you take the headphones off your ears. We also take a look at the companion app for the headphones if there is one and how user-friendly it is. 
• Voice-calling : When we test voice-calling performance, we make calls in the noisy streets of New York and evaluate how well the headphones or earbuds reduce background noise and how clearly callers can hear our voices.
• Value : We determine value after evaluating the strength of the headphones and earbuds against all these criteria and what they're able to deliver compared to other models in their price class. 

Other travel headphones we tested

Beats Fit Pro : While the Beats Fit Pro technically aren't AirPods, they're built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro (yes, Apple owns Beats). Unlike Beats' earlier and less expensive  Studio Buds  and new-for-2023 Studio Buds Plus , the Beats Fit Pro include Apple's H1 chip and have most of the  AirPods Pro's  features, including active noise canceling, spatial audio and Adaptive EQ. I'd venture to call them the sports AirPods you've always wanted. Learn more about the Beats Fit Pro with our hands-on review here.

JBL Live 670NC : The JBL Live 670NC is one of a relatively small number of on-ear headphones to offer active noise canceling. It's something of a value model -- no carrying case is included -- but it does have memory foam ear pads that get you a comfortable fit for an on-ear headphone. Deliver clear sound with punch bass, it has 32mm drivers and improves on its predecessor's battery life, offering up to an impressive 70 hours (or 44 hours with ANC on), and an extra three hours of battery with just five minutes of charge. This model includes the latest Bluetooth 5.3 (with LE Audio) and multipoint Bluetooth pairing. It also has JBL's Ambient Aware (transparency mode) and TalkThru features. It's available in black, white and blue and comes with a cord for wired listening.

Master & Dynamic MW75 : The MW75 are Master & Dynamic's best full-size headphones yet. Needless to say, they're pricey at $599; most people will be quite satisfied with the $400 Sony WH-1000XM5, which is lighter and more comfortable and delivers best-in-class voice calling and noise canceling. The MW75's build quality is hard to beat and they offer top-notch sound for a wireless model (I thought they sounded better than Apple's AirPods Max headphones), plus strong voice-calling and noise-canceling performance. With their support for aptX Adaptive, they have additional appeal for Android users, who can get a touch better sound with the right setup. I was also quite happy streaming music with my iPhone 13 Pro using the AAC codec.

Master & Dynamic MW09 (Update: sold out): Master & Dynamic headphones and earbuds have always featured unique, eye-catching designs that include premium materials like aluminum, sapphire glass and Kevlar. Its latest MW09 flagship earbuds look pretty similar to its earlier MW08 buds, but have some upgrades on the inside that deliver better performance, particularly when it comes to battery life and noise canceling (it's now very close to what Bose and Sony offer, although not quite at their level for ANC).

Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro : The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offers improved noise canceling along with very good sound and voice-calling performance, plus support for high-resolution wireless audio streaming if you're a Galaxy device owner with the right setup. Their biggest upgrade may be their new design and smaller size, which make them a better fit for more ears. Aside from their somewhat high price tag, their only drawback is that some of their key features only work with Samsung Galaxy devices. To find out their compatibility, check out our Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review .

Beats Studio Buds Plus : Alas, for those of you who bought the original Beats Studio Buds, which remain on the market for now, I'm sorry to report that these new Plus buds are significantly improved, with better sound, noise canceling and battery life. Additionally, they now deliver top-notch voice-calling performance. Read our full Beats Studio Buds Plus review for more information on the upgrade.

Google Pixel Buds Pro : The Pixel Buds Pro are Google's first earbuds to feature active noise canceling. While it's nice that they finally have a feature that most true-wireless earbuds have had for a while, what ultimately sets the Pixel Buds Pro apart and makes them worth considering -- particularly for Android users -- is their distinct design and winning fit. That helps enhance their performance on both the sound and noise-canceling fronts. While not quite elite for voice-calling, they also performed well as a headset for making calls. Read our  Google Pixel Buds Pro review . 

Travel headphones FAQ

Are noise-canceling headphones worth it.

A few years ago, you had to pay significantly more money for active noise-canceling headphones. The feature has become pretty common and while the best noise-canceling headphones (by that I mean the headphones that offer the best noise-canceling) tend to be fairly expensive, you can find cheaper models that offer decent noise cancellation. I do think that if noise canceling is important to you, it's better to spend more money on the best pair of noise-canceling headphones you can afford. It's worth noting that many of the premium models get discounted sporadically during the year so you can often save $50 or more on many top headphones if you time your purchase right. 

What's the difference between 'Noise-Canceling' and 'Noise Cancelling?'

