The 6 Best Travel Headphones - Summer 2022 Reviews

The best travel headphones with an over-ear design we've tested are the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. These over-ear headphones feel sturdy and very comfortable for long trips. They also have a fantastic active noise cancelling (ANC) feature to block out bass-range noises like bus and plane engines. If you're worried about battery life, they last about 37 hours continuously, so you shouldn't need to recharge them during a long trip.

You can use them wired, and they come with an airplane adapter so you can listen to in-cabin entertainment. Keep in mind that they're over-ear headphones, though, so they're somewhat bulky and may not fit into smaller bags. Luckily, the ear cups swivel, making them easier to wear around your neck, and they come with a hard plastic case to protect them from falls and bumps.

The Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are the best commuter headphones under $100 that we've tested. These well-built headphones have an ANC feature you can set to three different levels in their app. When set to 'Transport' mode, it does an outstanding job of blocking out ambient sound, especially noise like the low rumble of bus and plane engines. If you're always on the go, the ear cups swivel to lay flat, making it easier to carry them around your neck, and they come with a hard case to protect them when you're on the go.

They have a very long, 44-hour continuous battery life, which is great for long trips. Overall, they have a comfortable fit, but the padding on the headband is a bit thin, which may cause some discomfort if you wear them for a long time. Fans of EDM and hip-hop will enjoy their bass-heavy sound profile, but you can adjust it with a graphic EQ and presets in their app if you prefer a different sound. 

Some over-ear headphones can be tiring when worn for long listening sessions. If comfort is a top priority for you, then the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless are the most comfortable travel headphones we've tested. They clamp less tightly on your head than the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless and have a lighter overall design.

Like the Sony headphones, they have an ANC system that tackles the low rumbles of bus and plane engines, but their 20-hour continuous battery life is a bit shorter. It should still last you through long days on the go, though. Some users may also prefer their more neutral default sound profile, which can be customized using the graphic EQ and presets in their companion app.

The best in-ear headphones for travel we've tested are the Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Truly Wireless. Like the Bose QuietComfort 45/QC45 Wireless, these in-ears have a great noise isolation performance. Their ANC can tackle the low rumble of bus and plane engines, and you can even select different ANC levels via the presets from their companion app.

In terms of sound, they have a very neutral sound profile that you can adjust to your liking using the app's graphic EQ and presets. They also have a continuous playback time of over seven hours, and their carrying case holds an additional two charges if you need it. Their build feels durable too, but they have a bulky design for in-ears, especially when compared to similarly powerful ANC earbuds like the Apple AirPods Pro Truly Wireless.

The best budget travel earbuds we've tested are the Anker SoundCore Life P3 Truly Wireless. These in-ears have a few robust features that make them stand out from the pack. They have an excellent ANC system that can block out bass range noise like rumbling bus and plane engines and background conversations. Thanks to their companion app support, you can adjust their bass-heavy default sound profile to your liking using its graphic EQ and presets.

Although their under six hours of continuous battery life is a bit short for longer flights, they come with a case that holds about four additional charges, so you can top them up as needed. They're also well-built and have a comfortable fit. If you're on a tighter budget, you may want to check out the TOZO NC7 instead. They're a bit cheaper than the Anker and still have ANC, which is very uncommon at their price point. Unfortunately, they're otherwise low on features. 

In-ears and earbuds generally have a shorter continuous battery life than over-ears due to their smaller design. However, if a long-lasting continuous playback time matters to you, the Sony WF-1000XM4 Truly Wireless are the best travel earbuds for battery performance. They last over 10 hours continuously, which is good if you're on a long flight or commute, but if you need to top them off, their carrying case supplies roughly two additional charges if you need it.

Like other picks on this list, they also have ANC, and while it struggles to block out background noise like bus and plane rumbles, they do a better job of cutting down passenger chit-chat. They have a comfortable and well-built design, and their small design is easy to put in your pocket or bag on the go. While some users may find their sound lacks thump and seems lispy, you can customize them to your liking using their companion app's EQ.