- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Best Noise Cancelling
- Best Customizable
- Best Portable
- Best Budget
- All Reviews
- Discussions
- Store-bought headphones; no cherry-picked units
- Retest after major updates
- Easily comparable results
- No ads; unbiased reviews
Listening to music can help ease the pain of taking public transportation every day and make flights more enjoyable. The best travel headphones block or cancel the ambient noise of moderately loud environments, like inside a subway station or on a train. They shouldn’t leak much sound, either, so fellow commuters won't be bothered by the sound of your music. Travel-friendly headphones should be comfortable enough to wear for hours at a time and portable enough to not be cumbersome to use while traveling. Wireless headphones are especially convenient, but their battery life has to be good, so they don’t need recharging in the middle of your travels. They should also have easy-to-use controls for smooth sailing whether you’re on the bus to work or on a plane to another country.
So far, we've reviewed over 350 headsets and below are our recommendations for the best travel headphones that block out airplane noise when you fly. See also our recommendations for the best headphones, the best noise cancelling earbuds, and the best noise cancelling headphones.
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Best Noise Cancelling Travel Headphones: Bose QuietComfort 35 II/QC35 II Wireless 2018
Usage Ratings - Version 1.27.7Commute/TravelThe best travel headphones we've tested so far are the Bose QuietComfort 35 II. They’re among the most comfortable headphones that we've tested so far. They have impressive active noise cancelling and sound great. They’re easy to use and are a good choice for travelers of all kinds. If you're often on public transit or travel a lot by plane or train, then they are sure to please.
They have great noise isolation and effectively cancel the deep rumbles of bus and plane engines. They have a remarkably well-balanced sound and are comfortable enough to wear for hours. Their battery lasts 20 hours of continuous playback before needing to be recharged, which is great. They even support multi-device pairing, so you can pair them to two devices simultaneously.
Unfortunately, they are a bit leaky for noise cancelling over-ears. This means that if you like to play your music a bit loud, people standing at a bus stop with you may overhear your music. The Bose QuietControl 30 have a comfortable earbud design that is more portable and doesn’t leak as much, but their battery doesn’t last very long. The Bose QuietComfort 35 II are a better choice overall, especially if you prefer an over-ear fit.
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Less Expensive Alternative: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2
If you’re looking for decently-performing noise cancelling headphones at a more affordable price point, then get the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They’re not as comfortable as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II nor do they isolate noise as well, but they provide great value for their price. They’re well-built wireless headphones with an excellent 30-hour battery life and intuitive control scheme that makes them easy-to-use. They have an exciting, bass-rich sound that’s considerably well-balanced, but still might not be the best for those prefer a more neutral sound profile, especially since you can’t EQ their sound in-app.
If you want a more premium-looking headset with better noise cancelling and an even more balanced sound, get the Bose. However, if you don’t need very strong noise isolation, the BackBeat Pro 2 provide a very good price-to-performance ratio that’s hard to beat. They may not be the sleekest headphones, but their great controls and outstanding battery performance make them worth getting for the price.
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Best Customizable Travel Headphones: Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless
Usage Ratings - Version 1.27.7Commute/TravelIf you prefer being able to fine-tune the way your headphones sound, then get the Sony WH-1000XM3; they’re the best customizable travel headphones that we’ve reviewed so far. They don’t sound as balanced as the Bose QuietComfort 35 II right out-of-the-box, but their companion app gives you access to a whole bunch of customizable features. Their battery is also longer-lasting and they have stronger noise cancelling, which makes them great for international flights and long car rides.
They have one of best noise cancelling features we’ve reviewed so far and do an outstanding job at reducing the intensity of noises in the bass, mid, and treble ranges. They also don’t leak too much sound, so you won’t have to worry too much about bothering those around you with your music. Their default sound profile is on the bass-heavy side, but if you don’t like it you can EQ the way the headphones sound with the great Sony | Headphones Connect app.
They have a good touch-sensitive control scheme that offers a lot of functionality but doesn’t work properly when the temperature is below freezing. This may not be an issue for some but could be a deal-breaker for those who live in or frequently travel to colder climates. That said, they are one of the best headphones for airplanes; they are well-built, comfortable headphones that are a good choice for travel thanks to their great isolation and customizability.
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Easier-To-Use Alternative: Jabra Elite 85h Wireless
If you’re not a fan of touch-sensitive controls and prefer headphones with physical buttons, then get the Jabra Elite 85h Wireless. Their noise cancelling isn’t as good as that of the Sony WH-1000XM3, but their physical control scheme is easier-to-use, especially when you’re on-the-go. They have a very good, balanced sound, surprisingly decent microphone performance, and a whopping 34 hours of battery life. They don’t cut down on the low rumbles of bus or plane engines as well as the other premium ANC headsets we’ve tested, but they’re great at blocking out ambient chatter.
Get the Sonys if you’re a frequent flyer who needs great isolation in the bass range; however, if you live in a colder climate and their touch-sensitive controls are a deal-breaker for you, you’ll want to go for the Jabra Elite 85h. They may not look as sophisticated as the XM3, but their improved ease-of-use, especially in the cold, makes them a better option for some people.
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Best Portable Headphones For Travel: Jabra Elite Active 65t Truly Wireless
Usage Ratings - Version 1.27.6Commute/TravelThe best portable headphones for travel that we’ve tested so far are the Jabra Elite Active 65t, thanks to their compact truly wireless design. They're not noise cancelling like the other recommendations on this list and their in-ear fit won’t be comfortable for everyone. However, their compact format makes them easy to carry around in your bag or pockets, which is convenient when commuting or traveling.