Either spelling is correct, as "canceling" is more common in American English while "cancelling" is more common in British English. CNET uses "noise canceling" since the company is based in the US, but the noise is canceled just the same, regardless of spelling. If you're looking to see what different noise-impacting technology is out there for headphones, check out our article on noise-canceling versus noise-isolating headphones , which highlights differences in function (and not just a difference in spelling).

Does noise cancellation block all noise?

Noise-canceling headphones have traditionally been good at blocking out lower frequency sounds such as the rumbling you hear while traveling on a plane. They haven't been so good at muffling higher frequencies (a baby screaming, for example) and even people talking around you. Companies like Bose, Sony and Apple have improved the technology in the last year or two so their noise canceling works across a wider range of frequencies. It still can't muffle all noise but top noise canceling is now doing a better job tamping down more noises that live in midrange and higher frequencies.

Does noise canceling drain the headphones' battery?

When noise canceling is engaged, it does tend to have an impact on battery life. This is more of a factor with earbuds, which tend to offer anywhere from five to eight hours of battery life with noise canceling on and seven to 12 hours with it off. Full-size headphones can offer 25 to 30 hours of battery life with noise canceling on and up to 40 to 50 hours with it off.

Does noise canceling impact sound quality?

Active noise canceling does hurt sound quality, especially if the noise canceling isn't all that good (noise canceling can create a faint background hiss). It can mess with the purity of the sound so it's tricky to create a noise-canceling headphone that sounds really good. As a result, often high-end noise-canceling headphones that tout fantastic sound don't have as powerful noise canceling (the noise canceling feels lighter). 

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We tested the 6 best noise-canceling headphones for travel

I can't fly anywhere without a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

Even if I'm not actively listening to music or enjoying a TV show, I often use noise-canceling headphones to drown out background noise.

If you've traveled recently, I probably don't need to convince you of the value of a pair of these headphones. These days, there are more distractions than ever in airports and on planes — there are only so many times I can hear the same canned pitch for a cobranded airline credit card.

However, if you really want to drown out everything, which pair of headphones or earphones does it best? Here's a guide to my current favorites based on portability, sound experience, comfort, battery life and, of course, how well their noise-canceling abilities fare in the TPG hair dryer test.

Apple AirPods Pro

How portable are they.

Since their introduction in 2019, Apple's AirPods Pro have been my go-to travel headphones, thanks in no small part to their portability.

AirPods Pro have two components: a charging case and the earbuds. The charging case is where the AirPods sit when they're not in your ears, and there's even a built-in speaker to help you find the case if you misplace it.

The actual earbuds are much smaller than Apple's entry-level AirPods, and they're much less bulky and unwieldy than some other earbuds on the market.

How is the sound?

Apple recently introduced the second-generation AirPods Pro with a claim of double the active noise cancellation of the legacy model. If you were on the fence about these earbuds before, this updated model should make them a no-brainer for most travelers who use an iPhone.

With the second-generation buds, I am disturbed by fewer announcements and chatty passengers than with the original model. The sound quality is also noticeably better, thanks to a more powerful audio driver.

How comfortable are they?

Aside from the portability, the AirPods Pro also excel in terms of comfort.

As you decide which headphones are right for you, you'll need to choose between in-ear and over-ear models. Back in the day, in-ear headphones didn't offer great noise cancellation. However, Apple and its competitors have since introduced earbuds that feature this travel must-have.

That's great news since I find earbuds are generally more comfortable than over-ear headphones. Also, with four tip sizes included with the AirPods Pro, you're bound to find the right fit.

How is the battery?

The second-generation AirPods Pro offer up to six hours of listening time with a single charge. The charging case offers 30 hours of listening time, and just five minutes in the case provides about one additional hour of listening time.

The hair-dryer test

To simulate the background noise on an airplane, I borrowed my wife's Dyson hair dryer and blasted it at full force next to my ears while listening to the same song (Taylor Swift's "Enchanted") through each of the following six pairs of headphones (set at the same 80% volume level).

The verdict? I could hear the blow dryer when it was at the highest setting, but only just.

Are they worth it?

The fact that the AirPods Pro fit in my pocket makes them a game changer for travel. I used to lug around bulky over-ear headphones, but why bother when you can get great sound quality in a pair of earbuds that fit in the palm of your hand?

Sure, there are headphones that offer better noise cancellation, but the AirPods Pro pack the best mix of sound, noise cancellation and portability that an iPhone user will find in a small package.

Additionally, with multiple microphones, they double as a great set of headphones for those who make phone calls while on the road.

