Travel headphones are essential for blocking out noise, enjoying entertainment, and staying comfortable during flights, train rides, or commutes. Our top five picks for 2025—Bose QuietComfort Ultra, Sony WH-1000XM6, Anker Soundcore Space Q45, Apple AirPods Pro 2, and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4—excel in active noise cancellation (ANC), portability, and battery life.
Key factors include ANC performance, comfort (lightweight, cushioned), battery life (20–50 hours), portability (foldable or compact case), sound quality, and price ($100–$400). These selections cater to frequent flyers, commuters, and digital nomads tackling long-haul flights, public transit, or urban exploration.
Also Read: Best Outfits for Travel Comfort
Why Choose Headphones for Travel?
Benefits of Travel Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones block plane engine rumble and ambient chatter, creating a peaceful environment for focus or relaxation, per Wirecutter. They’re ideal for long flights, train commutes, or noisy airports, enhancing work, entertainment, or sleep.
Advancements like adaptive ANC, long battery life, and compact designs (foldable over-ears or pocketable earbuds) make them travel-friendly. Priced from $100–$400, these headphones offer durability and versatility for budget to premium travelers.
Top 5 Best Headphones for Travel
Below are five headphones compared for ANC, comfort, battery life, portability, sound quality, price, and travel suitability.
1. Bose QuietComfort Ultra – Best Overall
- SPATIAL AUDIO HEADPHONES: Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones with spatial audio give you an immersive experience that ma…
- NOISE CANCELING HEADPHONES: These wireless noise cancelling headphones feature Quiet Mode, Aware Mode and Immersion Mode…
- HEADPHONES WITH MIC: Microphones focus on the sound of your voice and the bluetooth headphones with microphone filter ou…
- Features: Over-ear, adjustable ANC (0–10), 24-hour battery (ANC on), foldable, 11.3oz, Immersive Audio, Bluetooth 5.3.
- Pros: Industry-leading ANC, comfortable for long wear, foldable for travel, per RTINGS.com.
- Cons: High price, Immersive Audio reduces battery life.
- Best For: Frequent flyers needing premium ANC and comfort.
2. Sony WH-1000XM6 – Best for Sound Quality
- THE BEST NOISE CANCELLATION: Powered by advanced processors and an adaptive microphone system, the WH-1000XM6 headphones…
- CO-CREATED WITH MASTERING AUDIO ENGINEERS: Developed in collaboration with world-renowned mastering audio engineers, the…
- HD NOISE CANCELING PROCESSOR QN3: The HD Noise Canceling Processor QN3 is 7x faster than the QN1 (found in our WH-1000XM…
- Features: Over-ear, adaptive ANC, 30-hour battery (ANC on), foldable, 8.9oz, Bluetooth 5.2, LDAC codec.
- Pros: Superior ANC, balanced sound, lightweight, foldable case, per Wirecutter.
- Cons: Slightly pricier than XM5, incremental upgrade over predecessor.
- Best For: Audiophiles and travelers valuing sound and ANC.
3. Anker Soundcore Space Q45 – Best Budget Over-Ear
- 98% Less Noise for Your Journey: The fully-upgraded noise cancelling system targets and blocks out a wider range of nois…
- Make Every Space Your Own: Whether you’re indoors, outdoors, commuting, or on a flight, Space Q45’s adaptive noise cance…
- Ideal for Traveling: 50 hours of playtime in noise cancelling mode will cover an around-the-world flight without needing…
- Features: Over-ear, adaptive ANC, 50-hour battery (ANC off), foldable, 10.2oz, Bluetooth 5.3.
- Pros: Long battery life, strong ANC, affordable, per TechRadar.
- Cons: Less premium build, slight audio leakage at high volumes.
- Best For: Budget travelers needing long-lasting ANC.
4. Apple AirPods Pro 2 – Best Earbuds
- PIONEERING HEARING — AirPods Pro 2 unlock the world’s first all-in-one hearing health experience: a scientifically valid…
- INTELLIGENT NOISE CONTROL — Active Noise Cancellation removes up to 2x more background noise.* Transparency mode lets yo…
- IMPROVED SOUND AND CALL QUALITY — The Apple-designed H2 chip helps to create deeply immersive sound. The low-distortion,…
- Features: In-ear, adaptive ANC, 6-hour battery (30 with case), IP54, 0.19oz, transparency mode.
