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Noise-canceling headphones are a must-have for frequent flyers, and the right pair can make long-haul flights
more than just bearable. Our always-on-the-go writers are constantly testing audio gear, meaning we have some thoughts on the best headphones for travel.
For starters, travel headphones should be able to block out a variety of noises, particularly the roar of a jet engine, but also the bustle of an airport terminal, crowded trains, and everyday hubbub. The best noise-canceling headphones should also have transparency modes that let you stay aware when needed. And while noise-canceling is arguably the top factor, it’s not the only one.
At a Glance: Best Travel Headphones
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Second Gen)
Sony WH-1000XM6
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Beats Studio Pro
TwelveSouth AirFly Pro 2
Airplane Headphone Adapter
In addition to noise-canceling, key factors when buying travel headphones include battery life, case design, and comfort. Headphones should have a long battery life to keep up with hours spent in the air, particularly because features like noise-canceling can quickly drain battery life.
Case design is a top factor as well, particularly for anyone who likes to pack light; a case that is too large or unprotective can make you hesitant to actually take your headphones with you. That’s why we prioritized cases that are compact yet protective, with bonus points if they have additional storage for items like charging cables and audio cords (that means that some of our favorite noise-canceling headphones, like the AirPods Max, didn’t make the cut due to the lack of a protective case and so-so battery life).
Comfort is key, particularly if you’re going to be wearing the headphones for hours at a time, which is why we looked for options with comfortable earcups and headbands. And of course, sound quality is one of the most important factors.
The Best Headphones for Travel
The best headphones for travel include picks from some of our go-to audio brands, including Sennheiser, Sony, and Bose. For this list, we stuck with over-ear headphones, but you can also check out our roundup of the best noise-canceling earbuds and best earbuds for workouts.
BEST OVERALL
Sennheiser Momentum 5 Wireless
Quick Summary: With impressive battery life, great ANC, and a slimmed-down carrying case, the Momentum 5 headphones are an excellent companion for long travel days.
Pros: Comfortable fit, good ANC and excellent sound quality
Cons: Plain look, may be somewhat bulky for some
Sennheiser’s Momentum 5 headphones are, on paper, a small upgrade over the Momentum 4 model. But the significant improvement in noise-canceling performance, combined with convenient changes like a new, slimmer carrying case, makes these one of the best headphones for travel.
They’re among the most comfortable headphones I’ve tested, a key factor if you’re going to wear them for hours at a time. The plush earcups that are comfortable without my ears getting hot, and the headband is sufficiently padded. That said, they may feel somewhat bulky for those with smaller heads.
Noise canceling is one area where Sennheiser has seriously stepped up its game. These headphones are now competitive with some of the best ANC headphones on the market, capably reducing background noises ranging from loud HVAC systems to conversations.
The stated battery life is up to 57 hours, which is more than enough for the most grueling travel days. I haven’t specifically tested the battery life claims, but I have been able to use the headphones for several weeks before having to recharge them. I’m also a fan of the redesigned carrying case, which is slim and should easily fit into most personal item-sized bags.
Review: Sennheiser Makes a Compelling Case for the Best Everyday Headphones With the Momentum 5
RUNNER UP
Bose QuietComfort Ultra (Second Gen)
Quick Summary: With class-leading noise-canceling and great comfort, the QuietComfort headphones live up to their name.
Pros: Customizable ANC modes, clever auto-wake function
Cons: Pricey, earcups wear out somewhat quickly
The upgrades in the latest iteration of Bose’s QuietComfort Ultra headphones make them one of the most convenient headphones for everyday use, including for travel. Bose stepped up the battery life compared to the first generation, and the noise-canceling performance is still class-leading, making them ideal for long hours spent on a flight.
One unique feature is the auto-wake function. Put the headphones on, and they automatically turn on and connect to your phone; lay them flat, and they disconnect and enter a low-power mode. It’s easy to forget to turn your headphones off on a long travel day, and it’s a pain to reach for them only to find you accidentally let the battery die. The QuietComfort Ultra headphones all but solve the problem.
As for battery life, you get up to 30 hours, which is an upgrade over the 24 hour-battery life of the previous model. The noise-canceling cuts out the roar of jet engines, but the customizable ANC modes make it easy to stay aware of your surroundings, too.
The headphones also have a 3.5mm jack, which is handy for plugging into an entertainment system (and a feature that some other brands have done away with).
Review: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) Review: A Sequel Worth Paying Attention to
MOST FEATURES
Sony WH-1000XM6
Quick Summary: Sony’s latest flagship headphones have class-leading ANC, solid battery life, and redesigned rotating earcups that make them more travel-friendly. Crucially, they sound great.