Buy now for $199.00 and save 20% on the standard price of $249.00

Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

Bose's Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are the company's sleekest over-ear headphones, but you'll still need to tote around a nearly 1-pound pouch when the headphones are stowed safely in your bag.

Aside from Bluetooth wireless connectivity, I love that you can also use the provided 3.5-millimeter audio cable to plug the headphones into seatback entertainment systems that don't yet support Bluetooth.

Bose is renowned for its best-in-class noise-canceling headphones, and the 700 series builds on that legacy with some of the best sound and noise cancellation you'll get in a pair of headphones.

I always feel immersed in my music when I listen to these headphones, and the noise cancellation is among the best I've experienced.

I also love that you can adjust the noise-cancellation levels to control how much of the outside world you want to hear.

These headphones are much more comfortable than some of Bose's older models, but they aren't for everyone.

During long-haul flights, I find that my ears sometimes start feeling numb after wearing these headphones for prolonged periods (something that hasn't bothered me with other over-ear headphones like the AirPods Max).

Bose's top-of-the-line headphones offer up to 20 hours of nonstop listening. It takes about 2 1/2 hours to fully recharge the headphones, and a quick 15-minute charge will provide up to 3 1/2 additional hours of battery life.

I couldn't hear the faintest sound from the hair dryer, even when it was blasting at full force.

Back in the day, Bose was No. 1 when it came to noise-canceling headphones. The company now has some formidable competitors, but Bose builds on a very strong foundation with the Noise Cancelling Headphones 700.

These are among the world's best over-ear noise-canceling headphones, and you certainly can't go wrong with them. I just wish they were a tiny bit more comfortable for prolonged periods of use.

Buy now for $299.00 and save 21% on the standard price of $379.00

Sony WH-1000XM5

Like any over-ear noise-canceling headphones, you'll need to make room in your bag for Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones, though they only weigh around 250 grams and shouldn't add too much weight to your luggage. They come with a carrying case to keep them in tip-top shape while you're on the move — just note that the ear cups don't fold in for a more compact carrying experience.

Like the Bose headphones, Sony's top-of-the-line model can connect directly to seatback entertainment systems using a 3.5-millimeter audio cable.

These headphones pack some serious active noise-cancellation chops, building on the company's already industry-leading noise-canceling technology.

Unlike the Bose offering, you can't adjust the level of noise cancellation, but you'll have no issue tuning out your surroundings when listening to music with these headphones.

I find these headphones to be perfectly comfortable for long-haul flights. They aren't too heavy on the head and ears, and the padded headband helps keep them in place throughout the journey.

Sony's headphones offer some of the best battery life you'll find. The company advertises up to 30 hours of nonstop use, with the ability to quickly charge the headphones for three minutes to unlock an additional three hours of music playback.

Just like the Bose 700s, I couldn't hear any noise from the hair dryer while listening to music with these headphones. To test them further, I blasted some music at 100% volume on my home speaker, and I could still barely hear any distractions with the Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones.

Sony's WH-1000XM5 headphones are about as good as you can get in the roughly $400 range. They've got great sound in a (somewhat) portable package with top-notch battery life.

In my experience, the Sony WH-1000XM5s slightly outperform the similarly priced Bose headphones in terms of noise cancellation — I am usually less distracted when wearing Sony's headphones on a plane.

Buy now for $328.00 and save 18% on the standard price of $399.99

Apple AirPods Max

There's no denying that these are among the sleekest headphones on the market, though that comes at the expense of some portability.

The AirPods Max include a magnetic smart carrying case, but it only protects the actual earpieces themselves. The headphones can't be folded to create a more compact configuration, so you'll need to make room in your bag for them.

While you might think that the AirPods Max only connect via Bluetooth, there's some great news. You can actually plug them directly into seatback entertainment systems using a Lightning to 3.5-millimeter Audio Cable, sold separately for $35.

As the most expensive headphones in this guide, you might not be surprised to learn that they offer the best noise cancellation I've experienced yet.

You can't control the level of noise cancellation, but when flying around with these headphones, you won't want to. With the AirPods Max, I had no trouble drowning out a crying baby sitting three rows behind me.

Combine this impressive noise cancellation with immersive sound, and these headphones offer travelers the best listening experience.

The AirPods Max aren't just sleek — they also boast an incredibly snug fit on the ear.

Apple did a great job designing the AirPods Max for inflight use, and for most domestic and transatlantic flights, your ears should stay cool and comfortable while using these headphones.

That said, some friends have complained about them getting a bit uncomfortable during the longest flights, something experts call "eardrum suck."

The AirPods Max offer up to 20 hours of listening time on a single charge, and five minutes of charging provides roughly an additional hour and a half of listening.