- Pros: Compact, excellent ANC for earbuds, seamless iOS integration, per CNET.
- Cons: Shorter battery life, controls may be tricky for larger fingers.
- Best For: iPhone users prioritizing portability.
5. Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 – Best for Calls
- MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 is the 4th generation of MOMENTUM True Wireless.
- Immerse yourself in exceptional sound: Sennheiser’s TrueResponse transducer system and lossless audio technology deliver…
- Embrace the future: Stay ahead with LE Audio & Auracast* that are revolutionizing audio streaming, as well as with smart…
- Features: In-ear, ANC, 7.5-hour battery (30 with case), IP54, 0.2oz, aptX Adaptive.
- Pros: Superior mic quality, strong ANC, compact, per RTINGS.com.
- Cons: Higher price for earbuds, less battery than over-ears.
- Best For: Travelers needing clear calls and portability.
How We Chose the Best Headphones for Travel
Criteria for Selecting Top Travel Headphones
We evaluated headphones based on:
- ANC Performance: Blocks low-frequency engine noise and chatter, per Wirecutter.
- Comfort: Lightweight (≤11oz), cushioned pads, or ergonomic ear tips for long wear.
- Battery Life: ≥20 hours (over-ear) or ≥5 hours (earbuds) for long trips.
- Portability: Foldable over-ears or compact earbud cases.
- Performance: User feedback from Amazon, Reddit (r/Headphones), and reviews (RTINGS.com, TechRadar).
Comparison Table of Travel Headphones
| Model | Price | Type | Battery Life | ANC | Weight | Best Use |
| Bose QuietComfort Ultra | ~$$$ | Over-ear | 24h (ANC on) | Adjustable | 11.3oz | Long Flights |
| Sony WH-1000XM6 | ~$$$ | Over-ear | 30h (ANC on) | Adaptive | 8.9oz | Audiophiles/Flights |
| Anker Soundcore Space Q45 | ~$$$ | Over-ear | 50h (ANC off) | Adaptive | 10.2oz | Budget Travel |
| Apple AirPods Pro 2 | ~$$$ | In-ear | 6h (30h w/ case) | Adaptive | 0.19oz | Portability/iOS Users |
| Sennheiser MOMENTUM TW 4 | ~$$$ | In-ear | 7.5h (30h w/ case) | ANC | 0.2oz | Calls/Portability |
Benefits of Travel Headphones
Why Invest in Travel Headphones?
Travel headphones block ambient noise for focus or sleep, deliver immersive sound, and ensure comfort on long journeys, per Travel + Leisure. ANC tackles plane engines, long battery life supports layovers, and compact designs fit carry-ons. Priced from $100–$400, they offer durable builds for frequent travelers.
Customer Reviews and Feedback
What Travelers Say About These Headphones
- Bose QC Ultra: Amazon (4.7/5, 3,500+ reviews) lauds ANC, some note high cost (Reddit r/Headphones).
- Sony WH-1000XM6: Amazon (4.8/5, 4,000+ reviews) praised for sound and foldable design, price criticized (X posts).
- Anker Q45: Amazon (4.6/5, 2,800+ reviews) loved for battery life, build quality concerns (Reddit).
- AirPods Pro 2: Amazon (4.7/5, 5,000+ reviews) compact, strong ANC, tricky controls noted (X posts).
- Sennheiser MOMENTUM TW 4: Amazon (4.5/5, 1,500+ reviews) clear calls, price a concern (RTINGS.com).
Concerns include cost, build quality, and control usability.
Tips for Using Travel Headphones
Maximize Your Travel Headphones Performance
- Usage: Set ANC to max for flights, use transparency mode for airport announcements, store in protective cases, per TechRadar.
- Setup: Pair with Bluetooth adapters (e.g., AirFly Pro) for in-flight entertainment, charge fully before trips, adjust EQ via apps for sound.
- Maintenance: Clean earpads/tips with a microfiber cloth, update firmware via manufacturer apps, store in dry places.
Conclusion
Choose the Best Headphones for Your Travel Needs
Our 2025 picks cater to diverse travel needs: Bose QuietComfort Ultra for top ANC, Sony WH-1000XM6 for sound quality, Anker Soundcore Space Q45 for budget, Apple AirPods Pro 2 for portability, and Sennheiser MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 for calls. Match your headphones to your travel style—flights, commutes, or portability. Shop now on Amazon, Bose, or Sony for a peaceful journey in 2025!