Pros: Plenty of features, great sound quality, intuitive controls
Cons: Pricey, padding on earcups is somewhat thin
Sony’s XM6 headphones strike the right balance when it comes to comfort, sound quality, and noise canceling. There are 12 microphones, compared to the previous generation’s eight, giving these headphones more advanced noise canceling. Plus, four beamforming mics make for clear calls if you’re traveling for work.
While the XM6 headphones look a lot like their predecessor, one of the biggest changes was the redesigned hinge. The earcups now rotate, which means Sony was able to shrink the case substantially. They also swapped the zipper for a magnetic clasp, making the headphones easier to grab in a pinch.
Battery life is also a standout. While 30 hours isn’t record-setting, it’s more than sufficient for all but the longest long-haul flights. There are also nice-to-have features, like speak-to-chat, which pauses the music when you start talking and switches to transparency mode, or you can also cover the right earcup to switch to transparency mode. They’re handy features if the flight attendant comes by or you need to listen for a gate change.
The ANC is excellent, as is the audio quality, which is pleasingly neutral with plenty of detail. You also get customizable EQ in the app.
Review: The WH-1000XM6 Noise-Canceling Headphones Are Yet Another Hit From Sony
BEST BASIC
Bose QuietComfort Headphones
Quick Summary: These lack some features of the higher-priced QC Ultras, but the easy controls, great fit, and the ability to use them passively make them a worthy alternative.
Stated Battery Life: Up to 24 hours
Carrying Case: Zippered hard case
Bose’s QuietComfort headphones have several key advantages that make them great for travel — and perhaps even better than their pricier Ultra counterpart. For starters, they can be used passively, meaning that even if the battery is drained or the headphones are turned off, you can listen to music by plugging them into a 3.5mm jack.
Like the QC Ultra headphones, these feature adjustable ANC, with two preset modes (Quiet and Aware) and up to two custom modes with 10 levels of noise-canceling. They’re impressively lightweight and comfortable, with a widely adjustable headband to suit different wearers. The QuietComforts are also highly portable; they fold in and rotate for easy storage, and the carrying case is compact yet protective.
The headphones have intuitive physical controls, with separate volume controls, a playback button, and a multifunction button to switch between ANC modes. The audio quality is solid, although Sony’s XM6 headphones have the edge, and the headphones lack certain features like wear detection, so they won’t pause when you take them off.
The design isn’t the most refined, compared to pricier options, but they’re a great, convenient pick for travel.
Review: Bose QuietComfort vs. QuietComfort Ultra Headphones: We Put Both to the Test
MOST COMPACT
Beats Studio Pro
Quick Summary: The long battery life, compact carrying case, and solid ANC and audio quality make these a top contender for traveling, although they’re not as comfortable as some others.
Stated Battery Life: Up to 40 hours
Carrying Case: Soft zippered case
Beats Studio Pro headphones offer up to 40 hours of battery life, and a quick 10-minute charge provides up to 4 hours of playback, making them a great option for long travel days. The headphones have impressive audio quality and noise canceling, too, including a transparency mode for awareness.
For light packers, the Studio Pro headphones have among the most compact cases. The soft zippered pouch, akin to a toiletry bag, is easy to take on the go, while still offering sufficient protection for the headphones.
The Studio Pro headphones can also be used with a 3.5mm cable or wired USB-C connection for a lossless listening experience. The physical controls are intuitive, although the multifunction/power button is somewhat small.
The headphones are durable, although they feel somewhat plasticky, lacking the high-end refinement of some of our other picks, and they’re not as comfortable as some other options. Still, they’re an appealing option, particularly on sale.
Related: Beats Studio Pro vs. Apple AirPods Max: We Put Apple’s Flagship Headphones to the Test
Also Consider
BEST ACCESSORY
TwelveSouth AirFly Pro 2
Having tested this adapter on multiple flights, it’s become one of my favorite travel accessories. It plugs into any 3.5mm headphone jack, transmitting high-res audio for a cable-free connection to an in-flight entertainment system. It’s pricier than other options, but it lets you pair two headphones at once and works as both a transmitter and receiver.
ALSO CONSIDER
Airplane Headphone Adapter
Many airplanes still feature a two-pronged headphone jack, so it’s worth packing a headphone adapter if you want to use your personal headphones for the in-flight entertainment system. This basic option should do the trick.
Click here to read the full article.