These numbers mean that you're set for all but the longest flight in the world (nearly 20 hours from pushback in New York to landing in Singapore).

As you might expect, the AirPods Max passed the hair-dryer test with flying colors.

The AirPods Max combine a best-in-class audio experience with top-notch noise cancellation in a modern and sleek package.

As the most expensive headphones in this guide, the AirPods Max are most definitely a splurge. However, if you're already in Apple's ecosystem and looking for the best travel headphones, these are it.

Buy now for $449.00 and save 18% on the standard price of $549.00

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

Much like the AirPods Pro, these earbuds are among the most portable noise-canceling headphones you'll find. They also magnetically snap into a separate charging case, which is longer and narrower than the AirPods Pro case.

The buds themselves are small and sleek and should fit into your ear without any issues — more on that below.

What sets these earbuds apart is the noise cancellation. They're just as good, if not a tiny bit better, than Apple's second-generation AirPods Pro.

That said, I find the overall listening experience on AirPods Pro to be more immersive — I don't feel nearly as engrossed with my music when using the Bose earbuds.

Bose's QuietComfort Earbuds II are very comfortable. There are three different size options for the tips and ear bands.

With nine different possible combinations, you shouldn't have a problem finding a very stable fit, no matter the shape of your ear.

Bose advertises up to six hours of battery life on a single charge, but I was able to beat that estimate by about 30 minutes on a recent flight.

The charging case offers 18 additional hours of battery life, and just 20 minutes of charging in the case should deliver up to two additional hours of listening time from the earbuds.

Bose's earbuds outperformed the AirPods Pro on the hair-dryer test. They blocked slightly more noise, but both sets of in-ear headphones should do the trick on most flights.

For most travelers, these earbuds will compete head-to-head against the AirPods Pro. If you aren't in the Apple ecosystem, the Bose buds may be the right choice for you.

For everyone else, the choice is much trickier. AirPods integrate seamlessly into the entire iPhone (and Apple product) experience. Coupled with a quick setup and familiar controls, the AirPods will certainly do the trick for many.

However, if you're looking for best-in-class noise cancellation, I'd consider the $50 splurge over the AirPods Pro for Bose's earbuds.

Buy now for $236.55 and save 21% on the standard price of $299.00

Soundcore by Anker Life Q20

One of the best travel features of the Life Q20 headphones is that they swivel inward for increased portability. They come with a drawstring travel pouch, and they won't take up as much space as the other over-ear headphones in this guide.

Aside from Bluetooth wireless connectivity, you can use the provided 3.5-millimeter audio cable to plug the headphones into seatback entertainment systems that don't yet support Bluetooth.

As you might expect for a sub-$60 pair of headphones, the Life Q20s aren't going to beat the likes of Apple, Bose or Sony.

That said, given the price tag, they offer an impressive amount of active noise cancellation. I find that the sound quality is better than expected for such an inexpensive pair of noise-canceling headphones.

With memory foam ear cups, these headphones do a pretty good job of molding to your ears. They're a bit bulkier than some of the other over-ear models, but that's a trade-off you have to make, given the price.

Of all the headphones in this guide, the cheapest ones also pack the longest battery life. Anker advertises 40 hours of wireless playback on a single charge.

If you're pressed for time, you can quickly charge these headphones for five minutes to add four hours of listening time.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, these headphones did the worst job of blocking out the background noise from the hair dryer. At the highest setting, I could definitely hear the noise from the Dyson.

If you aren't a super-frequent traveler, the Life Q20s may be a great starter option for you. The active noise cancellation and sound quality aren't as impressive as with the other, more expensive brands, but you're saving around $300 with these headphones.

Several other features may feel quite basic, including the outdated micro USB charging port. However, that's not stopping nearly 50,000 customers from leaving five-star Amazon reviews for these headphones.

Buy now for $59.99

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The 9 Best Travel Headphones of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

The latest audio gear must be hardwearing and functional

In This Article

• Our Top Picks

Other Travel Headphones We Tested

How we tested.

• What to Look For

Frequently Asked Questions

Why trust tripsavvy.

TripSavvy / Jhett Thompson

Travel headphones come in handy when you want to listen to music to soothe your flying anxiety or need to talk to loved ones back home with your hands-free. But what makes a great travel headphone? We wanted to find travel earbuds that could handle an arid Big Bend National Park hike and weather-resistant headphones that would let you explore Seattle on a rainy day. And we wanted to seek out the best travel headphones for noise cancellation—because who wants to deal with those annoying noises on a plane or train?  

To find the best travel headphones, we had several people test 26 different ones. They considered everything from sound quality to comfort, ease of use, and noise cancellation.

