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 835 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.
Quick Look
Our How We Test Headphones article takes you behind the scenes in our lab. You'll learn how we choose and purchase products and dive into the details of our review philosophy, from testing and scoring to writing and editing.
You can also discover how we produce recommendations like this one, so that you can find the best headphones (or earbuds!) for your needs.
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Best Travel Headphones
Travel8.5Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.8Noise Isolation9.7Noise Isolation - Full Range9.7Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios9.9Comfort7.5See all our test resultsBattery9.2The Sony WH-1000XM6 are the best travel headphones we've tested. These premium over-ears fold down smaller with a rigid carrying case and come packed with features to make your trips more comfortable. Their onboard combined ANC and passive isolation do an incredible job of filtering out noises across the audible frequency spectrum; they block out plenty of sounds, including rumbling bus engines, plane cabin din, chatty passengers, and squeaky brakes. Fortunately, they don't leak much of your audio into the space either. Additionally, the battery can last for just shy of 32 hours with ANC enabled, so they'll easily outlast your commute or a long intercontinental flight. You can also use them wired to connect to in-flight entertainment consoles (with or without them powered on).
These flagships include handy features like Quick Attention, which triggers a momentary transparency mode by cupping your hand over the right touch panel, so you won't miss a single announcement on the fly. You can even create location-based listening settings, so if you take the same commute every day, you won't need to manually make any changes. They're also comfortable, thanks to their lightweight and squishy earpads. Besides these creature comforts, the headphones also have a warm and bass-heavy sound signature out of the box, which you can modify using the companion app and the graphic EQ to suit your tastes.
That said, if comfort is king, the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) say it all in the name; they're very cozy and can accommodate a greater variety of people's head and ear shapes, while the Sony can cramp your jet-setting lifestyle if you have large ears. This latest iteration adds USB-C audio, as well as a longer battery life. The Bose also have fantastic ANC, but it falls slightly short of the comprehensive noise isolation offered by the Sony. The Sony also offer a slightly better mic performance, though it's a close call.
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Best Upper Mid-Range Travel Headphones
Travel8.2Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.2Noise Isolation9.0Noise Isolation - Full Range9.3Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios9.1Comfort8.5See all our test resultsBattery8.6If you want an excellent travel companion with most of the bells and whistles, the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless are our upper mid-range recommendation. Their ANC still ranks amongst our best performers, even if it's not exactly as strong as the Sony WH-1000XM6's ANC, common racket from traffic and chit-chat are greatly reduced. Still, the Bose don't exude the same flagship flair in the details: for instance, they stick to button controls, and most of those use a multi-function button with limited remapping available. They also leak a little more of your audio into the space than the Sony. However, these are mainly nitpicks about headphones that feel extremely comfortable and light, complete with 26 hours of battery life (with ANC enabled).
These have a warm sound profile that favors a smooth and bassy low-end with more trebly emphasis than the top pick. You can adjust their frequency response using a three-band EQ or presets to suit your tastes. And, like the Sony, they can plug into the plane's entertainment system. You can fold them down smaller and store them in their zip case, too. However, some luxuries are absent, like 3D audio, gesture controls, and higher-quality codecs than just AAC and SBC. But, for sheer comfort and a time-tested formula, these rank as solid contenders for your journeys at a competitive price.
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Best Mid-Range Travel Headphones
Travel8.4Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.9Noise Isolation9.3Noise Isolation - Full Range9.5Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios9.7Comfort8.0See all our test resultsBattery8.7For something premium at a cheaper price, try the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless. Even though they're two generations apart from the Sony WH-1000XM6, they manage to keep up well, and thanks to price drops, they offer great value as mid-range travel headphones. Although not as effective as the WH-1000XM6, their fantastic ANC feature still reduces bass-range noises like bus and plane engines, as well as talkative neighbors. 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, which you can safely store in their sturdy carrying case.
They have a lightweight and well-padded fit, though the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless still have the edge in comfort and portability. That said, 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. However, if you can't track down the WH-1000XM4, the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 Wireless deliver excellent adaptive ANC and a bass-heavy sound (with EQs, too), but they're a bit more fragile and stiff than the WH-1000XM4.
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Best Budget Travel Headphones
Noise Isolation - Full Range8.8Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios8.3Comfort7.5See all our test resultsBattery8.9If you're looking for a budget option, the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless are the best commuter headphones under $100 we've tested. Anker tends to dominate the budget price range for over-ear headphones, especially when it comes to noise cancelling, which is important for use on a noisy plane or train. These headphones are significantly cheaper than the Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless, but their ANC isn't quite as powerful at handling mid-range noises like ambient din as the Sony. Still, their ANC does an excellent job of blocking out the low rumble of engines and effectively reduces higher-pitched sounds like crying toddlers. 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 a bit uneven. Like the previous pick, they have companion app support, including a graphic EQ and presets for sound customization.