1. Sony WH1000MX4 Wireless Headphones
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Sony’s WH1000MX4s aren’t just the best headphones for travel – they’re also our number one pick for the best noise-cancelling headphones in general. Their predecessor, the WH-1000XM3s, were great, but the new WH1000MX4 introduce some slight improvements to make them the best in the business.
Plush earcups and a good headpiece make the WH1000MX4s as comfortable as headphones get, meaning you can keep them on throughout a long-haul flight without any discomfort. And, thanks to fantastic sound quality, you’ll want to keep them on as long as possible. Sony has given music special attention with a “Digital Sound Enhancement Engine” which upscales digital music files, while 40mm drivers deliver full, crisp audio – no matter what you’re listening to.
Four microphones (two on either earcup) pick up ambient noise, run it through a Noise-Cancelling Processor and deliver the same minimal outside sound whether you’re in a busy airport or on a road trip.
One of the best upgrades with the WH1000MX4s over their predecessor is multipoint pairing, which lets you connect to multiple devices at once. This means you can seamlessly switch between, say, Netflix on your laptop and a call on your phone. This is just one of the WH1000MX4s several convenient features, which also includes auto-pausing when you speak. Plus, the headphones feature incredible 30-hour battery life, plus five hours of battery with a quick 10-minute charge.
2. Bose 700 Wireless Headphones
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Bose has always been on the cutting-edge of noise-cancelling headphones, and their latest model, the 700s, follow suit with Bose’s prowess. Unsurprisingly, the best feature is the headphones’ noise-cancellation powers, which are arguably the best around. The headphones use six microphones to pick up and actively block outside noise, and the voice-isolating microphone makes phone calls especially crisp for both parties. But the real kicker is 11 levels of adjustable noise-cancellation, allowing you to change the noise level via onboard controls or the Bose app.
As expected from premium headphones, sound quality with the Bose 700s is crisp and deep thanks to active EQ. You also get plenty of customizability with the sound through the Bose app. In terms of comfort, the 700s get top marks as well with a lightweight, half-pound build and enough padding for hours of use while catching a long flight or grinding in the office.
An IPX4 water-resistance rating means you’ll be able to wear these in the rain, which many other headphones (even high-end options) can’t claim. And with a pricey piece of tech, this is a major plus. Plus, despite their durability, the 700s are also quite good-looking. The only downside is a less-than-stellar 20-hour battery life.
3. Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Wireless Headphones
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When celebrated audio companies try their hand at high-end noise-cancelling headphones, it doesn’t always work. With Bowers & Wilkins, it did, and their latest PX7 headphones are the proof.
Soft earcups and a large, cushy headpiece make the PX7s comfortable enough for long period usage, but the headphones’ real strength is audio quality. Beefy 43mm drivers and tuning by the B&W experts provides seriously good sound – no matter what type of music or movie you’re watching.
The PX7s are also very impressive technology-wise with a four-microphone setup for capturing and adapting to outside noise. They have what B&W calls “Ambient Pass-Through,” which is meant to relay the important stuff like conversational noises (so the plane engine will be silenced but you might catch the flight attendant’s drink offer). Plus, the headphones feature multipoint pairing for connecting to multiple devices at once.
Battery life is industry-leading with the PX7, boasting 30 hours of listening time with a full charge, and six hours with a 15-minute charge. This is more than enough for a full day of international travel, and ties the PX7s with the Sony WH1000MX4s for best battery life on our list.
4. Bang & Olufsen H9 Wireless Headphones
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The real upgrade with the H9s is in design quality, with the headphones sporting memory foam earcups, a leather headpiece and anodised aluminum discs on the earcup exterior. These upgrades translate to more comfort (from the memory foam), an extremely elegant look and lasting quality.
But the H9s aren’t all looks. Bang & Olufsen has equipped the headphones with Advanced Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) which discerns and effectively blocks outside noises of different frequencies using four microphones. And when you feel like hearing the world around you again, swipe the right earcup to activate transparency mode. This right earcup also features intuitive touch controls for pause/play, switching tracks and so on. Further sound customization is available via the Bang & Olufsen app.
Battery life is great (although not the best) with the H9s, clocking in at 25 hours of playtime with 2.5 hours required for a full charge. But most users won’t notice the five-hour difference between the H9s and longer-lasting headphones (namely, the Sony and Bowers & Wilkins sets above).
As expected from high-end Bang & Olufsen headphones, the H9s’ sound quality is top-notch. Electro-dynamic 40mm driver drivers and integrated bass ports ensure a surplus of thumping bass plus sharp, clear upper levels.