Best Overall

Bose noise cancelling headphones.

Impressive technical specs

Pair to two devices at once

Intuitive design

Requires hefty investment

Not particularly sport friendly

It’s no surprise that headphones by Bose would be our top pick. The brand is well known for its high-quality sound systems, and that ingenuity has made its way into the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. These over-the-head travel headphones come in black and silver and have such a crisp sound that our testers said it mimics hearing a band live. 

The headphones feature 11 different levels of noise cancellation, which you can change according to your preference. The tester said it could feel a little odd to be unable to hear your own voice, but at least you get a sense of how phenomenal the noise cancellation really is. When taking a voice call, you’ll be glad to know that the headphones have ten mics that work to remove background noise and capture only your voice—no need to worry about talking on a windy day or in a crowded airport. 

Our tester said that setting up the Bose headphones is super easy, thanks to the Bose app. The app also provides insight into using touch controls on the ear cups. For instance, by touching the right earcup, the headphones will open the last Spotify playlist you listened to and immediately start playing the next song. Other movements raise the volume and change songs. 

The headphones may be expensive, but it’s well worth the price to have headphones that can last 20 hours on a single charge and have a Bluetooth range of 30 feet. Remember that these are not the best headphones for rapid movements, like working out. They’re comfortable, but they’re unlikely to stay on your head if you’re doing a rigorous activity. 

Dimensions: 2 x 6.5 x 8 inches | Bluetooth Range: 30 feet | Battery Life: 20 hours

TripSavvy / Vicky Wasik

Best Budget

Anker soundcore life p3.

Water-resistant

Choice of different ANC settings

Feature-filled, value pick

Bluetooth range is not provided

The Anker Soundcore Life P3 headphones are not necessarily ‘cheap,’ but you get a high-quality product at a price that’s more affordable than others—and that’s ultimately why it’s our budget pick. The Anker Soundcore Life P3 earbuds have a seven-hour battery life on a single charge, but you can get an additional 35 hours of playback time by placing the earbuds into a fully-charged case. Ten minutes of charging provides two more hours of playback.  

As for the sound quality, our tester described it as ‘vibrant’ when listening to music. The BassUp mode, which increases the bass, is a nice touch. The earbuds have three noise cancellation modes—Transport, Outdoor, and Indoor—which remove noise based on your environment. Our tester couldn’t hear other noises when music played, even at low volume. They added that some sound came through when music wasn’t playing. 

Our tester was not impressed by how the sound quality of a voice call differed from the sound quality of music. They also noted that the noise cancellation features didn’t work well when on a call and that they could hear background noises on their end, as could the person on the other end of the phone call. 

There are plenty of features our tester didn’t mention that we find incredibly interesting, like how you can adjust the sound quality through the Soundcore app and choose preset modes like Game mode, which creates an immersive audio experience when playing mobile games. And if you ever lose an earbud, just hit “Find My Headset” in the app, and the earbud will emit a loud noise until you find it. 

Dimensions: 2.56 x 1.97 x 1.18 inches | Bluetooth Range: Not listed | Battery Life: 7 hours

Samsung Galaxy Buds Pro

Designed to work in outdoor conditions

Touch control and voice commands

Light and comfortable to wear

Bluetooth frequency range is unknown

ANC drains battery

Although Samsung makes these Buds Pro earbuds, you don't need an Android device to use them. In fact, our tester connected these earbuds to their iPhone and was blown away by the sound quality. They described the sound as "crisp and clear" and said they could hear each instrument that made up a song. 

Samsung designed these earbuds to block the sound of wind during calls and allow you to control the level of noise cancellation. So, if you want to hear no surrounding sounds, that's an option, but if you need ambient sound for safety purposes, like when walking around a city, you can have that too. Plus, the noise cancellation turns off automatically when it detects your voice so that you can converse with a flight attendant without taking out your earbuds or turning them off. 

We are a little disappointed by the earbuds' battery capabilities. You'll only get four hours of battery life when talking on the phone with noise cancellation on. Unfortunately, battery life is not much better when watching movies or listening to music—5 hours with noise cancellation on and 8 hours with it off. The case does hold an additional 13 to 20 hours of playback. Thankfully it only takes 5 minutes in the charging case for the earbuds to store up another hour of playtime. 

Lastly, these headphones are water resistant, can be tracked through the SmartThings app, and will automatically switch between devices.

Dimensions: The case is 4.75 x 3.5 x 1.75 inches, and the earbud is 20.8 x 19.5 millimeters | Bluetooth Range: Not listed | Battery Life: 4 to 8 hours on a single charge, depending on whether noise cancellation is on and whether you're playing music or talking

Best Comfort

Sony wh-1000xm4 noise canceling headphones.