These headphones are decently well-built and comfortable, and they have an impressively long, continuous battery life of around 44 hours with ANC on. Unfortunately, they leak much more audio than the Sony, 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 you as effectively as the Q30 from bass-range noises, like rumbling engines, but they still offer good performance to stay on budget.
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Best Cheap Travel Headphones
Travel7.9Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.3Noise Isolation8.5Noise Isolation - Full Range8.8Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios8.4Comfort7.5See all our test resultsBattery9.5If you're on a tighter budget, the best cheap travel headphones we've tested are the Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024. Like the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 Wireless, 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, including the Q30, but still does a solid 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, though sibilants like S and T sounds can seem harsh. The 2024 iteration adds sound customization features, like a graphic EQ and presets, as well as Bluetooth multi-device pairing and a much longer battery life. They have a similarly comfortable fit to the Anker Soundcore Life Q30 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.
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Best Travel Earbuds
Travel8.4Audio Reproduction Accuracy7.9Noise Isolation9.1Noise Isolation - Full Range8.8Noise Isolation - Common Scenarios9.5Comfort7.5See all our test resultsBattery8.1Over-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 Technics EAH-AZ100 are worth checking out. They're comfortable and have a stable fit, so they'll stay in your ears while you're rushing around airports or train stations. They have a warm sound profile, which is common for most flagship wireless earbuds; that said, cuts in the mid and treble lend a smooth, lo-fi quality to their sound. If that isn't to your taste, the good news is that you can tweak their sound profile using their companion app's eight-band EQ or presets.
The Technics can block out a significant amount of ambient noise, thanks to their outstanding ANC system. They easily tackle common commuter noises like rumbly buses and trains as well as ambient chatter. While their over-12-hour continuous battery life falls short compared to over-ear headphones, their carrying case holds an extra 1.5 charges to help tackle even the longest transcontinental flights. The Technics also offer vast connectivity options, featuring three-way Bluetooth multi-point and wide codec support, including LDAC for Hi-Res audio and Bluetooth LE's LC3. That said, if you own an iOS device and want top-tier ANC, it's worth looking at the Apple AirPods Pro 3 instead. These sleek buds have a more comfortable fit, and their ANC system excels at cutting out external noises across the entire frequency range. Their nine-hour battery life falls short of the Technics though, and while their mic performance with iOS devices is solid, there's a decline in call quality when used with other devices.
If you're looking for more earbud options, check out our recommendations for the best noise cancelling earbuds.
Notable Mentions
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Apple AirPods Max:
The Apple AirPods Max have a premium design and a remarkably effective ANC feature, but they don't fold into a more compact design, and they're heavy. Unlike the Sony WH-1000XM6, 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
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OnePlus Buds 3:
The OnePlus Buds 3 are budget-friendly earbuds equipped with ANC technology. While they don't block out as much external noise as the Technics EAH-AZ100, 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 -
Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro:
If you're an Android user, you'll want to check out the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro. Their outstanding noise isolation performance and comfortable fit put them on par with the Technics EAH-AZ100, but they lack the Technics' wide connectivity options and iOS compatibility.
See our review
Recent Updates
Oct 31, 2025:
We've added the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) as a comparison to our top pick. We've also added the updated Anker Soundcore Life Q20 2024 as the cheap pick and added the AirPods Pro 3 as an alternative to the Technics EAH-AZ100.
Aug 04, 2025:
This article has been updated to change the top pick from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones Wireless to the Sony WH-1000XM6, with the Bose mentioned in the text. The Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless have been moved from the upper mid-range pick to the mid-range pick, replacing the Anker Soundcore Space Q45 (which still gets mentioned). The new upper mid-range pick is the Bose QuietComfort Headphones Wireless.
Apr 30, 2025:
We've changed our pick for the 'Best Travel Earbuds' to the Technics EAH-AZ100. The Jabra Elite 8 Active Gen 2 have limited availability, while the Technics have similarly performing ANC and a much longer battery life.
Jan 27, 2025:
We've added a disclaimer for our top pick due to user reports that they create unwanted bumping noises when used on transport, like buses. We're looking into the issue further. Otherwise, we've added the Samsung Galaxy Buds3 Pro as a Notable Mention for their fantastic ANC performance.
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.
All Reviews
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.