The Best Headphones for Travelling

Traveling and daily commutes can often be a source of stress, largely due to noise from plane engines, crying babies, or chatty companions.

However, the right travel headphones can transform your flights, road trips, and train journeys into a serene escape, immersing you in your favorite tunes, podcasts, and movies. As the demand for noise-reducing headphones grows, numerous brands have stepped up with options designed for travelers.

Yet, only a select few deliver the audio quality and noise cancellation that audiophiles and regular travelers seek, providing crisp sound, deep bass, and efficient noise reduction.

Looking for the best Headphone? We got you covered!

Sound On, Noise Off: Discover the Top 7 Travel Headphones for Your Next Journey (2024)

Sony's WH1000MX5 headphones are not only the best for travel but also top the list for noise-cancelling capabilities overall. Building on the success of the WH-1000XM4s, the WH1000MX5s introduce enhancements that place them at the forefront of the industry.

Designed with comfort in mind, the plush ear cups and well-crafted headpiece allow for extended wear without discomfort, even on long-haul flights. The sound quality is exceptional, ensuring full, clear audio for any content.

Central to the WH1000MX5s' design is their industry-leading noise cancellation, featuring an Auto NC Optimizer. With eight microphones to capture ambient noise and a specialized processor, they effectively minimize external sound, whether in a busy airport or on the road.

Additionally, these headphones offer multipoint pairing, enabling connections to multiple devices simultaneously for effortless switching between entertainment and calls. Other notable features include auto-pause when speaking, an impressive 30-hour battery life, and a quick charge option that provides three hours of battery life from just a three-minute charge.

Sony WH-1000MX5 - The All-rounder!

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Bose QuietComfort Ultra -
The Noise -Cancelling Specialist

Bose continues to lead in noise-cancelling technology with their latest QuietComfort Ultra headphones, showcasing exceptional noise-cancellation abilities, arguably the finest in the market. These headphones utilize ten microphones for superior active noise blocking, and feature a voice-isolating microphone that ensures clear phone calls. They stand out with 11 levels of adjustable noise-cancellation, controllable via onboard settings or the Bose app, offering unparalleled customization.

Sound quality doesn't fall short, with active EQ delivering crisp, deep audio, and the Bose app allowing for further sound customization. Comfort is also a high point for the QuietComfort Ultras, thanks to their lightweight design and ample padding, making them ideal for extended use during flights or office work. They boast a remarkable 24-hour battery life (18 hours with immersive audio), ensuring they last through even the most prolonged travel days.

Bowers & Wilkins' venture into high-end headphones with the PX8 model has proven successful, combining comfort with outstanding audio quality. Soft earcups and a plush headpiece ensure long-term comfort, while beefy 40mm drivers and expert tuning by B&W deliver exceptional sound. Technologically advanced, the PX8s feature a six-microphone array for noise adaptation and an "Ambient Pass-Through" function for essential sounds. With multipoint pairing and an industry-leading 30-hour battery life (plus a quick charge feature), the PX8 headphones are perfectly suited for extensive international travel, living up to their promises during testing.

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Bowers & Wilkins Px8 - The Sound Specialist

When prestigious audio companies venture into the realm of high-end headphones, success isn't guaranteed. However, Bowers & Wilkins have hit the mark with their latest PX8 headphones, proving to be a standout in their field.

The PX8 headphones prioritize comfort for extended wear, featuring soft earcups and a generously padded headpiece. Yet, it's their audio quality that truly shines. Equipped with robust 40mm drivers and fine-tuned by B&W's audio specialists, the PX8s deliver exceptional sound across all types of media.

Technologically, the PX8s impress with a six-microphone array that adeptly handles ambient noise. They also offer an "Ambient Pass-Through" feature, designed to let through necessary sounds like conversations, ensuring you won't miss critical interactions such as a flight attendant's service. Multipoint pairing is another significant advantage, allowing simultaneous connections to multiple devices.

Battery performance on the PX8 is among the best in its class, offering 30 hours of playback on a full charge and an impressive seven hours from just a 15-minute charge. This capability makes them more than sufficient for long-haul international travel. Our testing confirmed that the PX8s live up to their battery life claims, underscoring their reliability and endurance for travelers.

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Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 - The Bargain

Travel doesn't have to break the bank, and neither do quality travel headphones, as demonstrated by Anker's Soundcore Q45 headphones. Priced at an accessible $150, they offer a level of sound quality and noise cancellation that exceeds expectations for their price range.

Utilizing LDAC technology, the Q45s enhance Bluetooth audio connectivity, ensuring superior communication with your streaming device. Equipped with 40mm silk-diaphragm drivers, these headphones deliver powerful bass suitable for everything from hip-hop to orchestral pieces. Noise cancellation is effectively managed by dual microphones on each earcup, designed to detect and neutralize unwanted ambient noise.

Additional features that set the Q45s apart include wearer detection, pausing audio automatically when the headphones are removed, and an ultra-lightweight design that ensures comfort during long listening sessions without adding unnecessary weight to your luggage. With these benefits, the Soundcore Q45 headphones from Anker stand out as possibly the best value proposition among travel headphones on the market.

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Sennheiser Momentum 3 - The Tank!