Loaded with user-friendly capabilities

Available in three matte, colorways

Long-lasting

Set up is a little cumbersome

Noise cancellation needs improvement

The Sony WH-1000XM4 are over-the-head travel headphones with plush cushioning around the ears and enough flexibility to fit most heads comfortably. Where they shine brightest is in the battery life—30 hours! Plus, it only takes 10 minutes of charging to get five more hours of playback. Our tester didn’t like how confusing the setup was or that they had to create a Sony account, but once it was all said and done, they really enjoyed the sound quality of these headphones. 

Our tester said the sound was great, whether playing music or listening to podcasts. They mentioned an equalizer menu allowing users to adjust the sound however they see fit or use preset sound settings labeled “mellow” and “excited.” Noise cancellation seemed decent, and while our tester noted that they didn’t hear any other sounds when playing music, some sounds did come through when the music wasn’t playing. 

Users control the headphones through touch activation, though a few features are automatic. For instance, removing the headphones while playing music will automatically pause the song and then play from that exact spot when you put the headphones back on. The headphones also automatically pause your TV show or song when you speak.  

One of the most surprising things about the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones is their Bluetooth range of 400 meters or 1,312 feet—a considerably large distance. Of course, people, objects, walls, and electromagnetic fields can affect this, so we imagine that the Bluetooth frequency range is generally much shorter unless you’re in an open area.

Dimensions: 7.27 x 3.03 x 9.94 inches | Bluetooth Range: 1,312 feet | Battery Life: 30 hours

Best Splurge

Apple airpods max.

Breathable, headpiece

Filters outside noise extremely well

Top-notch listening experience

Not ideal for rainy travel

Not all features work with Android devices

If you have the cash lying about, the Apple AirPods Max will make excellent travel headphones. They’re designed with a unique mesh canopy that offers a comfortable fit on your head for most activities though if you’re doing something rigorous, they could fall off. While these headphones will connect to Android and Mac devices, overall, they’re better designed for Apple users. Set up is easy with an Apple phone, and Siri is integrated, meaning Siri will read your text messages and announce other notifications automatically. The headphones can pair with multiple Apple devices and switch over automatically from, say, an iPad to an iPhone when you receive a call. 

In our testing, we found that the sound quality was superb. Expect sharp and clear sounds and even some instruments that you probably wouldn’t have noticed with lesser headphones. Noise cancellation is equally fantastic, even in “Aware” mode. Our tester said that when using “Aware” mode, they had to be close to someone to know they were speaking to them. 

While these headphones are not water resistant, and we do not know the Bluetooth range, you’ll be glad to know that the buttons are easy to use and that the headphones automatically pause music when you take them off and continues playing the song when you put the headphones back on. 

Dimensions: 6.64 x 3.28 x 7.37 inches | Bluetooth Range: Not listed | Battery Life: 20 hours

Best Weather Resistant

Jabra elite 85h.

Sturdy hardware

Works with Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant

Generous run time

Not particularly lightweight

Audio experience could be better

Whether you get caught in the rain in London or want to listen to music at the beach, you’ll be glad to know that the Jabra Elite 85H headphones are water-resistant. We love that these headphones offer 36 hours of battery life when noise cancellation is on and 41 hours when it’s turned off. It doesn’t hurt that the headphones will automatically pause a song when you remove them from your head and then start the song up from the same spot when you put them back on. 

Our tester noted that these headphones were a bit heavy and that the sound quality was “average.” Perhaps by adjusting the sound settings through the app, you can create a more favorable sound quality. The app also helps you find the headphones if they’re lost. 

As for noise cancellation, it’s a smart model, which means that the headphones automatically adjust the noise cancellation depending on your environment. Our tester found that it worked decently well and suggests these headphones would be a good option for plane travel.

Dimensions: 9.25 x 7.64 x 3.31 inches | Bluetooth Range: 33 feet | Battery Life: 36 to 41 hours, depending on noise cancellation being on or off

Best for Tech Newbies

Apple airpods pro.

Scary good noise isolation

Ideal choice for working out

Simple and practical functionality

Longer-lasting battery would be nice

Android users won't get certain features

Airpods were a game changer when they were released, and it’s no surprise that people still love to travel with them today. These simple earbuds have three different tips to fit different ear sizes and are sweat and water-resistant. By simply touching or pressing the Airpods Pro earbuds a few times, you can change songs, pause, play, or turn on Transparency mode to hear the world around you. 