Once you get the right fit with the provided earbud tips, they block more noise passively than the ANC-enabled Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. They sound decent and have a fairly balanced sound that you can adjust with the Jabra Sound+ app if you prefer different EQ settings. Also, their in-ear fit reduces sound leakage, so you can raise your listening volume a bit to block out more noise without disturbing those around you.
Like most truly wireless earbuds, they don’t have a very long-lasting battery. They provide about 5 hours of continuous playtime on a charge, which isn’t much, but come with a charging case that packs 2 additional charges. They’re a good choice for commuters who don’t mind taking breaks to charge their headphones now and then, especially in exchange for the convenience of the ultra-portable truly wireless design.
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Neckband Alternative: Bose QuietControl 30/QC30 Wireless
If you prefer being able to keep your earbuds at arm’s reach at all times, then get the Bose QuietControl 30. They’re not customizable like the Jabra Elite Active 65t but they have ANC so they can more effectively block out sounds in the bass range, like the deep rumbles of bus or plane engines. Their neckband design helps provide better battery performance and their earbud fit is also more comfortable. Although they look good and feel fairly durable, our unit’s neckband started peeling apart after only a couple of months, and there have been numerous reports of this happening to other people online as well. The Jabra Elite 65e feel much better-built, but don’t perform quite as well overall.
If you want earbuds that you can quickly stash in your pocket when not in use and you don’t care whether they have ANC or not, you’ll want to get the Jabra. However, if having ANC is important to you and you prefer having a neckband design, the Bose QC 30 are better-suited for your needs.
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Best Budget Travel Headphones: AUKEY Latitude Wireless
Usage Ratings - Version 1.27.6Commute/TravelIf you have a noisy commute and are looking for headphones that will help bring some peace to your daily routine without putting a dent in your wallet, the best headphones for commuting in the budget category are the AUKEY Latitude. They have great passive noise isolation and are very portable, which makes them well-suited for daily use in the subway.
They sound decent for budget headphones and are especially well-suited to more bass-heavy genres of music like EDM, dubstep, or hip-hop. Their battery isn’t bad for wireless in-ears and provides about 7 hours of continuous playback on a charge, which should be enough for your morning and evening commutes. They also support multi-device pairing and have magnetic earbuds that clip together for easier cable management.
Although they have a couple of EQ presets built into their controls, they aren’t compatible with a companion app, so they can’t be customized in great detail. They’re also not as well-built as more premium in-ears like the Jabra Elite 65e, but that’s to be expected that this price point. They provide good value for budget headphones and are overall a good choice for commuters.
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Over-Ear Alternative: Mpow H10
If you prefer the fit of over-ear headphones but still want something that won’t break the bank, then get the Mpow H10. They’re not as practical as the AUKEY Latitude since their over-ear design is rather bulky, but they’re much more comfortable. They isolate noise fairly well across the board, have a reasonably well-balanced sound, and have a great battery life. Unfortunately, they feel even more cheaply made than the even less expensive Mpow H5. That said, the H10 perform better overall and are a more versatile choice for travelers and commuters on a budget thanks to their improved ANC and battery performance.
If you’re looking for portable earbuds that are easy to grab when you’re on the run to work in the morning, get the AUKEY Latitude, but if you want more comfortable over-ears, you’ll want to go for the Mpow H10.
Notable Mentions
- Microsoft Surface Wireless Headphones: A versatile over-ear with great noise cancelling and easy to use controls. Doesn't quite surpass the WH-1000XM3 or Bose QC 35. See our review
- Bowers & Wilkins PX Wireless: A better-built and more premium-looking alternative to the Bose QC 35 II. They also leak a little less, but have a tighter fit on the head which may be a deal-breaker for some. See our review
- Samsung Galaxy Buds Truly Wireless: A decently versatile truly wireless in-ear and a good alternative to the Elite Active 65t, but less isolating. See our review
- Jabra Elite 65e Wireless: A well built and flexible around-the-neck design with decent isolation. A cheaper alternative to the QC 30, but they have a slightly worse sound that's less consistent. See our review
- B&O PLAY Beoplay E8 2.0 Truly Wireless 2019: Great truly wireless design with a premium build quality and decent sound quality, but rather pricey. See our review
- Sennheiser PXC 550 Wireless: Versatile, with many features and a good, customizable sound. Average noise cancellation. See our review
- Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC: A less comfortable alternative to the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 with stronger isolation. See our review
- JBL Live 650 BTNC Wireless: Customizable alternative to the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2, but battery performance isn’t as good. See our review
- Parrot Zik 3/Zik 3.0 Wireless: Excellent build quality and versatile active features. Mediocre battery life, tight fit, and difficult to find in stock. See our review
- Beats Studio 3 Wireless: A good travel-friendly headphone with a slick and comfortable design for most uses including sports. Inconsistent adaptive noise cancellation and no passive playback like on the older model. See our review
- Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless: A good alternative to the Endurance Sprint and slightly cheaper, but doesn't isolate as well in noisy conditions. See our review
- JBL Endurance Sprint Wireless: Good in-ears for sports that have great passive isolation and audio reproduction, but the AUKEY Latitude are easier to use. See our review
- Mpow H5 Wireless: Decent budget over-ears that provide good value overall but don't perform as well as the slightly more expensive Mpow H10. See our review
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best travel headphones 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 that are good for 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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