In the search for a durable set of headphones that can endure the rigors of travel, Sennheiser's Momentum 3 emerged as our top recommendation. These headphones combine long-lasting quality with luxurious comfort. The headband, crafted from genuine sheepskin leather, and the soft ear cushions filled with plush memory foam, ensure a comfortable fit.

What sets the Momentum 3 apart from its successors, like the newer Momentum 4s, is its robust construction. The combination of hard plastic and metal, particularly the sturdy frame and matte steel arms, means these headphones can handle the bumps and scrapes of travel without issue.

Functionality is also a highlight, with the Momentum 3s opting for a rubberized three-button interface over plastic toggles. This design choice allows for seamless transitions between listening to music, making phone calls, activating voice assistance, and volume control.

Sound quality is exceptional, thanks to a 42-millimeter dynamic driver and an adjustable internal audio equalizer accessible through the Sennheiser app. The inclusion of active noise cancellation and a transparency mode ensures that these headphones are as practical out in the world as they are enjoyable, allowing you to immerse in your music or stay aware of your surroundings without interruption.

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When celebrated audio brands venture into high-end headphones, success isn't guaranteed, but Bowers & Wilkins struck gold with their PX8 model. These headphones merge comfort with supreme sound quality, featuring soft earcups, a cushy headpiece, and robust 40mm drivers fine-tuned by B&W's experts for exceptional audio across all genres. Technologically advanced, the PX8s boast a six-microphone setup for precise noise adaptation, an "Ambient Pass-Through" feature for essential sounds, and multipoint pairing capability. Their 30-hour battery life, extendable to seven hours on a 15-minute charge, makes them perfect for extensive travel, a claim confirmed by our testing.

For those seeking luxury headphones that embody first-class travel, the Bang & Olufsen H95s offer an unmatched blend of design, comfort, and sound quality. With memory foam earcups, a leather headpiece, and anodized aluminum accents, these headphones provide comfort, style, and durability. Equipped with Advanced Active Noise Cancellation utilizing eight microphones, they masterfully block intrusive sounds while offering a transparency mode and intuitive touch controls for easy operation. The H95s boast an impressive 38-hour battery life, ensuring long-lasting, high-quality audio performance with their 40mm titanium drivers and integrated bass ports.

Bang & Olufsen H95 - The Glam Factor

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Shure AONIC 50 (Gen 2) - The Most Compatible

Shure, a brand revered by audiophiles for nearly a century, expanded its acclaim to noise-cancelling headphone enthusiasts and travelers with the launch of the second-gen Aonic 50 headphones. These headphones stand out for their exceptional sound quality, attributed to the 50mm drivers they're named after. They excel across a broad spectrum of codecs, ensuring balanced, comprehensive sound at every frequency, regardless of the music genre.

Designed with comfort in mind, the Aonic 50s feature memory foam earcups for a snug fit during extended use, whether on long flights, road trips, or during work sessions. The chunky headpiece further enhances comfort, eliminating discomfort at the top of the head. Their foldable design adds to their portability, making them a convenient travel companion.

The Aonic 50s offer two key features: "active noise-cancellation" for undisturbed listening and "environment mode" for when you need to be aware of your surroundings. The latter comes with adjustable levels, from minimal to nearly transparent noise, manageable through the ShurePlus PLAY app. Basic controls are accessible via onboard buttons. Battery life is impressive, with up to 45 hours on a single charge and quick charging that significantly extends its use, marking a substantial improvement over its predecessor.

Buying Guide: How We Picked the Best Travel Headphones

In selecting the finest travel headphones to suit a range of needs, we took into account several key factors that distinguish the best from the rest, even among top-tier models. Here's what guided our selection:

1. Noise-Cancellation: We understand that not all noise-cancelling systems perform equally. Our chosen headphones offer premier noise cancellation, but some provide enhanced adjustability. This feature lets you tailor noise reduction to your environment, such as activating transparency mode on busy streets for safety.

2. Comfort: Enduring comfort is essential for travel headphones, meant to be worn for extended periods. Comfort levels vary; some models feature softer ear cups and headpieces, or lighter designs. Our selections stand out for their comfort-enhancing features, including memory foam or leather padding for an extra layer of luxury.

3. Battery Life: Our picks boast at least 24 hours of battery life, covering the duration of two long-haul flights. However, variations exist, and for those constantly on the move, options with up to 40-50 hours of battery life are indispensable.

4. Microphone Quality: While all our selected headphones come with microphones for calls or interacting with digital assistants, some go a step further by incorporating mics that also minimize ambient noise. This ensures clearer communication, making your voice distinct even in noisy surroundings like airports.

5. Durability: Travel can be tough on gadgets. Anticipating the inevitable drops, bumps, and exposure to rain, we chose headphones that are not only durable but also have a minimum water resistance rating of IPX4-5. This selection criterion ensures that your headphones are as ready for adventure as you are.

These considerations were paramount in our search for the best travel headphones, ensuring that our recommendations not only meet but exceed the expectations of discerning travelers seeking the perfect balance of noise cancellation, comfort, battery life, call clarity, and durability.

"As a techie constantly on the move for work and client projects, I depend on headphones that not only excel in noise cancellation but also deliver the supreme sound experience. This necessity has led me to test various headphones, focusing on those offering enduring battery life, superior sound quality, and top-notch noise-cancelling features."

-Lianne

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