The sound quality of these earbuds is pretty good, though or tester noted, “It didn’t knock it out of the park for me.” The noise cancellation, on the other hand, was impressive to the tester, so much so that it made them nervous to walk around outside with the noise cancellation on because it was difficult to hear traffic and other people. 

Regarding battery life, the Airpods Pro can hold up to 4.5 hours of listening time on a single charge and only 3.5 hours if you’re talking the entire time—and that’s with active noise cancellation and transparency off. Comparable to others on this list, that’s not a lot of battery life. However, with the wireless charging case, you can get 18 additional hours of talk time and 24 hours of listening time, but you’ll need to charge the pods a few times. Five minutes in the case provides an hour of battery life. 

While we chose the Airpods Pro earbuds for “tech newbies,” that’s really only the case if you have an Apple device. Connecting is super simple for Apple users, and Siri can help with notifications, making calls, or even changing songs. Android users won’t be able to use Siri, and they’ll need to take a few more steps to connect the earbuds to their device.

Dimensions: each: 0.94 x 0.86 x 1.22 inches, Wireless Charging Case: 1.78 x 0.85 x 2.39 inches | Bluetooth Range: Not listed | Battery Life: 3.5 hours of talk time on a single charge, 4.5 hours of music/video playback on one charge, 24 hours of additional charge via a fully-charged case

Best Multi-Use

Beats fit pro noise canceling earbuds.

Hardwearing for active and outdoor pursuits

Flexible wingtips for a secure fit

Touch controls

Skimpy run time

These Beats Fit Pro earbuds are super stylish and offer a lot of value for the price. With the flexible wingtips, enjoy a super secure fit. The sweat and water-resistant feature means you can safely wear them while working out. Using these earbuds is simple, too. Just tap or press the earbuds to pause, skip a song, or even turn noise cancellation on and off. You can even wear one earbud at a time. 

When talking about the sound quality, our tester said that the “bass and rhythms of the music translate very well on different octaves.” However, they added that although the noise cancellation does an excellent job of removing all background noise, the sound quality felt more powerful and louder when not using the noise cancellation. They also felt like the audio on voice calls could be better. 

Perhaps our favorite aspect of the Beats Fit Pro earbuds is how it’s designed for Apple and Android users, and they each get their own features that work with their systems. Both have one-touch pairing, with Apple users also getting features like automatic switching between devices, audio sharing, and access to Siri. Apple users can also find an earbud on the Find My App. On the other hand, Android users can use the Beats App to customize the earbud controls, receive notifications about the battery level, and conduct a Fit Test to get the best sound and fit. 

As with most of the earbuds on this list, the battery life could be better. You only get 6 hours of listening time on a single charge, but with a fully charged case, you can get an additional 18 hours. Thankfully, it only takes five minutes of charge time to get one hour of playback.

Dimensions: Bud: 1.18 x .94 x .75 inches, case: 2.44 x 2.44 x 1.12 inches | Bluetooth Range: Not listed | Battery Life: 6 hours of listening time on a single charge, up to 18 hours with the charging case

Best Earbuds

Jabra elite 85t earbuds.

Wind protection for better calls

Serious noise isolation

Fully customizable

The Jabra Elite 85t earbuds are rain resistant, work with Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa, and should help to relieve pressure in your ear canal. Once you set up these earbuds, we encourage you to do the hearing test within the app, as it tests your hearing in both ears and adjusts the sound to your specific hearing profile. There is even a test that lets you know if you’re wearing the right ear tip for the best fit. Within the app, you can also adjust the noise cancellation and Hear Through mode and then turn it off and on by pressing a button on the earbud itself. 

While the bass could be better, the sound quality is fantastic. In fact, our tester thought that the sound quality was better for music and TV shows with the Jabra Elite 85t than with the Airpod Pros. (They do admit that Airpod Pros have better sound quality in talk mode.) No matter the volume of your music, when you have the noise cancellation on with these headphones, you can’t hear anything, even when outside. Hear Through mode can be toggled on and off with the push of a button. 

Keep in mind that the battery only lasts 5.5 hours on a single charge when noise cancellation is turned on; you might get 7 hours of battery life with it turned off. The charging case holds between 20-24 more hours of battery life.

Dimensions: 5.12 x 4.41 x 1.65 inches | Bluetooth Range: 33 feet | Battery Life: 5.5-7 hours on a single charge depending on whether noise cancellation is on or off, 20-24 more hours in charging case

Beats Solo Pro : These headphones excelled at ease of use, producing clear, vibrant sound, and were comfortable to wear. Unfortunately, the noise-canceling feature didn't block out as much noise as we would have liked—particularly when not combined with music.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds : In the words of our tester Katherine Moran, "Overall, the Bose QC Earbuds feel like a lot of plastic inside my ear, but the sound quality and noise cancellation feature are both incredible and make the product worth purchasing."

Bang & Olufsen Beoplay HX : Price was the main drawback of this luxury pick. Our tester loved the premium hardware and elevated sound quality.

We tested travel headphones in our New York testing lab and then sent them to testers for real-world testing. The initial lab testing involved testing and rating each headphone for the following attributes: setup, comfort, sound quality, noise cancellation, functionality, and user interface. Each attribute was rated on a five-point scale, and those scores were averaged to give each pair of headphones an overall score. 

What to Look For in Travel Headphones

Headphone prices can range from $10 to $500, but we’ve found that the best headphones for traveling tend to cost over $100. The higher the price, the more likely you’ll be investing in more technologically-advanced headphones with fantastic sound quality and a wider variety of features. 

Audio Quality

Audio quality is perhaps the most important thing to consider when buying travel headphones. Sometimes “you know it when you hear it,” and the only way to do that is to test the headphones yourself. Keep in mind that voice and music sound quality often differ—at least, that was what many of our testers experienced with different headphones. 

Buyers may find it helpful to test the audio quality of headphones at tech stores like Best Buy, but what do you do if you want to buy a pair of headphones online? RTings.com tested 697 headphones for their sound quality, focusing on everything from bass accuracy to frequency response consistency. Their goal was to test headphones and rate them according to whether or not they produced a more neutral, crisp, clear sound, the kind you’d hear if something was mixed in a studio. They’ve done a deep dive into the audio quality in a way that would be difficult to do on your own, making this a fantastic resource for any buyer. 

Just as we all have different bodies, our ear shape and head shape differ too, which can impact our headphones choice. If you have the option of testing a pair of headphones before you buy them, do so! At the least, ensure you can return them if they are uncomfortable. 

When it comes to earbuds, you may have to change the earbud tip to a bigger or smaller size to ensure that it fits in your ears properly. Headphones that go over your head should provide a firm fit without causing too much pressure on your ears or cranium. Finally, test out the fit by doing different movements. Do the headphones shift when you walk? Do you want to wear them for a morning run at the hotel? Over-the-head headphones are not the best option for rigorous activities; earbuds may be better for those who like to exercise. 

Keep your headphones clean by occasionally wiping them down with a soft cloth slightly dampened with water or an anti-bacterial towelette (just don’t let too much liquid sit on the headphones for too long). It’s especially important to remove earwax from the earbud units so that it doesn’t harden and create issues. Always store your headphones properly; if they have wires, don’t let them tangle or twist. While you don’t have to worry about this with wireless travel headphones , those with wired headphones need to keep the headphone jack free of debris, dust, and dirt. Clean it out with a gas duster on occasion. 

Headphones can cause hearing loss over time if not used properly. Try to lower the volume to prevent hearing loss. Noise-canceling headphones can remove background noise and assist in keeping the volume lowered. Earbuds might be slightly worse than headphones in the long run. No matter which type of headphones you have, take consistent breaks from using them. Your hearing will thank you. 

Bluetooth frequency range is the distance between your headphones and the device it connects to. So, for instance, if you are playing music on your phone and you walk to the bathroom, will the headphones stay connected, or will it have gone out of range and the music will cut out? Bluetooth frequency ranges can vary, though we prefer those over 30 feet as it prevents you from carrying your device or phone with you wherever you go. 

Many planes these days have moved their in-flight entertainment from screens on the back of the seats to your personal Wi-Fi-enabled device. In that case, you only need to plug the headphones into your device or use Bluetooth to connect wirelessly. 

Many long-haul planes still come with screens in the back of the headrest, which can make your wireless headphones useless. The wired headphones that flight attendants pass out have poor audio quality, so you’ll need to come prepared with a Bluetooth adapter that you plug into the headphone socket on your seat. From there, it’s as simple as connecting the adapter to your wireless headphones, allowing you to hear the audio from the headrest screen.

Author  Alex Temblador  is an outdoor and travel journalist who lives in Texas. In addition to working out–running, lifting, hiking, kayaking, and more–at least five days a week, Alex seeks out adventurous travels all around the world. Throughout her career as an outdoor and travel journalist, she has rappelled in Mexico, kayaked in Puerto Rico and Thailand, skied in Telluride and Montana, surfed in Zihuatanejo, scuba dived in Bonaire, hiked in Peru and Switzerland, and completed a one-day, 100-mile cycling event in 100-degree weather in North Texas.

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